I have at last decided on a on one parkway frame, some 120mm forks like rebas or something and 2nd hand wheels. Im going to swap bit off my ht onto the new build and take it from there. Decided to keep costs down by doing it this way. Budget it about 500 so need wheels and forks for 300. Should be possible! Anyone know any going cheap get in touch!

I would want it for trails and a bit of racing about on (stuff like the Dyfi). I keep coming back to the Kenesis FF29, but will check out the Whyte offerings too.

I was looking at those Fox Enduro pads in a shop the other weekend. They do look very nice but have very little padding and it kind of put me off them. I have been struggling to find pads too. POC are great but have been between sizes with them a bit and suffered. I may try a medium set in the Joint Knee but only if I can find is as a bargain somewhere.

I currently alternate between Kyle Straits and Fox Launch, both are great and frequently go through the wash!

I am interested in the new Raceface ambush pads too, people do seen to like them and they will go on without taking your shoes off, which can only be a good thing.

I’m in Llanberis! Shame as a go on a FF29 would be brilliant! Thanks for the offer though.

I’m 5″6 so not tiny but not massive!

I will get out and see what I like. I did look at the 45650B as I have had a 456 before. It just doesn’t really make me want to buy it, not like the FF29 anyways!

To be honest this is all just talk til I sell my DH bike or win he lottery!

The budget would depend on DH bike sale to be honest. I would happily go second hand. The Orange looks good. The Canyon and Radon bikes also look like good value. Still the FF29 is out in front as my fave though.

Or Cefn du and up and down Telegraph Valley. That will avoid most of the triathlon traffic and is a 2-2.5 hour ride.

Remember the voluntary Ban is in place on Snowdon itself so you cannot ride that between 10 and 5. YOu could ride up to the top of Moel Eilio and across the 3 summits to Telegraph Valley, may be a bit longer than 3 hours though.

I have a Saracen hack 1 and love it! Its my frst proper cx / do everythign road bike but I think its fantastic and its can be got for cheap. The only thing I changed on it straight away was the cassette for a 11-34 MTB XT one! It certainly looks a lot more interesting than a lot of bikes available at the minute.

Just home from my 6th and it was a tough one this year. I wish soneone had slapped me when i decided to do the long loop extension!! Still.a fantastic event apart from those people in the beer tent keeping me awake while they were having fun….

Thanks for all the advice! I have the Dyfi Enduro on Sunday (I can cycle no probs) and I will decide the next day or so whether to go ahead or not or even change to the shorter sprint triathlon. I will err on the side of caution though.

thats a very well made point!

I have been resting it for a week now and it is getting better. I think it was a combination of my stupid flat feet, worn out trainers and running which caused it to be honest. I have new trainers ready to go so once its stopped hurting I can get on with it. Also Amazon has at last provided me with a range of cold compresses. I have little desire to do this triathlon but even less desire to pull out unless I have to!

I’ll be there number 481, it will be my 6th (or 7th). I was thinking of taking my Blue Pig but I know my knees will thank me if I use my Remedy! IT is a brilliant even and I am definitely looking forward to it!

Will they sell me bits though or will they do what madison does and say go via a dealer?

I bought some Deda stuff from Ribble. It wasn’t the cheapest available but the cheapset of the stuff that looked like it was worth getting! Its the Cork tape, similar to what I have at the minute I hope.

That is exactly the answer I wanted to hear! Thank you.

Has anyone got a link to the Frre Zenith Shorts with MBUK subscription?

That sounds like whats happened here. Fortunately nothing appears to be left in the axel. He isnt into the idea of new cranks!

no sorry is the GXP version so the external BB type of crank. I should just go away and start again shouldn’t I!

I had a bullit for a few years and to be honest I didn’t really get on with it. For myself it was too big and heavy for a trail bike and too steep and short for a DH bike.

I bought it to use for DH and Alps stuff. It was fine in the alps but I would have been better off on a full DH bike.

I suppose it really depends on what you want to do with it?

The outer bit is still in place, its the inner bolt thats missing!
just realised I said the outer bolt was missing in the original post! Now edited! Oops- – its still early in the morning…

Coed Y Brenin is another place to hire. Lots of options there too.

I went from a heckler to a trek remedy and it was a good choice. The longer tt and lower stand over suits me better and climbs and descends a lot better.

They look to be the ones to go for then! I just ned to find a deal on them somewhere!

The biggest issue with mine is that it is a struggle to gt my DH bike in the back of it. It will go in but it does require careful angling and some swearing. Its not the end of the world as normally stuff like that goes on the roof. My Ht and Full suss fit in no worries its just the longer DH frame makes it a bit awkward.

I have a panda as my only car and it does a great job. Bikes will go in the back with wheels off and seats down, however I have roof bars and a rack for extra ease. You can fit a lot of stuff in the back of one, its relatively economical and, while you are never going to set any land speed records in one, its a perfectly ok car to drive about!

If I was going to swap it I would get something like a 207 SW small estate so there would be a little bit more space in the back.

Its a Charge Zester! I know I would remember the name eventually!!

My pal is about to put his Charge commuter/ hydrid up for sale if that is of any interest? I think he wants around 300 for it. I can find out a bit more about it if you would like? Drop me an email on rhid14@hotmail.com.

Would that explain the spacing issue too then?

I am with the OP on this as I have never had any success with the conventional front mechs (like the OPs) on my 456, blue pig or my GF’s inbred! I never knew that side on which the cable attacted to made so much difference!

Also as slight aside but very much related to the conventional mech on these frames – The shifting into the granny ring has always been terible on this frame – mech combo. BB spacing as been the same on all frames but I can never get the mech to shift into the granny ring comfortably. Its like the mech is spaced too far out to allow the mech plate to move the chain into the granny ring even with no cable tension…..Do you understand what I mean….?

Anyone else have this issue and how have they solved it? I have 2 unused conventional mechs not doing anything after buying them and not being able to get them to work!

I have a 224 and love it. Im sure there are better more sophisticated bikes available but mine has never let me down. Pedals well, very stable at speed, all you could want from a dh bike. Its currently on pinkbike for sale too!

There is nothing wrong with wanting a dh bike if you are going to ride dh tracks. I know you can ride dh tracks on almost any bike but I have always had more fun doimg it on my dh bike, its what they are for! Plus a full dh bike would be great for the alps.

Does it all be open to refer to the MBR and the beast of CYB in general?

I think the first one is Llandegla.

Rickon im glad you arent my estate agent!

Rhosgadfan located between Llanberis and Caernarfon. Prefect for riding and walking and you can check the surf from your window as it overlooks anglesey and parts of the Lleyn.

My recommoendation has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I’m selling my house there and everything to do with the fact that the place has everything the op wants in a place to live!

surely its about weight and not height?

I know this isn’t that much help but Antur Stiniog are doing KTM AM and DH bikes for hire. Is that something useful to you?

sugarbabes

I use non shimano mineral oil in my SLX brakes and it works ok. I think there are slight difference in densities of the oil between different brands or types of mineral oil but as long as you only use 1 single type (ie not mix 2 types!) in your brake it should be ok…..

I could be wrong though. However my brakes still work and thats the important thing.

I was thinking along the lines of MTB bars that the wider they are the more your chest opens to allow easier breathing etc? It that not the same for road biking?