I always use Vredestein and they have been brilliant in all weathers. I have had Ultracs, Ultrac Sessantas, Sportrac 2s and 3s and Wintracs (winter tyres). Superb. For your size, I imagine the Sportracs would be available. They certainly last but their grip is what I’m amazed with – better than anything I’ve tried.

Magic, loving them. Only thing better is the Formula The One brakes I got on my new bike but you don’t need them! Better than my XTs and Hayes Strokers on other bikes and obviously much better than Avids.

Take something to counter the midges. Weather’ll be great.

Aberfoyle, bit sweeter than most I’ve tried (therefore nicer as I’m not that keen!). My seasoned whisky drinking brother-in-law loved it.

Aldi, tomorrow.

Just dealing with my mortgage broker actually so have his details to hand. Good guy. Tell him Pete from Menstrie recommended you (he’ll get a better fee if possible):

Fraser Blair

Financial Planner

Mortgage Advice Company

20 Melville Terrace

Stirling

FK8 2NQ

01786 460333

fraserblair AT btconnect.com

You can convert Hope ProIIs as far as I know.

Cynic – no, I can feel no loss of power. I actually feel more assured when I’m in gear for some reason – i.e. it kind of feels like a singlespeed and that I can put a lot of power through it without the chain potentially slipping into another gear.

As far as shifting is concerned, as has been mentioned, you have to alter the way you shift – i.e. before you get to a hill but that’s not so different from normal.

Oh, and I run 32/20 by the way – spin out at over 20mph so no good for pedalling downhill or fast flat. However, I use it for rides from my front door (the hills are only 400m away!) so it doesn’t matter to me. With this ratio, I can get up some steep hills and don’t miss smaller gears too much (Central Scotland, Ochils).

Bothy Bikes in Aviemore also run them, and they’ve been sweet.

I’ve had it through one pooey British summer and one winter and it’s ideal. I run mine tubeless though as I pinched much more frequently than usual. It’s amazing, really like it and it takes very little time to get used to. To me, it’s more intuitive than a standard system.

Cool, thanks taxi. Job for this evening maybe…

Second Aviemore and Bothy Bikes to pick up some maps. PLEASE don’t think Scotland’s all about trail centres! Try Kenny Wilson’s book for some amazing rides (should be on Amazon) – try Central Scotland – Stirling, Callander etc.

I’ll try that Jim (along with someone who knows what they’re doing!).

Cool, thanks. There are some real negative comments amongst them (and a significant cost too). However, going through BBs every two months ain’t exactly cheap.

Maybe I should nick the ’95 XTR chainset and BB from my old Kona! But then I’d need to change the rings to 22/32/44. AAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH

I love those folk who just wade in and say “no” straight away with no knowledge! I don’t have any knowledge other than I know some folk who have done it with Mitsubishi Galants. Looks like you’ve got your answer above though

Agreed that man. Behave Beagy, you the man – you don’t need to man up, EVER! Rest it and just go along and have a good time with a cheeky beer, watching everyone else suffer.

I’ve got the ones with the Magnesium bar ends – well worth the extra in my mind for the climbing ability. Take a while to get used to but generally they’re good overall.

Best – Legnum VR-4. I adore them and they do everything well. Plus, they’re stealthy but can beat virtually anything on the road. Closely followed by my £700 214k miler Honda Accord 2.2 VTEC. Looks terrible but does 40 mpg but flies and it’s bombproof.

Worst – Fiat Punto. Was new as well but I thought we were going to die. Very scary.

Sweet, thanks again guys. I’m in Central Scotland so need to find a place to get some demos done – I don’t want to be that guy who buys a bike that doesn’t fit or suit and then sell it on here for much cheapness!

Never used Hopes but Kings are worth it (never thought i would say that!). I’ve got mine free for buying bikes I don’t need for wife, sister etc. but I would still buy one at RRP because they’re a great saving!!! You don’t have to be a mathematician to understand how much Cane Creek and FSA were gaining from me every few months.

Correct Dot – I’ve had a few die on me – teeth ripped off or bent. Never happened with Shimano of any sort.

I don’t know, I don’t know the terms and until just now, I didn’t believe in different mountain bikes. However, I’m a big believer in living so perhaps the hardtail is a bit extreme when I don’t have any skills!

Building a bike just for it is daft IMO unless you want to do really well

Hey, I don’t intend to do that – I want a bike that I can use most of the time (i.e. not just for this and twice p.a. at Innerleithen!). I would just like to stay alive.

richc – Member
MTFU and get some Float 36 RC2′

It’s not just about the manning up unfortunately – I would need the travel adjustable ones and their RRP is £840!!! Ouch. Although it’s food for thought.

Sweet, thanks very much for your comments. I’ll have another look at Cannondales in particular. Ideally, I need to find demos because it’s a big decision.

Would I be stupid to even contemplate this on a long-forked hardtail? I don’t want to buy a bike I would only use twice a year so I’m thinking of an All Mountain (around 140mm) bike.

Lapierre Zesty 514, Cube Fritzz or Stereo or Canyon Nerve so far… I want to be a little less mainstream and more European.

However, all are more 140mm travel (apart from Fritzz) than 160mm. Do you think that will make a big difference?

Sorry, didn’t see the show-off post (£10k thing). If you’re obviously that much of a t1t then please ignore what I said. Wish I had things to show off about online, particularly something as vulgar as how much money I have.

WCA – you don’t need to set up a limited company – try http://www.paymatters.co.uk and put loads of expenses against tax to make it worth it your while!!! It’s not as good as a limited company overall but for that period of time, it wouldn’t be worth paying the insurance etc. etc. Paymatters provide all that as part of it but unless you put expenses against it, it won’t be much better than PAYE. Obviously there are other companies but we like them because they’re legal (tons aren’t!) and efficient.

I have had 3 SRAM cassettes (on new bikes) and each one has either had teeth broken off or I’ve bent them. Had numerous Deores, XTs, LXs and now a couple of SLXs and no problems so far…

I use SRAM or KMC chains though.

Wow! Thanks very much. I think I did all ourmaninthenorth said (although doubtlessly with less talent) so I shall try try again.

This one is with tube, however, the back wheel is tubeless and I noticed it’s the same story there. Oops.

23%, quite disappointed really – if I liked lesbians and did my own DIY I might have been even straighter. Not good. I cook, shave my head, wear lycra regularly and don’t even perv after other girls, now I have the ultimate bee-hatch.

I should be much gayer. I’m going to try again.

That T@Da is sweet! http://www.tada-rv.com/

I ain’t no crazy caravanning freak but if you could get them in Britain then I’d be in!!!

He won’t listen Hugo cos that’s magazine chat too.

I run Revelation U-Turns between 100 and 130mm. I only run them at 130mm when going downhill, otherwise between 100 and 115 or so, otherwise I find it tricky getting uphill.

However, there are loads of factors – I’m an ex-roadie and like being over the bars on the climbs and flat but now love the extra travel and not being as much over the front on the descents.

To me, I NEED an adjustable fork for the kind of riding I do, as it’s mostly straight up and straight back down again!

Hey hugo, we enjoy it most days don’t we? I love going up Menstrie Glen. There’s a few sneaky options so give Dick a shout and we may be able to give you some pointers or even a bit of trail guiding. AND us Menstrie Muddy Funsters are friendly, a bit weird and all that stuff MTBers should be.

In two minds whether I want my neighbourhood to be publicised or not…!

Thanks guys. No significant saving apart from Superstar and I just need to learn to look after my XTs.

Thanks for the advice though, Jon and Olly. I might get a Hope in the future, pack it with grease and get a steel version to boot. I think I’ll deal with the 20g + weight of grease!

It has never worked out for me, but I maybe wasn’t so canny. Mrs. Squirrel has a Cube full suss with RP23, full XT, Reba U-Turns and awesome finishing kit (such as a £70 saddle) – £1200. We wouldn’t (and haven’t) changed anything. We got to £1200 adding it up really quickly and still hadn’t accounted for most of the bike.

Depends on the brand but with some bikes, the manufacturer is cutting corners and you might need a new headset, seatclamp, saddle, brakes etc. quicker than you think thereby resulting in a false economy.

I’ve come to no conclusion.

Brown – forgive my ignorance but was this Advantage a tubeless tyre? Mine is tubeless and I cannot see it doing this but it’s something to bear in mind – my buddies wouldn’t be too impressed with me covering them in latex – it’s all a bit bromantic/brokeback for me.