Cheers all, really interesting to hear other views on the subject. You’re dead right about two kids being a different proposition to one, more like 4x the work I reckon! One thing I did get a few months back was a kiddie seat for the front of the bike, which our toddler loves, although she is growing out of it now. My main problem is that we live in an area that’s absolutely pants for “proper” mtb’ing, so 1.5+ hours of driving is required for anything other than what I’d call a “fitness” ride. Actually trying to persuade the other half that we move to the foot of the Quantocks…that would be problem solved :-).

pedahead – that is exactly what I anticipated, but I’m not doing any DHing or xc racing….just normal “fun” riding (and not enough of that)

Yeah if I went with one bike for general fun riding (“trail” or whatever it’s called these days), I reckon I’d be looking at a 4 or 5 inch sub 30lb jobbie. Might be a bit clichéd, but probably the most versatile option imho. In fact, demonstrated by how much my Fivespot has coped with…DH in the Alps, Gorrick XC & millions of different grades of “fun” rides, without feeling completely useless at any of them.

I’m about to do what you did. Been using a Fivespot for everything from XC racing to DH for a few years now, and have decided to get two bikes each with a more focused purpose. So, new Intense Uzzi VP on the way for the bigger stuff, and shopping around for a lightweight trail bike…probably either Mojo or Blur LT carbon, something like that. I’ll probably still keep the Fivespot too though just because I can’t bear to part with it. For me, because I do quite a large variety of types of riding, one bike, even a really versatile one, doesn’t quite cut it.

2005 Turner Fivespot. Just seemed “right” as soon as I set off for the first time.

Is the bike insurance completely separate from your contents? We already have contents with someone else but would be very interested in pure bike insurance at a decent price. Cheers.

Pretty much any aluminium hardtail I’ve ever tried. I think I’m just too soft.

Do you scuba? An up-the-wetsuit shot from Turkey…

A bikey shot from Dartmoor…

Sky transmit HD content at 1080i @ 50hz with 2:2 pulldown, which a decent telly should display as 1080p/25, so capable of pretty good quality. Of course, the bitrate is where things can go pear-shaped, and some channels certainly seem to be better than others. For example, I think BBC HD has the highest bitrate of all the HD channels, and on a decent panel you can really see it…stunning pictures. Personally, I reckon Sky HD is worth it (and I only have the entertainment channels), but I am a bit of an AV geek so image quality means a bit more to me than most I suppose.

no it’s not

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.

Sadly, I think the red leather will have pushed it over the edge in terms of gheyness. I guess you may just get away with it if you keep the roof on at all times, but that rather defeats the idea. Mind you, I drive an MR2 (black leather!) so don’t listen to anything I say.

Crikey. Essential viewing for tonight methinks… http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00kk4bz

I had a 1972 MG Midget that was loads of fun (when it worked), but my favourite was my first new car, 2001 Audi S3. Loved it…

Nice to see someone else running a 5-spot with PUSH rockers, not sure I go much on the colour though …

yeah, I wish the rockers were a nice funky orange too ;-)

ouch

you can fit a tow bar to a Golf GTi, but you’ll need to chop away a bit of the bumper.

yes the AVF classifieds are a fairly safe place to trade (I have a number of times), but they’re pretty heavy on moderator time, which I suspect wouldn’t go down well here. There’s also the issue of whether the software will support such a feature. I reckon the headfi.org solution is the best I’ve seen…a separate feedback forum, with a separate thread for each trader into which feedback is posted. Simple, works.

I’ve never had a creak on my ’05 Spot & all the maintenance I’ve ever done is squirt some Prep-M into the zerks now & again. I really don’t think you should be getting any creaking as it’s not something I’ve heard associated with these bikes. Might be worth asking the Turner geeks on mtbr if you’re brave enough.

After a good cleaning yesterday. She’s getting a bit long in the tooth these days but still a faithful friend…

Can you get a tow bar? I had one fitted to my car for less than £150 specifically so I could use a tow bar mounted bike rack. Having also used roof bar carriers, luggage rack carriers and boot-lid strappy things, the latter scare the hell out of me and I’ve seen the result of three bikes falling off the back of a car on the M4 & it wasn’t pretty. When I did used to use one, I never really felt 100% convinced it was solid/safe, and I sure as hell wouldn’t put three bikes on one. On the other hand, I could just be scaremongering as I’m sure lots of people use them without any problems, but the whole concept/design just seems unsafe to me.

There’s a place in between Purton & ‘Bassett that’s always got a load of mowers on their forecourt. A quick google makes me think it’s these people.[/url]

Hey, us geeks can be badasses too.

There’s always the spendy method. Buy a flashy new bike & you’ll feel obliged to go out & ride it. Has worked for me before.

I even managed to complete that strange mission where you have to shoot up all those dodgy aliens. Or did I just dream that bit up on the game.

Oh yeah – was that the one where you got interrupted half way through hyperspace and immediately attacked. Oooh, it’s all coming back…..where’s that link…

Ah yes, the Thargoids. Inter-hyperspace bad-asses. Anyway, I swear Elite was bugged. I was Deadly for 2 years & gave up.

I’ve been using Oakleys for 10+ years. Haven’t really tried many other brands so no idea if they’re any better, but the lenses do seem to be pretty resistant to scratches. Customer service is indeed excellent. I sat on a pair of Eye Jackets, twice, and bust both arms off. Sent them to Oakley, came back a short while later with new arms & re-done logos…as new basically…for free.

Currently in the market for a new pair for biking & I quite like the look of the new Jawbone… review

Fantastic for an air shock imho, far better than DHX Air. Less blowing through the mid-stroke & really good small bump performance with only the occasional bottom-out on my Fivespot. Mine’s PUSH’d though, and I haven’t ridden the stock item.

Pink gloopy stuff works a treat for me