There’s absolutely nothing in law with regards to distance so if it’s not in law you CANNOT be prosecuted on those grounds. The advice is guidance only. If you’re out with more than one other or not your own household then you’ll get a ticket regardless of where you are. The law says you’re allowed out for exercise, that’s it. No mention of distances, reasonable or not.

So for those in the know, if we consider the price rise in a run of the mill bike with Shimano Rockshox etc what percentage of it is Covid and what is Brexit? Id be interested to see which is the bigger problem which has caused all this.

As above, fully recommend Cero wheels. I’ve had 3 pairs and all have been brilliant.

I’ve got an internal garage which is double skinned mostly with only a small single skin at the front where it pitches out. There’s no heating, the door is uninsulated up and over. It’s cold, but the thing that has improved the comfort level is laying carpet tiles on the floor. It stops a lot of the cold coming up through the floor so reduces the feeling somewhat. I have a small electric heater when I’m working in there which serves a purpose. I wouldn’t personally bother with trying to insulate it, without heating it’s not going to get warmer.

I agree that there does seem to be piss taking going on with some of this pricing but its just supply and demand. At the minute stuff is disappearing as quickly as it comes in some of it probably FOMO. The bit that bites is when the demand drops and suddenly all these retailers then have to put sales on to get people to buy their stuff. Can’t help thinking that there’s going to be a fall for a lot of people this year due to a number of factors, furloughs ending, unemployment, inflation etc.

So if the company has a UK distributor does that make it free of Tariff?
I’ve actually been looking at UK built bikes but both brands I’m looking at don’t have stock. Pre orders don’t restart until March so God knows when they’ll actually be built and shipped out to cusotmers. Not sure if they will suffer a tariff given that frames are made in far east and the finishing kit is Shimano. I might just after pay inflated used prices instead!

I wonder if when unemployment rises after furlough is finished, we will see RRPs fall again or if shops will just discount. The Covid boom in bikes won’t last forever, shops must have a concern that they won’t have enough physical stock to sell this year, and if they put big orders in and they don’t get the sales it’ll backfire the other way. Lots of market forces at play. I’d hope that once shipping, Covid, Brexit all settles then we would see a return to pre pandemic pricing but I doubt it.

So has anyone got one yet? I’m 5’8, and I was looking at medium but they’re pretty much sold out of those with only the odd ML left. @benpinnick you getting any more in? I notice some of the equipment lead times are about March April which would be perfect for me.

I’m on the Bird one! 😄. Still can’t believe the Sonder admin blocked me, I even gave him the reasons for wanting to join and agreed with his rules over messenger. Odd behaviour.

Interested in the 9a myself, keen on seeing colour options, probably go for the default Pike Deore setup as seen on the 9c. My ability doesn’t warrant the carbon upgrade!

Great replies guys thanks, I’m a bit of a blank canvas when it comes to full sus as I don’t know what will really suit me or the terrain so happy to be guided by a general consensus on it.

I tried joining a Sonder group on Facebook but my answers to the authorisation questions weren’t being sent to the admin. He subsequently blocked me after repeated attempts to correct it. It’s a shame I couldnt tap into the knowledge of the owners on that group but STW looks like it might be able to sort me out!

Well thanks for all the replies, full sus is definitely the route I’m looking at, despite loving the looks of a pure hardtail. My current fleet is all Genesis – Datum, Croix de Fer and a 26″ Core 40. The Core has largely been put on kid carrying duties the last few years, it’s also quite a short cockpit so pointing it downhill can feel a bit sketchy at times. The geometry of more modern bikes seems to make sense with 29 wheels. Genesis have been increasing in price without any improvement and they’ve really paired back their offerings, presumably for Saracen to take the MTB ground.

I like Whyte, have Wheelbase and BikeScene nearby to make use of although some long lead times for their stuff (next summer)and if it is a 29er, it’ll probably be the 120 as I think the 160 would be overkill. I can make use of Bird at their Consett site and Alpkit at the Metro Centre.
Bikescene have a Specialized Status available but it’s probably too heavy and designed for downhills for what I’m looking for.

Maybe the Cortex is the one to go for, or the new Bird Aether 9..

@bagstard, is your Aether the new 29?

I’ve been looking at buying bikes this week and from when the prices were released back in summer, some have already gone up by £200-300. I know supply & demand is a factor but it kind of feels like the bike industry is trying to take the piss out of the end users at the minute. They’ve never had it so good yet are happy to cream an extra 15% from it, that is unless they are suffering from hikes in the production chain and are passing it on.

I’m in the same boat. Looking about to get a Full Sus bike which can do NYM, Yorkshire Dales, Local bike parks. I was looking at staying local, rather than mail order but there’s very little in! Choice in stock at moment is a 2020 Cannondale Habit Carbon, a Calibre Sentry or a Specialized Status 160. I like them but not sure if they are the best choices for my requirements and budget (approx £2.5k) with 2 being enduro and the Cannondale being slightly above budget and not widely appreciated.

Next plan is to be disappointed with looking at all mail order trail bikes being out of stock as well!

It’s no wonder the 2nd hand market is fairly bouyant at present.

Some pretty bikes. I’d post one of my Datum but it doesn’t have wide enough tyres nor does it have the prettiness of steel!

I’m looking at the Cero ARD23s too, look to be very competitive on price at £285 which they often move to.

Thanks all for the replies, and apologies for not replying sooner. Bought a Croix 30 in last years colours so its ‘standard’ at present. Plan to buy a Carbon fork when I can get hold of one (apparently due next month), and a set of wheels. Fulcrums are still on the list, as are Cero ARD23s but I love the look of those Hunt Mason 4 Season discs. A bit above the budget though and not sure if they offer much more than the Cero’s which can be had for under £300. Cero’s listed at 23mm deep but 24mm wide 19mm internally whereas the Hunts are 27mm deep 23mm wide and 17mm internally.

I dont find much discomfort with the Alloy seatpost as its quite a forgiving frame however might search around for a reasonably priced carbon post. It weighs just over 11kg on my scales.

I’m 5’8, and i’m also looking at which size Croix De Fer to buy. I’ve tried both small and medium but only a short ride and genuinely cant decide which one is best.
BB to top of seat is 730mm for me, reach between small and medium looks about 10mm difference? Medium obviously a higher head tube, but small less reach? Any other vertically challenged riders be able to comment? I’m looking at getting a 30 so not sure if those huge hydraulic hoods will make a difference.