Spongerez bodyboard repair glue is great for fixing anything rubbery. Dries flexible too. You can buy it for about 10er a tube.

2.3 aggressor will be spot on. I’m running a DD version on my 145 with 30mm E1700 wheels and profile is great, still round enough, but with great support. If your gonna run exo, I’d be tempted by the 2.5 wt version for a bit of extra traction, but gonna drag a bit more than the 2.3

If you’ve got a beam or hook available, use an old inner tube suspended by the nose of the saddle, works well and cost is basically zero. Otherwise, lidl or Aldi workstands for 25 quid are a good shout.

Grogley is really fun, great, well buily tracks but can be really slippy when wet! Lots of roots n a slightly clay based soil = fun n games!!

Most recently I’d have to say the RRP Proguard max protection mudguard has been the most game changing upgrade I’ve made. I thought my mudhugger was effective…

Also, 2019 airspring upgrade on the Pikes totally made the fork.

Oh, and after years of compromising on tyre carcasses attempting to save on rotating weight and suffering many a ride ruined by split tyres, I made the move to a doubledown on the rear and its proved fit and forget, and not wanting to jinx it, but been bombproof in the rough stuff. So nice not having to back off 🤘

It might be a bit much for just two of you, but we stayed here for a week last year. It’s a proper gem, so beautiful and tucked away, yet only 10 minutes from Beddgelert, home to a couple of lovely eateries Hebog is lovely, especially on a nice evening so you can sit outside by the river. We are going back in the summer for sure, we fell in love with the place!! The owners are lovely too.

http://www.nooksnowdonia.co.uk/about-us/

I was having the same dilemma a few months ago and tried several pairs from crc and my lbs. I wanted to like the Alpine Stars Paragons as they were cheap, comfy, light n breathable, but had a decent amount of protection. Unfortunately, they were too loose on top cuff and also a bit flimsy. Ixs flow evo were nice, felt good quality and comfy, with nice thick slab of d30 padding. Only reason I didn’t ho for them was they were a little short, very little shin coverage and upper cuff was a bit low. Dakine slayers were great, really comfy, good coverage and nice robust but breathable material. I went for these, but unfortunately  had issues with stitching coming away after 3 rides, so got a refund and picked up a pair of 7idp Sam Hills as they’d just been released. Really great pad. Best I’ve tried, light, comfy, very secure and with a decent amount of protection. Bit pricy though. These are keepers 👍

Yeah, first impressions were good Beagle, nice n tactile and I like a bit more length (fnaaar 😏) to my grips as I’ve got wide hands, I always found standard twin collar lock ons to be a pain as not enough real estate to play with. I’m using the odi f1 Vapours right now and they are probably my fave grip to date. Incredible comfort, feels like I’m running 5psi less in my front tyre! Also, nice n grippy gloved or gloveless. Only thing I don’t like is they’re push ons. Bit of a faff to remove and do twist gradually over time. I did hear a rumour at the same trade stand that odi were working on a lock on version which would be amazing, but no evidence of this as yet…These Fabric ones look interesting though.

Hey Joe, I see sportspursuit have amazing deals on Ion pads atm, k pacts for like 29 quids, but only in limited sizes. My mate wears em and loves em. I’ve just picked up a pair of the new 7idp Sam Hill pads and they feel awesome, very comfy and pedal friendly, but a good amount of extra protection compared to the Transition pad. The dakine pads are also good, I had the Slayers, which are at the more solid end of the lightweight spectrum, but they do heavier hitting versions too. 2yr warranty too.

I’ve used Deathgrips and loved em. Mine were thin soft though, always regretted not getting thick version as I’ve got big mitts and suffer with a bit of tendonitis in my wrists. I’m now running Odi F1 vapor non lock on grips and they are awesome, so comfy, grippy in the wet, great gloved or gloveless. Similar diameter to thick Deathgrips. Open ended with plugs too, so good for yer multitool mod. Depends if you want lock ons or not? I did hear at a trade stand at Southern enduro that odi had a lock on version in the pipeline…..

Life’s a Beach bistro above Summerleaze beach is great, really nice spot, cafe during the day and more bistro restaurant in the evening. The monkfish curry is epic!!

Yeah, I initially wanted the trails skins 2, looked perfect, nice and airy, but decent protection, but heard many people saying they don’t fit great and the velcro can be scratchy. Might be worth a try though I guess…. Fox Enduro pads look too minimal, don’t think they’d provide any real protection. Surprised you found them warm though Andy? Materials?

Tbh, my Kyle straits are really comfy, done many all dayers wearing them, just a bit bulky and insanely hot in this weather!! Thought my knees were gonna boil off at Southern Enduro champs the other week!!

Oh, and I really wanted to love the alpinestars ones, on paper, just what I was after. Slightly more knee protection than the 7idp ones and more breathable than the slayers I think. However, they just don’t fit as well as either, a large is really tight to to pull on, but then the upper cuff is actually a touch loose! Also, the sock material is a little flimsy, can’t see it lasting long. Shame, good price too.

Yeah, the lack of lateral protection is a bit of a concern with the Transition pads. The knee cap is well covered and the pad material is nicely cupped and quite thick, but the sock material is quite stretchy and very thin, so I’m a bit worried I’d they’d pull off my knee in a proper stack. The Sam Hill version looks to have taken care of that with some e, xtra padding around the knee cap pad. Slayers feel solid, more protection but a little thicker, so feel a little warmer, but a lot more robust. The lycra on the transition pad is lovely a against the skin, but not sure it would survive a slide over anything abrasive or even catching on brambles etc. Anyone own a pair? Are they more robust than they look?

I’ve been very happy with my Giro Chronicle tbh, really comfy, nice and deep fitting and secure. Peak is a touch longer than I’d like ideally, but I usually run it one click up and its fine. If I was buying again now, I’d also like to try out the new Bell 4forty lid, looks great and a good price.

I was in the same predicament as you op, 6ft on the nose, coming from a large 2011 devinci Dixon, both ML an L were heaps longer than what I’d been riding! I went for the L after chatting with the Bird boys and have no regrets. It took a few rides to get acquainted with the handling, but then, wow!! so fast and stable, and feels fine in the tight n techy stuff too. The only area I feel it’s harder work is manuals, I’m running a 32mm stem and 20mm rise bars and would recommend either 30mm + rise bars or as I’ve done, chucked a couple of extra spacers in to raise up the front end a bit, made a huge difference. All in, a flipping awesome bike, you’ll love it!

I’m assuming you are priming the pads by pumping the lever a few times after refitting the wheel, as this will move the pads in to the optimum distance from the disc. If so and still too much lever pull, you can prime the pads by gently pulling the lever in once or twice with the wheel out, bit not so much the pistons fall out!! This will make the bite point much more immediate, but less pad/disc clearance. Worth a fettle…

Hey guys, is this stuff in stock anywhere yet? I’m all out of stans and need to get something asap. This stuff reads well, was gonna try orange seal endurance stuff as I’ve found stans a bit rubbish recently, but although pricey, I’m keen to give this finish line stuff a try, maybe split a bottle with a mate or two.

Odi F1 Vapour grips are what I’m going for next, look like odi’s take on ESI silicone grips, so should offer a decent amount of trail comfort over lock ons. If I was going to stick with lock ons, the deity knuckledusters look like they’d be a comfy option, quite deathgrippy, but with more ribby section for comfort and slightly thicker diameter. I’m running 35mm RF Turbine R bars in a 20mm rise btw. I wish I’d gone for the 35mm rise actually, might be interested in your Sixc bars if you don’t get on with them op.

Thanks guys. No, not had any issue with 5.1, just looking for cost effective ways to up and seems much cheaper to buy motor grade stuff than mtb specific. What’s this rbf600 all about then? New to that one…..is it compatible with 5.1 brakes like my guides then? Worth a look….

Don’t want to jinx it, but I’ve been really happy with my Sony z5 compact. I’ve just got a minimal case and a tempered glass screen protector on it and it’s surviving well a year or so into my contract. Seems tough and waterproof is a blessing. Not sure you can still buy em though and latest sonys aren’t all waterproof I don’t think…

HT pao3a pedals here, not the catchiest name in the world, but they are flipping perfect. very light, Nice big platform compared to NP ones and very grippy. Also the bearings are still running silky after several months on em. I’m sold, can’t see me going back to alloy pedals.

Everywhere is a little soft ATM, but quantockswill be fine. Also, exmoor can handle a bit of wet pretty well. We regularly ride around Dunkery/porlock and it handles the rain well. The rockier stuff on dunkery/webbers post will be the best bet, can get a bit squishy on some of the wooded trails in Horner for instance. Still fun though. Enjoy.

Yeah, I really wanted the Bell Super 3 originally, but found it very uncomfortable, literally like having a builders hard hat on!! Giro always seem to fit me well, i had the old school Xen lid back in the day too. I loved the Spesh Ambush too, nearly went for it, but the chronicle was a little more plush on my noggin and took the win. The montaro wasn’t in the running purely down to budget, but now it’s in the running. Guess it comes down to colours, the matt grey of my chronicle is really nice,probs just go for the matt black montaro, keep it simple…

So hopefully the pad issue is sorted now. I’m assuming any lids coming direct from Zyro fisher will be the latest editions, so should have the most up to date pads I’m guessing.I’ll have my old montaro pads as back ups if they fit too.

Hey Mahalo, how do the two compare fit wise? Assuming the same really… Looks like the chronicle is a little deeper fit? Gotta say, my chronicle fitted perfectly in a medium, probably the best fitting lid I’ve tried. Think I’m swaying towards the Montaro atm…

I’m wondering if chronicle pads would fit the montaro? Anyone tried?

I’ve got a barely used Maxxis Shorty 3c in 26 x 2.3 flavour for sale. Perfect up front for these damper months….well, all year really then!! I’ve just posted in the classifieds if yer interested.

I’ve got an unused Maxxis minion dhr2 2.3 3c compound that came on my Aeris that I’m selling as I’ve switched it for the dual compound version on the rear for a little longer lifespan. I run the dhr2 up front all year bar really soggy days when I might pop a shorty on if I can be bothered. Fit and forget, epic cornering and monumental breaking control. Let me know if you’re interested at all….cheers

I’ve got a bottle of rnr extreme I picked up last year that should see me through this season , but I can’t remember where I bought it now, somewhere online uk shop….through the drier month, I have been using scottoiler UBS and rate it highly. It doesn’t last as wel as some, especially in the wet, but I usually take a small 2.5 oz bottle of it in my pack on longer or damper rides n top up if needed. The best bit about it is its water based so a bit of overspray on discs isn’t a problem and also, a simple rinse with a garden hose and the drivechain is spotless!! Seriously the cleanest running lube I’ve used.

FYI, I’m a postie and surcharges are not decided by us. The cards are dished out by the office for delivery by us. Sometimes the parcel will come through the system without being surcharged, if that happens it’s rare that we will point it out to management and will just deliver to the customer coz we are awesome like that!

I’ve got a pair of the new HT ones mentioned above and they are awesome. Really well put together and a nice big platform compared to the NP or RF ones. Light too….Recommended!

I was swaying towards the rockguardz pg350 guard, wondering how it compares performance wise to the mudhugger shorty? I don’t habitually ride when it’s proper mingling out, so thinking I might get away with the slightly sexier shorter versions

Ok, I’m rejuvenating this thread as I’d like some input myself…I’m wanting a front mudguard of sorts and like the look of these. I’ve been running a Marshguard for last couple years and found it pretty decent tbh. I’m tempted to just get another one for the new bike, maybe with the stash for a bit of extra protection. Has anyone been using the rockguardz pg 350? I do like the look of that one as I regularly transport my bike in the back of the car, so not sure about the long ones…any advice please??

Yeah, I’m getting the large in orange, and nope, I’m buying blind! Bit scary, but I’m confident it’ll be to my liking. Guess I’ll know for sure later on….Oh, meant to say, I saved 50 quid by buying my reverb from CRC in the summer clearance and 10% off code, lucked in too, not oe, fully boxed with bleed kit etc for £189. So yeah, got to fit that later…..

The ambush is a cracking lid, It was a close run thing between that and a Giro Chronicle for me. I went with the Giro in the end simply down to the fit being a little better for my noggin. The Spesh had it on weight, ventilation and best visor. If it fits you well, I’d go for it. Other option is the Troy lee A2, bit pricier, but looks awesome, ventilates well now and has mips.

RT3 rear shock, sorry!

Hey cbr9, I was torn between a Yari or the pike. I went for the pike in the end for the charger damper and the weight saving really. I’ve been running a Pike on my old bike, so have got used to the feel of a charger. I’ve gone for the non piggyback deluxe, but upgraded to the rc3 version. I think unless you are regularly hitting the alps or something, you’ll be fine with the deluxe. It’s a fair jump in price to the super deluxe too, I chose to invest the cash saved in upgrading the wheels instead. Just got word that my bike is arriving tomorrow!! Stoked!! I’ll post up some pics when I get the chance….

I’ve got a pretty much unused Maxxis Aspen folder in 2.25 flavour you can have for a tenner plus the postage. Brilliant tyres, I used one on the rear for years, super quick, but bites well in the turns.