First time doing Reiver this year and really looking forward to it. I have a question on pedals – I would like to run a power meter but I only have Garmin road pedals with PM. For those that have done it before, are there any sections that would need to be walked (excluding just blowing up and crawling to the finish!)?

I am a football fan and England winning that game was great. However, I agree with @joefm, Cav’s win was even better!

They discontinued the NEO SKF bearing version due to poor supply and inconsistent bearing quality. They now offer the Hellbender 70 with stainless bearings and the HB 110 with Enduro XD15 ceramic bearings but that also has a full lifetime warranty.

I am very much in the old school XC/Marathon riding camp and I think lockouts make a massive difference for that kind of riding. I will always lock out on the road or any smooth gravel climb etc. But I will almost certainly go full open as soon as I hit anything remotely bumpy. I hate the feeling of a bike not be as efficient as possible at all times but that’s probably because I spend most of my time on a road bike these days.
Moral of my story is, lock outs work for some people and not others!

I have an Evoke which is now 2 and a bits years old. Its awesome!
I had it built with custom geometry so it was a bit more aggressive and I now have over 10,000 miles on it. I am 6’1, 85kg and it is no flexy old school Ti frame. I find it more than stiff enough and doesn’t feel much different to my carbon Supersix.
I would also echo the statements above about dealing with Enigma – they are great, super easy to deal with and very accommodating to ideas.
If I could only have one road bike, this would be it.

I got myself an RC Team (the entry level one) earlier in the summer – I think its an awesome XC bike. I came off of a RM Element which I also really liked but the Spark geo was is more modern (and even now, its still in the ball park of the new bikes released this year).
The Twinlock really does make it work well – I love the full lockout for road/gravel and its nice and plush when open.
I dont see too many changes when they do release a new version – a bit longer/slacker but I would be surprised if much else changed except maybe a longer fork.

Agree with some of the advice above. Both my boys went onto 16″ wheel bikes but with the pedals removed for a few weeks so they got used to the size/balance of it.

Then when the pedals went on, we used a nice gradual grassy slope, pushed them down it until they got the idea. I reckon both buys took no more than 1 1/2 hours to get the pedaling thing.

Replace them with the Cane Creek Hellbender stainless bearings. Mine are halfway through their second winter on my road bike and still super smooth. Or buy a 110 headset as that now has a lifetime warranty that includes bearings!

Depends what you mean by ‘value’ – Cane Creek 40 Series is £49.99 and you then just buy the 52/30 crown race as well.
Good headset for the money.

As above – Cane Creek Helm’s are very stiff in short travel setup.

I have owned a few ti hardtails over the years and still do now. I have also owned a few steel and carbon ones and always go back to ti. There is just something about the ride quality, the durability and the looks that do it for me.
If I could only have one MTB, it would be a ti one. Yes they are expensive but as stated above, a good steel frame is now pretty expensive so the price difference is becoming more justifiable.

There is a lovely large single speed unit for sale in the classifieds right now 😉

I have done the night 40k one and then the 50k on the sunday for the last 2 years. Intended to do the 65k on the sunday both years but the 50 was enough after the night one.

I really enjoyed the night ones, just enough tech to keep you on your toes and lots of tough climbing. The 2017 one finished down Cave Dale which was too hard really. It’s bad enough in the day!

The walk up Jacob’s ladder on the sunday is a chore but it’s a great but tough ride otherwise.
Hoping to go again this year but will just rode sunday.

First solo for me too. Weather looks good currently. I live very close to the venue, we have had a lot of rain recently but hopefully it should be running pretty good. I can cope if the course is a bit wet in places but not the campsite!

I have 2 Enigmas, one road and one MTB. Both custom built but part of the ‘taiwan’ range.
I have nothing but good things to say about Enigma and the whole process. Superb build quality, great to deal with. I really don think you could go wrong with them.

I have switched to 1x for my winter/4 season road bike. I am running a 48t ring with an 11-34 cassette and an Ultegra RX DI2 mech.

So far it has been faultless and for my local riding area (South Leicestershire/North Northants/Rutland) the gear ratios have been fine. The only time i could do with an easier gear is on the steeper climbs, say 10% or above. Having said all that, if i was going to ride in a hillier area like the Lakes, Peaks etc I would most likely take my other bike with a double. Lots of long climbs would not work for me on the 1x but for the right rider/terrain, its great.

I am about to sell my CAAD12 Black Inc 2017 56cm frameset or rolling chassis if you wanted something rare and super cool… if it fits you

I have a 2018 Unit which I have put SRAM 1×11, lighter 29er wheels and a 100mm fox fork in. Its a really nice bike in that guise and is about 25lbs so not heavy at all!

I have just got a quote from Halifax that covers listed bikes up to a total of £10,000. About £350 for building/contents/bikes. Had the same cover last year with Lloyds.

Cant tell you how good they are though as not had to claim…

Newer Giant XTC Advanced has sliding dropouts

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/giant-xtc-advanced-29-3-2017-hardtail-mountain-bike-blue_372130?origin=pla&kwd=&currency=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2v3P_vKU3QIVrr3tCh1RegUBEAQYASABEgI5d_D_BwE

Just found this bargain as well if you suit a medium.

Sector’s here too. Light enough, tough enough, roll well enough.

I have a 2018 Kona Unit – 44mm headtube which can run tapered with an external lower cup. Comes with 27.5+ wheels but can swap in 29er no problem. I would really recommend that bike!

Comes with 135QR dropouts but can be swapped for 142 as well.

I am selling a pair of XT hubbed (15mm front/142 rear) on the Mk2 Stans Crest rims. Barely had any use as they were my spare wheels and want around £200 for them…

Lovely bikes those SF. I am selling mine if anyone interested…

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-trek-superfly-carbon-2016-custom-195-1-post-1-voice-started-6-days-ago

I have a pair of the latest OL 120 29er forks and I think they are great. Very plush, stiff and much better than my Fox F32 that I also have. I am probably going to sell my Fox and get another pair of DT’s.

Fridge – if you are interested I am selling my 5 month old Highball alu frame, large in the lovely blue colour… Drop me a pm if interested nd we can talk!
It’ is a really great frame.

Trek Crockett Disc is a great frameset at £600ish. That is if you can live with it being baby pink!

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/road/cyclocross/crockett/crockett_disc_frameset/

If you are small or medium then this is great:

http://stifcycles.co.uk/mtb/product/santa-cruz-highball-frame/11334

I have just got the 2015 model and so far I am loving it as a fast XC ripper!

I have a Pro 6 which I am going to be selling soon… in a 57cm.
Its a great bike and does everything well really. I am going for a carbon cross bike now though, hence the sale.

Make sure you select UK in the country selection on the website and it will then show the colours available in the UK. Most models only have one colour…

They are really good. Fast, smooth, comfy and very light. I would say it’s a great bike for the south downs.

The F29 is a great bike for racing and general fast xc stuff. I am selling mine though if interested!

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-cannondale-f29-carbon-3-large-upgraded-9

It’s nicely upgraded with posh wheels etc and weighs under 21lb without pedals!

Rocky Mountain Element will be the next and last for a while. Until I want something else…

I run Fizik 3mm performance tacky tape and its great!

Been running road tubeless for the last 18 months and love it. No punctures, can run lower pressure and still feel faster and more comfy. Highly recommend them. I am running EA90 RT’s and Hutchinson Fusion 3 tyres.

The 29er Pike 160 I have came with travel reducer spacers in the box.

I would suggest speaking to the helpful staff at Wheelbase in Staveley. They will know some good rides out.

If your interested I have a used Ultegra drive train up for sale…
Everything except rear mech which is 105 but all in silver.

10sp STI’s (older style with external cables)
C/Set
Front Mech (braze on)
105 Rear Mech
Cassette (new) but 105 I think

You can have the lot for £280

I have brakes as well if needed.
Drop me an email if you are interested.

I am still running an old Reba in that exact spec. Still works great but pretty rare I think.

Grifo Open’s are great tyres. Very grippy in the dry and reasonable in the wet. These would get my vote every time.