Well, I’ve gone for the wide versions, with the theory that I’ll be able to run thinner/lighter tyres. We’ll see, cant lie, excited to see and feel the build

I had the same issues with my rq protections. Just put up with it till i knackered them in the alps. Wish I’d just got the proper ust ones to be honest, had a nightmare in the alps with pinch flats with them

As bike says, new pikes teeth section should be open, ride it while its smoooooooth

I’ve just switched from 26 to 29 and I can say that the extra grip you get is significant. To give a real world example I’ve got maxxis ardents on my titus fireline right now, on my 26 bike I found them lethal, and I do mean lethal. I’ve been running them for the last two or three weeks, through mixed conditions with zero problems, in fact I’ve found climbing traction to be staggering. I’d already ordered some sbc butcher and purgatory’s as that’s what I’d been most pleased with previously, I’m definitely going to be looking for a more summer based tyre for sure for the back. You can definitely get away with less treaded tyres from my experience.

Mine took about three weeks and i was hit for £18/19 taxes…. £8 for the post office inc in that

I’ve just fitted some to mine too, very impressed, loads of power and a very comfy leaver.

Think the ring itself cost about £55 then £18 taxes, good old royal mail was £8 of that….

Merlin by far the quickest and most reliable. Crc have been shocking, wont use again until i hear much better things, doesn’t sound like that’ll be anytime soon

Its just going to have to be a process of elimination, try changing bb then cranks, see what happens.

Right, changed back the standard chain ring and the click is still there, damn it. It comes when the left hand pedal is put force upon. So its not the chain ring any way. Both bottom bracket cups are tight. Wonder if its now a crank issue.

Like i say all I’ve changed is the chain ring. But under load there’s a definite click like the chain ring is holding on to the chain. I’m going to put the old chain ring on now and see if it makes the same noise, if it doesn’t I’ll have to get rid of the chainring and head back to a chain device. No big deal, would prefer to keep the narrow wide but the click would drive me insane

Xtr race cranks, chain is brand new

Should say, I’ve checked bb is tight, chainring bolts and cranks…..

Mine broke recently, local shop charged me £10 to send it back, but fair play to them they helped me out and now I’ve just spent £300 on brakes with them. Pays to help people sometimes

Same here, new one again under warranty and new one seems to have a scraping noise, but its staying up so that’s a bonus right now

Rides incredibly well, the extra traction you get from a 29er is unreal. Rode today in muddy conditions on Ardents (which in 26 i found lethal) and it was amazing.

handling wise it feels very much like a 26 hardtail, obviously it rolls way better but doesn’t feel ‘lazy’ like i was worried it would. Definitely need to drop the bard though as others have said, still not sure on the flat bar thing, I’ll try putting the stem right down first.

it’ll be a while before my mind is fully made up but as a first ride, I’m very impressed.

Paul, guilty as charged, also remember voodoo saying I’d get one. Oh my god….. :)

^^^^ this is what I’d thought, play around with the spacers first.

Yeah I’ve seen a load with flat bars, I’m just not fond on the way they look. may be that I come back from tomorrow’s ride and think I need some, hope not as I’ve only just bought the Renthal’s….. :l

That was one of the reasons I went for it, gives it a much shorter back end making it (in theory) more manoeuvrable and easier to pick the front end up…..

I think hope do one, shimano too but I cant find anyone who has any…..

I haven’t been up for a little while but last time i was up it was mad muddy fun

Yep life time, the warranty experience I’ve had with jungle and jonty specifically has been outstanding

Mine have been fine since i replaced bearings with better ones. Actually for sale if anybody is after a cheap set of wheels, switch hubs on crests all white £100

Thanks for the replies guys! I’m based in hartlepool, I’ve been out with the gboro mtb guys a few times during the week, great guys but when I’ve tried to see if anyone is up for weekend riding i haven’t had any response.

Just wanted to know if anyone would mind showing us some routes, north yorks would be good, I used to know some routes around silton where the old downhill course was but haven’t ridden there for 10 years plus.

Just waiting for my new lights to arrive so I can get out this week night riding :)

Freewheel knackered, snapped axle and bearings gone in 12 months

legolam are they all open?

hmmm maybe hit glentress this weekend then and go up to kielder when all trails are open?

although i’m liking the idea of a good ride out, my mate wouldn’t be over the moon about mile and miles of fireroad. I’d like something around 30 miles with some decent tech riding too.

Which of the trails would be best to tackle first?

yeah just looked at the cross boarder trail, is that a good one to do? 30 ish miles

I am tempted as like I say I’ve never ridden there

its only about another 45 minutes to glentress, although I’ve never ridden kielder, whats the best trail/s?

Looks lovely Dave!

Santacruz have been excellent for me. Replaced bits under warranty without question. Where are you based? I deal with stif as they’re next door to sc uk

Sounds good doug. Email in profile if you want to catch up with us fr a beer/ride

Slight hijack, loco when are you taking bookings from now please?

I’m away with bland again this year. The area is amazing and really suits the new breed of trail bike. Really is singletrack heaven and not really one for beginners. Some of the local stuff to bourg is hugely steep and you’ve got to be switched on to ride it. Almost all of it is off the way marked routes though. I’m lucky enough to have bland who’s put a pretty big effort in looking at the area for routes but last year with just a little effort I still have best alps trip I’ve had so far.

As for la thuile I thought that was the real highlight. Quite and just flowed so so well.

One major positive compared to les gets etc is no braking bumps!

Yep, I was meant to be coaching there today but had to cancel. As far as I could see it was only posted on the website on Tuesday………

They’re just not as active feeling as the blackbox forks. Seem a little more harsh compression wise. I’ve already had a quick word and it will be him that does it. Seems a top bloke, more than willing to support him as he gives advice on this forum for free, I like that.

I bought some £2 ones from ebay and did mine myself. 10 minute job abduction didn’t need any special tools for mine. dissappointed that the bearings front abduction rear only lasted about 5 months. see how these go….