ION make neoprene covers that are easy to fit and work well. You need to add elastic to the plastic clips depending on the size of your seats though. They are just plain black with the I logo on the headrest.
Not sure on UK availability but should be okay.
Cheers
Shiny

Cheers all, I had resurrected a post from 10 months ago and there seemed some doubt over whether it fitted hence the check with the collective oracle. Tape will not survive the monsoon season here in Malaysia as I have tried it before.

Have just ordered one and will have it delivered next week by my old man who is out for a visit.

Cheers
Shiny

I have 4 sets, all have been great. Most of my riding is jungle, rocks, roots. They are better imo than the Flow EX they replaced.

I have Light Bike AM rims on my Bronson – built 2 cross with CK hubs
I have RHC Components rims on my new PP SHan 27 (40mm width) with CK hubs – again 2 cross
I have a set of Reynolds 29er AM carbon rims on my Pivot LES – hubs are a bit shit3 but rims feels great
And a set of NEXTIE carbon rims with CK hubs on my Nicolai ION 16

All have been great, square edge rocks make the best sound (not) when you hit them, but generally they seem great if expensive.

Across loose rock and anchored rock i am able to take a far straighter line than with Ally rims, noticeably less flex.

I opt for a 2 cross spoke pattern as it was recommended by the wheel builder i use. He has a pile of cracked ENVE rims in his workshop but none of these.

cheers
Shiny

LOL…all very helpful..keep it coming….
Too dark for photos..will take some tomorrow if back in time.
Scary to ride for sure.
Shiny

Daughter
Angus and Julia Stone
First Aid Kit
Bat for Lashes
Birdy
Paloma Faith
Nouvelle Vague

Some great stufffrom all these people – IMO!

cheers
Shiny

I am in KL, Malaysia where it is hot, wet and humid all the time. We are just entering the monsoon and so braking is important but so is pad life. I use sintered hopes now but they squel so much at times. Dissipating the heat when it is 35 degrees at 10am is hard – hence my consideration of the fins but I suspect they may be BS.

Coming back in a few weeks so may order some to try and see. Thanks for the input, feel free to keep it coming.

Much appreciated
Cheers
Shiny

Thanks for all the feedback. I have just purchased an ion16 in semi-permeable orange with a result monarch plus and blue extra love. It is a stunner and cab be seen on the Nicolai uk homepage I think.

The downside is that I live in Malaysia and will not get my hands on it until Christmas when back on holiday.
The upside is ‘happy Christmas’ to me!

Cheers
Shiny
P.s Bronson and banshee prime now for sale…;)

Really wrecker, will need to investigate as that would really help.
Cheers
Shiny

I am 5’8″ tall, all my others Nicolai’s have been mediums and am therefore think the same…will I die?

Currently have a medium Bronson with full XX1, carbon wheels, reverb, enve bars, thomson 50mm stem, ck headset and BB with 150mm Pikes.

I know the recommendation is 160/170mm travel forks but will I cope for a while with them?

Cheers
Shiny

Live in Malaysia.
90% of my riding is in Jungle which is hot, humid, rooty and hard work.
I mostly ride ride a Carbon Bronson or Banshee Prime.
For more XC stuff outside the city I use a Pivot Les 29er.
Round town I use my Trek 69er single speed.
For real DH riding the best nearby is in Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. X-biking are superb.
At 41 with 3 boys getting out can be tough but I HAVE to in order to keep sane.
Riding is riding but I never fail to smile when on my bike.
Cheers
Shiny

Superb lads, some top recommendations there – many I have no idea of.

Keep the suggestions coming.
cheers
shiny

Plastic
The guvnors
Man on a ledge

Get well.

This is kwality innit.

Run forest run springs to mind as I bounce along the treadmill, my mate says I have to do 1 in 3 of my runs outside – it is nearing 30 ded C here on a cool day. Oh well, off out on my bike to work out a route.

Name & Shame – six pack has been constructed – in fact I have 3 spares if anyone wants a few KG of good looking fat!

Gaffa Tape or Sports Bra for the MoobS???

cheers all and best of luck fatties.

Shiny

I’m IN
Mail Sent – live in Malaysia – who is going to monitor my progress???

Great Idea!

cheers
shiny

I live in Malaysia and have done for close to 8yrs, here FSA, Ritchey, Zipp, Giro, Time, Ridley, Pinarello, Colnago, SPesh, Chris Queen (really) can all be bought, campag wheels, etc.

Minefield….can of worms etc.

Even the shops here sell fake parts….(as replica).

Shiny

I used himalayansingletrack when I went, they were also great, we did the Kathmandu valley, it was great but the Annapurna is where you head for the gnat core riding. Our stuff was cc with a load of climbing, riding above cloud level. The country and people are truly awesome though.
Enjoy

Superb, Cheers all, much appreciated.

Have ordered the orange frame! Cannot wait!

Cheers

Shiny

Thanks all, it does seem well built and very solid. I have had a inner air 9c and that was not so good, quite poor quality. The solar orange is very nice. I have also seen the new 27.5 frame but have a Bronson for that..

Maybe time to bit the bullet. Out here it cost about £1200.

Decisions decisions…

I have the 35mm LB 27.5 rims on my bronson. They are light and stiff and tracking across roots and rock gardens is much better. One thing to consider is how much the 35mm rims will spread your tyre carcass. I am running geax 2.25tyres and they come up mahoosive. The hookless rims rims make going tubeless effortless.

A a comparison I also run the Reynolds AM rims on my Tallboy LTc and the LB ones are better due to the Chris king hubs rather than the Reynolds hubs.

Cheers
Shiney

My new Bronson C weighs 28lbs dead on.
35mm carbon Rims, King hubs/headset/BB, Hope Tech 3 E4 brakes with 183mm floaters, Full XX1 groupset, Reverb, CCDB Air cs, ENVE RSR Bars, GEAX Goma tyres, full frameskin, Time Atac Carbon Pedals, Thomson 50mm stem, Fizik Gobi saddle, ODI Lockons.

Quality at a price but here in KL it costs a $hitload less than UK/Europe.

Great to ride.

Cheers
Shiney

Cheers gents, will get on the case.
Shiny

Crap, I live in Malaysia but have a mate coming over in a week. Where did you get yours from?
Any recommendations?
All okay with it?

cheers
Shiny

wow, not quite sure what I expected but this is a genuine STW first!
cheers
shiny

Hey all, thanks for all the suggestions – was not meaning to open up a can of worms but it seems to..

The Kinesis and Transition have been added to the list…

Budget wise – Steel 500, Carbon – 1000, Ti 600-1000 ish

The reviews on the Titus seem great as do many others…

Cheers
Shiny

I have a Medium SC Tallboy LTc and a medium Niner Air 9 carbon, both are superb and I am 5′ 8″.

Try before you buy!

Shiny

Bell Super – fatbirds were doing them for 80 posted. Well vented, excellent head coverage, intergrated go pro mount, lightweight. I bought M and wear a giro xar in M as well.

Cheers
Shiny

Just bought one.
The black/white, bright green and white are in stock at fatbirds for 81.99 delivered.

Cheers
Shiny

I have a 2013 LTc in black/orange and it is superb, still just a bike but a superb bike. I have a Nicolai that is being dismantled due to lack of use as this is now my real do it all bike. Taking it to Morzine in a few weeks which should be interesting. I am 5′ 8″ and the medium is spot on with a 70mm, 0 deg stem. Feel free to contact me directly if you have specific queries, address in profile.

My build is pretty bling, full xtr 2 x 10, ck wheels Not carbon, reverb, tech m4’s etc etc.

Cheers
shiny

I am 5′ 8″ and have a medium – perfect fit with 70mm stem. I bought the carbon frame here in Malaysia for the price of the alloy in UK (almost) and it is stunning.

Make sure you get to really test ride one first.

Shiney

Superb!
Ordered from zee germans! GBP57 Delivered!
Cheers
Shiny

I am going to Nepal in October for my 40th with 7 mates, Av. 40km a day, Kathmandu Valley. Not getting any younger, so why not.

Cannot wait!

Shiney

cheers all,
Seems it will be okay, now just need to find some at a decent price..

Thanks
Shiny

The LTc is a stunning bike, rolls well, capable of off-the ground stuff, great on the downs and the extra travel makes a big difference. Mine is fitted with Flow EX rims and Ardent 2.25’s and roll brilliantly. The Pivot position is quite different and the shock movement feels endless with the CTD Kashima shock. My riding is mainly rocky, rooty, jungle trails here in malaysia so the bike gets a hammering. I would invest in one of the custom made bash guards from the guy on MTBR, at US$40 it was well worth it. Let me know by e-mail if you want pics of the build.

I am 5′ 8″ and ride the M

Cheers
Shiny

p.s. I also have a Niner Air 9 carbon, a nicolai Helius AC – this is better rather than different!

All my pocket money goes on my bikes;

SC Tallboy LTc – CK wheels – full xtr/thomson/reverb/Carbon havens- Ouch! (5k +)

Niner Air9 Carbon – CK Wheels – full xtr/thomson/RF SixC etc – Ouch! (3k ish+)

Nicolai Helius Ac – CK Wheels – full XTR/thomson/reverb/SixC etc- Ouch! (4-5k ish)

BMC SCC01 – Full Dura-ace – best clothes hanger I have ever owned! (3-4kish)

Trek 69er – Singlespeed / all original mint – 600 quid

I love all of them except the roadbike which was a mistake!

I have specced and built all the bikes myself and each one is used regularly. They cost a fortune but things do.

Also, I live in malaysia where components can be bought for a massive amount less than you guys in the uk.

e.g. My Tallboy LTc with Fox Kashima 34’s actually cost me 2100pounds!

At the end of the day, the cost is irrelevant, I enjoy it and thats what counts.

Shiny

I have emailed 3 times about the new Lumen Liberator and have had no response at all, not even an acknowledgement. The page on his site has been down for 1 month+ and I also mentioned this to him.

Not sure what is happening, but maybe he does not need the business.

Bit gutted really as beyond e-mailing I have no way to get in touch.

If by any chance he sees this thread my e-mail is shine.mark AT gmail dot com.

Cheers
Shiny

Do not take the risk of KMC with shimano XTR or XT chains, I can testify that they do not fit and research has suggested they are out by a fraction of a mm but still out.

Try a SRAM or carry some proper shimano pins (the ones where one half breaks off.

Cheers
Shiny

Superb responses, that shimano looks great but yes 128 euros is a load!
Cheers
shiny

WOW People – what a response!
Thanks for all the tips and advice – keep it coming.

cheers
shiny

Banshee Prime and Intense Spider Comp with 140mm up front and Tallboy LTc.

Apparently all superb…

Shiney

Maloja shorts I bought from Evans recently is superb, especially the shorts, nice well thought out designs and a very high quality finish, expensive though.

cheers
shiny