I’d understood that Hope had a minimum order requirement for bike shops – something like £500 – is that rubbish then?

I’m on the fence between a CCDBA and an X2 – it won’t be my daily shock, so less concerned about the lockout.. I just don’t think the performance will justify the £100 price difference..

I’ve got some 4 year old Jawbones which I swear by.. I’ve also got some XLJ Flakjackets, but the Jawbones are far better for coverage. They used to be available in Fakley flavour but I’ve not looked for a while..

MrPottatoHead, get the Velcro strap, in the Alps I have to use mine with Velcro otherwise I get similar pain.

I’ve been running mine for a few months and so far… touch wood.. mine’s still fine.

Apparently the shocks with blue seals visible are uprated and shouldn’t have the reliability issue.

Ah.. The fort at Hembury woods.. I spent so may afternoons off there, using the mini-moat as a jump! Then racing down the slalom going through to the River Dart Country Park, then having wardens chasing us around on their scooters!

maybe as likely to be data collected as you type it in on your pc?

Mac… I know its not a guarantee – but I like to think I know what I’m doing..

In the DC2 (Integra Type R) – yep..

In the mk5 GTI – nope..

7iDP Convert… You can adjust the level of protection ranging from simple light foam, all the way up to hard plastic cup.. I’ve used TLD 5450s, iXS Daggers and a good few others, but these are amazing as a 1 pad to do it all..

If you have ISCG mounts then 77designz to a crash plate – I’ve just installed one and it looks well up to the job whilst being discrete.. http://77designz.com/product/crash-plate-34t

iPhone 6 – definitely battery on its way – mine used to die whilst out on rides, stop to take a photo and bang power off.. Next time it happens try leaving it for 10-15 minutes and switching it on – mine used to come on, without being charged..

Replaced the battery myself and its been fine ever since. Not that hard to do, get a genuine battery from amazon – around £13 – and follow this guide – https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+6+Battery+Replacement/29363

Not that hard at all, and quite satisfying as well!

When I first converted to 650b I was going to go with the 27 as my do-it-all wheel set, but I was lucky enough to get a deal on a set of built 24s, which means I’ll convert my 26 wheels to arc30 for dh use. But if I had just one I’d go with the 27s.

I’ve just switched to an Ardent on the rear but really keen to try an Aggressor on the front.. Just trying to find one!

No experience of the 2FOs but went from AM45 to AM9, really impressed. Much lighter but just as comfortable.

I had a Monarch Plus RC3 on my old HD and my friend had a CCDBA on his HD – his was sooo much nicer! Heavier, yes but it soaked up everything in a much more composed manner..

The Inline, is actually a very capable shock, just not really fair to compare it to a piggyback..

7idp Covert – you can adjust the pad layers depending on what level of protection you need.

I’ve gone through TLD5450, IXS dagger, POC.. these are brilliant – they don’t feel great when walking around, but when pedalling you don’t notice them at all!

Wish it was the 200×57 version! Bargain though.

Over here in Jersey we have to ride a lot on road to get to the trails, I always used to rate Schwalbe HD, Trailstar front, Pacestar rear, switch to something faster rolling in the rear in the summer – Rock Razor.. However a few months ago I tried the Bonty XR4 Team Issue on a recommendation of a friend, and its brilliant, rolls really well but is also very grippy. And lighter than the HD too!

Original Ibis HD (and R) used 215×63..

I’m very tempted as well – been researching them for the last week – does anyone know how they size up compared to the A1? (TLD)

Wow.. seems like there’s a few of us all looking for the same! Merlin have some, but they won’t sell them separately.. :(

Matte black, medium, with red links..

HD.. Had an SL, then upgraded to HD and now (yesterday) bought an HD3 frame. Depending on what size you want I’ll have my HD frame for sale next week or so.

Either way. HD every time. It’s so capable.

Nope, looking to cover myself if I break someone else, either training etc or racing.. :)

Rick, where did you get the axles from?

Garmin Fenix 3 – does all you want, is waterproof, and you can add sensors to make things more accurate (e.g. speed etc) links to Strava through the Garmin Connect app – I finish my ride and by the time I’ve walked into the house my ride is already up on strava..

I’ve been running E’s for a couple of months now – love them..

Yes the Q factor needs fairly careful cleat positioning, but its working for me (using AM9’s -size 44)..

Apparently CB may be bringing out an axle conversion to the same q factor as the Mallet DH (which I had before) and as already mentioned – would make them perfect.

I’ve been running the new Pikes since they first came out, up until last month when I bought some Fox 36’s at a ridiculous good deal… (if it hadn’t been a good deal i wouldn’t have swapped..)

Yes the Pikes are initially softer, however the Fox are much much more composed when pushing, yes all the magazines say the same, but I actually feel it. When I first used the Fox I wasn’t impressed – i missed the initial ‘softness’ of the Pike, but then I hit some steps/rock gardens that I know well, and the fork came alive!

I think this sums it up – last year in the Alps I swapped to my 180 Fox forks – took the Pikes but couldn’t accept the flex – this year I’d happily use the Fox 36’s..

Hope that helps – I have no experience of the Lyrics though.. :)

I’ve got some as well – much better sealed than my previous DHs.. Apparently they’ve upgraded the design across the board, using Enduro and Igus bearings..

https://www.crankbrothers.com/blog/premium-quality-components

Had them on since mind December and I’m very happy with them (also from Bike-Discount)

http://www.whitebeamchalets.co.uk – used them every year for the last 3 years…

They are amazing!

Tested today in howling wind and rain – very impressed! Kept me nice and dry so I could concentrate on enjoying the mud.. Only criticism I could think of (and this is being really critical) is that the back cold drop slightly longer..

So my Singletrack jacket has arrived – went for a small – which is usually on the toight side in Endure on me – fits like a glove. The sizes are definitely more generous than other Endura stuff.

Assumed the riding a bike pose in the office and didn’t think it sacked up too much.

Will test it out over the weekend and report back, but so far its a solid thumbs up from me.

Well I’ve just ordered the SIngletrack – had a few vouchers to use up so in all it came down to £49.. will report back!

I’m researching this all over the net! The Singletrack is 2.5 layer (no lining but a type of print on the inside) whereas the MT500 is 3 layer (mesh lining..)

How does it feel compared to the MT500 – I’m sure its not as good, but realistically my longest rides in the worst weather are going to be an hour or so.. I’m thinking the MT500 would be an all day type whereas the Singletrack is more short rides?

doubledunter – whats the drop like on the MT500 II? I’ve had a Stealth in the past and the drop wasn’t great – I put that down to the more racing cut though..

My theory is, if someone has never seen them before, got to be 4,5,6 then 1,2,3, if however they have but didn’t get all of the points (which is what I’m doing for a friend right now) then its 1,2,3,4,5,6..

In terms of preparation for Force Awakens, if you’re not that nerdy then 4,5,6 will do.. If you want the full-on nerd then all of them..

I’ve had an SL and now an HD for 3 years. Love it, whether its single track in Jersey or DH in Alps (where I stick a 180mm Van on it) and its brilliant… Absolutely love it.

I’ve got a carbon 661 and a Met Parachute (new one) and the Parachute is amazing, I ended up using it pretty much exclusively in the Alps – can’t recommend it enough!

Not really dragging was specifically during a week in the Alps, running 180 out back.

By contrast I didn’t fade the 785’s the previous year, just felt like I wanted more power/better modulation hence the swap to Guides.

I think that I’m going to go Saints, unless the XTR’s are middle ground between them and the 785s..