well spotted! That is it's hardcore spec, CCDB fitted too 🙂

aren't they supposed to be custom valved/shimmed for specific bikes ?

Nope, they are all stock internally, but the myriad of adjustment means they are very customisable.

Five inch travel front and rear, around 28-30Lb ish, Fox Van 32 Forks, Hope hoops ran tubeless, full XT Group set, Thomson post and stem, Sunline bars. Good solid spec that wont cost the earth to spec.

Just like my bike 🙂

Shame my shed got in the way!

I actually think it's ok these days, certainly no worse than the other mag's.

Of course, niche types won't like it 😉

Like above i seem to suffer more the LESS exercise i do. I also have to make sure i take the steroid as prescribed especially when its damp and cold.

A real thing of beauty

I keep reading that the Ardents need to be cranked over hard to grip when cornering, tis true?

I have a set fitted and ready to go, so i shall see for myself soon enough 🙂

Covert looks great, and a good price too.

I always try to respond to emails asap, I can't afford to miss any chance of a sale!

Try calling them instead?

Sounds fun, I might make the effort to get there too!

Vans can't be reduced, not without serious mod's.

I don't know for sure if TALAS can be adjusted, but i don't think they can be 🙁

Fox Float 36 work really well reduced to 140mm (if 160mm is too much) by using the reducer in the box.

Just had a few sets of Floats in, mail me for prices 🙂

taka, sorry for the hi jack but i have few medium (they size up quite big) XCL's that are being offered to me from Chumba US as ex demo frames at really good prices, if your interested?

Chumba ODI style ruffian grips, with Aluminium end caps for £10 + 50p postage 🙂

i work on the rough rule of thumb: if you don't need a 400mm seatpost, then your frame is too big.

Rubbish, do you have 400m of seat post showing when doing drops? How do you know he didnt drop his post to practise?

i think he means financially safe?

This reminded me to have a look through the 28days later web site and there is some cool stuff on there!

The thing is they are not targeting ROW with serious erosion issues (I can think of plenty in the Peak that are in need of help) but instead are choosing easy to get to bridleways and making them as flat as possible so that wheelchairs, buggies etc can use them just like normal path or road, so that 'all' users can have a piece of the countryside.

IMO The limiting factor is your fork, not rear suspension

And how did you come that amazing conclusion? Are both parts not in direct contact with the earth? Why not just buy a cheap FS frame and stick a top end fork on it then?

So why did you bother with a pushed Van? or suspension at all?

Not sure what that has to do with anything, my point was if you are going to have suspension then you may as well as have it working to its best ability.

Si, it's 8.5" (215mm) eye-eye, with a 2.5" (63mm) stroke.

Shame, i could have let you have a go with a CCDB, but i only have 200×57 🙁

Its been repaired so that all users can use it.

If you think that sort of surface 'repair' is ok, would you be happy for them to do it to all ROW around your way so everyone can access them?

Councils have an obligation to keep the bridleways in good repair – if you want an eroded rocky mess

Most of the repaired ROW's are not rocky messes, but easy access double track that they think are ideal for 'all' user groups. If not then the Beast in the Peak is under threat from the tarmac!

There are plenty of different types of places people can go to get their fix, why does good money have to be spent making bridleways look like canal tow paths?

pedalhead, what size shock does your LT take?

There is a good choice out there now, CCDB, Elka, Avalanche etc. They are expensive, but no more so than wheels and forks.

The biggest problem is the lack of understanding about the damper units, to help people achieve what they desire from the shock.

Is weight really that much of an issue on the types of bikes these shocks are installed on? around 300-400g ain't going to make much difference surely?

That frame would suit a Fox 36 very well IMO, or maybe a 140mm Rockshox Rev?

Chumba XCL is a tough little frame and the XS is tiny! It will run 160mm no problem too, very tough but not a true DH bike though.

Some good points, thanks guys.

I suppose i need some idea of where to start equipment wise, i don't mind bulk as its not something i will use on the bike (i have a compact for that) but will have a look at the olympus e p1. Any other suggestions for a DSLR body and lens to get started? £500 ish for the body.

mmm, "heavy" frames are heavy for a good reason aye ?

I would agree.

Have the lapieres started to break?

The way the lapiere brand 'appeared' on the scene was very much like Commy, just hope they don't go the way of the Commy brand with more than their fair share of breakages as they look like good bikes.

I have a few hangers, drop me a mail for details.

Looks great, very classy for a big bike 😉

hx2's are very thin on the ground until the next batch later this year.

I only had the one pair, give 2 Pure a call they may have some left.

They are all black 50/50's, some OE pedals that 2Pure were selling.

Pretty sure i'm going to take off the bash and stick with the original.

Hopefully it will get a ride out on Sunday!

So much for tapered steerers being tough as, or maybe the steerer passed on all the force through your frame 😉

richc, not sure if i have given you a price before, but i have a few sets of Float 36's, mail me if you fancy.

who me? drop me an email for a chat.

richc, do you fancy Float 36's?

I think i agree about the bash ring, up to her though…

Won't matter about what size pedals, she will have that much armour on she won't feel and pain if she happened to scrape owt on the pedals!

I see folks rolling up week after week with big 6" full susers and it makes me smile. Some of the off piste stuff is great. FTD is good for a night ride or a blast after work. Then downhill run is great on a HT.

Good Lord. What a load of old crap is being spouted on this thread. Personally, I'm with Jedi on this. I don't think I can ever remember having a boring time on a bike, any bike, ever. If you're bored, it's YOU that's doing something wrong I think.

I agree, and i actually think Cannock is OK. For some reason it really winds me up when people bash others for being on 6" travel bikes and wearing body armour, so what?

I have just fitted some 2.25 Ardents which 'look' like they roll fast with a pretty big volume and i imagine the 2.4 are massive