Just received mine today. Tan graphics and also 27.5. No use to me as I already have 27.5 170mm Yari, I was hoping to turn my G170 into a 29er. Back they go I guess.

Have a look at Giant tyres. I’ve just fitted a Crosscut Gravel 2 700×40 (other sizes available) to the rear of my Escapade. Very reasonably priced at £29.99, tubeless ready, rolls well and grips well (unless it’s really muddy), just like the Nano performs. If you want a more solid centre tread then Giant also do the Crosscut AT at £24.99, also a tubeless tyre.

I’ve got one (well it’s the Mrs bike really but I’ve ridden it). Great bike, very well balanced and super stable at speed. Very quick and responsive steering, doesn’t feel super plush like my Reign does but it uses its suspension very effectively so it pedals pretty well plus there’s still all of that travel to get you out of trouble. It’s a bit pedestrian on the flat as you’d expect and climbing performance is what you’d expect of an enduro bike (still ok though). It’s a riot on the descents and loads of fun to ride, definitely on the playful side of neutral. The tyres could do with changing although the Convict up front isn’t a bad tyre. In the long run I reckon a charger2 damper upgrade will be on the cards. Recommended if you have the terrain to justify it although it’s still fun on mellower stuff just harder work than a more trail focused bike.

Set my Hans Dampf Performance tyre up pretty easily on the rear of my Giant Reign. It’s held up fine so far and I’ll continue to use it until fails (it came with the bike). If I were buying a new tyre I’d go the extra though and get the tougher sidewalls.

For anyone after Whyte T130’s then check Edinburgh Bicycle Coop, they still have the RS, S and Yari models as well as some limited carbon stock.

Send it back. Recently sent mine back out of warranty for the same problem and Fishers sent me a new one free of charge.

Apparently many people think the Specialized Allez is pronounced ‘A Les’, as in a Les Battersby and not ‘A Lay’ as it should be called.

This looks like a lot of fun in the Tweed Valley, I’m yet to ride it but I’m planning a trip soon to check it out.

https://instagram.com/p/BAfVV56Mc7Z/

Got them in at work. They look great in the flesh and yes they are a little bit lardy but not overly so. Rides fine in the car park test. The AWOL is also a lovely looking bike in the flesh and again rides well. I’ve got a soft spot for Genesis though (I own 3 of them now).

I’ve only ever run my High Latitude with 120mm, handles great, do it!

When I fitted a CCDB CS air to my old Cotic Rocket frame which previously had a Fox Kashima CDT fitted I just swapped the existing mounting hardware over on the advice of Cy at Cotic. I was also going to purchase new mounting hardware for the CCDB but there was no need. You just need to gently tap/pull the hardware out of fox shock and press it into CCDB unless of course your old hardware is worn out.

Surprised no one has mentioned the Specialized Hillbilly. A really good tyre for this time of the year, grips on pretty much anything. I was running the Butcher/Purgatory combo which is great but the Hillbilly up front just adds another element of grip in the winter slop.

Good fun trails. Nothing there that you can’t ride on a modern trail bike.

I tend to find the Butcher is a great tyre most of the time especially when it’s dry. I was out last night on the 29er in the slop and found the Butcher ok on the wet roots but I definitely don’t trust it the same way I trust a Magic Mary or WTB Vigilante in really shitty conditions.

WTB Cross Boss here. Work a treat tubeless, roll pretty quick, grippy in most conditions although out of their depth in proper winter muck, durability – not sure as I’ve only just fitted them. Not the cheapest but quality rubber.

Do the lollipop route, better than the classic loop in my humble opinion.

Still loving my 26″ wheeled Rocket, it’s just so much fun to ride! I guess when I finally get around to catching up with the times and buy a 650b machine then the Rocket will be the obvious choice. Good luck with it Cy although to be honest I don’t think luck will come into it, a bike as sorted and fun as the Rocket will sell all day long. Guess I’m going to be spotting a few more Rockets out on the trails now!

Following this thread with interest as also off to Arran for a week in September. Liking the sound of Goat Fell hike a bike.

cb – correction, the T130 works will be £2399, the T130 S will be £1799

I believe the Whyte T130 Works (complete bike) will be reduced to £2000 in Edinburgh bicycle Co-op sale that commences on the 15th August. I know it’s not a frame only option but at that price with Pikes and 1×11 it’s a bargain. They are currently still priced at full rrp and they only have a few left. Check their website on the 14th August as they usually list their sale prices the day before the sale actually starts. Worth a look maybe?

Genesis High Latitude with 120mm forks. Rides really well and is a lot of fun. Very good as my second bike and compliments the full sus very well. Pretty basic forks up front but I reckon with a 120/130mm Pike up front and some burly rubber fitted then it would be a riot.

Edinburgh bicycle co-op have good deals on the Genesis Volare if you’re after a full bike.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/browse?keywordFilter=Volare&bGOmainKeyword=Search

X fusion slant work although you will have to fit a rubber stop to the internals for full 650b compatibility.

4 out of 5 of my bikes are steel. It’s not because I’m a steel die hard although I do have a soft spot for the skinny tubed asthetics and the sometimes ‘springy’ ride. More importantly though it’s because they are all great fun bikes to ride.

Anymore build pics guys?

Here’s a few more of mine: https://www.flickr.com/gp/44029192@N00/x4V46u

Just purchased one of these myself. Built it up fairly low rent with spare bits left over from an Inbred build. Great bike! Has a nice bit of spring to it but the big surprise to me is the ‘hooligan’ element the bike has. Running mine 1×9 with forks set at 120mm. Liking it a lot.

Pic here: https://flic.kr/p/uvmh6R

Heading up tomorrow for the full week up there with my good lady. Looking forward to it, hope it’s as fun as last year. E2 again for me. I certainly won’t be setting any blistering times, just aiming to finish.

I’ll be sticking with my trusty Magic Mary/Hans Dampf combo. I haven’t done the new golfie one yet but I’ve heard it’s a cracker! The mast trail at GT was a claggy mess when I rode it last week so here’s hoping it’s a little more bed in. The Inners stage I rode was a cracker (was following someone who knew it), I couldn’t follow it again though without tape!

Hopefully see some of you guys over the coming week.

Genesis High Latitude worth a look? Stock bikes come with 100mm forks but I’ve seen frames built up around 120/130mm forks. Seems like a good no nonsense option. I’ve actually just ordered a frame so will let you know when it turns up.

Any good?

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/rockshox-sektor-tk-140-coil-tapered-fork-with-pushloc-id81691.html#info

I bought a CdF 30 for the Mrs. She loves it and so do I. Stable, fast enough in most situations, handles off road really well, comfortable and the fully hydraulic discs are a revelation. Great bike. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a do anything adventure type thing. It’s not as urgent or as fun as my Genesis Fugio off road but it’s better on the road. Genesis really do make some great bikes.

Pretty sure it’s close to 7% of the value of the bike you pay to extend to the 36 month option. The 7% will be payable at the 12 month point though. Certainly much more attractive than the 17% or 25% value (depends on value of bike) that you will have to pay on the 12 month option. As always check with your employer to see how they are running things.

I’ve ridden bits of it over the years. Perfect for a CX bike if you want to cover it quickly. Alternatively use a mountain bike if riding with a group of mates at a more relaxed pace. Throw in a few pub stops and you’ll have a great few days. Certainly nothing technical on it. It’s more about the scenery and just getting out riding. Having said that there are plenty of off piste trails along the way if you know where to look if you want to spice it up with some technical stuff. These trails aren’t directly on the route though, you’d have to seek them out. They are there though.

Jawbone and Walk or Burn are a very good combo. Quite enjoyed the new trail that goes off just before 3G. No Social is without doubt the best trail there though, probably the steepest as well. Well worth the 20min push to get to it. If you liked Boner then try Aussie rules as well.

And yes, Thornielee is very good.

They’ll probably not use the same stages this year but certainly expect them to be similar. You should have jumped over the other side and done Stage 3, ProSpacker….very interesting in the wet.

Not sure yet timythetinyhorse. Possibly a double header with Thrunton early doors and Rothbury later on with the Mrs and one of her friends.

As above, the ride along the ridge is very good but I wouldn’t do it at the weekend at peak times as its a footpath (the old BW is now closed due to errosion). You’ll probably be fine very early morning or late evening though. Lots of very good trails on both sides of Rothbury (Simonside and Carriage drive side), just need to get out and have a look for them. I’ll be up there on Sunday Rob.

Well mine turned up last month after a bit of a wait. Lovely bit of kit. A few little changes to make to it from stock. Shorter stem, women’s saddle (it’s my wife’s bike) and attempt some tubeless tyres. Looking forward to getting it mucky on some long rides come the Spring. Got the Sandstone Way pencilled in once the days get a little longer again.

Up above the Golfy trails

Golfy was riding well last weekend, mostly frozen on the higher trails. Lower trails like the second part of repeat offender and final fling are a bit of a mess though.

I’ve used my 2014 Slants with Hope Tech 4 and 203mm floating rotor with no problems at all.