Three pairs in Basingstoke on Friday. One large full frame, two small half frame

The best thing I’ve ever bought was a second hand Thorn childback tandem like this one, but with flat bars
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thorn-Junior-Childback-Tandem-Bike/293110909010?hash=item443ec58852:g:2ScAAOSw6o9c9X3g
Easy to ride with one on the back or solo as it is not as long as a regular tandem. It did us great service with two kids and they hold their value, so sold it without much loss.
You could drop him off and then ride to work.

I also had a 2006 five. My advice – try a Whyte S120. 29er is the way to go for your type of riding. Orange are great but so pricey unless you can find a stage 4 reduced.

I’m very happy with the 10 speed version.

Salsa Vaya is light touring / gravel / commute and available as frame only (however not qr at front):
https://www.bike24.de/p1313221.html?q=vaya

Or Marrakesh for full on touring (qr front and rear)
https://www.bike24.de/p1313281.html?q=marrakesh

Thanks very much everyone, particularly Bez. All that is so useful!
I love STW!

Thanks Ton. Got a map or gpx file?

Ton, did you stick to the main roads? If so, what are they like?

Thanks for all the replies.
Bez, if you could share some routes, that would be great, particularly the proposed, slightly longer one taking in the Suisse Normande.
Thanks again.

I swap between 29 in winter and 27.5+ in summer. Have crown gem 3.0 tyres which are fine but have some pugatory 3.0 which I might try. 27.5+ is great fun and very capable but bb is low!

Fairlight Faran also looks good.

I also have the orange version. Always puts a smile on my face, but the 2019 black one looks great.

New Salsa Vaya looks good in black
https://www.bike24.com/p2313221.html

Online prices are all over the place from 25 quid at auction to over 100 per bottle. One site has a case for 4k! Bonkers!

Yes, that one. Price seems to vary but it’s just taking up space in my attic.

I get given it faster than I drink it and I want a new bike!!

Lots of useful tips, thanks guys.

Can do a pic at the weekend

We had a Thorn child back which was brilliant.
I’ve still got a Dawes Double Edge gathering dust in the shed. Would let it go for £300ish. Let me know if you are interested. Located near Basingstoke.

How wet is it on the red? Worth a visit?

I’ve got a large, black Primal+ frame (29er or 27.5 Plus) that I am about to strip down. Would sell with headset and BB for £100 plus postage.

OK, looks like I’m going to swap for the specializeds. Thanks all

Thanks. Did you have the quest front or rear?

Get organised.

Complete tasks like collating evidence on a weekly basis.

Use exemplar materials to see how much is good enough.

Not sure as they were already installed, but looks tiny.

Just received some xa elites 29er boost. Front came with some boost adapters attached with a little grub screw.

Rear boost adapters were in a little bag and I just pressed them on. Seems to work but is that it? I can’t find instructions in the box or online.

Also will the Clockwork Evo 29 take plus tyres?

Any info on standard colours for frame only options?

Some information at brink.uk

Must be soon. Last year the new bikes were out by now.

rocketdog – can you fit a big 27.5+ tyre in the back of your clockwork 129?

I recently ordered some 29er wheels. Got 27.5…

However, refund was fine

Maybe a used carbon Whyte M109?

I got a pair of vee tyre crown gem 27.5 x 3.0 from eBay for £20 each as they have been mislabelled. They went up tubeless fine and have seemed pretty good so far. They are still available and may be worth a punt.

I find michelin pro4 endurance a good mix of price, speed and reliability. £27 each on CRC including an inner tube.

There are some comments about it on the recent solaris max thread.

I’m looking at this or a P7 29er frame. P7 is a bit cheaper and has the right size seat tube for my dropper! Solaris frame is 4.9 pounds, but I can’t find the weight for the P7 frame. Anyone know?

I was in the shop on Weds. Still in business and very helpful.

Hi munrobiker, if scottalej or others above are not interested in your wheels, I might be. Please drop me an email, as I can’t find an address on your profile. Thanks.

oops

This is the one you need but sold out at Charlie
http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/cane-creek-40-series-ec4433-conversion-headset-bottom-assembly-black-11363-p.asp

I also got in a muddle with this and got a hope headset. I had to have a spacer/shim thing machined to make it work.

I’ve got a cannondale F29 hardtail with lefty I am looking to sell for about the price of that voodoo.