Staunton is a bit different to what most define as FOD, it’s certainly rockier in places and much more technical in parts.  So can be more brutal on rims than say Cannop side.  But 25psi with an insert is strange.  Obvious answer is to run higher PSI.  But what weight are you in your riding gear, are you running a WT tyre?  Or a narrow tyre on a narrower rim?

Yep it’s down, won’t sync from Garmin connect and when I manually upload a GPX it just says ‘queued’ strange feeling of enlightenment to!  Reminds me I need to sack it off along with Facebook

Mines been used as a builders years for the last 6 months!   But luckily I now have proper access again, so tomorrow after riding she’s getting properly mucked out!

The industry is changing, as is every industry seems from where is sit.  But In my experience not as others would expect you to believe. First off EV’s represent an incredibly small sector of the market, in fact not even the fastest growing fuel type.  Which is petrol!  Regardless of fuel type it’s still a car, so has all the challenges facing other vehicle sales.  The retail environment is changing but longer term prospects will still involve some form of dealer network.  There are countless OEM’s who’s top priorities are supporting their dealer networks, in fact I’m involved in a number of projects to aid this.  With advancements in data flow and technology things are getting easier for dealers.  What’s really challenging them is government policy, Slowing economies etc.

In terms of changing ownership models (to usership from ownership) again the industry is evolving, used cars will be sold the same as new.  With PCH offered on reconditioned vehicles.  Arguably this is more profitable for the whole supply chain as subscriptions over a vehicle life span generates more revenue than initial cash purchase.   Anyway, I find it interesting to hear people’s thoughts as this is my day to day job nowadays, so outside views of how things are progressing present differently to the industries.

like I say Mark, fancy a brew or a beer to chat it through and the long term prospects you know where I am mate.

Mark, give me a shout mate and I’ll give you the honest low down.  I spent a number of years working my way from salesman through to business manager then sales manager within dealerships.  To move on to motor trade finance and obviously where I am now.   In fact I think I will have spent 20 years in the trade next year.  Albeit have been out of retail for 12 I still offer support and advice to OEM’s around dealerships, retail activity etc.

It’s a tough industry and one that can be somewhat of a career cul de sac, but can also be rewarding.  One thing I’ll say is ignore the OTE you have been quoted and think long and hard about the hours.  Not just at this dealership.  You tend to find you will move around dealerships quickly if you make a bit of a local name for yourself (it’s fast paced) so whilst this one maybe 5 days now, the next may be 6… I worked at a Ford dealerships for a while where the hours were 9-7 6 days a week.  During busier or tougher months myself and my colleagues would often work 7 days a week.  Think long and hard, happy to sit down over a beer/coffee and give you any honest answers you may need to questions you have.

I’m a big fan of the Uberbike concentrate cleaner. Excellent value, foams up upon spraying and is also blue

Jesus, sometimes this forum shows a true cross section of society.  Massive compassion in one breath and complete arseholedom in the next.  OP as a resident of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire and a entrant to Ard Rock, You have my sincere condolences and sympathy.  It must be a horrific time, not least if you have genuinely lost pets.  My experience is that community rally’s together in such times and I’m sure this online community will also and offer morale and maybe tangible support as a consequence….good luck!

As for some of the moronic comments here and elsewhere, seriously you people need to take a look at yourselves. I genuinely hope you never feel some of the hardship and devastation of such situations!

Don’t stress about it too much on the Sunday, it’s non-competitive 😜

I note the smiley, but officially the Sunday enduro is competitive…just everyone has buggered off following the main Saturday race.  There are more than a few people who took the Sunday as the couldn’t get into the Saturday…like my group.

Yes, basically I can be blamed for all of the flooding happening up north currently and this weeks rain storms!  Basically I decided on using a Rock Razor! So as it happens it looks like I may take my Michelin Enduros as well as it could be loose

Snakeskin is Ok for the front, wouldn’t use it on the rear if I’m honest

Mary would be my shout.  The 2.6 variant is a superb tyre…In fact the best I have used.  Will work brilliant at Ard rock which has a mixture of surfaces

It’s a big day out for sure, well it was last time I did it.  Nothing too tech either or steep so semi slick seems to make sense to me unless it’s wet.

That’s me sorted then.  Mary 2.6 with Rock Razor SG rear.  Much better than the Michelin’s for transitions.

Been set to use my Michelin Enduro F+R this year.  However to reassure myself today I have fitted a 2.6 Magic Mary soft and a Rock razor Super Gravity rear.  Heading out for a big session in FOD tomorrow to confirm my tyre choice.  Likelihood is I’ll bring tyres with me as well just to really try and mess my head up

Or google pedal washers!!  They are about £2

My descendant carbon cranks came with washers, attached to the pedal insert by a plastic cable tie style thing.

I refer you to the earlier post mentioning ‘contrary bellends’

Ah yep, the haze has lifted (not a weed induced one either) I see now 😀

This is true, though I suspect it was the section you omitted from your quote (the ‘for a reason’ bit) that TJ was getting at:

I quoted the whole post…so didn’t omit anything.

frankly Kenneth your post is bizarre and based on personal opinion, granted as is mine.  However backed up by the law.  There is no denying that being stoned changed your mental state.  It certainly doesn’t make you a ‘better’ driver.  It’s illegal and I would happily stand on my internet soap box and chastise anyone who does it.  Especially with kids in the car! They should be held to account.  If you have ever been the other end of the actions of someone acting illegally and irresponsibly with a car UTI you would feel the same I’m sure.  Just because a toke of a joint may make some people feel they are focused, doesn’t prove scientifically they do not have diminished reaction times.

Frankly the the mind boggles sometimes how people can even try and justify such things.

Which is? Interestingly its almost impossible to show driving impairment under controlled conditions with cannabis smokers – hence the change in the law for a blood level rather than impairment because impairment could not be proved.

I didn’t mention impairment, I said driving under the influence is illegal.

the police have roadside checks, like they do for Drink and if they believe there is cause for unrest then they do just that pending further tests.  The fact that someone has ‘tipped them’ of a drugged driver will give them every cause to arrest that person.  Quite rightly so too, especially as they sound like they drive with kids in the car stoned.

Or are you happy for people to be driving UTI of drink and Drugs?

First of all check to see if the car she is using is taxed and MOt’d, call the police and explain you have seen her smoke weed and then drive in the car with kids!!  Likelihood is if they are that scummy they won’t be taxing their car.  Which would encourage police further.  Regardless of the smoke in your property, you need to report this.  What if she killed someone and you hadn’t reported to police.  Driving under the influence is illegal for a reason.

I do sympathise with you over this, I visited some friends recently to see their new born.  As we were walking to their back garden I could smell that horrible, acrid smell where their neighbours thought it was appropriate to smoke it.  I have no problem with people doing it, but the smoke and smell was everywhere and their neighbors have a new born.  You literally could not get away from the smell.

Take the bike which climbs easier and is more comfortable for what is ultimately a decent/big day out on the bike.  Lots of stuff posted online by people saying it’s savage or steep, it’s not! If you have ridden the area you know the sort of thing to expect.  I took some advice on tyres when I first did it, being told it’s brutal and basically lugged downhill trails around, which sapped the enjoyment. This year I’m running a semi slick rear and riding my enduro bike, because that’s the only bike I have.  If it’s any help in my group (average age 42) we have a Bronson, YT Jeffsy, Slash and Ibis Mojo Hd4.  If I were in your position I would take the Evil

So absolute Mary stalwart here, I recently switched from Mary soft to Wild enduro (soft forget what it’s called) grip levels are similar if not maybe a little better with the wild enduro in this dry stuff we have been having.  Wouldn’t like to say how it performs in the way just yet albeit will probably have a good idea after this weekend.  As for the rear, nice profile. Side knobs and transition to them is fantastic.  Great sleeping tyre unless you are looking for something that can roll with any kind of speed….it’s pretty damn draggy in my view.  Probably and excellent winter rear tyre.  I’m giving them another go this weekend before making the switch back to Mary and SG RR I think.

There are still racers and teams running 27.5, top manufactures have both options.  Trek as an example have the remedy in 650b and the Slash in 29.  SC have the Bronson and nomad with the mega tower and high tower.  Ibis the Ripmo and Mojo HD4.  From where I am sat it’s the best the industry has been for years with options to suit almost everyone.  29 is not the panacea everyone thinks it is as much as 27.5 was, but it seems things have settled now with two wheel sizes which (for me at least) offer different things, but like I said earlier I have owned countless 29ers sold on the marketing. Only recently to move back to 650b as it just works better for me, my size and riding.

Without trying to sound a little patronising are you spinning the front hub on the end cap?  If so it’s going to feel rough, if it spins fine fitted it’s fine.

I bloody hope not, I don’t get on with or like 29ers.  They don’t work for everyone in my experience and I tried, jeez did I try and blew a load of money trying to make them work for me.  That aside, I think the market has settled nicely with both options.  Unless 650b sales drop to an unsustainable or profitable level the i can’t see them disappearing.

No I mean the force enduro:

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/michelin-force-enduro-gum-x-ts-tlr-rear-mtb-tyre/rp-prod170181?gs=1&sku=sku641296&pgrid=60711842858&ptaid=pla-681267567332&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid%7CsDfLl7TC5_dm%7Cpcrid%7C309840163148%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cprd%7C641296UK&gclid=CjwKCAjwsIbpBRBNEiwAZF8-z8Avf2KdKxK6ZvyEo_KwPNlIP6P45qCHdsJWghGvFGPaZEptULQHsBoCb_YQAvD_BwE

im beyond confused  by them to be honest, I would just buy a rock razor and go back to Mary upfront but schwable only make them in the soft compound

So is the force enduro the same as five am?  So bloody confused by all the different names?!

I have a pair of flux shorts, I like them.  In fact I like all Maddison kit, albeit the fly keeps slipping down which can be annoying.

So been running a pair of these for a few rides now (Front and Rear variants) First off grip levels are fantastic!  im running with Rimpacts on 30mm ID rims.  Sidewalls offer decent strength and stiffness, so even at lowish pressure there is no real roll that i can feel.  They are about perfect…..BUT, jeez the rear tyre feels draggy.  Certainly more so than my old Hans Dampf soft compound.  Rolling resistance is always a trade off, but i would prefer a slightly easier to pedal variant.

Which leads me onto a question, has anyone ran the Force AM as a rear tyre?  It looks a little light weight to me.  But my OCD wont allow me to run odd tyre brand combos so im looking for a complementary Michelin rear for summer riding,

Great point, what does constitute a premium brand. For me SC is not really premium anymore in anything other than price and customer service.  Too common to be classed as anything other than run of the mill.  Unless we class bike manufacturers as we do cars in which case they would be classed as such, but then So would Orbea likely be.

Absolutely, I’m amazed how even a few lack some 😉

I like that colour and the bike looks really good

You have definitely not seen the new Bronson colours then…goodness me

What the hell is going on in the SC cosmetic styling department.  The colours are Ming!  They also (somewhat overshadowed by Ht launch) released the 2020 Bronson colours….OMG absolutely awful.    I can’t believe how a company who used to get that sort of thing so right, have fallen so far up their own arse to now get it so wrong

Obviously all in my opinion

Good Shout Cokie, maybe share on here Mark?  Given the amount you have given to the forum community over the years.  Happy to share with the boys locally and via FB groups to help you move on some stock before you bolt the doors.

Great wheelset, I’m on my third or 4th set now.  Decals are not that garish on the bike.  Absolutely hammered my current set and they are in great condition still.

Had the same issue with my old process a few years back.  Basically the stanchion was knackered within 6 months.  Think if I remember correctly it was something to do with the loading via the linkage and the frame being out of alignment.  Kona were useless so I bought a new shock.  Then noticed the rear brake hose had rubbed a near hole in the swing arm.  Again couldn’t get any kind of response from Kona.  Sold frame for spares in the end.  That was a fair few years ago now mind (4 years I think)

Hans Dampf 2.35 does come in Speedgrip.

not according to Schwable, when I emailed them they said they weren’t going to as there was no benefit in terms of rolling resistance.  But for me i would forgo a little grip for a little more longevity.

Are you sure you have seen the new tread pattern Dampf or the old one with just a blue band.

That’s the issue I’m having with them indeedfox, sent my sixc cranks weeks ago, heard nothing.  Chased today and they said to check my tracking number.  I said, can’t you please check to see if you have received it.  Their response was ‘check my tracking’ my point to them is, why can’t you tell me if you have received…heard nothing back.  Which suggest there are boxes of broken stuff with them.  Annoyingly I can’t find the bloody post office receipt now.  So I’m probably buggered.

New Hans Dampf is a marked improvement on the old one.  Only issue I have had is it comes in the soft compound with no ‘speedgrip’ or harder compound option which has meant mine is nearly ready for the bin a couple of months in.  That said rolling resistance is great for such a soft compound tyre. Probably going to go back to a HR2 if this rain keeps coming as I doubt I’ll be back on the RR any time soon

Amazing thanks Vinney!