under 20 miles /1 hour don’t bother.

Over 20 miles / 1 hour every time.

I’ve tried them all, stick with the Assos tub.

I’ll be sure to bear length in mind when researching a purchase, but again I value your comments on the matter they’ll be very helpful. Interesting that there is nothing like a standard and they’re all so different.

A SWB with a delta hitch/saris trap/other for mount would fit my 29er wheel off and the kids 14″ 26wheelers by the sounds of it. That said I won’t discriminate against a LWB particularly from one of the brands which are slightly more manageable.

Insurance will be a painful necessary evil by the sounds of it.

Does anyone use aftermarket locks for their van?

I ended up going with the 165 Zee when faced with the same issue. Didn’t give a thought to square taper at the time.

Anyone got any good pics of their bikes loaded into these respective vans? The internet is full of vans converted for one or two people, and vans which fit 4 bikes and can sleep an entire tribe in cleverly installed beds, but I can’t find many of the 4 seat 4 bike (or more) set ups.

IF anyone could be naffed to grab a camera and post a pic of their set up, or even email it across (email in profile) I’d be grateful.

One of the things which leans me towards cheap vivaro/traffic/transit is that I want something which I’m not going to worry about getting dinged, scratched and generally abused. If I went VW I feel like i’d be constantly worrying about it, where with a cheap utility van even if it sank into a bog I could get my bike out and cycle away reasonably content. I’m not decided yet, and could totally go VW, but not sure if it’s for me (yet).

While a bulkhead marginally reduces utility (i’m guessing) I imagine it contributes greatly to ride comfort and that with a LWB the loss of space is mitigated against. No idea how LWB and SWB compare pricewise if one is more pricey than the other, but will research that in due course.

Thanks for the comments about doors (interesting that the crew cab has two), insurance, shoe drying hacks and speed limits. Is the speed limit thing physically on the engine, or just in the highway code?

Some great advice in here thanks for taking the time to post and with pics.

Are Vans more expensive to insure than large cars (excuse my ignorance never had a van before).

Are the LWB harder/worse to drive than SWB (My wife will need to drive it now and then. We currently own an Smax and also a Ford Ranger double cab truck which she does like to drive though finds hard to reverse in).

I assume buying a non crew cab and adding seats results in some complications and that a factory crew cab is a better simpler option?

Thanks all, plenty food for thought and research fuel!

Matt

Sounds like a vivaro/traffic is the way to go. A VW is a lot more expensive and the only gain I can see is image (and long term value). Do the bikes go in the Combi sideways? can you get 4 in?

is the LWB vivaro/traffic essential? do the wheels need to come off whether you go LWB or SWB? if the front wheels have to come off regardless then a SWb might do just as well

Chakaping have you done any conversion work on it or is it standard? Any pics I’d love to have a look. Cheers!

lol, i’m really not that cool. Most of my mates have got VW’s but fitting 4 bikes behind the bulkhead can be tricky!

5 years, no further details as yet.

What is it like for XC riding? Could you use the Fuel EX as an all rounder XC trail bike and do the odd XC race on it? Cheers

I’ll check, standby

Yes I saw the were in both M/F XCO which looked promising. A FS vaunted for 2018, but the HT are good value for spec compared to the (similar looking) big brands.

lol cheers Mac Daddy, ever ridden one!?

Will the XTR m9000 rear mech work with the 11-42 XT AND /OR 11-46 SUNRACE cassetes?

valley?

So I began looking at the Orbea Occam Trail when the OIZ delivery delay was discovered. Looks like a good balance of 120mm travel on a good 29er frame with lifetime warranty. Got a good review on bikerumour. Has fox 34, so all in all a tiny bit heavier (in teh 12.5-13.5kg range rather than 11.5-12.5) but perhaps more durable and a better all rounder?

I had an XL gate cube, couldnt see it, still hated it, didnt enjoy riding it, sold it.

Any thoughts on the new Orange stage 4 short travel 29er?

3 month wait on an OIZ M30 XT, the others are a 6 month wait! 😮

do you have the tools to whomp it out?

if so remove and measure the internal diameter top/bottom and go to the superstar website, select form the drop down menu.

One reason would be BB standard, last I checked they had the weird BBRIGHT thing going on which you will justify to yourself isn’t an issue at purchase but will piss you off when you decide to change cranks/rings/BB etc and are locked in to a weird standard.

I am in a similar research phase and while my buying options are limited due to currently being outside the UK my thinking is:

Anthem – discounted due to having an ugly down tube shape and rubbish colours.

Epic – discounted due irrational dislike of ‘brain’ concept. Does have external BB which is good. glitzy gold is awesome.

Turner/KTM – discounted due to the fact I started MTB in the 80’s and am a roady and haven’t heard of them. Czar non boost, not future proof.

Hei Hei – discounted as Kona is for hipsters and coil sprung lunatics

Scott Spark – website and variety does my head in, as does rats nest of cabling up front. I’m not Nino.

Current leaders of thinking:

Trek Top Fuel (but loosing ground due to exceedingly boring paint job)

Orbea Oiz – Looks good, reviewed good, boost, good spec, can get overseas, like the name ‘oiz’ (whizz/OOZE depending on number of KOMs per ride).

it’s also much prettier than the TF! I’ll drop the Shop which sells them here a line and see what they can do.

I tried a C13 from wiggle and did NOT get on with it. Use Spesh Romin on other bikes.

I looked into the Czar, seems to be non boost?

Top Fuel is leading my thinking, would value advice on spec if anyone has the time.

There are two equally priced versions, one of which is carbon with lower spec, the other Alu with higher spec components – advice gratefully received:

9.7:

ShiftersSRAM NX, 11-speed
Rear derailleurSRAM GX, Roller Bearing Clutch
CrankSRAM Stylo 6k Eagle, 32T
Bottom bracketPF92
CassetteSRAM XG-1150, 10-42, 11-speed
ChainSRAM PC-1110
Brake setSRAM Level TL hydraulic disc

9:
ShiftersSRAM X1, 11-speed
Rear derailleurSRAM X1, Roller Bearing Clutch
CrankSRAM X1 1200, 32T Direct Mount X-Sync
Bottom bracketPF92
CassetteSRAM XG-1150, 10-42, 11-speed
ChainSRAM PC 1130
Brake setSRAM Level TLM hydraulic disc

Wheels are different on each but I assume pretty poor either way so would upgrade wheels, bar etc to carbon in due course. You can leap up to £4300 for the 9.8 to get these carbon bits as standard and GX eagle.

Would you go carbon main triangle with inferior bits, or Alu with better bits. Both are £3k.

Matt

pm sent donut!

Sorry leaning towards Alu Trek Top fuel.

The Brain on the Epic is putting me off. Top fuel seems more of an all rounder.

The camber has no boost so worried it’s last year before update, puts me off.

Could get an Orbea, not sure how good a deal but their is a retailer out here.

Never seen the Turner Czar will look into it as might be interested depending on spec price etc. Leaning towards the Epic at the moment.

I did look at the orange stage 5 new for Nov! Looks very nice.

Ferral your comment did make me laugh, you’re quite right.

another DCR vote x2 sets plus a warranty replacement and no problems at all.

good deal means I know the shop owner so a little bit of discount, plus VAT free as I am serving overseas.

Couldn’t get a spearfish out here but will consider for future.

I think really i’m trying to decide if a Camber/Fuel Ex style would be a better option than the pure XCbikes. But i’m really an utter pansy who likes to fast up hills not down them, but I don’t want an XC bike which threatens to chuck me off when I inevitably go down due to my lack of ability!

giant anthem gets good reviews. Will check out canyon lux.

Thoughts on Epic or top fuel?

Thanks for all these helpful replies, appreciated.

Newspaper stuffed inside and the airing cupboard works overnight if you change the paper 2/3 times.

googled tora 302, davewalsh is correct, they are IS mount by the looks of it.

I had a pcs9 and it was too short for me. Went for an uber deluxe. Perfect. (189cm tall)

I bought deore brakes from Merlin.

It depends on your rotor size.

For front Suspension fork and a rotor of 160mm you can direct mount the caliper, no adaptor needed. For 180 rotors or higher you need a post to post mount adaptor 5.99 quid from CRC.

For the rear I used post to IS on my cotic solaris, again rotor size specific.

Does this help at all?

Matt

I bought a ’14 Granite chief, had a good experience buying from Rose.

I hardly ride mine though, as I’m a hardtail man at heart. Impulse buy now gathering dust!! Can’t be beat for value, even upgraded to full XT and pikes it still was under half the price of equivalent orange.

Steve

Can you email me pics?

Do you have the mount adaptor for a 180mm rotor, as I only have the 160 mount.

Not used centre lock before, only 6 bolt How does it differ/work?

Cheers

Matt

I’ve still got mine 🙂 I’ll even build it to your spec 😉

Matt

Pen macho, best trail I rode in 2014. More ‘adventury’ than CYB. Start the year with an epic!

I’ve not seen much in the way of bargains, but those myprotein gels (which work out as £5 per box with postage) per box are a good deal.

If anyone sees a park deluxe work stand on offer I’d live to know!

Matt