Yeah 12. I’d be interested in trying the 16 out of interest but that does feel a bit more experimental. I still run a few spacers under my stem to get the height I want. I’m 183 on a large Solaris max too.

https://nsmb.com/articles/defying-convention-sqlab-12%C2%BA-and-16%C2%BA-sweep-bars/

This is the article that prompted me to try the sq lab ones…

I also use ergon ge1 Evo grips which I find way more comfy than deathgrips.

Highest rise version btw

https://www.tweekscycles.com/sqlab-30x-handlebar-4000208/?sku=IONSQLAB-2059&istCompanyId=56f52ebf-49f3-492a-9cbb-cb6ab0fc1bf0&istFeedId=c2306de0-9ac7-40f5-b9fe-c99bd95845f7&istItemId=pqaxarxqm&istBid=t&awaid=6411&awc=6411_1675539067_0e544facce635b39e828718e86fbcf6f&utm_source=Affiliate_Window&utm_medium=Comparison+Shopping+Service+%28CSS%29&utm_campaign=768515

For me on my Solaris max and trek slash. Just feel great and helped solve a shoulder pain I was getting.

If you did want terrenos I’ve got a pair of 29×2.25 tnt with the grey sidewalls for sale. They’re in the classifieds or pm me.

Ah @docrobster I think you’ve answered a question I had in another post on the chainline on my slash. Currently running it at 55mm but the chainline is crap for the lowest gear so I was wondering if I could swap the spacer over to the nds as long I don’t have any other clearance issues. Glad to hear you can do it and things don’t explode. Cheers 😊

I’ll take a look. Just realised you are the OP on the other thread. My experience is to go with the most narrow chainline you can. I was running a non boost crankset on my orange with a boost hub because the chainstay clearance wasn’t an issue and the chainline and shifting was much better.

Yeah I saw that thread, was going to post in there but didn’t want to detract from the OPs question. I’m pretty sure they spec’d it with a 55mm crank but it does make the chainline look awful. Is there any harm in swapping spacers from one side to the other though? Apart from any clearance issues? Ie does the spacer need to be there for another reason?

I should say, I think I only have 1 spacer on the drive side anyway

Not sure that sounds very appealing, even on a discount. But each to their own.

I’m not the seller btw! Just sounds exactly the type of bike you’re looking for, in your size….

Did you look at that large slash frame and fork on pinkbike that I mentioned in the other thread? Sounds perfect! Swap the bits over and sell the fuel frame… simple :)

No probs, the Xl does look pretty massive

I’m 6′ and bought a large. It fits perfect. Ive found I’m usually between a large and xl in most brand’s sizing and have to make a compromise either way but the slash’s reach is a bit longer than most so a large is spot on for me. It’s a large part of why I went for it as I feel like the fit of a bike is so important.. Good luck with your decisions!

Just thought I’d post up on here @weeksy as I’ve seen on other posts you’re considering a frame change (I gather from some comments that’s not uncommon for you!) there’s a 21 model carbon slash frame and fork on pinkbike at the mo, looks very nice. 2 rides into mine and feels great from the off… 3 yr transferable warranty too gives some peace of mind buying 2nd hand.

New forekasters? Look pretty good. Dunno if you can get them anywhere mind…

Thanks for that

Just checked, 1400 euros ex vat and duties for the custom geo and sliders back in may and he said he hoped the price would hold for 8 months…

I was in touch with Pedro at nordest, they’ll do custom geo and sliding dropouts on their ti hardtails for not crazy money when I asked. Decided I didn’t ride my hardtail enough to justify a purchase but was very tempted.

Perfect, thanks

Ok cheers, I’m sure I read somewhere (maybe not with hope) that it’s best to crack the reservoir lid to avoid possible damage…?
Nope haven’t topped up any fluid. Was going to clean pistons with ipa and then slightly coat them with brake fluid, but will use silicone spray if that’s what they recommend.
Thanks

I have a pair of vittoria terrenos for sale in 2.25 if you’re interested

Stage 1 was surprisingly much better on Sunday. I did a late practice on Saturday and it was like trying to ride a kids slide coated in vaseline but on Sunday there was actually some grip and you could push on a little. The bottom half would have been great had I not dropped my chain – decided to push on despite my feet being in an awkward position which was probably quicker than stopping but not as enjoyable!
Yeah I was gutted to get stopped on 5, it was just as I was approaching the drop line and I had decided to take it on only to get stopped and redirected.
I’d say 2,4 and 6 were the ones I enjoyed the most, probably down to them being my cleanest runs.
I was genuinely surprised how much better everything ran on Sunday considering how sketchy practice was.

Yeah much better on the Sunday. Stage 1 on Saturday afternoon was ridiculous! Well I completed all stages, not without drama. Dropped a chain on stage 1, crashed on stage 3 and got held up by another crash on stage 5. Finished about 2/3 of the way down in the end but happy to just get through it tbh! Met some nice folk. Lots of fast riders out there!
Other than a longish wait for stage 1 and the crash on stage 5 I had a pretty clear run of things. Would definitely do it again.

One thing that on paper I like about it is that it doesn’t have a really steep seat tube angle, I hate feeling cramped sitting down and I’m happy to move forward a bit on the saddle up steep bits..
Plenty of aftermarket shocks fit so that’s fine if needed.

What’s the camping like – can you stay in a van?

How much food/water is anyone planning on carrying?

I’m doing it, my first event too. Entered the full enduro which I’m now feeling rather daunted by!
Glad to hear the weather’s looking ok, after a summer of dry riding, my tuesday night ride reminded me how much more difficult mountain biking is with no grip! Fingers crossed…

Yeah I’ve heard that before pothead, it’s just a mental thing with carbon seems like a more difficult material to understand and trust somehow!

Also I’m not that heavy and don’t do massive jumps so I doubt the engineering capacity of frame will be tested!

I hadn’t unearthed that info Hobnob 😧
Luckily it’s still got 2 years on a transferable warranty. Part of the reason I feel a bit more comfortable buying a second hand carbon frame…

Have confirmed with seller, I knew I just needed a little nudge :) thanks for the input, they sound great!

See that’s what I’ve read about them, that they’re pretty good at the up and along bit too and not too big and cumbersome feeling for an enduro bike.

I’ve found the megneg a useful upgrade for tuning the suspension on my stage 5 if you go down the rockshox route.

On the sizing question, it sounds like at 5′ 11 you’ll probably be on a large, but just to say I’ve got a 2020 stage 5 which has similar geometry to the current evos and at 6′ I’m on an xl. I just found the seated position too cramped on the large for my liking. That’s with a 35mm stem btw. Comparing to Cotic for example, Orange seems to size their bikes slightly differently. Their Xl sits between cotics L and Xl in terms of reach and ett so just something to be aware of.
I love my stage 5 but something I’d probably change is to have a slightly higher bb. Lots of rocks here and you have to be fairly careful when climbing not to catch pedals over rough ground, and that’s with fairly short cranks. I think the stage evo is even lower but has less travel obv. Again the bb drop on cotics are a fair bit less I think. Not sure if others find this an issue..
Good luck choosing!

I’ve got a spare ticket in the classfieds for the the ard moors sprint event this sep if anyone’s looking for another event to do…

I’ve got a pair of vittoria terreno’s in 29 x 2.25 I’m selling if you’re interested. Slightly lower volume but super duper fast.

Or dangerous men?!

Great, thanks. I’ve just put a tannus tubeless in the rear so we’ll see how that goes but rimpact were going to be my next option.

Nice, looks great. What inserts are you running btw? Any how do you rate them.? Lost down an insert shaped hole atm…