The big deal with climbing is that, in this country, most riding usually comprises more time climbing than descending. Not hard to understand surely 😉

No one said anything about racing to the top but you might as well make it as enjoyable as possible.

Dropped mine off there (on route to Cwmcarn) last Thursday lunch time and recieved them back on Monday morning.

That was for some warranty work though.

The more recent slacker angles of the 5 are what made me sell mine! Had a 2007 5 previously that was a great compromise between climbing and descending but the slacker angles tipped that compromise firmly towards descending. I no longer enjoyed the local twisty flattish singletrack and it just didn't climb as well as the older one. They are great bikes for sure but i love my Zesty more.

I spent some time recently sessioning the main (original?) picnic bench trail and also couldn't believe the short cuts that have been created. The original is still there to ride but you do indeed have to look hard to see it. Once your on the right line it's obvious as it has the most flow! Unsurpisingly.

How on earth is taking a straight line more fun than doing the more flowy line??

By cheeky i meant the use of footpaths etc. The majority of the LW trails have been in existence for years and years. I think trying to close them would be futile as more would pop up elsewhere. Short of ploughing them up you can't do much to block them. The biggest issue is the constant use they get regardless of the ground conditions. I personally only ride LW about half the year and typically wont ride there from late autumn through to early spring. Shame others can't do the same really.

As for Ashton Hill Plantation, the DH style trails there really are getting out of hand. People have created so many different trails in the woods along side the road including a few that pass over a badger sett!!! As soon as Still woods was shut-down these new trails sprung up, initially at the other end and now nearer the car park. I've been riding through there for years on my way to/from Ashton Court from Lulsgate and what was once a couple of narrow bits of singletrack is now something quite different!

All you need to know is that you'll be fine.

I have run a SG (mid-cage) shadow mech with a XT triple chain set with no problems whatsoever. Shadow mechs are stupidly long.

Thats hilarious! They're hardly cheeky!

165mm!! Even DH bikes only use 150mm. The point of the 142 standard is that the actual spacing between the drop outs is still 135mm. The extra width is in the hub end caps.

Brown lowers means they're early ones and as for condition, well, you may need a new upper crown assembly if the stanchions are worn which is possible. Factor in a service on top of that and it'll be costly.

You could do that all yourself but that depends on how good you are that sort of thing!

Are tandem components suitable for MTB's?

Thats right Badgerpoo. There is an extra 3.5mm each side that allows the hub to sit in a ledge in the drop-outs on each side. So far this standard seems to be on complete bikes so compatibility isn't really an issue.

Spend more how exactly bigbugsbaws? Either your new bike will come with it or it wont! They're aren't many 'frame only' bikes with this standard AFAIK.

Rear Maxle is 12mm.

Why have they covered bed rock in wood work?

The local deer/badger population have kindly worn a lovely section of singletrack along a length of narrow woodland that now links a green lane to a bridleway just a few mins up the road from me.

Only took a couple of hours of folding saw action to clear a few branches and hey presto…Hello twisty narrow woodland singletrack.

Yep, my Zesty had a slight step-down in the BB shell as well as flats filed on the granny ring mounting bolt tabs.

Spicys/Zestys have press-fit BB so no spacers that i can see.

Well, the tabs on my granny ring (where the chain ring bolts are) has a small flat machined onto it to clear the BB shell. I assume thats a modification Shimano do for Lapierre.

Regarding a 36 tooth middle ring, i can't see how/why it would be fouling anything. From what you're suggesting, your chainline isn't right perhaps?

Zesty owner here (514) but as far as i know Spicys/Zestys have the same BB's and in our case XT cranks. Mine don't show any sign of rubbing at all.

In regards to running a 36/22 set-up, i was wondering whether or not there was enough adjustment on the direct mount mech to be able to run a 36 middle ring. Only just it would seem!

Sorry, none of the above really helps you!

EDIT: Let me run to shed to check re: spacer.

Your experiences are the polar opposite of mine. I can think of only two rides that were particularly wet since i've had my bike (there must have been more!) A lap of the July trail at Afan and the start of the Snowdon descent i did a couple of weeks ago. Neither has made much difference to the pads.

I was actually thinking the stock pads must be pretty good although they can squeal abit and actually make a 'Honking' sound in the wet!

Cynic: That was someone claiming 4-bar bikes drop chains more than single pivots on long/rough descents (The Alps for example)!!!!! If that were true i'm screwed cos my 5 had a dropped chain after every descent last year and i'm now on a Zesty (essentially a 4-bar i think)

Only it doesn't work a treat IME. If pressures are too low the bead parts company with the tube and hello massive burp.

UST doesn't!

Chakaping: They certainly squeal. God knows what people must of thought as i started off down Snowdon Ranger Path in dense fog with the noise mine were making!!!! They're fine once warmed up though. Also, what kind of conditions/where have you been riding? I ask as mine were new in early March and pads are barely half worn, if that.

How on earth are they able to take funds from your bank account?

Yep. Ghetto'd E540 rims a couple of years ago with BMX tubes and Maxxis Minion/Crossmarks. No problems at all.

This must have something to do with it all having to come from Ireland. Once it's left CRC they are powerless.

Edit: Superstars bad rep stems from (mostly) some dodgy brake pads years ago that some refuse to forget about. I have 2 pairs of their nano-tech pedals that have been faultless.

You're very unlucky to have recieved a dodgy pedal as many on here have bought them and i havn't heard of this happening to anyone else.

I just said above they auto-adjust, no increase in lever travel with half worn pads in mine.

+1 for Barrow Gurney FP's! I live up by the Airport and ride up round Dundry/Brockley Coombe/Bourton Coombe etc. The more legal stuff to ride the better!

Big fan of Formula here…got RX1(RX Caliper/R1 lever) on my Zesty and RX on my wifes 575.

Superb brakes IMO. Came from Hope X2 previously and these are much nicer in a few ways. They're stupidly powerful (180F&R on my Zesty) and modulation is far superior, they seemingly only require a very light touch, if that makes sense. Pads are lasting forever but it has been very dry here in Bristol. They also look great, thats the most important thing obviously!

As the pads have worn i can't say i've noticed the lever travel increasing so they must auto-adjust.

I can't really comment on the long term as mine were new in early march and my wifes new in April so not really long term use yet. Our annual Alps trip will be the real test as we'll be riding them on the same trails we did last year using Hopes (X2 and Mono Mini).

I would recommend you buy the bleed kit too as you may need to shorten the hoses which might require a bleed through.

Hope that helps….Oh…and buy some now! UK Bike Store is cheapest although Evans will price match if you ring them.

Thanks, i'll look those up.

Main car park in the first turning on the right once you're on the forest drive. As for stuff getting nicked….don't leave valuables on display, same as any car park.

This one from CRC..

The Shimano press-fit one will work with a RaceFace crankset.

Oh sweet baby Jesus! It's still going!

Having slept on it i can safely say i would like to try an iPhone.

However, they are still to expensive second-hand. I cannot justify/afford one right now thats for sure. The trouble is i'm not on a contract, i pay-as-you go at £10 month which i actually only do every 5/6 weeks! Perhaps other smartphones are cheaper? I like the idea of having something that i can use as GPS, listen to music on (mostly in the car), go online and still makes calls/texts etc. Actually, being able to take a photo whilst on a ride and email it to my parents would be nice too.

See…i'm coming round 😀

I was proved wrong….no need to be a dick.

I have two bikes both with XT cranks and Nano-tech pedals, i just screwed them in! I have no idea what you're talking about!

Mark: That is impressive.

So it can do GPS, is the camera any good?

I'm not trolling, i'm all ears!

GrahamS: Yep, just taking a fag break.