@stumpym4, was that a Trans Cambrian Way trip?

I’ve not long moved near. I’ve heard there is some work going on with a new windfarm? Not sure if it will effect your route, but thought it worth mentioning.

If anyone has any GPX’s of any routes in the area (Road or CX) I would be interested!

Ned, it won’t last long sadly. Clearview 650 stove with back burner does all my heating and hot water (for now).

After the amount I spent on wood through winter i’ve been splitting and stacking like crazy.

I have a couple of acres of woodland, a new Stihl and felled my first decent sized (65ft Ash) tree a couple of weeks ago. Very steep gradient and nowhere to run if it went pear shaped. Certainly got the adrenaline pumping.

It fell where/how i’d planned/hoped but it did get a bit hung up and after hand winching proved useless, I cut it up and dragged it down to where i wanted it with my landrover.

I’m not in a hurry to do any others.

My Domane 6 came with DT axles as standard, but also included was all the hardware required to change to the forks and rear dropouts to traditional QR if required. Could be worth a look.

Daisys Cafe?

Triumph Speed Triple 1050 in Blazing Orange brand new from Windy Corner Triumph next to the Triumph factory. The triple sounded awesome with the arrow race pipes and burbling and popping on the overrun. It got so much attention when parked up. Still miss it now.

Aprilia RSV Tuono Factory. Last of the twins. Also brand new from Speedaway in Blackheath. Gold frame, Gold Magnesium Wheels, Ohlins, Brembo, Carbon everywhere. Black Dream Paint job. Dropped the front sprocket a tooth and it was a hooligan. Stunning bike. The Factory was definately worth the extra cash.

Suzuki GSXR 1000 K5 Anniversary. Again, brand new from Highways in Wolverhampton. Had the head ported and polished, full factory yoshimura pipe that was sold with the anniversary bikes. It was time machine quick and I was pretty close to death a few times. Hence the switch to the naked bikes above!

timbur, whereabouts are you?

Interested in this also, as i have just bought a house and 2.5 acres of woodland on the mid wales border thats been left idle for about 15 years and needs some serious work. I discounted Willow as firewood for the reasons welshfarmer listed. My stove also does my heating and hot water.

There was a similar thread on this a while ago which had some good advice.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/borneo-anyone-been

I have a Stache 7 and want some rigid forks. Tempted to order the Bontrager bowie from the 5, but they are not boost and I dont want to swap hubs really. Anyone seen anything else suitable?

I bought a nice new purple Trek Stache 7 29+ a couple of weeks ago on a whim. Havent even put pedals on it yet and already in the back of my mind i’m thinking i have other hardtails and this is n+1 too far and i should sell it whilst its new.

Midland VW are excellent. And you can ride around the Chase whilst they fix it.

http://www.midlandvw.co.uk/home.html

Posted.

I have one of those Rolson tools Parkesie linked to you can have, if you send me your address Ambrose.

I’ve gone for a 17.5 virtual.

I’m 5.9 ish (a teeny bit under) and ride medium on most other bikes (currently Santa Cruz). I’ve had a remedy 9.8 and a few fuels in the past and they were also 17.5.

The 7 at Stans looked about perfect for me.

I’ve ordered a 5 bonesetter. Still being told 29th Sept as delivery.

Stans Cycles in Shrewsbury have a Purple Stache 7 with the Manitou’s as a demo bike. (17.5 frame.)

Tame bridge parkway station? Right by the M6/M5 link. Not far from junctions of either motorway and free parking last time I was there. Safe enough and 15 mins into Brum but I always get off at Villa, so not sure if it goes on to New Street or Snow Hill from memory. Not a far walk through town if the latter.

Also Bescot station near Walsall FC. You’ll see the football ground from the M6 J9, so a mile before you take the M5 link.

Check timings etc though as I don’t use either often*

*3 times a year when I get Villa tickets.

Was just about to email you the same info Bonesetter. I was told £1350 RRP?

Hey Tom. I had the blue 26 originally too. Nice bike. Here’s mine. Similar build again.

Jolmes, I’ll be totally honest I havent added it up. I built it up slowly over winter. I have probably spent around £2600 all in, but I got a very good deal on the X1 Group/PIKES and the HOPE BB/HS/Wheels/Chain Guide from my LBS. Carbon Bars/stem/post is all Easton Haven which can be had cheaply. Fizik Gobi and XT brakes just because I like the feel of them and they are more powerful than any Hopes i’ve had in the past. Can both also be found cheaply.

Guessing without LBS discount/internet bargain hunting it would have been more like £3600. Obviously not cheap for an alu hard tail but I like it. I try to justify it by reminding myself what I paid for my Mojo HD frame only!

I think you’d struggle with a 2.5. Seat stays have masses of room but it’s quite tight near the BB. I wanted some 2.35 XR4s but dropped to 2.2 after trying one, though bontrager do come up big. 2.35 fitted, but it’s quite muddy where I ride. I’ll take a picture tomorrow if you like?

I had the 26 inch (2014) model before this and that was the same. In fact the frames are near enough identical barring a slight curve in the seat tube to accommodate the bigger wheel. I know 650b did squeeze into the 26 frame depending on tyre. You do get bolt thru rear drop outs on the newer frame, but being removable you could retro fit them to a 26 I guess.

Couple of (poor) pics. Wasn’t quite finished so excuse the cable lengths and lack of grips.

Built one recently as it happens. Mine is running 130mm Pikes, full X1, Hope wheels and bearings. Its a great.

Lee’s done a few of my frames and forks recently. IMO its worth having him fit the kit if you are anywhere near him as he works with the stuff daily and its a much nicer finish.

I do know he’s absolutely maxed out at the moment and if its not a frame he’s done before you will need to wait for him to have a spare design slot, so there may be a wait.

Gfrew, I had the matte on a carbon mojo HD and I could barely see it.

Oh, and as others have said he’s a really nice chap!

Antares, my LBS ordered it from Fishers. I asked for one late last year and had to wait a while for it to come in, but it should be easy to get them now.

As above, though I bought a 150mm Pike and then ordered a 130mm air shaft for £28 quid to convert it.

Ambleside had a revamp quite recently and they have put the prices up a bit. Windermere YHA is ok, but a bit out the way and they lock the doors at 2300hrs.

David, many thanks.

I’d appreciate one if anyone else has a spare. Thanks.

I was there a few years ago. Brunei mainly but we did go to Labuan for a while. From what I saw in Labuan, I’d probably avoid taking my daughter there. We went there to visit the WW2 Cemetery.

Brunei was ok, as Simons-Nicolai says above boat trips stand out the most. I jumped on one in BSB and it was excellent. Proboscis monkeys, Crocs etc. Was about three hours and cost very little. Also took another boat trip out in to the jungle and did a canopy walk and hiked down a river. Few pics below. Particularly proud of capturing the lizard as I’m rubbish with a camera!

Cannon Fodder, Sensible Soccer, Desert Strike and Flashback all consumed my teens.

Where abouts in Shrewsbury are you Mr Hoppy? I work in Copthorne and will keep my eyes open for them. Have you any pictures?

I have the new 27.5 frame and everything required to build it up bar the forks. I was going to go with Revs, but I hear 130/140mm Pikes should be available soon. I know the air shafts required to adjust travel have been available in the states for a while now.

I built up what is now last years Chameleon and after one short ride discovered an issue that resulted in a replacement frame being required. I was slightly annoyed that I have loads of quality 26 inch stuff I need to to sell that i’ll lose a fortune on, but that faded when I saw the new frame. Reverb stealth compatible and changeable dropouts if you ever want to go SS are plus points.

Having to drive miles to pick up a Trek Farley on Friday, as they are sold out in my size and no more are coming in. It will mainly be for winter gloop. Can’t wait!

Had a six month posting there in 1997 just before the hand over. Would love to go back some day but imagine its changed a great deal. I still have a Mad Dogs rugby shirt somewhere.

Thanks Beaker. Another 8% off and a free gift via quidco too.

I’m looking for a root beer SS Trek 69er if anyone is selling a medium.

Enjoyed reading that. Cool stuff.