As above I’ve received (couple of days ago) my runner up prize! Nice little hip flask. Might have to find a new tipple to fill it with.

Thank you singletrack team.

Looking forward to the next raffle.

Got a Aether 9 (Shimano Build) incoming.
Should look like this. I’ve always wanted a Raw look, hopefully less to worry about when it comes to stone chips and paint rubs 😜

I’ve just ordered a M/L Aether 9 Shimano
Build. Its not a bad looking bike, it’s definitely better looking then my old Sonder Evol 2018!
Got to wait a for weeks though as the frames aren’t in the country yet.
But I’m very much looking forward to getting back out on the trails with my new sled!

This happen yesterday to my wife’s forunner 45s.
It went through a reboot which I couldn’t get out of including the small triangle!
Then the screen went blank.
So we charged it over night, next morning we held down the light button (which I now understand turns it on or off🫣) to turn it back on.
All seems ok today!

Yep new bike year!
I’ve sold my Sonder Evol 2019,and I’m currently toying with a new Bird Aether 9 (Shimano build) or a Canyon Neuron.
I’m leaning towards the Bird as a UK based company and I can spec what I want.

BikePerfect is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher.
Copied from their web page.

Have you seen bikeperfect having a dig at this thread/ article.

“To make the sting even worse, Singletrack magazine stated (on a now deleted thread on their forum) that this was the first time most of the workforce knew about it”

Fort William 6 hour enduro circ 2011/12. The one with the purple top is now my wife.
The person they where flashing was Guy Martin 😆

Once in a lifetime, riding up then down off Yr Wyddfa aka Snowdon on the Rangers Path.

Love the look of Amanda’s face trying to hold it together 😆

Alot of people could benefit from reading this post.

If your a middle lane drinker then give up alcohol! Will make a massive difference.
Also I’ve not been on the socials for over 8 years and it’s best thing I’ve done for myself.

I have to many friends that are or have spolit perfectly good rides, when chasing their own “Metric” which I’ve now learnt to ignore, it does make me laugh how much they can put themselves down for not getting the KOM etc.

I much prefer the head up approach, see what’s around you and enjoy the ride. This is something I’ve definitely realised with a recent riding visit to  Snowdon with Wildbikes.

What a epic view!

I was looking to replace my NX due to a few glitches I’ve had with it, so I also eyed up the sunrace as a reasonable and fairly priced replacement.

I own a Sonder Evol 27.5. Such a capable bike plus the pricing for what you get is pocketish friendly, you can also customise your order so there’s no need to change things on a brand new bike, and not forgetting the customer service is great too.
I reckon the cortex would be a good bike to demo!

Just had my RS revelations serviced by Chaz at Root cycles, rear shock was sent to SRAM which are on abit of a go slow at the moment.
But Chaz knows his stuff.

That I also assume as you never see this any more.

I owned a 2010 Kona coil air fox front and rear suspension, it was on the heavy side around 33lbs if I remember rightly, but suited my bad style of riding at the time. (Was moving from a full DH bike to more enduro riding) the rear shock was ideal as it had 6″ for general harder style riding and when I managed to hit things badly it had another 2″ of travel to help, I thought it was a clever bit of kit but it always lead to people asking questions.
Sold my old one for £550
Currently own a Sonder Evol 140mm

I’m heading out too, so back to using starva.

Maxxis Ardent EXO Folding Tyre https://g.co/kgs/vD6gC5

I’ve run adrents for over 5 years all year round once on a 29er hardtail and currently a Sonder Evol 140mm travel full suspension (tubeless), it’s not everyones cup of tea but covers most things I do from road with my eldest daughter, XC to bike park Wales.
They may get abit loose when your on the raggedy edge but otherwise great all rounders.

Also take a look at the bird Aeris lt120 is great but of kit (built in the UK) had chance to properly demo in Wales, which gave me great confidence in the bike.

I looked at both of these bikes but ended up with a Sonder Evol NX1 Revelation, I couldn’t afford the carbon version but the carbon habit wasn’t far from the aluminium ones anyway (not a weight that would effect my riding)
The Evol has comparable geometry to the habit with 140mm rear 150mm front and I’m glad I did, great bike when climbing and absolutely sweet on descents and its put together in Britain. Give it a look

That’s what I thought nuke, so I’ve gone for the Medium Evol in rocket with a 125mm dropper.
Should see it in the next week or two.

Thanks for the replies, I’m based in Devon so trying one is a costly task as I would need one sending down to me for a weekend which would cost £90 (reducing the budget)

I was looking at the bird Aeris one20 LT ( geo match or are similar to a large in a evol) but when I realised I could get a better spec bike with a Evol for £300 less it seems the better idea.

I would love to get the cane creek stuff but it’s a little out of my budget. .