Should be stamped in the BB shell or just behind it.

I am riding – first time, should be interesting!

I am doing it for the first time this year as well. Training had been going ok but off for an x-ray on my wrist/hand soon as I suspect I may have a broken bone in there somewhere…. should make the event even harder!

Mine is currently 22.5lb but that is with the stock wheels (deore rear hub) and the cheap SRAM c/set. I reckon it could easily be sub 21 with the right kit. Sub 20 if you have money to burn!

Its back now…

Here is my new machine and its damn fast:

What about one of these – http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/cannondale-super-six-105.html

I have got one of the Apex versions recently and its a great bike.

The Intense Spider is a great bike. Its a fair bit lighter than the Tracer so I think it makes a great UK trail bike.

I have the v-twin and I think they are great. Easy to set up and nice and powerful with 160 rotors – more than you will ever need on 33mm tyres.

If you want hydraulics on your crosser then I have to say that the Hope V-Twin is a brilliant system. I have one on my Pro 6 and its very powerful but has great modulation so the braking is very controlable.

Its not light and does look a bit ungainly but i can put up with that.

There are two different versions of the haven hubs on the market – the old version has serial number M1-120. The newer version which is changeable is M1-121 or something similar. Basically if it ens with a 1 then it should be changeable. The number is printed on the hub shell.
There is an another way to tell if the rear is convertible -.if the end caps are threaded on then it is not convertible. If they push on then it is.
You would need an axle and end caps if you can change it.

As for the fronts – you can convert a 20mm hub – 15mm but not the other way. They use different size bearing seats.

That price from Extra is correct. Apparently they had a big drop in spares prices last year.

I have a 2011 Pro 29 and mine does have the insert in the seatube so it uses a 27.2 seatpost. I am pretty sure that this is was changed to stop them cracking.
I also beleive that it was the old clover leaf dropouts that broke and they dont use them anymore.
I am very happy with mine and would definitley recommend them!

Intense Spider 29er looks great as well. A Tallboy rival!

The 2012 Uzzi is essentially going to replace the SS2. 6.5″ or 7″ travel with slacker geometry (more like the SS2) and designed to run a 180mm fork. And it can run a front front mech as well so its alot more versatile but still a DH ripper!
Also, Intense build quality and bearing life etc has much improved over the last 2 years. Some of the older frames did have issues but the newer stuff (Tracer onwards) is much better. They now have much better QC.

Mine dropped half a pound when going from XTR triple to 1×9 on the same cranks.
I do like it very much though.

Lynskey Pro 29. Lovely.

[/url]
Pro 29 Side[/url] by sodaandy[/url], on Flickr[/img]

I believe that the 2012 caoting is more of a darker gold/brown colour than the 2011. Hence why all the recent pictures look alot darker!

I have recently fitted some Hutchinson Bulldog CX tyres to my 355 rims and they work well. They are proper tubeless ready jobbies and inflated no problem with a track pump.
However, if I were swapping the tyres alot, I would run tubes.

I have been with Bike Village as well and cant recommend them highly enough. Great guiding, riding, accomodation and food.
Lovely area especially if you dont mind climbing as well.

Fuzzyfelt – That is looking sweet. Definitley better with a flat bar though. And yes, the Pro 29 did replace it!

Here is mine.

[/url]
Pro 29[/url] by sodaandy[/url], on Flickr

velcro is your friend.

Pretty much agree with what specialist said. You can run either 160 or 180mm forks in the Uzzi so it is very versatile.
However, if you want pure fun and dont want to pedal up hills, the SS2 would be my choice.

Haven’t ridden a LT but my Pro 29 is awesome! Lynskey quality is hard to beat.

The 2011 Lynskey Ridgeline has got to be a contender. 44mm headtube will accept tapered fork with the correct headset and if you get the SL version it has slider dropouts. And lifetime warranty for not too much money.

Yep and I love it.
I have used mine all year for various races and general trail rides and so far it has not missed a beat. Its quick steering even with a 100mm Reba on the front and I dont think I would want it any quicker so I would avoid a shorter fork.
The main thing that I like though is that its stiff in the power department but offers more than enough comfort even for longer rides.
The general frame finish is very good but my only complaint would be that the paint chips far to easy. But you do get a touch-up included so its not all bad.
Mine weighs about 23lb with XTR, Reba, Stans etc.

Maverick ML7 – The early american built one’s. Beautiful.

If you want the least amount of hassle you need tubeless ready tyres. I have used Maxxis Aspen and Ardent non tubeless and they work really well once you have them setup initially, which can be a bit of a chore.

However, I just fitted some Hutchinson Toro 29er’s which are tubeless ready and they inflated first time with a track pump. Bontrager also do really good tubeless ready tyres.

Ropey,

If you are interested I am selling my CRC blue frame (large). Email in profile.

My missus has had one for 2 weeks and so far the screen has frozen 3 times and has turned its self off twice as well. Apparently they do have a bit of a rep for being a bit s##t. I would avoid!

Easton EA70 wide – 685mm, 9 degree, 250 grams and 40 quid. Spot on for my 29er.

Niner EMD. I got one a couple of months back and its awesome.

Will, checked my frame and it has got boss holes on the dropouts but not up top.

I run mine at 100mm (also Reba's) and so far have found it to be great. However I do agree with Tazzy that the front end is high so I am going to flip my stem over so it has a -6 degree angle to see if that helps.
It does eat everything up at the moment though!

Just got myself a Scandal with the same intent and so far am extremely impressed. Was not sure if I would like 29 so went for a cheapish frame but it rides so good I cant, at this point, see me wanting to change for anything more expensive.

I know I will not get something that does everything brilliantly but just a decent compromise would be good!
I was thinking perhaps a Maxxis Crossmark on the rear and a Ardent on the front as a decent all round setup – speed rear, grip front!
I have used RR's on 26er's for the last 2 years and have always been impressed. may be worth a look……

Tracer VP – as said in earlier posts its a superb all round bike. Mine is built on the lighter side with Float 32 140, XT/XTR and Stans 355's. Comes in around 26.5lbs.
Obviously will depend on budget though……..

Thanks for the feedback guys. I have ridden a 29er in the past for a few hours and got on pretty well with it. However, I also have concerns in regard to the twisty fun stuff just becoming a bit of a ball ache and the extra weight of the wheels etc.
Ummm, suppose you don't know till you try!