As mentioned – Barel rode the XR for the last 18 months which comes with geometry designed for 160mm forks.

I had my Foxy RR set up with Fox 36s, partly because that was what I had, and because I’m what some might describe as a moderately ‘burly’ rider. I really loved it on the descents, but with the greater than standard axle-crown height and slacker headangle; it was a bit wandery on the flats/climbs so I made great use of the Talas height adjustment. Never quite found the sweet spot you’d get with the standard forks though.

When my RR frame cracked (and replaced under warranty), I test rode an XR and found, as I hoped – that the geometry and ride was pretty much what I had hoped to achieve with my RR, but done properly and with the intelligent component choice was amazingly confidence inspiring. So I bought an XR frame and built it up… with newer 36s – and I’m loving it 🙂

I recommend Adam at The Bike School[/url] on Cannock Chase or FoD. I did the Jumps and Drops course, which has the ultimate aim of teaching how to do both those things well, but builds from the ground up, starting with manualling (to ‘proper’ bunny hops, into drops and then jumps)

It’s an invaluable technique for maintaining speed, dealing with dips and bumps that are too big/ small to hop or jump, and is a good way of avoiding being splashed by puddles/fords too 🙂

Ribbesford is great for some really entertaining DH tracks. All obstacles are being made rollable to keep the FC happy.

Main Wyre forest area is a good day out with cafe and Go Ape at the vistors centre, a waymarked family (fireroad) mountain bike route, and if you can track down a local guide / gps route – it has some of the best singletrack in the Midlands… (but most of it will still be pretty muddy unless you go in the two weeks of late summer when most of the water has had a chance to evaporate.)

166km all off road, which was more or less on target for my objective of minimum 50km (off road) per week, and not including a day uplifting at Antur Stiniog, which in some ways was the hardest day of the lot!

It’s not all about the distance!

I got a full set of helitape from these guys (http://www.invisiframe.co.uk/%5B/url%5D)… they don’t seem to have a pattern for Cotic/Rocket yet, but might be worth giving them a shout anyway. It’s not cheap (compared to an uncut pack of moto tape), but then neither are frames…

TheEndIsNigh – Will do. I was just heading up kitbag hill from the crossing (on a black Mondraker) as you were coming down the last switchbacks of the Dog/Monkey link

Funny that – saw another black rocket at Cannock yesterday. Definitely one of my favourite few full sus frames about at the mo.

Cannock is about as good as it gets at the mo – perfect conditions

Mmmm frosted donuts

Following deer tracks on a quick pootle in the Clent hills yesterday.

Those cold/wet days where it’s a real battle to get out of the house, drive to the trails and get out on the bike, but 15 minutes later you’re wondering why you ever doubted.

Loamy soil and drifty turns

A herd of deer that only notice you when you’re within 20 yards, before collectively springing, running and bounding off through the ferns into the trees

the one ride in every ten, when your lungs are clear, legs are strong, eyes are focussed on the trail ahead, bike’s working perfectly and you’re truly ‘on it’ – feeling the terrain through the tyres

When you just have to stop to take in the beauty and silence around you.

Mid-summer in the Wyre forest. Low winter sun on Cannock Chase. Halfway down an alpine descent. Sat on the side of the midway singletrack climb/traverse of the Megavalanche being overtaken by a whole string of riders because everything had gone lightheaded and blurry, before waiting for a decent gap and nailing the downhill, trying to catch and overtake all those who had just gone by.

I think half of those reasons are why I enjoy riding alone as much (if not more) as riding with mates.

Nothing wrong with mismatching travel, within certain ranges and as long as the geometry is designed around it.

My Foxy XR has an extra 20mm up front over the standard 140mm Foxy, to match its more aggressive nature.

I think with the linkages and tuning you can apply to the rear (more so than the front), these days you can achieve an almost bottomless travel feel from relatively little, but things are a bit more limited with the forks

I’m entered! First enduro for a while, cheaper and closer than a lot of the UK Gravity Enduro rounds – be interesting to see how this one’s run.

Also entered in the Mondraker Gravity Rally in July – having done a fair bit of riding around Porlock last year, I’m looking forward to racing on some of those trails. Somerset/Exmoor has some cracking riding…

@boxbuster – that 853 Raleigh DH bike is on my list too. Apparently flexy as a flexy thing, but the hand-painted flames job and steel tubes looked great.

Speaking of flexy things, this was another big want

Very early on it would have been one of these

More recently – the IndyFab Tngsten Electrode

Seems I had a thing for DH bikes with shonky loking single swingarms…

And of course, an Intense M1 – especially in the Dirt/Kawasaki team green

Not particularly ‘clever’, but high ceilings are a big help

Bike holders were custom welded for friends’ old bike shop – I inherited a few when they closed.

My first Arrow DSS, resprayed in grey

Had it set up with both 24s and 24/26 (as designed). Comp 3s were rubbish but looked cool.

1996 taking the fun (and forbidden) route through Wimbledon Common on the way back from work in the centre of London. I was riding a secondhand full rigid bike bought just to get to and from work, the name of the frame was something like ‘American Renegade’, it had a pink/grey fade, lugged tubes, biopace chainset and u-brakes. I started buying magazines to find out more about mountain biking, and was hooked.
Then properly in 1997/98 when I started Uni in Telford/Wolverhampton – also up the Wrekin/Ercall and over to Cannock and various Shropshire hills.

Figure we might as well keep this the “Forward” thinking Foxy thread…

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I bit the bullet in January and ordered the frame – I’d been collecting parts for a month already, and having decided that the frame deserved more than just the worn out bits from my previous Foxy, went for a slew of Hope and XT kit to go with the 2012 36s (bit more beef up front than the standard 2013 34s, and £400-500 cheaper too)

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So chuffed with how it’s turned out – first ride at the weekend wasn’t great in all the slop, trying to avoid premature aging from Cannock sand and grit, but it still shows the same promise of speed I found on the demo bike.

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Thanks to P Yates Cycles of Stourport for the superb build, and yes I will be taking it back soon for a final trim of hose and steerer.

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P.s. if anyone fancies a Foxy without committing to a stubby stem – there’s a very nice new R frame still for sale in the classifieds 🙂

Here’s another one – my Dialled Prince Albert Mk1, in it’s various guises and colours (same frame)

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What they said… I mostly steer clear during the winter months as it’s not exactly the fastest draining/drying place

So while I’d be happy to show people round what I know, I won’t be there for some time.

Brown Spoon / Green Bike
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Considered a custom one for my new (Foxy XR) build in progress but decided if I was going custom I’d want Ti and Leather, and given what I’m spending on other, more complex bits – I’m not quite ready to spend £120 on a saddle mostly just to get a black Charge logo. So I bought a standard Ti/Leather one for £50 and I’m going to sandpaper the red logo back to black instead.

@adi66 I think you’ll find the braking bumps have been filled in by the hard-working Chase Trails volunteers 🙂

I myself need to book a sunday morning soon to get out with the work boots and jeans rather than my bike and give a little back hopefully in return for some good karma. I’ve seen Chase Trail pixies out almost every day that I’ve been there in the last month – there’s a hell of a lot of maintenance that goes into those trails to keep them running despite the hammering they get from thousands of riders and the umpteen different types of rain we’ve had.

The good trail conditions aren’t just down to the rain stopping!

I got a nice new 661 Recon Helmet to replace my old, tired, crashed-on Giro Xen

And a Tacx Trainer in hope of getting a bit more fitness and entering a few races this year.

Well chuffed, all round – christened the helmet yesterday, need to decide which bike to give over to the trainer – currently looking to be the under-used singlespeed road bike.

As chakaping says – they’ve sorted the pivot bolt issue, by changing the hardware, and also making all bolts accessible from the non-drive side, so even if they do work loose (which they shouldn’t) – you have a better chance of doing something about it.

My RR developed hairline cracks from the top rear corners of the cutout in the shock cage (by the mech mount on the drive side). I googled extensively and could only find two other mentions of similar issues – one on a Dune hire bike in the Alps, and on another Foxy somewhere. For the record, I’m 16st ish and allegedly quite hard on bikes, though I maintain I’m smooth like butter, float like a butterfly, etc etc.

I did a fair few Gravity Enduros on it, countless days in the saddle at trail centres, exploring Exmoor and even a couple of Racers Guild timed downhill practice days. So I’d say it was a great all-rounder – aided by the longer travel forks, although by the same token it was maybe a bit compromised in terms of geometry as a result – never quite being as Mondraker intended, switching between 130 and 160, not hitting the 140mm sweet spot they designed it for.

Again, this is why I’m sold on the XR – I think they know what they’re doing and having that geometry designed for the 140mm/160mm travel makes it seem even more the perfect all-rounder. On the RR I’d constantly be switching between 130 and 160 for climbs/descents, whereas on the XR, only on the tightest switchback climbs did I switch to the mid setting, partly out of habit.

Well, I’ve just spent the weekend riding a demo Foxy XR from P Yates Cycles of Stourport.

Flippin awesome.

First, some background… I’ve had a 2011 Foxy RR since March last year, set up with 160mm Fox 36 Talas and 70mm/720mm bars. I’ve loved it but unfortunately it cracked a couple months back. Fortunately Mondraker and Silverfish have been totally excellent in sorting the warranty and have provided me with a shiny new replacement frame. This is fortunate, because it was a very short list of frames I’d consider as alternatives to the Mondraker.

However, seeing the new XR setup, with the geometry designed for my preferred (mismatched) suspension setup had piqued my interest, and I determined to try one before building up the replacement frame
Decided the best way to compare was to ride tried and tested trails, so spent both days hammering the same Cannock Chase trails (official, and unofficial) I’ve been riding for years.

Having only ridden once in a month and being on double strength antibiotics, I didn’t expect much in terms of performance, but decided to turn on Strava half way round… and subsequently set 5 Personal Records on a variety of sections.

Sitting on it for the first time – it just felt right. Looks odd, but feels spot on. Does seem a little strange to be able to see so much of the front tyre, and you sense that your weight is in a different position front-to-back… more centred, if anything. The wheelbase is noticeably longer too, and not just from squeezing it onto the bike rack on the car, where it was longer than the last DH bike I put on there some 5 years back.

On some of the corners, I found myself a bit wider on the exit, but soon compensated, and having my weight more over the front gave me the confidence to push through the corners. Some of it may also have been down to the fatter tyres specced as standard on the XR (and the new shiny kashima coated bounce), but it really has been thought out as a complete package, and felt incredibly balanced and stable in the air and at speed.

In short – I will be putting in an order for an XR frame kit, and thinking very carefully about what parts I put on it to closely replicate the full bike spec, but to suit my more modest budget.

Can’t wait.

I rode at Hopton weekend before last – was pretty wet, and quite slick. I had an Advantage on the front and an Ardent on the rear which was a little sketchy and lacking in traction in places.

I’m entered on Sunday, though having to look at building up the hardtail since my Mondraker has developed a couple of unsightly cracks 🙁

Based on experience of various Gravity Enduros, I wouldn’t go too chunky (HighRoller/Minion etc) as there’s going to be plenty of climbing on the transitions, and the stages look to have a fair amount of ‘along’ as well as ‘down’ in them.

Should be a good day, and as everyone has said – for a great cause

Just found this post while looking for locals I could ask about current trail conditions… any good at the mo?

While on the subject though – I always steer clear of the sections that clearly state no biking, and tend to ride on weekdays and evenings to avoid running into walkers, and drawing attention to trails.
That said – it’s a (relatively) big place, and due to the unmarked and generally well hidden nature of the trails, as long as people do use common sense – apart from the odd vigilante rambler, I hope we can continue to ride there without trouble for a long time to come.

Id suggest the increased traffic over the last 15 years (I first rode there back in ’98) is in line with the increase in the popularity of biking generally. That said, if anything is going to increase traffic further – it’s the growing number of videos showing how good the riding is, in conjunction with GPS routes and apps like Strava.

Enjoyed the OP’s vid, btw – good fun, think I’ll have to get back down soon

I spent some happy days seeking out some of my old favourites and some new ones last year, also put together a couple of helmetcam videos mostly for my own enjoyment (on the same trail, i think…?)

Wyre Forest Helmetcam

Pre Mono, Hope were indeed 145/165/185/205

I remember because of the indignation at *another* change when they went from 160/180 etc to 163/183

As said above – Bootleg Canyon[/url] just outside Boulder City… it’s where they hold the Interbike dirt demo days.

some great bits of singletrack and rocky downhils, and yep – very hot, use sunblock… i rode in mid March and managed to burn my lips (no idea)

I hired a Nomad with Domains from All Mountain Cyclery[/url] – they were even kind enough to swap the brakes (l/h – r/h) for me

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Bootleg Canon trails[/url] by space-scape[/url], on Flickr

@buzz – true that… even in the later films like Chainspotting, it all just felt like a big holiday (maybe because it was…)

Just for reference…

RIP JMC

think i may have to go rag my bike around some woods in his memory tonight

I’ve been using the AM41s for a few months, and I’m not keen… the Vibram sole is nowhere near as grippy, or durable as FiveTen rubber – the pattern has worn away at the pedal contact points already

I’m looking forward to checking out the new Teva Links (One Planet at Llandegla have them in stock, apparently), but not sure how durable the uppers will be – they look a bit lightweight.

Most likely to go for a set of the Five Ten skate style shoes… I have a pair of Impacts, but hate the clod-hopper feeling when wearing them for anything other than DH

no worries…. and yep – likewise. I considered noting the various lines i missed, but it would have taken too long!

For reference – this is the clip the OP was talking about 🙂

Good effort FBK – I got 55th…. in Masters 🙂

Uploaded my helmet cam footage of all 5 stages… probably not particularly exciting, or interesting unless you rode it, or are especially keen to see what the trails were like, but I’ve included it all for sake of completeness.

Eastridge Gravity Enduro Rd4

@chakaping, yeah thought i recognised the name. I was just two places ahead of you in Masters – likewise, hoped to do better but it’s pretty consistent with my other results.

Had a crash on Stage one, and missed lines on other stages but my main areas for improvement are more fitness, bigger balls, and better brakes! I have a load of helmet cam footage from both days I’ll try and get up at some point

re: other posters comments about fat sweaty blokes in a field – it was a hot day, and i’m just big boned! Seriously though – there’s a lot of properly quick guys out there in all the categories – good to see the elite field step it up this weekend too

Thanks to Steve and the other organisers and sponsors, hope to see you for another series next year

@jamescoulson It was down as the last weekend in August originally, been moved to September to avoid clashes with other events I think.

@getonyourbike cheers – I would have liked to have my bike when i was your age too!

@chakaping – good to meet you, i was the guy on the Green Foxy

Enjoyed it a lot – my favourite round so far (didn’t do Inners), loved the natural trails and the challenge of the steep stuff

Not the biggest hill, but it was steep enough.. 10 minutes seems short (it was longer for most!), but they were action packed, and it was good to get away from the trail centre type trails.

It’s not just the race day anyway – i did more riding on Saturday than Sunday, and arguably had more fun too.

Shame I can’t make the revised date for the last round, already looking forward to next year though.

@kudos … cheers – thought i’d go for something a bit classy. I like the Alpine, but it’s a niche i don’t need to fill. Would love a Dialled Cruiser though!

Can’t see the appeal as a high-end bike… I’d imagined the sustainable technology would be better suited to projects like this[/url]

Have had two Gobis over the last 5 years… first one lasted pretty well before the stitching started unravelling. Second one was ok, but i eventually decided that the discomfort i’d been experiencing was down to the saddle and not just me being soft.

It had also developed a really annoying creak in the rail mounts which i couldn’t get rid of.

Got a Charge Spoon to replace it, and loving it so far after a month and a half of riding a couple times a week. And it’s brown.

Slowly gathering bits for my old, re-purchased but newly resprayed Dialled PA, as a simple hardtail for ragging about when i can’t be doing with the full-sus

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Dialled PA[/url] by space-scape[/url], on Flickr

Have… Easton wheels, old Middleburns, XTR rear mech, old Flite Ti saddle, old Hope Mono minis,

Need… forks (revelations or similar) as i can’t face putting my old Pace RC40s on only to deal with the inevitable disappointment

720mm Answer mid rise with 50mm stem on Mondraker Foxy with Fox 36 Talas and … they feel plenty wide enough for me and I’m 6’3″ with fairly broad shoulders…. can’t see that anything wider would be of any benefit

I’ve carried a fullface onto plane along with hand luggage bag before… my argument is – if women can get away with a handbag AND large hand luggage, then the helmet is no different in size to a handbag. Not that I’ve ever had to have that discussion.

Last time, it went into the bike bag, well padded – filled a nice space between swingarm and seatpost.