Ah,Is that ‘Col De Cou’ the Morzine one? A true alpine classic, I feel best climbed from the Swiss side and descending to Morzy.

Awaiting more ridge pics…

Talk about a Phoenix rising from the ashes…Truely inspirational!

That’s putting my faith back into customer service. Good to hear and hope they can do this for more cutomers more often… Let them know by email? Sure they would appreciate your feedback.

I have had mixed experiences recently from various bikes shops over all sorts of ‘requests’, often leaving feeling they don’t want my custom. That’s not the way I work when dealing with my service users. (I’d be out of a job if I didn’t go that extra mile – read inch!). Good customer service brings us back for more…

I understand your point and wasnt que jumping but they didnt appear busy and would have been happy to leave it a day or two but not a week. I was on holiday and passing by (I told them this). Many shops look out for people passing by/passing trade as well as locals and therefore can accomodate the odd ‘drop in’. When local then I dont mind the wait as such

After 21 hours this post isnt quiet without a reason! It will take more than one almost decent bit of cutomer service to convince me! Very recently i was qoted a week to replce a bearing in a wheel-“leave it with us”. Not likley!! Got it done in 10 minutes elsewhere…

I've yet to ride a TC where Ive had to: stop/get off to go through gates (usually on the best descents!), dodge other non-bike users,ride on tarmac, stop/start to follow a routguide/maps etc. That said natural riding at its best just about wins for me!

Not funny (to Me) but a party trick non the less… an old mate of mine used to put a condom up his nose and pull it out of his mouth!!

Its years since we did it (on xc hard tails)but about 8 hours rings a bell?? Though I'd like to think my timing is out. Twas a great day out. Infact why have I not done it since?

Still holds the biggest influence on my ridig. Thanks again. Its Dirt while on the trainer that gets me through many a dark wet winter evening!!

Had 2 Neil Prydes w/roadbikes in focus hatchback with seats down. Layed down one on top of other. Remember to pack loads of gear in with bike

Well done you! Ya made the right choice,a real treasure.

Greno it was then (ta). Lets hope he pulls one off on the big day!

Well about 4 minutes worth down at Warncliffe. Made referance to his training at Hallam and Shefield being the place for current world champs etc. Twas better than nowt though.

Yep and great wheel builds too

Banks Peninsula is 'local' to folk in ChCh. Otherwise just look for a mountain and you wont go far wrong. Post back if you cant find any. Its 15 years since I went there touring and mtbing was banned in National Parks but sure thats changed now, I hope. You will have the time of your life… Enjoy!

The plot thickens… Seems like Endura need a serious dealing with like a boycott! Mind you Ive boycotted that many cycle clothing firms Ill have to resort to Primark or Marks' casuals dept. Back to my statement on previous Endura posts (2 in last 2 weeks)howcome outdoorsy companies seem to produce serious quality kit that lasts for ever such as Low Alpine, Rab, Mountain Equipment, Berghause, karrimor,Helly Henson etc… What is 'king wrong with the bikie types???

Thanks. I look forward to testing this hypothesis next time my 'only wore 4 times' click fast liners drop a stitch or 5!

Big Wigs making decissions about taking away funding from services they know F*** all about. As per many a Public Sector at the mo thanks to the Tories!! Again…

Saw the Ramones at Leeds Uni 84. Brilliant. We made a huge banner/flag thing with Hey Ho Lets Go! all over it and they let us in with it.

Ooo, ask the Chinese and bet ya they say Taiwan…

I only found out about these guys 2 days ago from the Yeti forum. Sent them an email to say hello. Im hoping they say hello back before I get the chance to call in. We need new blood in South Yorkshire!!! Though Trail Monkeys were good too when I popped by in Bradwell…

johndummer, i remember you responding to my post after the boy george drama re Kirk Brandon/Theatre of hate. Its all long gone for me but do have the odd flashback. Recently listening to the Sisters, (Jolene) gettting the fear and even watched my Play Dead – Into the Fire – video. They were the days!! I did research Salvation foums and Ghost Dance: Anne Marie has reformed with 2/3s of the Skeles!!

Well done to you Foxy for going about things the right way, its paid off. Having followed your account here I will still shop at Ribble, though my last purchase was incorrct on their website so sent me wrong item.They reembersed me straight away.

575 owner / fan here. Where are you, cos they are still around and in stock, though not sure about frame sizes. 5'9 and ride M/19" with an inch or so to spare on visible seat post. Try Bromleybike for availablilty

saw one bike tested in Cycling+ a few months back, banging on about being British, but then 'small print' tells us they are made in Taiwan. An also ran for me Im affraid.

I like. Just needs his clipless and he's sorted! Who's the rider?

Topangarider- following my input here, I posted similar last night after my liners split stiching again after riding yesterday. Not impressed with their quality!! Last chance befor I return them to Endura… Its odd cos Im sat in a Low Alpine Dryflow that is at least 7 years old and made of delicate fabric, not a single thread out of place after years of solid wear…

Ta. I've resorted to stitiching them up again. Last chance then Endura can join the bin club! Had way too much of their stuff drop to bits on stitching…

RideInDenial is spot on. 'We' all started with flat bars, what goes round comes round. Fashon!! Long travel forks raising the front end is compensated by adjusted frame geometry, or so they keep telling us. Instead of buying riser bars when they 'came in', why didnt we just have a higher rise stem and so it goes on and on and on…..

When ya in the market check out Race Scene in Barnsley for Italian thorughbreds like Somec and Gios. Way above ya big mainstream brands in Italian exotica. Also check out De Rosa too for some Artisan…

With customer service, they should be interested in checking that out for you, after all they are the 'experts' on their own branded bikes,I hope. Put the ball in their court maybe? Good luck

Reality check – Remember 'Its not about the bike', here's proof. 12.5 grand or not it did not win the worlds greatest bike race this year.Its only worth that if people are willing to pay that much! Perhaps that's how much it cost to create? That said its just about cool.

Long standing Cateye user (various), go cordless. Second choice and more budget, some Trek cmputers have served well too, again go cordless.

As for peaks try hope/hathersage/ladybower/edale for ideas

If you are after replica graphics, Litespeed do replacements for some models old and new. Check their website for details if that helps?

Not read all posts but I am fed up with the stitching quality of 99% of bike clothing manufacturers. I have just got some of the new type Endura liners and after 2 rides have stitched up the inner side of the elastic waist band. My Altura commuter over pants have just de-stiched on the outer reinforced seat after light use only! They are all rubbish!! Yet outdoorsie types like Rab, Low Alpine, Mountain Equipment, well all except North Face last me years and years. Have some karrimor stuff that is 15 years in regular use and still sound!!

Is that first one W/Latter? Looking very muddy, was very dry only 2 weeks since…

Next question to all you Lappy lovers… What's the options for Frame Only. That's what puts me off as they seem to be built up option only. Cheers

Similar experiences as Podge re: Cross Trax! First time they only needed to fit new Brake hoses and ended up giving the bike a full service plus others parts… They charged me!! Second time had my bike for a week at their request (I live 1 hours drive away). They said they would ring me when done – they didnt, then when I rang they werent sure if the job had been done cos there were no price ticket on it. Went in anyway next day and had not done what Id taken it in for, but did it there and then, like they could have done that the week before when I had pre arranged dropping it off. These bike shops are all the same I have yet to find one thsat is 100% reliable and thats after 18 years!! Oh sorry Chain Reaction have yet to fail me, long live mail order for shopping at least!

B.A.Nana- glad for disc brakes too! Would be interesting with the old Vs!!Thanks for all the pics. IMHO they are now up there with the Trek Fuel/Remedy, Yeti 5/575 and SCruzer Blur LT – (my faves). I like…

Only one company in proper tents: Robert Saunders. Check his web site. The very best in lightweight tents especially for biking/touring etc.