I also have a Tarn rigid fork looking for a new home! 😉

Pedalcover have just quoted half what my current insurance co. want! And the bike insurance part sounds very impressive.

Sorted.

That front tyre would terrify me down in the Pennines, ok in the Lakes I guess! My 2.8 Magic Mary up front is a winter plus tyre lifesaver 😉

We were there end of October, 3rd year in a row.

It was noticeably busier than last year. We must have seen 15 other riders this time!! ;-)

I just looked at the satellite image on the OS site, all I can see is large florets of broccoli.

Oh, the Broken Road is set up as a 29er.

I’ve got a Tarn 20 and a Sonder Broken Road!

I’ve bikepacked the Tarn, but it really is too heavy (In my opinion), it’s just a bombproof All-Mountain hardtail. The Broken Road is a recent purchase, and it’s blooming lovely. Recently loaded it up for a 100mile bikepacking trip around the Yorkshire Moors. I can’t see how it could have been made more perfect for that type of ride.

Lay the wheel on the ground, stand on the tyre wall with feet at twenty past eight, wearing stiff soled shoes. Stamp downwards as hard as you dare…….

It’s not ideal is it!

Could have been a good shout Ton, but apparently it’s closed down…

I managed to miss the group start the other week, so going to give it a do at the end of the month. Just working out where to start, so as to get a few pints before a bivi.

Looks good.

Yep, that what I use, but with 3″ NN’s.  16psi rear 14psi front. Never had a burp.

What internal rim width are you using?

There was no thought process! I was in the shop, and I got mates rates…

With hindsight……….

3mm is Boost, that’s all I know.

Went with Burgtec in the end, ‘cos that’s what my LBS stock. Quiet, chain didn’t come off and no-one died. Hooray!

I’m now fully up to speed with what a pain in the @rse tyres can be, thanks to the power of Google.

Love the developments going on with MTB technology, smart shocks, droppers that work, frames that don’t snap (often), BUT, we have to stand on our tyres to get the buggers off!!!!

They’re off!! Thumbnail separated from skin, much blood.

A pair of square edge vibram bike shoes and a flat piece off wood. Stand on the b@stard, praying you don’t damage the rim.

WTB, no thanks. Ordering some Bonties off Triton this morning….

Still not off. Will try a pair of hard edged vibrant boots tomorrow.

Is it the combo or the tyre or the rim thats the issue, if you see what I mean?!!

The thought of putting a tube in in the middle of nowhere…. 😫

Nope that didn’t work. Brand new bike fresh from Sonder.

That’s fine, not looking for excitement, just avoiding the tarmac at the end of a loop I’ve just put together.

Medium flavour. I think the frame’s about 2.8kg. For comparison, again, I think a Solaris is about 2.2Kg…

My Tarn 20 weighs in at 32lbs. All as standard apart from slighty lighter DT Swiss wheels and Nobby Nics in 3″ flavour.

Yeah fully agree with the above. In plus mode the climbing traction is ridiculous! But as I said it depends what the OP wants. I love it,  it’s great for big social rides in proper mountains. But for longer faster days, the weight does start to wear me out.

Just ordered a Sonder Broken Road. Ti frame about 800grms lighter than the Tarn. But to be used for bikepacking mainly. Similarish geometry.

As an owner I think it depends on what you’ll be using it for. Briefly…Pros it’s a stable beast downhill. Great geometry for climbing (wheel stays on the ground) internal dropper routing. Cheap ish. Long Low and Slackish.

Cons. HEAVY. Cheap wheelset. Regular pedal strikes.

I’ve only used it with plus wheels. 2.8″ feels too low. Prefer 3″ to keep the BB a bit higher.

If your happy to plod up and smash it down it’s amazing!

I’m about to order a lightweight 29er to compliment it for faster xc days.

Cheers all. The forks have only got 120mm sag markings on. I guess that doesn’t matter if I want to adjust the travel. Suppose they’re just OEM stock…

I’ve got the Sawyers mini. Small and simple. Used it with brackish reservoir water and Indian tap water! I didn’t die. Only downside is it’s a bit of a slow feed.

So has he left Hebtroco, or just moonlighting?

Can I just check weight again? 4.9lbs? Ok, I know I’m splitting hairs, just humour me!

Is that 4lbs 9oz  or 4.9lbs (some sort of decimalization of an imperial weight? ;-)

The only reason I’m asking is that I’m thinking of changing frames, I have a Genesis Tarn which weighs and absolute tonne, well 2.8 (and a bit) kgs.

LBS are pretty sure it’ll be the piston in the lever sticking. So warranty job…

Ok Mikewsmith, yeah we get that. I’m just wondering if I needed to leave a bit of “slack” in the system to deal with expansion.

Obviously brake calipers get silly hot during use. What I’m wondering is has the fluid in the lever warmed up pushing the pistons in?

Yeah, it reads a bit random!

Threading sticky strings for tubeless repairs onto the prongy thing…

As a Tarn owner, I would say a Judy is way too noodley for what the bike is capable of. Mine came with a Yari, which is the chunkiest fork I’ve used. It’s perfect as the Tarn is an absolute tank downhill.

I think 2.8’s is the smallest I’d go, I’ve got 3″ Nobby Nics on mine, the BB is very low. I’m sure you’d have issues with pedal strikes on techy climbs with 2.6’s…

Loose as a goose…

Turns out they’re 45mm internal, so all good!

I was all set on a Solaris, test rode it with 29 & 27.5+. Loved the plus.

Then a Tarn20 came up for £1100, which I bought. Now although I like it, I don’t love it! It weighs a metric tonne, it’s perfect for 10% of my riding. It’s a weapon downhill, but a plodder everywhere else.

Looking at getting a Solaris frame when they appear and a set of 29er wheels, probaly end up with 2.4″ tyres and swap the forks etc of the Tarn….

What’s your general type of riding?
I went 3″ NN front and rear. The rear one is the “Apex”? version. Basically thick sidewalls with a layer of foam protection in it. It’s completely bombproof! Took it to Zona Zero for a week, no issues whatsoever….but it’s heavy!

For Pennine winter slop they’re ok, no grip at all in proper mud. And absolutely amazing on rocky stuff. I think i’ll be trying a Rocket Ron on the back for a bit less drag, in a month or two.

Duddon? Never heard of it. Don’t bother looking you won’t find it.

Our climbing clubs got a hut there too, never found it…

;-)

Thanks for that! I’d be using it for Old School xc riding, not racing as such. Tarmac, tracks and trails. I do a few ITT’s and the Tarn’s just too heavy ;-)

Yeah, but that’ll be including the rigid forks.