smogmonster – the new trail over to Newcastleton is not officially open but it is rideable. It’s largely singletrack from skyspace as far as bloody bush, after that it’s waymarked fire road to Newcastleton and back although you could climb back upto skyspace via the new and open lonesome pine trail on the way back which will give you a singletrack descent back to kielder. It’s pretty good, go check it out, just don’t expect GT type trails, kielder has a far more rough and ready natural feel to it.

Running a 2.25 ardent on the rear of my HT. Rolls fast and is pretty grippy. Does tend to break than grab but had no problems with it so far. Prefer it to a similar sized advantage i tried. Still running either a HR or minion up front though. Might try the ardent up front though just to see what it’s like. They are pretty big for there given size.

Pfft 760mm. Gonna try some of the syncros 790mm 😉

Where you’ve got it. Got a DMR speed guide if you want to try it above the chainring for extra security Oxo.

You can now get mavic 717, 521, 721, stans flow, 355 and the usual DT 4.2 and 5.1. Price remains the same at £285 for a wheelset for all rim options.

Was up there spectating on the sunday. Good event with a nice relaxed atmosphere. Well done to everyone i know who took part especially flyan Ryan who came 46th (he’s only 15 as well!!!). Shame about the new lonesome pine red trail i rode afterwards though. Very dull.

Ton – Yeah seems to have died a death. If nothing gets moving this week then will sell frame and donate money to charity of your choice.

ScotlandTheScared – Same applies, if nothing happens this week then will get the shifters back to you.

Come on people, there must be someone out there with parts to donate.

I’ve ridden a Nomad with a monarch fitted. Works and rides very well. Not as good as a coil obviously but good all the same. I would get the monarch over the pearl.

Got some slightly different kit on it these days and also a little tattier looking but here’s mine.

Emailed them last night (through Amazon) but no response yet.

Depends. I work in a shop and if you buy all the bits from us including frame and forks then we’ll build it free, chuck in cables and pedals for free as well. Just buy a frame and forks then we’ll probably charge £50 for swapping the bits over and building your new bike (this could also be free though depending on frame and froks bought). Buy all the bits elsewhere and come to us asking for it to be all put together then cost will be £80-100 depending on whats involved. Stripping and rebuilding for warranty claims usually £30.

Still waiting as well. Just emailed them, here’s hoping, not holding my breath though!

Yup, your local hope dealer. IIRC about £11-12 per bearing.

Minion 2.35 SPC is great up front. Run 60a for most stuff but if you want extra grip then run the 42a. Find the minion better up front than the high roller for the same reason brant gives, also they seem to have a more predictable break away point than the high roller. Either tyre can work well on the back, reverse the tread patern for extra traction. They do drag a bit on the rear though. I prefer something like an Ardent or cross mark on the rear for better rolling. It all depends on the terrain though. Find Maxxis tyres really good on rocks, roots, loam etc but not so great in gloopy stuff.

Cheap and cheerful have a look at panaracer Mach SS or Kenda K-rad. Better quality then maxxis larsen or cross mark.

Minion front works well on the rear. Run the tread the other way round for better traction but fast rolling tyre.

2.25 advantage comes up bigger than a 2.25 cinder. Advantage rolls faster but not as good a tyre all round as the cinder. The new ardent 2.25 is very good as a rear tyre (not tried it up front yet). Team it up with a high roller or minion up front and you have a good combo. As for compound, the 60a is spot on for general use.

The girlfriends bike

Plenty of other rims options on hope hoops also available. 717, 521, 721, stans 355, stans flow as well as the usual DT offerings.

Good wheels. Machine built but good all the same.

Twang, ardent is pretty big for it’s 2.25 size, very similar in size to the advantage.

Running 2.35 SP minion front (sometimes 60a, sometimes 42a), and an ardent 2.25 on the rear. Works very well on both the HT and the full sus. Tried a 2.25 advantage on the rear but prefer the ardent.

Wouldn’t do Dollywaggon on your bike. Not saying it cannot be done on a HT with flat bars but you might not enjoy it much (lots of big rock steps and wheel size drainage ditches). Do as simonfbarnes says and after reaching summit turn around and go down sticks pass.

Post definitley is. Haven’t seen the stem in the flesh but it appears to be very thomson like from the pics. Shame they have gone up in price recently though.

Right, so far still only have a frame, headset, cranks and BB, stem (130mm) and a broken front mech. Was offered some xtr flippy brake/shifter combo’s today(sorry didn’t get your name). So if anyone has any shimano hydraulic calipers of any kind then we have some disc brakes and shifters.

Have some broken RS rev’s that are possibly fixable so may have some forks if the steerer tube is long enough.

Anything else on the way? Some disc wheels would be good.

Cheers for the pointer, just ordered one 🙂

Yup, it’s a bit slippy when damp. Don’t think i’d go back. Thought it was ok but living in Newcastle if i was gonna drive 2 hours to get to the lakes then i’d much rather do the natural stuff.

Run pikes on mine and they are fine. Tend to run them at 120-130mm though. At 140 the bike just doesn’t quite feel as responsive as it does with them wound down 10mm. Nice to have the option of the extra 10mm for steeper descents though.

Popped into work today. So far the frame is there with FSA headset and crank/BB. It’s a 22″ frame though so only giants need apply 😉

Also there was a deore front mech (broken), no adjuster screws or top to it. A race face stem in 130mm (so again only giants need appy ;-)).

Anything else on the way next week? So the build can get up and running.

Part of special K, a new bit of black under construction

I had cheesey beans on toast, beat that 😉

I’m not at work this week but apparently the frame is there safe and sound ton.

I’d be up for it. Special K should be finished by then as well.

Can probably supply tyres as well but we’ll see what turns up first.

No need for gear cables (inners and outers etc) or inner tubes. Shop will suppy these.

email address for contacting gordonhoggins AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk

Shop address to post items to:

The Bike Place
163-167 Ponteland road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE5 3AE

I’ll be on holiday this coming week, no worries about posting stuff there in my absence though. I’ll be back at work a week on tuesday.

Like i said, happy to help.

ton, we raffled both the bikes. Sold raffle tickets to members of the forum involved.

Did this on another forum last year and managed to build 2 decent bikes from the parts donated and raised a good few quid in the process. It wasn’t without it’s hassles though, mainly people donating junk and not doing what they said they would do. I work in a bike shop and would be happy to help in this project should it get off the ground. If it gets up and running, then just drop me a message ton should you want any help.

Cheers. I already ride up there and would definitely be interested in helping out and paying some subs. Hopefully catch you soon.