thanks all, if anyone can send a link to the 3m venturesheild sheet that would be great, had a look online, can’t seem to find any UK sellers.

Why is a bigger bike being associated with being better for jumping?

Because it allows people to get away with more. Travel>skill

In reality, I would say even a Jeffsy is on the bigger end of bikes perfect for SH.

Now, if the bike is also going to be used in the alps, away days etc then you may have different requirements.

Ive yet to find somewhere that sells the same quality stuff that Invisiframe uses. Ive been through most that people suggest (inc biketart) and the results have been poor in comparison, its also very difficult to cut the stuff well without using the template process.

Invisframe can do a set for your frame but it needs to be sent to them so the postage cost x2 adds to the total cost. They do fork and crank kits if you wanted them

I do like the ease of them, but haven’t found the quality to be better than helitape I have purchased myself. I know they will measure up but I’m not paying for postage of frame x2, and the cost of the kit, so they can then go and sell to others. The way I see it with that process is I’ve essentially paid for their sales.

Think I’ll go the helitape route and just take my time with a beer and some good tunes.

Any recommendations on helitapes would be most welcome.

The Mojo guard catches about the same amount of spray (yes, tried both) but it’s the clogging that makes the real difference. EWS Scotland 2015 was all the proof you need of that, I passed about 10 people who were doing battle trailside with their clogged mudguards. (and saw one guy running back up the trail to pick up his Powa guard, which he’d taken off and dropped mid-stage then remembered it cost £50 :lol:)

I had exactly the same with mine. Only time iv’e been otb without pulling the front brake. My wheel literally wouldn’t move. I only had a small ford fender on at this point. A mudhugger would have worked great if you could keep speed, but if you had slowed at all it would have clogged and been game over. I lost about 3 mins and a good finish time because of that one stage.

The Jeffsy is more than enough bike for anything in the surrey hills. The Jeffsy will offer you a better ride for the xc riding you inevitably end up doing in Surrey.

You certainly don’t need a 160/170 bike for any of the stuff there, having seen everything done on a hardtail there (Northern Monkey jumps, Millstone Hips (RIP) fly tipper jumps etc).

My mate rides a segment around there and it’s perfect.

Whilst it’s not necessarily what you’re after, the bike is priced too high. My nukeproof mega 14’ sold for £1400 6 months ago, and that was up to date in terms of geometry, wheelsize etc. Granted yours was more expensive in the first place, but it’s also older.

In bike years, it’s now a 4 year old bike, would you pay £1350 for a 4 year old, out of date (in a lot of people’s opinions) bike?

think we’re going to see more of these types of things from Peaty now he’s retired – sadly. Doesn’t help his legacy.

Pikes are perfectly capable, and more suitable for what you’re after, I would go for them

I rode the FOD blue trail on mine saturday morning whilst i lent my mtb to my mate. It made me realise how overbiked some people really are. The guy puffing up the climbs on his Mondraker Dune 160mm weapon looked a bit silly, especially when I wasn’t too far behind him on the descents.

They are great fun, have improved my riding overall, and are suprisingly capable. I genuinely think I could ride most trail centre reds and blacks, only full on DH stuff would be difficult.

Hi Rosss,

I also work in procurement, and have worked in several different areas of procurement in my relatively short career (I’m 27). Sort of fell into it but it’s a good career path.

Drop me an email if you want advice, and can also put you in contact with some more other senior people for advice if required.

Thanksfully I’m not in a position where I need the cash specifically to buy bike products, I’ve got a new one coming in December anyway!

The camera screen on the phone is cracked, and the speakers have stopped give out full power, so can’t use speaker phone on it. Also the phone seems to have trouble picking up when headphones are plugged in.

Have looked at reviews of ZTE’s and they seem to come out well so may look at those and go sim only and buy one of those. I seem to use a lot of data, but not a lot of calls or txts, usually they are free these days though.

uber/taxi driver?

ah, the one thing I didn’t mention is that my current phone is dying a death. Will look at the contract only options though.

If you think you have one, you have more than one…..

In my old flat we thought we had one, it had a nickname, we thought it was quite amusing etc, not an issue. It shat everywhere and we decided to get a kill trap.

We caught 6 in 6 days. Then nothing for months. Come winter, we caught the odd few, but they were more likely to be visiting to escape the cold.

I’ve got a 9.8 on order, couldn’t justify the extra on the 9.9.

It’s not arriving till end of year. A few shops seem to have them, but no demo’s in the UK at all apparently, ever (is what I’ve been told).

Looks amazing and can’t wait.

I know a lad wo was on it and judging by his results, certainly wasn’t being held accountable for them.

Basically, I think anyone can join if they throw money at it. I like Steve Peat, and what he’s done for mtb in the Uk (and world) cannot be underestimated. However, am getting slightly sick of hsi retirement plans. I don’t blame him at all, I would cash in on my name if I could, but doesn’t stop it being annoying.

Agree on the headangle. Also think with the bigger wheels, it does make a difference.

However, the old enduro genuinely did feel on the steeper slide of slack, they have sorted this on the new one it seems.

I’m also a firm believer that slack headangles are great for certain terrain, but not all. I love my cx bike, when I steer, the wheel actually turns, instead of a few minutes later like on some of the slack stuff out these days……I’m not complaining, love long low and slack, but only where it’s required.

I’ve just been through this recently and finally placed an order on the Trek Slash, however, got the 9.8 ‘cheaper’ version. Mainly because I didn’t want the cost of replacing 12 speed Sram kit, and also planning some potential upgrades, so made sense on the cheaper bike. Was very close between this and the endure elite 29er, but I got offered both at a similar price, and the trek had slightly better spec, and also the slightly shorter travel on the Trek appeals. I think 160 front and back on a 29er may make it a bit too much on a lot of rides, I’m hoping the 150mm on the Trek makes it slightly more manageable.

They were the two options that had decent geometry numbers that I came across. The BMC, old Enduro etc were slightly steep on the head angle.

The only bike I have demo’d properly was the hightower, and genuinely disliked it as a bike. I found it wandered a bit on trails, and also made the wheels feel very big. Was also demoing a Bronson and the Bronson is a far better bike as far as I’m concerned.

Depending on numbers, there is a cottage in trawsfynydd thats amazing for mountain bikers. Nothing there, so will have to entertain yourselves, but a good place to stay.

otherwise, head to Betws. Blaenau is not nice, really!

Pretty sure you can turn left at the fork rather than right and go up the steep road, and join the trail somewhere from there? I’ve always driven before.

I had this with my nukeproof mega. Got to a stage that repairs and upgrades to bring it up to date would have cost circa £1k. So instead I sold the bike and got £1.4k. With a bit of extra cash, that has now meant I’ve bought a bike for £3.3k. So a brand new, up to date bike with warranty, new parts etc, has cost me £500 more than I would have spent anyway.

Can you also afford a new calculator…

£1k + £1.4k = £2.4k – £3.3k = £900, not £500

No, I suggest you also invest in one. £2.4k – £3.3k = -£900. Looks like I’m £400 better off than I thought before!

Grumpy mule are a bit shit. They are owned by bewleys as well, so aren’t artisan or small in anyway!

Ancoats or Heart and graft are decent, as are Roasting party.

All depends on the bike. I have just put money down on something I have never even sat on. Infact, that’s how I’ve bought my last 3 bikes. Would love to demo, but can get expensive (often £50 per bike, although not much if you’re spending approx. 3k)

The bike I’ve bought will basically have no demo opportunities in the UK, and has sold out of all stock on pre-order, so had no other choice!

I had this with my nukeproof mega. Got to a stage that repairs and upgrades to bring it up to date would have cost circa £1k. So instead I sold the bike and got £1.4k. With a bit of extra cash, that has now meant I’ve bought a bike for £3.3k. So a brand new, up to date bike with warranty, new parts etc, has cost me £500 more than I would have spent anyway.

I’ve got the flux and would highly recommend, so this is likely very good as well. Since bought their waterproof shorts. Madison stuff is great, really is good stuff.

I don’t doubt that Strava and Enduro haven’t helped. However, when a lot of people ride, they want to go fast, and usually that means finding the shortest route down a trail. Having been a surrey hills regular in the past (for about 4 years), I’ve seen the development, some good, some bad. Good example is on BKB, about ¾ of the way down, there is an off camber line through some trees, or you can drop down on the existing trail. I always found the off camber straight line more challenging. It was subsequently blocked off by someone who obviously didn’t agree with the line, not really sure what gives this person the right to do so.

Obvious changing of trails can be frustrating, but I just see it as trail development. The entrance to SN has always been crap, not sure on what the other line is, but would have always preferred a quick line into it regardless.

rather than take it back, I would take it off your hands for the £180, i bloody missed out yesterday

You could buy some tarpaulin and use that? waterproof etc and easily removable.

Also if you wanted to you could buy one big enough and ‘fit’ it into the car.

Niagra falls and Adirondack Mountains may be a bit too far away, don’t want to spend the two days driving.

Did have a look at Big Indian Wilderness so will have another look.

Just wanted to make sure there wasn’t anything I was missing out on that was glaringly obvious.

thanks guys, may well try the phone option and see how that goes.

Could be to do with hydration as well. Also probably worth warming up by spinning for a bit on the bike first. If you attacked the first hill, then no wonder you had dead legs.

Why wouldn’t you? All the parts are branded and better quality than you will normally get at that price?

Agreed, it’s a fantastic bike at the price. However, the tyres are poor, the forks are pretty poor etc. To reiterate, for the price it’s great, but he will likely soon want to upgrade.

Looking at what’s available on the second hand market, you should be able to get something decent, with a lot of parts already upgraded. Especially if you’re willing to look at 26″ bikes.

get this for £850:

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2041429/

and still got £150 spare, and it’s a much better bike.

or this:

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2037875/

Check out the canyon website for their outlet store. I wouldn’t get a Calibre or Halfords bike. Your son will inevitably want to upgrade everything within a year, and if he’s a half decent rider, theres a chance the wheels/drivetrain/forks/shock won’t last for long.

If I were you, I would go second hand, the quality of bike you will get will be vastly superior. I sold my 2014 Mega for £1400, I would expect you could find one for circa £1k now.

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1962629/

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2041337/

Basically, you need to build your core strength, using the 5×5 app helps a lot. I’ve been using it recently and has helped build some of my weaknesses back up. Takes time, but worth investing.

That should take up 3 gym sessions a week. It doesn’t take long, so I would add some extra exercises after it. Rather than targeting specifics, which is all but pointless unless you train and diet all the time, do some hi intensity circuits. I’ve just started one: 5 sets of 30 seconds of each exercise: Burpees, Pull ups, mountain climbers, kettle bell swings, plank. Then 30 second sprints with 30 sec breaks.

In terms of diet, cut out crap. Weetabix/porridge with fruit in the morning, with milk/natural yoghurt. A form of protein and salad for other meals. Healthy and balanced, with little to no sugar is the key.

Keep covered up. Went camping in Loch Lomond this summer, only area free was my face and just above the arse, face was ok, lower back was in pieces.

Get some Smidge, it does work, to an extent. Covering up works better.

If you’re near water, don’t stay still, midges can’t keep up with walking pace. Also, don’t camp near water.

I’m keen for the ride, email in profile, tend to ride Leigh Woods cheeky stuff on a Tuesday and Thursday, and always up for an away trip.

The bike path – it’s likely if you rode it on a weekend, sunny day, in the summer, it would be very busy, so I see how you would get that opinion. In the week, or quieter weekends, it’s quite peaceful and fairly empty.

I’ve just moved from London, sometimes I don’t think people appreciate what they’ve got on their doorstep.

I’ve gone from riding once a week in Surrey, an hour and a half drive from my flat on a decent day, to being able to ride twice a week around Leigh Woods on the natural cheeky stuff, can easily get a 30km ride from my door, with at least 20 of that off road. Some nice steep, rooty fun, great for an evening ride. Then on the weekend, can drive to Cwmcarn, Staunton, FOD, Triscombe, Mendips in 45 mins, and BPW, Afan etc within an hour and a half.

Add to that lower rent and house prices, with not a massive wage drop, proportionally I’m much better off, and happier.

The only thing I’m missing is some riding buddies! If anyone fancies a ride, drop me an email.

When I lived in London we would often meet at St Marthas and ride over to peaslake from there, some nice trails off the hill for 20-30 second runs, with the short but steep climb back up. A bit too sandy in the summer though!

A lot of guys I know train it to Guildford then ride to Marthas then on from there. Also opens up the North Downs way, Leith Hill, and other areas which I won’t mention on the internet as I might get shouted at.

madison flux, mine has been fantastic, only thin mind, so if you’re after warmth would have to couple with a softshell inside.

thanks all for your help