1Password – seemless password protection between desktop and iPhone:

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The more I look and read about the Last Herb AM, the more I’m liking. Seems to tick most of my boxes, and it’s at a decent(ish) price too.

Anyone rode one? Or spoken to anyone that’s rode one?

Did you have to use one of these: adaptor

1981miked – do you use one of the E-13 adaptors with a guide to run 1×9?

I know it’s mid-travel – but the Devinci Dixon is looking good to me at the moment. Only thing it lacks is ISCG tabs so I can run 1×9. And it’s a bit on the expensive end of the range too. Although I could wait till the end of the season and try to pick one up in the sales.

Sorry – told you I didn’t know what I was looking for :D

Cheers for the options – will have a look through.

Looks lovely – shame it’s not available as frameset only. Although could sell the forks and wheels to get some of the cash back.

Do you know if it comes with ISCG tabs? Ideally would like to keep my 1×9 setup.

Can someone tell me if the Reverb and possibly the DOSS drop down on their own? All the videos I have seen show they need pressure on the saddle to make the post drop i.e. your arse.

Cheers dlr, spot on – I know It’s a bit of a pain in the a*se.

Still think I’ll wait for the Fox though… ;)

Actually, I’d be tempted by a Reverb now – unfortunately the cable guides on my BFe are all for cables (due to the splitter bits) – unless I drill them out, which I’m not going to be doing.

I’m holding out for Fox’s offering with the D.O.S.S – not sure when it’s due to hit the shops though.

Have to admit, I think the likes of Crank Bros Mallet’s are the way forward for me – flat platforms with the ability to clip in if needed. However, I’m not a fan of the Crank Bros ones in particular – would like to see more options on the market.

I tend to switch to whatever I’m riding that day. If it’s a hoon around Chicksands then the flats go on. If it’s a afternoon of XC then on go the SPD’s. Both have their pro’s and con’s – just use what is right for the occasion.

Personally I think it can only be an advantage to be able to use either.

In fact, here’s mine just after I built it up:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leepowell/5400574879/in/set-72157625937742288

Since then I’ve put a set of 721’s on Hope Pro 2 Evo’s on there… bombproof.

I have a BFe and love it… took it to Afan and Cwncarn last weekend and it ate it up.

To be fair the climbs felt a bit of a slog, but as soon it turned downhill the BFe was in it’s element. I run mine with a set of Pikes. Set it to 100-120mm for the climbs, and wind it out to 140mm for the decents. Although I’d probably change them for a set that do 120-160mm if I had the money.

On flat single track it’s not the fastest – the Soul would probably feel a bit more zingy. But I like to bomb the hills going down, and I the BFe is perfect for that.

Sounds like the BFe is for you if you’re going to do a bit of gnar DH on it.

I put a piece of heli-tape on the frame where the cables make contact… nigh on invisible.

Jesus – neck / spine problems! Don’t scare the guy – seriously, he’s been off a bike for 7 years. He’s bound to get a few aches and pains white getting back on it.

First of all, can you get any pics of your riding position? You could be slung too far over the front, with all the weight on your wrist.

When you ride, are you fairly stretched out, or are you sitting quite upright?

What angle do you have the levers set to? They may be too high up causing pressure on your wrists. I’m guessing you’re not bombing it all the way to work, so I doubt it’s arm pump.

As I remember, when I started riding again I got similar – over time it just disappeared. Maybe give it a month and see how you go. Just regularly take a hand off the bar and give it a good shake, let the blood get back around.

Do you grip the bars quite tightly? Might be worth trying to ride with a slightly looser grip.

Thetford is as flat as a flat thing – hardtail definitely way to go, although at the moment it’s very rutted out from winter. Black is a bit dull imo, the short red is fun for a bit of a blast, each section is a little different from the next – from fast, bermed single track to tight runs between the pine trees.

Personally the bit I like playing on the most is The Beast and The Shocker (at the end of the black), although easily reached by fireroads.

Was there a couple of weeks ago and it’s quite dry and sandy at the moment, so might be wise to pick tyres carefully as people have been washing out.

If budget can stretch think I may give one of the Easton carbon posts a try. Not overly keen on shimming a smaller seat post in.

Cheers – currently running an Elite, lovely post, but was wondering how stiff it was compared to the likes of USE.

Maybe I’ll look towards a more comfy saddle instead.

I’ve been using the Bike Food energy powder for pre/during rides, and their hemp based protein powder for recovery drinks. Not the cheapest, but I’ve definitely noticed improvements in energy levels.

Some of the gulley decents at Cwmcarn are a little technical. Well, they seemed it to me on a BFe – had to pick some lines more carefully than others.

Afan’s Whyte trail is quite technical throughout imo.

Hey Jedi – No you didn’t, you said they were pointing down a little too much, so I adjusted them when I got home a few days later. They’re pretty much bang on to the pic you’ve shown. Also moved them in a little like you suggested to brake more on the end of the lever rather than the middle like I was using.

Cheers everyone – will work out some kind of strength training thing. And just practise being a bit more relaxed :)

Thanks for all the answers. To confirm a couple of things:

1. Became aware I was gripping the bars fairly tightly, but the decents at Afan on Whites especially were so rocky felt I couldn’t loosen up much more than I was, I was consciously trying to relax, but the pain was still there.

2. I was braking with 1 finger as suggested. However I was keeping it floating over the lever for most of the way down.

3. I have recently adjusted the angle of the levers to be a bit more ‘up’. At suggestion of Jedi on a UK Bike Skills course, to help keep a natural break in my wrist. Maybe I adjusted it a bit too far?

Was thinking to change the Ruffians for a set of Rogue grips, or should I not bother? The powerball thing sounds like it’s worth a try. Unfortunately I live in Norfolk, not the hilliest of terrains, so can’t get rid of the problem by riding more long decents, as we don’t have them :D

Love it.

Sorted. Stripped down again, and discovered the rubber seals were the wrong way up. Doh.

Cheers.

I’ve stripped it, rebuilt it several times, still the same problem. The bearing cartridges are angled so can only go in one way around.

From the top:

topcap
——
stem
spacers
——
bearing cover
top race
rubber seal
bearing cartridge
top cup
——
head tube
——
bottom cup
bearing cartridge
rubber seal
lower race
——