There’s a few more pics and thoughts here too … http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/cotic-solaris-inspiration-please

Great ride out in the Peak as part of 18Bikes 10th Birthday celebration – followed by beer and pizza :-)

IMG_20160717_221634 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

IMG_20160717_223509 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

IMG_20160717_224815 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

IMG_20160717_223956 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

A couple of ideas for you … we did these a couple of weekends ago from Coniston:

Grizedale loop: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=finoqisbhucnsgrv

Dunnerdale and Walna: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=ecnccsqlzqxbkwlu

Made a change to the Dunnerdale route and rather than heading up out of Coniston we went along the lake-side trail to Torver then climbed up to join the Ickle Valley singletrack from there.

Sorted :-)

Great event as always – was fortunate to avoid most of the rain and got back relatively dry.

Big thanks to all the organisers, helpers and marshals – seemed like there was someone at almost every gate!

Lovely cakes too :-)

A few pics from a very sunny Peak District …

2016-05-09_08-27-13 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

2016-05-09_08-26-55 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

2016-05-09_08-29-31 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

Loving my mk2 still – got in a good variety of riding over the last few months – great balance of fun and practicality.

There’s a good thread here with more thoughts … http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/cotic-solaris-inspiration-please

Very impressed by my MSR Hubba Hubba – like this one ….

http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/MSR-Hubba-Hubba-NX-Tent-sku51147401.asp

Pricey new but I was lucky enough to get a used bargain from this forum :-)

29 x 2.25″ Exo version seems to work really well as a rear tyre for Peaks, Lakes, Dales stuff. Needs to run tubeless to get the most out it though. Seemed to have as much grip as anyone elses tyre options on a snowy and slippy trip to the Dales the other weekend.

Works OK for a bit of tarmac bashing too with some extra air in it.

Prefer something with a bit more grip up front though – Maxxis HR2 3C seems to be working quite well at the mo.

Both run out of steam in claggy mud but we don’t seem to get too much around our way – more like gritty slop than sticky mud.

Kanga didn’t work for me at all – not sure whether the having a short and relatively low stem affected that. The bag sat way too high and ended up with lots of for-aft movement. I asked around at the time and I wasn’t the only one struggling.

The Wildcat harness works really well though – very secure and doesn’t foul cables or hoses. With an 8 litre dry-bag a bar-mounted light is still visible – however, there is obviously quite a big shadow cast. A 13 litre dry-bag will fit securely and with enough tyre clearance – just need to use a helmet-mounted light with that though.

Thanks Bregante :-)

Hi iainc – did you ever get to look at those softshell shorts in your LBS?

Anyone tried the softshell version?
http://www.madison.cc/p/addict-men-s-softshell-shorts/cl84806
Bit difficult to judge how they compare with the DWR and waterproof versions.

They are about half the price of the Gore soft shell shorts and had very good experience of the Madison kit … very tempting

Thanks Core. It does look pretty special (IMHO!) :-)

I’ve got in a few more miles on it now and still loving it. The short stem and wide bar set up seems to work really well. It’s taken a while to work out tyre pressures (full suspension is way more forgiving) – needs to be just right to get the grip.

Long term I might be tempted by 1×11 but for the range of stuff it gets used for then the triple does the job well enough.

Seems pretty responsive to me particularly compared with the Inbred it replaced. It is also much less harsh without being flexible – I guess that’s what comes from a good steel frame.

Not ridden an Aluminium hardtail recently enough to compare it with that though.

Very pleased with my Panasonic LX100 – lots of external controls, good image quality – probably worth a look.

Quality is noticeably better than my old G10 and Oly XZ-1.

Sounds daft but its a nice camera to use too … easy to change what you want and just the right size (works OK with gloves, still fits in a case on the shoulder strap of my pack).

+1 for Junkyard’s comment re the benefits of a 1x set-up

Had Fives, an Alpine and a Patriot and all seemed to be fine up climbs with a well set up shock. Latest Monarch with the stock Orange tune seem to do the job nicely without compromising grip and feel elsewhere.
Surely riding position on the bike, clips vs flats, tyre compund, tyre pressure, etc. make more of a difference than the suspension design?

I use one of these on a set of cheaper OEM SRAM cranks with a removable spider:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/north-shore-billet-sram-1×11-replacement-spider/
Allows the use of any SRAM-compatible 11-speed rings.

Exposure Flare has survived two winters of commuting – just about to start it’s third. That’s a record for me :-)

Got a pair towards the end of last winter – very comfy, nice stiff sole and warm. Bonus is that they’re easy to get on and off.

I did the 1 European size above my normal size and if anything they’re a little bit big – try before you buy I reckon.

These are my current favourites:
http://www.endurasport.com/products/?ProductID=162

Light and flexible enough to pedal all day in. The straps are very secure and can be adjusted to get a really good fit.

Another pic of mine ?

2015-11-24_04-57-04 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

Hi mccraque – they’re 750 mm easton havoc with a 50mm stem.

Gives me plenty of room still despite being a short legs and long body type of person!

Loving mine – really fun bike to ride.

Mine’s a pretty new build. Bought the frame and transferred parts from another bike. Generally SLX with revelations, Reverb and Hope brakes. I stayed with a triple because I wanted it to cover everything from fast local rides and commutes through to loaded – up bikepacking weekends.

I’m 5’10” and went for the medium – still feels nicely roomy in the top tube but with plenty of stand over.

2015-11-24_04-54-49 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

Simple crank brothers tool (allen key, torx, screwdriver), Park chain brute plus seperate tyre levers for me.
Seems to be way more useable than an all-in-one tool.

Love mine – I got it as an ex-Orange Demo bike so it was a bit of a bargain at the time.

I’ve had it for about 18 months now and done all sorts of riding. For the Alps and big Scottish or Lakeland days out I’ll go for something with more travel, bigger tyres and slacker angles. However for local rides, big pedally days out, multi-day rides and trail centres it’s a really fun bike. Even when the going gets rough the big wheels carry speed well – it’s only on really nasty sustained stuff that it gets into trouble.

A couple of other threads to look at …

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/orange-gyro-test-warning-29er-content

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/anyone-ride-an-orange-gyro

Would it be daft to run the Dual Position version at 120mm?

Merlin have some 150/120mm forks in stock http://www.merlincycles.com/rockshox-pike-rct3-dual-position-air-forks-29er-67871.html

I wear a gilet a lot and way more than a jacket – and if I’m not wearing it then I’ve usually got one on my pack.
However, wouldn’t want to be out in the middle of winter without a proper jacket.

I run 28 up front with a 42 on the back – gives the same as 24×36 (assuming same size wheels).

I don’t ever feel that I’m running out of gears at either end with this set-up so works well for me.

I’m here https://www.flickr.com/photos/simon_r/albums … lots of pictures of bikes in some very nice places :-)

Got a MaxxD and Joystick combo (lucky enough to win the Joystick in a Tuesday Treats a while ago now :D )

Works really well together – tend to angle the MaxxD down a bit and cover the mid-distance with the Joystick. The helmet mounted light is perfect for twisty trails.

The helmet mount seems more than strong enough and very secure – broken one or two clipping trees but I’d prefer the mount gave up rather than my neck.

And another from the Glen Sligachan ride …

16-P1010281 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

Hike-a-bike on the Potsman’s Road near Tarbert …

23-P1010429 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

Another one from Sligachan …

06-IMG_2089-001 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

Riding at Glentress …

35-P1010679 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

Heading down towards Camasunary Bothy …

13-P1010240 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

Here’s one looking up Glen Sligachan:

10-P1010174 by Simon Read[/url], on Flickr

Good experience with Fox and North Face liners.

Just bought some of the Madison ones at about £24/pair. Great fit and good looking pad in them. Much more airy than lycra shorts so definitely need baggies over the top of them!

I declined the offer to transfer too but still received a copy of MBUK and a new Direct Debit instruction to Immediate Media Co Bristol.

Cancelled the DD and I’ll see what happens.

Got a pair of Mallerstangs which are very comfy. Plenty of support on rough terrain but still fine if you ever end up on tarmac at the end of a long day.

First pair of boots I’ve ever had with both enough width in the front and a good fit at the heel – having all the width fittings made getting a good fit pretty easy.