TBH same frame so no difference – and thats whats important up grade afterwards.

Np MTG was chilled after ride 🙂 I was just trying to differentiate between usage.

XTR titanium is on the lowest gears not highest 😉 the ones we use most. Science will be surprised when they learn titanium dont last. Thank you science officer.

To add to the controversy 🙂 never tried SRAM 🙂

Didn’t take long 🙂 it was ment constructively but I know how some would view it 😉

Awaits flame

Err XTR has I think 4 titanium rings which XT don’t so I’m afraid XTR scientifically will be mire durable than XT. TBH if your XT cassette last 8 years you ain’t doing that many miles no matter what the cleaning regime. For the record my XTR has done 2 trips to Spain, Morocco, Tran alps and 3 x solo 12 hour races + loads Enduros in between. Not to mention training and at least one good trail centre session a week in all Weathers. All it’s needed is new chains and cables. I’m impressed enough to buy XTR again. I think your view will differ depending on how and what you ride. Afan was riding very nice today 🙂

My first year on XTR, always a confirmed XT man – why pay the extra? Well it certainly lasts longer not changed anything all year except chains. By now I would have eaten through 2 or 3 sets of rings and cassettes. All working fine and I think it will still be going strong well in to the winter. In terms of shifting its smoother and it lasts longer. Guess it depends on your mileage. If you dont do much then XT will be fine. High mileage XTR.

Normally crack out the Afan black and W2 in 3 hours so maybe I might be a little disapointed? But its on the wat to CyB maybe just go there early and do more trails 🙂

+1 for private trail centers 🙂 but only with showers and changing!

Whoops too many clicks ha ha sorry.

I think if these culprits just lost some fat off their belly’s like you suggested, they’d be much healthier and financially better off aswell.

Let the hunt begin! We should cull them from the sport its the kindest thing to do? 😀

Bike weight or rider weight? Plenty of places to loose weight without resorting to cash?

Loose X amount of flab resulting in huge performance increase!

Do you need all that crap in your camelbak, Mobile, GPS, just in case crap, water proof?

Have I taken off all the bits I dont need on the bike – commute lights, gps holder, watter bottle holder, under seat bag?

Do you need upppy down seat post for the race?

My own view is that it is far easier to knock off a Kg of body weight than worry about a few grams of weight on components. I think componenets should be robust and fit for purpose. For example I do use a full XTR group set but thats because its strong, light weight and seems to last forever with really slick shifting not because it weights X grams less than SRAM. +1 Geometry and suspension design is equally important.

Yup done it several times, good route. Classic route.

Maxxis Ardent spin up very nicely and fast with grip in 2.25 size.

The only down side to most of the trans somethings is you need a partner.

Yours Billy No Mates

Trans Alps Trans Provence

None fourth months use. Goes up goes down. Great bit of kit. Only thing I do is very lightly lube the seal at the top and wipe clean the post to keep it smooth. But thats all.

I wear these 365

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/sugoi+wallaroo+170+mens+short+sleeve+jersey/base-layers/fcp-product/4390

Dont own a merc either 🙁

Think NW gets my drift.

Nope base my decisions on what I enjoy to ride. Don’t care about warranties 🙂 But think we should get the best deal from the manufacturers Orange or whoever. I also refrain from becoming emotive it’s a waste of energy better used for riding.

Well if you make a good quality product what risk is there in a good 5 year warranty? Would seem to a no brainer and helps sell Orange bikes as a marketing tool as you suggest. It was maybe the market that forced them in 2008 to raise it?

Love the Orange debates they go on and on and on :->

If Orange are that proud of their build quality why have they got one of the shortest warranty? Most doing 5 years now. I to my shame have sometimes skidded and unintentionally slid as well <tool shame>

I’m no expert but having to change bearings twice in two years indicates to me that loose or poorly fitted bearings might have something to do with those cracks. Is it normal to replace them every year? Not been my experience with bikes no matter what the mileage.

Blimber

I pump mine to 40psi when I first put them on and leave over night before reudcing to 20 – 25psi. This makes them really ‘snap’ in to the right position. You will hear them seating. This may stop burping. Never had it happen to me so fat on XT and ZTR rims and maxxis (which are great UST tyres).

Never been used not a scuff mark on it.

UST = less faff if you have real UST rims and tyres. Only the bodgers have problems. Great for low pressure grip and say good by to rolling resistance. Never going back to tubes. Changed my front tyre recently and smiled at the number of thorns still stuck in the tyre 🙂 But no punctures since I started UST over 18 months ago.

So Orange refines their models whilst everyone else just reinvent the wheel? Thanks for the unbiased view LOL A bike saved by a better shock 😉 (throws in bait)

AS your right no changes to Zesty in 2011, some refinements in 2012 – sorry – reinventing the wheel. I have been down the frame only route and I think its the best and cheapest way. If I could get Zesty only frame I would go that route. Had my ESX70 frame only since they came out. Technology had definitely moved though after some 7 years.

A 4 year old frame that is the same year on year with no improvement or opt for a product that is being refined and tested and improved year on year. I know which one will get my vote. It also indicates to me that when I get a bike like the Zesty and they improve it I know I can buy the improved model and I will enjoy the riding even more.

Buy a bike you enjoy riding, everything else is secondary! You do that by product investigation, your experience and riding then getting of your arse and demo some bikes.

Stay within your aerobic zone have a little salt on food (salt sandwiches work for me) stay hydrated. Dont over do eating or drinking. If its your first race I would aim to take it easy, stay chilled and enjoy it. Make a reace of it on your next solo race when you have more experience.

I went from Stumpy to Zesty, IMHO because the angles were very similar but the Zesty is just such a more capable bike and it seemed to have that ‘relentless zing’ that seemed missing in the stumpy which I really liked as well. It was a safer bike to ride and thats not ment in a bad way. Guess my riding has moved on. Very happy zesty owner who hits the UK and European trails 😉

Is there a good site that explains how to train using a power meter?

Considering going the turbo trainer route. Single so I can put it in front the TV and I could do some serious base mileage. The one really positive thing about training is my riding pleasure has improved, Im quicker, better rider now that I have a good fitness level. Im enjoying my MTB a lot more.

Been on a few tours with them, cycled most of it by myself but I appreciated the company in the evening etc. Appreciate the solo urge though, Im a bit of a solo MTB rider. I like to ride when how where I want so dont like groups although Im in a MTB club.

Been looking at the same. I’m with CTC they do some good tours to that area but sadily they are all booked up. Have a look at their site.

+1 for training more than just legs. I found the gym to be an essential part of my overal improvement in performance. That an a HRM for the event so I stayed within my zones.

Ardent front and back all trails setup 🙂

Yup me, it was pretty arduous. I trained hard and glad I did as I enjoyed in more than some. Climbing 2500 – 3500 metres each day over 70 – 90km takes its toll. I think about 20% didn’t make it to the end.

http://www.bike-magazin.de/event/bike-transalp/?id=265&L=1&PHPSESSID=d0e346416ddc8c78b6a5449e2670c740

Top tips

Mechanical

Get your bike setup from the start and don’t change it make sure its 100% reliable. I completely serviced mine a month before the event then took it on a 100km cx event to prove it was ok. I only changed one brake pad during the whole event, no mechanicals. Got the (free) race shimano service centre to give my gears and cables a bit of TLC on day 4. They did a great job of tweeking the gears so much so there still shifting flawlessly.

Make sure your brakes have at least 160mm rotors its steeper than you think in the mountains, sinterd pads ofc.

Maxxis tubeless tyres, Ardent 2.25 front 2.25 Crossmark with latex. You will pass many skinny tired racers fixing their tyres 🙂

Take your GPS, Garmin did a free upload of the route at registration and supported throughout the race.

You need a small bag with servicing and spares in it for cleaning chain etc each night, include J clothes and wet wipes

Travel

Fly to Munich, then train to Munich rail centre then the start at Mittenwald platform 27 – 33
Fly back from Verona, hired a mini bus with some other guys we met on the race to get there, best bet.

Accommodation
I used mainly hotels, camping in the sports halls etc is ok but not ideal

Training
I started training in Nov. HRM it will provide the biggest boost to your performance and was essential for me for climbing as it helped to maintain a steady heart rate burning the least amount of energy. Polar on line training diary was brilliant in keeping me honest and its free

Road bike to get mileage

Spin classes

Gym for general fitness, you need to train your arms, core, back etc

Race strategy

Up to the race I picked a series of races as mini goals to keep me on track like 12 hour solo at Bristol bike fest, CRC marathons. These help to give you confidence and sort your eating, drinking, gear etc as well as good training

It’s a 8 day race. Its a long race. Day 1 we were nearly last, every day after that we pulled back more and more riders. Its an energy race, you must not use more energy than you have to give or can replace. HRM keeps you within the optimum zone.

You report it to your insurance company and they have your car repaired under your insurance. The recovery of of the costs is not your responsability its the insurance firms. You do not have to work out who is to blame. Thats why you report the accident, if you take matter in to your own hands your on your own. Dont do it.

Fits my Zesty no problem, bike + helemt + shoes + camelbak + tools = 24Kg

Easy Jet limit anyone bag 30kg. I throw in my biking clothes and washbag, few other essentials in hand luggage (30lt day sack) and I save on hold baggage. Lets be honest how many holidays have you been on and used all the clothes you packed? 🙂 Merino T’s help 😉

Icj EC111 card worked a treat for me in spain, no costs whatsover. Also dogtag user, never claimed so no idea what they are really like in emergency. Hope never I have to find out.

EVOC is ace, easy to pull around as well. Very easy to pack, about 15 mins for me.

Undo handle bar stem and place under down tube, leqaving all cables on
drop saddle
pedals off
putt all bits in the internal compartments including tools you used
put bike in and strap down
add helmet, shoes and camelbak

job done 😉