You're thinking of doing it alone 😯

Sainte Foy in the 3rd week of September for us.

I just Google Earthed it and the traversing trail could be bloody good as could the descents down through the woods…..one way to find out!

Don't know how rocky Verbier's trails are but our 'backcountry' week near Les Arc last year involved some pedalling up on everyday and 2.35 were perfect but….i lost my chain after almost every descent.

This year i'll definitely be sorting out a chain guide!

Google Earth any good?

What dates are you there (The White Room) Smogmonster?

Not strange Ash just my opinion. I'm well aware of when holiday companies offer their packages.

I personally would be rather annoyed at not being able to ride a certain trail if its covered in snow. September would give you a better chance surely? What can we expect in Sainte Foy in the 3rd week of Spetember, in your experience?

Yeah we choose September as its the alot cheaper and sooooo quiet (and last years trip to Sainte Foy was glorious) although it rained twice but after we had finished riding for the day.

I was refering to the Swiss Berner Oberland that is very changeable at the best of times.

Not sure what you expected. After spending all my childhood holidays in the Alps, i wouldn't consider going specifically for a riding holiday in June.

September is a better bet but very much depends on how long lifts are open for i guess.

I had the shop swap the Continentals that came on my Zesty for a Maxxis Ignitor on the front and Crossmark on the rear.

I don't rate Mountain Kings.

There must NOT be alot more potential trails on the 'dips than i'm aware of in that case.

So it's Elliptic and Scienceofficer i have to thank for clearing..sorry…not clearing..bits of local singletrack 😀

Roscoe: I think you're right. A quick look at Trek UK dealers and 11 come up for Bristol so i can't see my LBS being able to switch to selling Trek either.

TJ – Sorry, that was my point. Top end stuff doesn't pay the bills. I understand why he's doing it.

Go to the bloody doctor FFS! Why would you wait 9 days with something like that?

How original…

I've seen my LBS transform from selling a nice range of mountain bikes to pretty much doing nothing but Cycle to Work type bikes. He no longer has top end frames on the wall or any demo bikes as he claims people will just get the bike online for a few quid less…not really true IMO.

The trouble is i think he's just handing business to another LBS who is far more passionate about the top end stuff (Road and MTB) and therefore sells more of it.

Also, his interest in MTB just doesn't seem to there anymore. I get alot of jokes/rolling eyes whenever i mention tubeless for example!

That makes sense…fair enough.

Why are most rear brake mounts still I.S when the majority of forks and brakes Post Mount?

Any finance on bike stuff is daft unless it's interest free! Stuff depreciates so quickly anyway so paying interest on it seems especially pointless.

Thats bloody nice! I have a Handjob in a similar orange which will also soon be 1×9. I too only recently realised how great a hardtail is after spending the last 4 years on full-sus. Went UST on mine though as i was pinch flatting waaay to much!

Freecaster worked fine for me and their commentary is far more informed than Euroports seeing as Freecaster get team managers etc dropping by for a chat!

Can't really offer any other advice i'm afraid. We always need at least 1 hold bag as there is always 2 of us travelling.

Kojak…I wouldn't recommend you try that for one very good reason.

1.If they do decide to check your bike bag and dicover it filled with other stuff then you'll have no hold bag to put said items into! and then you'll be screwed.

We did put some stuff in our bike bags last year, like camelback reserviors and tools, but we still had plenty of room in our 1 hold bag should they have discoverd it! Your choice i quess but i personally wouldn't risk it for the sake of a few quid. We always book our flights as early as possible so that the total cost is as low as possible.

Our flights in September to Geneva are just under £200 for the 2 of us with 2 bike bags and 1 hold bag.

3-4 of filtered…Instant is just plain wrong!

2005 Trek hardtail (Can't remember the name!)
2006 Marin Wolf Ridge (Stolen)
2007 Marin Wolf Ridge (Replacement)
2007 Orange 5 frame (with aboves components)
2009 Orange 5 Pro
2010 Lapierre Zesty 514 (Current)
2008 Cove Handjob (Current)

4….Yeti 575/Lapierre Zesty 514/Cove Handjob/GT Legato 3.

Having owned 2 Orange 5's previously i'd say test-ride a 5!

Really don't see the point of the ST4. A 5 can be built light/strong/etc to suit so many different uses. They're hugely versatile in that respect.

What happens to existing Gary Fisher dealers?

My LBS had been loyal to the brand since he set up shop but i guess he'll no longer be able to sell them as he isn't a Trek dealer.

The spec of that Genius is amazing!!!

I wouldn't reccomend getting it polished. It'll look great once built up and then S£$t once ridden in the wet!

I had my old Orange 5 polished and whilst it was relativley easy to polish up once in a while it still took more maintenance than i could be arsed with. The top tube looked especially crap after a few wet rides, from getting on and off the bike etc.

I am!

Long weekend to watch the Champery round of the DH World Cup (which just happens to coincide with my cousins wedding) and a week with The White Room.

Your LBS might rent them out…at least ours does. £15 each a week i think which is better than buying something to use once a year and then have nowhere to store it for the other 51 weeks of the year!

Good to see some recommendations for the Superstar Red pads. Just bought 4 pairs for our new brakes.

We were advised by many to take loads of spare pads on our first Alps trip last year. How many did we get through?…..None!…and we used are brakes plenty i can assure you. It didn't rain though which would have made a big difference i'm sure.

We were using standard (Organic) pads in our Hope brakes and i only suffered significant brake fade on one occasion.

We have a Staffy/Jack Russell cross that has stupid amounts of energy…however…we havn't got past the 'trying to bite your feet as they spin round' phase!!!!!

Some more training required i think!

You just need to fit the correct number of spacers behind each BB cup.

It's 1 on the non-driveside and 2 on the drive side on my Cove Handjob.

It's you i'm afraid!

I used a Vision 1 for about 18 months of commuting. It's great but the biggest problem is the sudden darkness you are plunged into when the batteries die as there is no warning light to indicate low charge.

There's better alternatives out there i'm sure. Useful as a torch though!

Useless would imply he did nothing…not the case though was it?

Perhaps he knew the chances of a prosecution were slim to none, not to mention the load of paper work involved! You must know an awful lot about the realities of being a policeman to make such sweeping statements 🙄