Nukeproof are hard to ignore for the money, especially if you can grab em on sale, I paid 50 quid for mine and would happily pay full price for em. Super light and stretchy, but are wearing very well. Not waterproof, but dwr is quite effective. Love em.

I began suffering with terrible nerve pain and tendinitis in both my hands a few years ago, it got so bad, I genuinely thought I may have to hang up the bike for a while. Thankfully, I took a punt on a pair of Revgrips, the cheaper ‘Race’ version is less eye-watering at 60ish quid a pair. The grip sleeves themselves are around 25 quid so similar to many other throwaway lock ons. They worked a treat for me, allowing me to keep riding with my hand pain clearing up within a couple of weeks! They work at their best when charging long rough laps all day, allowing for much fresher mitts at the end of the day , but if you have genuine wrist issues that are inhibiting your riding, then 60 bucks is a small price to pay surely? I now use odi elite pros or similar for day to day riding, but keep the Revs for bike park days or if I ever have a flare up again.

Yep, the NP Nirvana jacket is ace, packs down into its own pocket and weighs nilch. Kept me dry in proper manky weather and doesn’t get too warm. Wiggle had them down to 60 quid a few months ago too.

As for gilets, I have the Scott trail storm alpha vest, and it’s brill, decently weatherproof and the primaloft lining keeps the core cosy. If it’s just showery I’ll generally pair it with a merino base layer and it keeps the worst of the weather at bay whilst running cooler than any jacket thanks to the open pits!

I’m in total agreement with Ben above, HTs snappily names PA03A’s are by far the best composite pedal on the market. Super grippy, lovely shape, bigger platform than the NP/Deity/burgtec and quality tried and tested axle/bearing setup.ive had mine for 3 years and haven’t had to touch them. One pin missing, but so much grip I haven’t bothered to replace it! Particularly good if you have larger feet, I’m an 11 and they are perfick 👌

I bought myself the Nukeproof Nirvana packable jacket after Christmas when it was heavily reduced, 75 quid I think. Brilliant jacket,properly waterproof, Insanely thin and light, good sized hood that folits over a helmet, breathes well and packs into its little chest pocket so ends up not much bigger than a coke can! It looks really nice too, I wear it as an everyday jacket too if its raining out. Only thing it needs is some little toggles on the hood drawcord to cinch it up, I bought some of amazon that have worked perfectly. RRP is £150 though I think, but they do regularly get reduced on wiggle/crc.

… Just to add, the HK comes in an AEC casing which is the enduro tough casing, dd equivalent, but only in softer compound which put me off for general rear use as assumed it would be a bit slow and fast wearing. If grip is top priority though I’d say they’d be a winner.

My go to tyre combo for last 5 years or so was 2.4 dhr2 front paired with an aggressor 2.3 dd rear most of the year or a pair of dhr2s during winter or possibly a shorty up front if I was racing in the real slop and wanted max traction. Dhr2 really is an ace tyre either end, up front it defo brakes much better in the steeps than a dhf and corners just as well in my opinion. Main issue I’ve had recently though is shitty quality control with maxxis tyres, warping and failing at the bead. Dd rear is a good solid option if you get a good one, exo is a bit fragile for me.
Anyway, I’ve now moved onto Kenda latest tyres, thought I’d give them a go as the hellkat looked like a nice uk all rounder. I run a 2.4 HK atc up front, which I’d say is on par with exo plus casing, but lighter on the scales. Such a great tyre! Like a faster rolling Mary, grips like hell in most stuff, better all rounder than either minion I’d say. Casing is very good too, supple but supportive and wobble free. Nevegal 2 emc rear which is their e bike casing, so tougher more reinforced carcass. It’s faster rolling than the HK and minions, comparable to an aggressor I’d say, but better all rounder, although still not the best option in the slop. A pair of hellkat would be epic! I wanted a HK 2.4 in emc casing for the rear, but only 2.6 available atm.
Sorry, bit of an essay there! 😂

I just ordered one of the nukeproof nirvana ones from wiggle/crc currently reduced from 150 to 90 bucks. Good reviews, fingers crossed it’ll fit OK.

I second the Ht PA03A composite ones, I’ve had a pair for 2 years and still going strong, bearings perfect and all pins fine. Really nice big platform, much bigger than the NP composite ones or it’s looky likeys. More akin to a vault in size I’d say. Also really light, 350g ish. Can’t see what else you could want from a fatty tbh.
£31.49 free postage here…

https://www.highonbikes.com/products/ht-components-pa03a-flat-pedals?variant=31757386973280&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAiAiML-BRAAEiwAuWVggq1rnPaX8ZVXflN7jWdGbg0cYnPxynpFuhrMcOGBQTQiiFh0-4mnwRoC-FMQAvD_BwE

I’ve done both shoulders as well as my right collarbone over the years. First one was my right and I did a proper job of it, overshot a high speed double and pretty much planted my shoulder into the ground, no slide/roll at all, just dead stop! I broke 2 ribs with my own elbow with the impact too. This was also in the middle of nowhere, deep woodland. Thank god my good friend who is a paramedic was with me at the time. He fashioned me a sling from a spare inner tube to support my arm, but I remember barely being able to breathe and getting my bike /self to the road to be taken to A and E was one of the most painful things I’ve ever had to do. Sleeping for the next 6 weeks or so was an ordeal with the ribs and shoulder combo. Anyway, I’m a long way down the road now, this was some 8 years ago, and I have full mobility and no real issues other than the odd little click on rotation and some funky shoulder bumps to freak out the kids with! I had a really good NHS physio, followed his instructions to the letter and took about 2 months or so before I was able to ride off road. Tbh, my ribs were slower to heal and caused me more grief I reckon. Oh, and I managed to rebreak one on the second ride down my local woods losing the front on a greasy root and taking a tree trunk to the ribs. Boss was pleased… 😬🤣

I found this place
https://www.probikekit.co.uk/referrals.list?applyCode=PETE-RHG
for the hellkat, best price I could find, under 35 quid with free postage. I was a little dubious as I’d not heard of them before and their prices seem really cheap in general, but they exceeded expectations. Ordered monday morning, recieved this morning, all good. They had good deals on maxxis too, I almost got a dhf exo + wt too as the price was so good. Anyway, if you do go for it, I get a referral reward if you go through this link, be appreciated 👍 The nevegal I got from velozone, another unknown, but cheapest around for emc casing and it arrived this morning too, so very efficient service. I think Kenda are on the come back with these new designs and casings, the new Pinner looks like a beaut of a summer tyre too. Ahhhhhh…..summer 🙄

Thanks for the input guys, I ended up going for HK atc 2.4 and nevegal 2 emc casing rear also in 2.4. Arrived today, not fitted them yet, but look good. HK looks well toothy and atc casing seems stiffer than exo to me. Nevegal 2 has quite ramped lugs, should fly, but not sure how it’ll handle in the sloppier stuff… Look forward to finding out 🤘

And how was the atc casing? Did you find it supportive enough and decently strong? How would you say it compares to maxxis offerings?

I’m only running 30mm id DT rims, so not dure the 2.6 would be a good shout for up front, might be a bit lightbulby, think it’s optimised for 35mm+ rims ideally. Generally I like the 2.4 to 2.5 range for more accuracy and less bounce. I’m thinking 2.4 HK either Atc or aec up front and might go for the 2.4 nevegal 2 emc ebike casing on the rear as it’s supposedly much faster rolling, akin to an aggressor over the dhr or dampf over double Mary’s. I really think more company’s need to supply firmer compound but heavy casing rears, maxxis are terrible for it, apart from aggressor and minion ss all the doubledown or dh casing tyres are 3c or even maxxgrip in dh!! I think they’re missing a trick really, unless they just want to sell more tyres as they only last 10 rides in the softer compounds! Saying that, if the weather stays like this, I think I may want all the grip I can get!!

I’d also considered the Wild enduro combo as seem to get good reviews from most users, but have also heard reports of fast wear and slow rolling speed. Look bad ass though 🤘

Nice. Yeah, I was considering a pair of aec hellkat for winter grip fest, and the burlier casing for my less than subtle riding style 😉 good to hear it grips well as a rear too, plenty of forward drive? Why did you not go for one up front too? Or were you already running the Hillbilly? Also, are you on the 2.4 or 2.6 HK? Wondering how the 2.4 blows up on a 30mm id rim, heard they are pretty true to size. Bigger than a dhr2 2.4 wt?

Oh, and my riding consists of a bit of everything, loamy steep offpiste, dart and exmoor all dayers, bpw etc and a bit of enduro racing. I’m quite hard on tyres, been running dd rear for last few years without an insert, but wondering if I might get away with lighter casing, but with a rimpact as I usually pinch Puncture rather than slash sidewalls.

I’ve seen some pretty rave reviews online recently, and seem to be going down well on here ta11pau1. Have you tried it in the wet/mud yet now the weather has reverted to default UK summer 🙄 I’d like to try them as a pair, but 2.4s or 2.6? How big is the 2.4 compared to a wt dhr2??

Exmoor all the way!! Loadsa amazingly sweet singletrack. Best area is dunkery, Porlock, horner area for steep and rooty rocky funtimes. I’d suggest parking in horner carpark and pedalling up the road to dunkery on the road, wicked descent off the top down to dickies path, take a right, fun traverse over to webber Post, then straight on down the descent into horner. Then pedal up granny’s ride to top of ley hill to pick up cats scramble descent back down to horner. If you’ve got the minerals, I’d head over to Porlock and up the epic climb to hawkcombe descent, it’s class and ends back in Porlock for a well deserved pint at the Ship. Not sure if Mark is running exmoor uplift atm, based in horner, saves you some monster climbs, but think he’s not gonna be running due to covid. Loadsa cheeky off piste enduro tracks around Minehead and selworthy too… Enjoy.

My E1700 wheelset I spec Ed on my Bird Aeris has been flawless tbh, taken a hammering and never missed a beat bar one broken spoke. Rims seem tough and ratchet system is very reliable and easy to service. I’d like to upgrade to a 52t ratchet at some point as the standard 18t is a bit laggy in certain situations. I chose the the E over the M1700 for the extra strength over the 100g or so weight saving as I’m a heavy and fairly aggro rider, but the M1700 might be fine if you’re a little lighter on the bike than me.

I’d be interested to know how they compare to actual minions and how they size up. Also if the lighter casing is more robust than exo and nearer to dd. The gravity casing does look bloody heavy! I’m a Maxxis fanboi and gererally run a wt dhr2 up front and aggressor dd rear most of the year, switching out for a shorty if it’s proper mucky. However, I’ve had issues with QC of some maxxis in last few years, warping, splits to bead that are irreparable etc. I hear good things about previous vittoria tyres, martello and mota in particular. Mota front mazza rear in winter could be a goer. Anyone seen em for sale yet? I see the gmbn guys are all running em

Oh, and 7 and 8 have image stabilisation, think the 8s is a slightly improved version in theory.

Ha ha! Yeah, I’m not usually one for swapping gifts, but it was my brother they organised the purchase and he would be fine with switching it if he thought it was a better, more robust option. I’m pretty sure the 8 IS going to be marginally better, it’s just whether it’s as robust for mtb use?? I’ve read that you can get tempered glass lens protectors, and that the lens is much tougher than the previous gen one. It’s just me worrying I guess…
Next question, I was going to get a chesty mount for it, anyone use cheapo versions, or is the genuine gopro one the go to? Seen a few amazon kits with a billion different mounts and accessories for cheap.

Just to add, I’m unsure if the reviews are meaning it’s not worth buying an 8 if you already own a 7??

Hi, I’ve been riding my large 145 for the last 2 years and it’s been flawless, still on original bearings! Size wise I’m just over 6ft and find the large perfect for most places, it’s a long bike in the wheelbase, so not super nippy in the tight n twisty stuff, but amazing everywhere else. Tbh, it just takes a bit of adapting of riding style to get it to fly through the tighter stuff, getting right over the front helps. I came from a 430mm reach Devinci Dixon, so took some getting used to initially, now it just feels right. I specced a 150 reverb on mine, but in hindsight should have gone for a 170mm as I could have just fitted it slammed to the collar. Shock wise, I’m running a deluxe rc3 and it works well, better now I’ve fitted the LT linkage for more progression. It’s quite a linear curve as standard, so not sure a coil would work so well, but not tried one. One slight negative about the frame I would say is the headtube is a little short, I found it rides much better with a slightly higher rise bar and/or spacers under the stem to bring the front up a bit as the stack is quite low otherwise. I run 30mm fatbars and about 20mm of spacers and its spot on. They’re great bikes, and as mentioned elsewhere, the Bird boys are legends to deal with.

Many years ago, a bunch of us were road riding out to a local woods in close convoy at high speed tour de France style, when suddenly I saw everyone swerve around ‘something’. My mate in front of me didn’t notice and ploughed straight through a VERY decomposed badger corpse!! He literally sliced trough it like butter, bits of rotten flesh all up his legs, frame, tyres!! Oh the smell… I remember watching him trying to wash it off in a stream whilst dry heaving into his T shirt. Gotta be the worst…

Is the frame a black one? If so, I think I know the seller through Bird owners page on fb. He was trying to sell the complete bike at first, then frame with BOTH linkages. I offered to buy the LT linkage if he wanted to sell it separately and make the 145 a 145 again. He initially refused, and I managed to get a random one that appeared on Bird site. A month or so later, he’s still not sold frame, but is indeed selling the LT linkage separately! Think he did sell it, was advertised on fb I think. Bit naughty if he said it was an LT when he sold it to you though… Defo be worth disputing, should ask for 90 quid refund to purchase a new linkage from Bird. Not sure if they have stock though??

If you are looking for maximum flexibility, I’ve heard the birthday suit is hard to beat. Also by far the cheapest option on the market mate 😉

I like the sound of the nukeproof ones actually, bit more cash, but 2yr warranty including bearings seems like a sweetener. 10er off for new customers brings it down to 40 quid. Any feedback yet?? Dhrider… Plug n play?

I tried no spacers, 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm and the 2.5mm non drive side spacers and none quite get the job done. 1.5mm was the closest, span freely, but still a little play. 0.5mm either way and too tight or too much play. I’ve messaged uber again to see if there’s anything I’ve missed, but I’m thinking I’m gonna be looking for a different option! Bit ridiculous though that uber bbs won’t work as advertised, waste of bloody money that…

Transporter, the token option looks good if it works. 20ish quid by the looks of it. Is it really as good as. Hope unit you think? I actually ordered a gxp adapter off ebay 6 months ago thinking I might try a shimano bb with one as heard its possible. Anyone care to confirm? The slx bb I had on my previous bike lasted for yonks. Is the adapter a simple procedure, I can’t be dealing with more bodges, I just want something that works. Is the praxis m24 plug n play??

I can’t recommend the Tribit Maxsound plus highly enough, it’s got incredible sound, easily as good as my father in laws Bose Soundlink mini and better than jbl flip, but also waterproof ip67 rated and cheap as chips, what’s not to like? I auditioned a tonne of different units under 100 quid and the Tribit speakers are hard to beat. The Tribit stormbox is also brilliant, I found it hard to choose between the two, pairable too, for an even bigger sound. Warranty is long too, 18 months I think, plus 6 months extra if you register with them.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07LGKLFFW/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_4UdJEbYDEAW8G

Or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KXN8G6D/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_wWdJEb13YR4R1

It’s pretty standard for there to be a little ‘negative travel’ with the debonair shaft, its due to the increased negative volume. Its nothing to worry about, makes for a beautifully plush feel off the top, hoovers up the chatter so much better than the standard shaft. Unless it’s a significant amount of travel lost, I’d not stress about it mate.

I have the Sam Hill knees, and they are effing brilliant. Really comfortable once the sas tech pad warms up, great protection and doesn’t slip at all. I much prefer them to the Transitions, feel much more stable on the knee, maybe at the expense of being a touch warmer. Expensive though.

The southern Enduro series and its offshoot Kenda series are very good. Venues across the South, mostly steep, tight n tech variety than fast n jumpy. The Minehead round is awesome, if you like it steep, nowt much steeper than a couple of the stages there!! Nicely organised and nice friendly vibe. The S I utherm champs does sell out quick, but it’s a goodun, bit of a festival vibe on the Saturday eve, I was powered by 8 pints of Thatchers on race day, not recommended!!

Troy lee skylines from few years ago are still my go-to short. Just fit so Well and stretch in all the right places. Lightweight and cool, but still look like new bar a couple of loose threads in the crotch after 3 seasons use and several crashes! Only negative and only reason I’d choose my Royal storms is they are in no wash waterproof, they’d be perfect if they had even a waterproof arse. As it is, they’re still my top pick. Saying that, I’m not sure the current ones are as good and have crept up in price. Last pair I bought were 35 quid in crc sale 👍

I’ve been running the 7idp Sam Hill pads for the last 6 months and absolutely love em! Best pads I’ve tried, just so comfortable. The SAS tech can feel a bit stiff for a couple of minutes, but once warmed up, they literally hug your knee so well, really secure and supportive and very pedal friendly, with a solid level of protection. They are a long pad, coming up a long way on your thigh, so slightly warmer than some other lightweight pads, but it’s the secret to their super secure fit, these things don’t budge!! As with many of the lighter weight breathable pads out there, the mesh material behind the knee is susceptible to snags from pedal pins, I’ve got a couple of little ones, but I darned em up and not been a problem. It was a close call between these and the DK Slayers for me, both great feeling pads. The Sam Hills just edged it for comfort.

Torsoinalake How’s the fit compared to standard FR? Don’t they come up narrower?

Thanks for the help guys. So, I took your advice and split my ride into several sections and cropped out all the uplifts successfully. However, now I don’t have any achievements showing on any of it?? I’ve tried pressing refresh my results or whatever it is, but to no avail. Do I need to re upload it or something? I can’t understand why Strava doesn’t just let you click on the dodgy stages and have a delete option, would be much simpler.

Seems TF tuned are the DT warranty/service ppeps nowadays including wheels. I actually just received 5 spokes and Squorx nipples from them today. Give em a shout mate

Sportspursuit have got some absolute bargains on Madison stuff at the mo. I just picked up a pair of Roam shorts reduced from £55 to £19.99!! Got addicts and zenith etc too, just not in my size. Arrived yesterday, quality seems really good and lifetime warranty sounds like a winner. Link here…

https://www.sportpursuit.com/join/62E39F8E6A5A37