All, I ride the same trails, on my zesty, couple times a month for last 4 years. I take your point but I was just giving my impression. There seemed to be more traction on the up and cornering was faster. Is it the bike or tyres? Bit of both. Your arguments against it being the tyres are no more scientific than my honest view.

Not much chance of a demo of the new Zesty 727, anyone know where there is one?

It was a Bronson I demoed and agree with yourkcsl. Very planted feel and carved corners really well. Downhill it was even more impressive.

did a demo ride on 650b this weekend. There is a marked difference between the two in terms of grip and rolls better. Downside I think they are a little heavier and so take more effort to spin up.

They were late in the season to attempt a summit climb because of bad weather. They were late because the Korean leader didn’t get out his tent to lead the roping party. Snowballed from there.

Got overtaken by one on the trails, there very fast on hills and trails. I could see when I’m very old they would be a great way to still enjoy MTB

2010 zesty best bike I’ve ever had, relentlessly fast

Had the team carbon for a couple years. Outstanding bike.

Plus one for wish you were here

Slept outside in bivi for 6 weeks in Canada, it was mainly dry. Every night under the stars. Pull the flap over your face and snooze. In the UK I use bivi with hoop. Less weight and far more efficient at keeping you dry.

Any best time to visit, generally dry and warm?

If you are not 100% behind the idea and the support the school the children will pick up on it. That will undermine their confidence and failure and returning home follows shortly. When you drop them off for the first time you and your wife will be up beat. Full of enthusiasm. You can both have a sob together later not as you drop them off.

My three went. Their view now is that it was worth every penny and they had a great time. Loads of great adventure and sport with intensive education thrown in. Sometimes one to one.. It made the most of whatever ability the had. My experience as a parent was that success or failure often revolved around the parents attitude. Children have to want to go for the right reason – their development. Private schools don’t guarantee success. Speak to your children and see what the most appropriate education route is.

Evoc bag also bloody easy to wheel around and carry. My view is I’m going on a mountain bike holiday. If the bikes trashed during flight then it’s likely that the holiday is over. I fly with my bike 4-5 times a year. Evoc, brilliant bike bag. Great investment.

Evoc bike bag super tough.

Retired at 55. The equity in my house will give me a pension is not a guaranteed pension scheme . Invest wisely. A spread of schemes and early start is the key. Retirement is great you should aim to make the most of it. Burying your head in the sand isn’t an option.

Plenty of camp sites

http://www.exploregloucestershire.co.uk/page254.asp

Why not support the local economy. Also helps with the popularity of the sport locally so securing events.

Faz think you will enjoy the Zesty superb bike. And can cling on’s can always be upgraded.

Looked at Cdf but my next do it all bike will be

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/cx/cxr92.html

Great spec, price and weight. I’m not a pannier type, light weight touring only. Have a second hand team carbon also brilliant bike.

Have a look at the new http://www.boardmanbikes.com/cx/cxr92.html

great value and superb on road weight for a do it all bike that will manage serious off road

They have aluminium rear stays I believe for 2014.

I bought cheap turbo bike not looked back. Set up in living room. Turbo in front of TV. Have turbo training DVDs and use Youtube streamed to the TV. Almost zero setup needed to start and finish session apart from choosing the session and selecting the media. Cheap too. You have to pay for spin sessions. Let’s be honest if your not motivated then getting some to do it for you won’t work in the long term either. Before I bought the bike I used my normal road bike didn’t change the tyre no need.

Zero I’ve done some 2.5k on my turbo bike on the tyres it came with. Save your money.

Got cat eye Strada on my turbo, perfect

I do road for distance, turbo intervals (and bad weather training), gym strength and swim for relaxing and easing off good cardio and rest.

Turbo intervals and hill work is good for power
Long road cardio and distance
Pool relaxing and easing off
Gym back arm strength
Dont discount the value of rest and recovery
add some skills days on the MTB
Diet, eat sensibly

being fitter overall will improve your speed and endurance

Common myth is that you must kill your self each session, wrong, training is progressive intensity with repetition.

Build a good base you can maintain, measure it KM, time etc then improve on that with goals.

But the stumpy is a great ride too. Demoed one few years ago but went for a Zesty. Spesh just seemed a bit dull on the trails. That’s a very subjective opinion I know. Maybe I should revisit it? Any demos?

In no particular order for Enduro and down:

Cube Stereo 160
Spicy/Zesty
Bronson
Stumpy

must have 1 x 11

Currently Bronson and Zesty lead my selection but leaning to Zesty. Got a demo ride on Bronson so that will decide the issue (I hope).

Used the RX for the last 4 years been faultless for me with almost zero maint

Zesty Spicy Transition. It’s the bike you ride not the clings on’s they get changed. Focus on that. Under £3K? No chance unless second hand

Routine. You shouldn’t be surprised when you change their environment. Warm cosy with people and noise to cold silent. You go figure.

I start with the geometry of the bike I currently ride. It’s a good starting point and factor in its intended use.

Also use mini gaters stops all the water getting in via tops

Would the TF tuned service fix this? Mine well out of warranty and bought from Rose in Germany

Can I ask a noob question (still 3×9)? Is there a big difference between xo and xx1 Looking at new bike and both are options. Could I up grade bit by bit later as it wears out to xx1?

Info here
http://map.1sw.org.uk/#!/landscape/19

Kimbers, it’s about the ride. A lighter bike is just faster. For example Zesty is 11.2kg stock. Bronson can be the same. I’m a short ass so 29 aren’t an option. It’s not about the weight entirely but the difference better 11 and 14kg is too much for my type of riding.

That Pivot looks good

Steveb77 I was talking about the Kona process @14.5kg. I am looking for bike in the 11-12kg range. Guess it was lost in translation

Currently ride a 2010 Zesty 714 been a great bike. 2014 are light, 1×11, 650b, 150mm travel. Upgrade to new bike would be simple ride and geometry wise. Wanted to consider all options

Thanks for all the responses. Kona looks too heavy looking for 11 12kg range. Keep them coming. Interesting what people say about the ride. It’s be said before that VVP isn’t so compliant especially on smaller bumps.

I ride the FoD but until I hooked up with some locals I hadn’t seen the good stuff. Try finding a local MTB group and tag a long you will be amazed what’ hidden gems there are