I would go Scott out of the three.

Dismissing the Cannondale because of the bespoke standards and the Oiz due to concerns about availability and waiting lists.

I always have checked baggage and a bike bag.

Usually have 2 co2’s in each. And chain lube in both too. Don’t usually have a problem but have had co2 and lube confiscated before.

USA is pretty strict as is NZ.

Southampton, Gatwick and Heathrow are fine.

Not tried Manchester.

Gels don’t have to be messy.

Role the packet content rather than squeeze- like you do with a toothbrush- them stick the sachet up you short leg until you did a bin.

Easy.

Algarve Bike Challenge, Mitas Four Islands, also look at Costa Brava Bike Race, Swiss Epic,and further afield Pisgah Stage Race, Trans Sylvania Epic MTB Race, BC Bike Race, Quebec Singletrack Experience.

I was in a 6:16 start and went round in a little under 5 hours.

Didn’t see that much litter to be honest. I was actually surprised.

But there were a lot of riders behind us.

I’ve not long got back from the 2019 edition and have done some previous editions. Yes – it is expensive with flights, accommodation, transfers, food etc.

The event this year had seven stages plus a prologue on Day zero.

We had countless transfers by ferry or coach and I was fortunate enough to get a seaplane ride as well.

As to the stages, days 1 – 3 were all on Vancouver Island this year with a mix of Singletrack and fire road. And the Singletrack is of excellent quality keeping you on your toes with a variety of flowing and technical trails.

Day 4 took in a day at Powell River which gives you a lot of roots and some fantastic loam trails.

days 5&6 move down the Sunshine Coast from Earls Cove to Sechelt and then on to Langdale. Again mixing up fire road and some fantastic Singletrack trails the last section down to Langdale is a proper highlight.

Day 7 saw us in Squamish for a great day and some great Singletrack. Finishing 5th in 100plus pairs so fairly pleased with that.

The race is well organised, well put together, well supported with a. Host of ‘freebies’ included – luggage, sunglasses, jacket, towel, finishers t shirt and belt buckle.

Feed stations are well supplied including at the finish. And on course support is also first class with medical and technical support at feedstations and roving bike and motorcycle support.

Expensive – yes, delivering value from a 7 day stage race – sure.

Others to look at: Singletrack6 – at higher altitude than BCBR and more technical.
Pisgah Stage Race – good fun, single location, so lower cost and a little closer in North Carolina. Also very technical and will include quite a lot of walking.
Trans Sylvania Epic – looks like fun.
Quebec Singletrack Experience – should be good.
Breck Epic. – gets good reviews but very high so will be tough.

Lots of Euro options also appearing now so worth a look. 4 Islands, Sudety etc.

Heading for Gt7 this weekend in an old blokes pair. Should be fun.

Porto Mare has no issues with the bike in the room.

Currently on Maxxis Forekaster front and Rekon Race rear.

Will be putting a Rekon on the front soon.

Ardent Race, Ikon is also a great combination.

Wales just isn’t/ wasn’t enough of a destination to warrant the money and time. Wales is a weekend away with your mates.

3 day weekend, is what Wales is for.

Europe, Africa, US and Canada are worth the time and effort.

And less likely to be moist!

Shame but….

Algarve Bike Challenge for me. Hot weather and wall to wall sunshine. Even had the arm covers out.

I’ve been running 12 speed for about 2 years now following the dawning that big events in big hills don’t work for me with 32 front and 40 or 42 back. So I went Eagle and am very happy with it.

I get a useful range which sees little walking.

Longevity wise I am not experiencing any issues at all and tend to run a couple of chains to the cassette and then retire it all before it’s completely broken.
Yes, it is a bit steep but it is good.
The only regret I have is trying XTR where i found the new 12 speed mech is a little delicate and will snap in two if you put a stick in it.

I was running XTR mech and shifter with SRAM running gear – faultlessly. My rear mech has had an altercation with a stick at which point it snapped in two at the plasticky bit that links the body to the cage.

I have as an interim step run a SRAM mech and XTR shifter but will go back to full SRAM which seems to be sturdier.

Usually 20 to 45 minutes but the sky is the limit. New Zealand and Canada are ace for riding trips.

No problems here.

I have a large Pivot 429sl frame only awaiting sale in my garage if it’s of interest mail me.

Aside for that the Scott Spark seems like a sensible strategy. Otherwise it’s Tallboys and the like and there’s plenty of those around which might do the variety of roles you’re seeking.

I’m running xx1 and x01 with only one issue in the past 3 years. Cassettes last well as do chains.

Can’t understand your issues.

Algarve Bike Challenge is good fun for a weekend.

Gran Canaria is pretty good – try Freemotion

for Downhill try Madeira – Freeride Madeira

utah – Moab is great

Morocco should be OK too.

1- BC Bike race Day 7 Squamish

2- Moab Porcupine Rim

3- Thundermountain Utah on a solo dawn ride.

other notables are a lot of Surrey Hills rides, Whistler Comfortably Numb / Yummy Numby, Coed y Brenin Enduro.

lows – the moisture content at Algarve Bike Challenge and the mid and walking of La Tramun in Girona.  Overall though – an epic year.

I have 32 front to 50 rear and use the 50 quite often without slipping out of spinning furiously. And sometimes I still have to walk.

A lot lot depends on where you ride and for how long.

I’m riding/racing some cool events again next year but still have La Tramun and RedBull timelaps to do this year.

training shall be ‘unstructured’ with some intent to  be faster willl less injury and better endurance.

diet shall be ‘trying’

fun shall be ‘high’

events shall be ‘epic’ Algarve Bike Challenge, BCBR and Pisgah Stage Race are booked.

Having said that I would recommend looking at Tallboy 2’s. If you’re after a race bike.

I have a Spesh Camber eco in large frame and forks available for a reasonable offer. Fresh fork and pivot service and new air can (not ridden since). 2015 – it’s not tidy but it is good.

Theee are a growing number of bikes that fit the bill for this type of job.

I have a Pivot Mach429sl which works well for most things.

Also worth looking at are the Orbea Oiz TR, SC Blur, Rocky Mountain Element, Scott Spark (probably), Yetis 100mm Race machine. And I expect a few more.

Good luck and and have fun.

The tab on the Pivot is for a front mech.

i have one and love it. Santa Cruz Tallboy or Blur will also be great

.

I’m making the journey north and racing in an old folks pair. First time for both of us.

Looking forward to it.

Good riding in Madeira- lots of great restaurants but avoid Granny’s.

Chris’s near Freeride Madeira was excellent.

Full or open – I’d take one with a removable chin. Most of the riding is down though so you’d be fine most of the time with full. Guides are generally on open face though.

Up up to you really.

I have the camelbak one and it’s pretty good.

Mainly with my saddle at an appropriate height.

My main focus is holiday racing this year.

Algarve Bike Challenge

Moab Rocks

BC Bike Race

training, I have some intervening events, there is Brass Monkeys this weekend, a CX Sportif in February, the Dyfi Enduro, Wicklow 200 sportif, Big Dog and 12:12. And that will do me.

may do some other stuff.

hows it going at the moment. – Rubbish

Bike – full suss 29er with 120 forks and a dropper post.

Nice island, fantastic riding. Check out Freeride Madeira. And there is enough for the Mrs to do while you’re shredding.

It’s a great ride, have fun and keep off the A30 in the South and A9 in the north.

Lanes are easier and better.

Linky for GXPtry this.

What you have is a GXP crank. Hope do a neat converter that you can use on your new bb to make it all fit.

What Jon said!!

To answer the original question – Red and Black Trails can both be comfortably ridden with 120mm of travel.

150mm of travel may be overkill for some of the riding you do (especially if you are a mincer on the drops etc.)

As to Plus, I have no experience here so will shut up.

I found some good riding when I had a couple of hours to spare around Banff and also went of an evening club ride in Hinton (west of Jasper) while I was out there with my wife ahead of Singletrack6 earlier this year.

I have also done the BC Bike Race a couple of times and Vancouver Island and indeed Vancouver are great as is the North Shore, Whistler, Squamish and the Sunshine Coast.

If you download Trailforks on your phone for BC and Alberta you’ll be easily able to spot the trail areas. This is how I found out about Hinton and the Trail I rode out the hotel door (less than 100 meters away) in Banff.

So Trailforks is my hot tip for riding.

You will go over the bars a whole lot less.

How about riding LEJOG, that is a great thing to do.

No reason not to do the ones you have suggested too. And no, it is not too much but it is enough to keep you focussed and motivated.