wrecker – Member
I don;t think any of the tanks are really good enough yet. I’ve had an aspire K1, which gurgled and blocked with high VG juices and was a proper prick to get off. The nautilus mini was even worse, just unusable – completely crap. I have a Kanger protank nano which is by a long long way the best performer, but due to the screw and seal arrangement is prone to leaks. I also have a mech mod with a k-fun copy but I CBA with coil rebuilding, I’ll sell it and get something else, unsure what.
I’m done with spensive kit now, I’ll go for something smaller, maybe an EVOD.

If you can’t be bothered with coil building drop me an email, I’ve got an unused Atlantis 2 which I’ve been meaning to sell. Also have a used Kanger Sub Tank Mini which has to go…

Insurance. Sigh.

I’ve got one on my Capra, which I’ve owned since December last year. Has been used XC (natural and trail centre), Antur Stiniog, BPW, Alps, Tidworth Freeride, so a variety of ride types/terrains.

I find there’s very little pedal bob when going uphill and it’s very rare that i’ll use the lever which stiffens up the shock. When I have used it, there is a perceptible difference but I prefer the feeling of the shock fully open.

Downhill it’s great, but I can’t compare it against the other shocks you’ve asked for a comparison to. It feels pretty bottomless and I’ve never noticed a hard bottoming out, although the o-ring suggests that I have done so. It does use more travel than I would have expected but with no perceptible downside as someone relatively light (11.5st) – a friend is convinced he’s read that there’s some jiggery pokery going on which means that you always use a reasonable amount of travel but that it doesn’t blow through it, i’m not so sure about his ‘science’ but i never feel like the bike is wallowy. Over on Pinkbike people have advocated running significantly higher pressures to sit at 25% sag – I’ve just used the spreadsheet available on the BOS website to set the air pressure. I did experiment a bit in the early days but didn’t feel the benefit of higher pressures.

In terms of fiddling, I think i’ve added a touch more LSC and HSC but haven’t done lots to the Rebound – it’s been a while since I changed any settings to be honest. One thing that is quite nice is that the changes between clicks are quite compact which means you very rarely end up with a setup which is completely wrong. In short, the difference between the two extremes for LSC/HSC/Rebound isn’t that extreme.

The way mine’s set up gives plenty of pop for jumps etc without obviously compromising the ride when on seriously rough terrain.

The only thing I’d change is where the air valve sits. I’ve managed to crack myself in the knee (jumping) a couple of times when i wasn’t wearing my pads and it has a knack of getting me in that tender spot just behind the kneecap, sort of the funny-bone equivalent of the knee.

I think some people have complained about air loss problems, which mine doesn’t have. And then there’s the usual doubts about BOS support in the UK, which apparently has been improved with Jungle (or TF Tuned, I can’t remember who) coming on board as UK service reps.

The only other thing I can think of suggesting is that you try and work out how much space any of the shocks you plan to install will take up – in the Capra the Kirk is big enough to fill the gap meaning the bike didn’t come with bottle bosses. Not a problem, but if your frame can take a cage that you plan to use you might want to make sure it all fits.

Which compound are you using?

I’ve got a vertstar MM up front and after a week in the alps the nobs are starting to show signs of tearing. I wouldn’t usually run a verstar though, just wanted the grip.

I’ve heard the Trailstar and Pacestar compounds last better because they’re a harder rubber.

If you’re looking to change, I used a Purgatory as a front before swapping it over to the rear and loved it. Was grippy and lasted a long time on the old bike. I wasn’t running tubeless but only had the control version (rather than grid) which AFAIK is single ply and didn’t suffer from punctures.

Mincer wobbling away from his audi? Possibly on a bike made out of filing cabinets.

Surely that’s the stereotypical depiction of this place?

EDIT: beaten by everyone. Damnit.

Knee pads every ride unless it’s just a pootle with the other half. My shock has an annoying valve which has a habit of catching me in the knee and it hurts, so knee pads get rid of the chance of it happening.

Elbows for uplift days or when I know I’m going to be jumping or riding something harder than usual.

Shoulders (built into vest) were a recent purchase and have already proved their worth. Will get used in the same way elbows do.

Back protector (built into bag) gets worn most of the time too.

FF for downhill or free riding. Might get whipped out if an Enduro is particularly sketchy too.

General approach is that it’s safer to be padded up and also a little bit of a confidence boost…

Had mine for approx 9 months now and v happy.

Pedals well uphill, although I don’t use it for that much xc type stuff.

Downhill it’s great, the steeper it is the better. Makes trail centre stuff quite dull though, although I enjoy trail centres less and less.Just been out in samoens with it this week and it’s not put a foot wrong.

It took a while to adjust to the slack head angle but once I did it was very confidence inspiring.

My only gripe is that the deville fork has 26″ lowers, which doesn’t leave a huge amount of clearance between the tyre and arch. I have seen people running marsh guards but I imagine they might clog easily. Other users might be able comment on this.

Edit: sizing is an issue up for debate. I followed YTs advice and it’s a good size for me. Size up if you want something more stable at speed, my friend has a large and I could ride it without issue, I’m not sure I would be so confident with it over jumps though.

If you’re concerned about fees (and you’re the seller), get them to pay you as goods (not gift) then send a gift amount which equates to the fees you would be paying to PayPal. They’ll pay slightly more but at least you can offset this by reassuring them that they’ll have the pay pal protection.

Or, do cash/bank transfer.

legend – Member
singletrackstinker – Member
look at building a Deemax hub onto a crossmax front rim (I read somewhere it can be done).
It probably can (did you hear about it through EWS chat per chance?) but you may well struggle to get the parts

Not quite sure where I saw it reported and haven’t really looked in to the possibility of getting the parts. I’d assumed getting a deemax hub wouldn’t be too difficult and the same for the rim. I also hadn’t considered whether a deemax hub would even fit.

Fingers crossed I don’t break my wheel!

I’ve got the Crossmaxes. The rear rim is quite soft and 20 spokes is on the weaker side.

My friend who has one is on about changing the rear out for a nukeproof generator. I’ve decided I’ll wait until I’ve killed mine then look at building a Deemax hub onto a crossmax front rim (I read somewhere it can be done).

From what I’ve heard of the E13 rims, the problems with the freehub came about because the pawls/springs were useless. Apparently E13 were issuing warranty replacements for rims which broke and have subsequently updated.

(I read most of the thread up but stopped in June as I got bored of the same conversations over and over).

I’m 5’10” and ride a medium, a friend at 6′ rides a large.

I’m perfectly happy on mine but some people on the capra thread are sizing up when they’re the same height as me.

My last bike was the right size for me, so i measured up against it to try and get an idea of where the changes were. By and large it was fairly similar although a little longer than the older bike so I decided to follow YTs sizing guide.

If you’re looking for something longer, size up. You could always pull the reverb out and fit a smaller one.

If you’re down south I can probably arrange for you have a sit on mine but we’re away from friday so it’ll have to be towards the end of the month…

The final descent of blade is great, along with a couple of descents about 2/3 of the way round.

If I were going again I wouldn’t ride the whole trial, I’d just work out how to do the final descent and string that together with some of the whites descents.

Can anyone help with tradesmen recommendations for the Eastleigh vicinity? A shower room will need to be replaced as well as tiling, also need a general handyman and finally where’s good for carpets? Thanks very much.

I use Tip Top Plumbing who are based in Woolston to do the work on my house and my parent’s flat. Never had any problems and the cost always feels reasonable.

Have also got details of a handy man except not to hand. I’ll try and get them for you tonight…

No idea about carpets. Sorry.

I’m also running a MM up front. Was impressed with performance on tacky hardpack this weekend. Will be interesting to see how it fairs on super dry stuff though…

darrenspink – Member
Definitely think it needs to be run tubeless at semi low pressure. What this goldielocks psi number is though I don’t know as mine didn’t like a rock I landed on jumping in my local quarry this evening, and had to use a worm to patch a nice hole. Think the tyre was at 22-24.

What were you running it at singletrackstinker?

I think mine’s around 25psi (using a joe blow pressure guage). It’s on a crossmax rear wheel with only 20 spokes so I’m a little concerned about running it at lower pressure. It handled well this weekend but i was only riding at tidworth which is reasonably smooth. I found the root sections reasonably slippery though.

Overall I’m impressed, lots of grip when leant over and it rolls really well.

Coming from a 2.2″ roam (which is very similar) I’m enjoying the extra volume and width.

welshfarmer – Member
I have been contemplating buying a RR for the Alps.

That’s why I bought mine, will be running it in Samoens in a couple of weeks time.

I’ll try to remember to report back when I return and let you know how it performs, in case you’re going later on in the season.

John Lewis have a Webber kettle replica. Probably available elsewhere cheaper but thought I’d mention it

jameswilliams54 – Member

Stinker if the are to hand then I woykd like to see what you had planned please

Cadair – http://www.theedgecycleworks.com/mtbroutes/cadair-idris/

Pont Scethin – http://www.theedgecycleworks.com/mtbroutes/mawddach-estuary-and-pont-scethin/

These are the links I’ve got in my emails, don’t think the Scethin route is too different to what Rorschach posted.

I thought that I had a couple of other routes in the running but can’t find the links in my emails. Hope these help out though…

EDIT: maybe the Scethin route is, looks like a slightly longer route.

NB. I didn’t ride the Scethin route in the end.

Rode mine for the first time this weekend at Tidworth Freeride. Had the tyre pumped up quite hard and didn’t think the tyre was too bad.

When we arrived the ground was quite damp and I definitely found a lack of grip over roots but I did have the tyre at quite a high pressure. As the day went on and the ground dried out I was more and more impressed.

If anyone’s coming off a Crossmax Roam tyre, I think the RR is a better tyre in corners. The additional width may make it a little less efficient in a straight line but I can’t really comment without doing a longer ride.

I echo what Darrenspink says above though, I definitely found that the MM up front felt ‘necessary’ as there were times when the RR didnt’ feel like it was providing as much stopping power as required.

Looking forward to running mine in the alps now, hope it stays dry and dusty…

Cadair Idris?

It’s a good 3 hour ride. Depending on your fitness it’s about 2 hours pushing and riding to the top and then a half hour or so down. Plus a half hour for sandwiches at the top.

Good variety of terrain, some technical sections and some flat out blasts.

Get some funny looks when you take the bike to the summit, but it’s got to be done, right?

Other than that, I think there’s some stuff out barmouth way. I spent easter in Dolgellau and had a couple of rides mapped out (that i had found on the internet).

If they’re likely to be of any interest I’ll see if I can dig out the links.

nairnster – Member

Snip…

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear they’re less fussy than road pedals, that was a key concern.

I also have similar concerns about cleat contact with ground but though that I’d probably not wear the clip shoes when I’m doing any serious hike-a-bike, partly due to the clip and partly due to the stiffness of the shoe, which I think will cause loads of blisters on a long push up.

Still waiting for my cleats to arrive so won’t get to try them out the new shoes until this weekend.

My other half described them as orthopaedic boots. I think that means she doesn’t like them.

A slight point of concern when buying the cleats thru CRC is that they’re described as XC cleats/cleats for XC pedals. Should I worry if I’m going to be using these pedals for heavier duties?

(Time ATAC Aliums by the way – http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/pedals/product/review-time-atac-alium-pedals-14748/ Can’t find a link to the actual product page)

I sold a 2007 stump jumper pro carbon at the beginning of the year for £650. All stock except grips, a chainring and tyres.

I found that eBay was a waste of time, lots of people asking stupid questions or clicking the buy it now button then not turning up. Sold it on pinkbike in the end.

So, it can be done. Although I think I might’ve been lucky…

nairnster – Member
My shoes and pedals arrived today. Was planning on a long ride but its now pissing it down here (what heatwave?), so will give some opinion in a few days.

First impressions are good though with the pedals nice and easy to clip into with the mo65 shoes. Definitely not as slippy as road SPD sl.

Thanks for the update.

Pretty much convinced myself to go and get some clipless shoes and cleats. 3 weeks to get used to them before the alps!

Good to see some positive reviews of the RR as I’ve just fitted one. Replaces a Crossmax Roam, so not too much of a change apart from the RR having larger side knobs and a different tread pattern in the middle.

Going out for my first ride on them this weekend so will post my views when I’ve used them.

In case anyone’s interested, mine is the super gravity trailstar. I swerved the snakeskin because of poor(ish) experiences on here with snakebite punctures.

Molgrips which spesh shoes have you got?

Tried the 2FOs on yesterday but wasn’t too sure about the fit.

Cheers nairnster. Look forward to hearing ho you get on

That’s more reassuring. I’d assumed it would be as slippery as it is on the road bike.

So a cage round the outside isn’t too essential?

I was under the impression that you didn’t necessarily have to file it with the DPS. Although if you don’t you need to be registered as permitted to hold deposits in trust, along with associated requirements on the bank accounts etc.

This is based on what our previous agents told us when we were trying to transfer our tenants deposit to the new owners when we sold a flat. Huge PITA.

Stayed in the caravan for a weekend for not v much money.

Would stay again if it weren’t for the midges. I’ve never seen so many…

I’ve kept most of a deposit in the past due to damage and rent arrears. Turns out one of the tenants had left early and decided that the other guy would tidy/clean the place before leaving, which he didn’t.

After discussions with both tenants and provision of evidence they accepted the decision.

Usually try and get in to see my tenants before they move out to point out where I’d expect them to do some work and what I’ll accept. It then makes the exit inventory less painful as we’ve all got a handle on what’s likely to be a problem and what deductions you’ll make.

I don’t penalise for wear and tear but deliberate damage does get penalised.

Bit of a resurrection…

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Decided to go with the super gravity casings on both tyres. Vertstar MM looks good although the RR is a little disappointing, I’m now considering sending back for something with a bit more tread down the centre line – didn’t anticipate it would be even more low profile than the tread on the roam!

I’ve been using a set of RSCs since December 2014. I’ve had zero problems with them.

Mine don’t make a noise when dry and never have. They’re occasionally noisy when wet but that seems to depend on the frequency of use – at trail centres where it’s full speed with ocassional braking they made a noise, when riding more technical stuff where brake use is more frequent/consistent they were less noisy, presumably because the rotors stayed drier.

A friend also has them and he recently changed from Organic to Sintered pads and shortly after back to Organics. He said the Sintered pads reduced his ability to modulate effectively and delivered a much more on/off feel. From personal experience, I think that’s just how sintered pads behave – it was the same on my old Magura Martas.

The only feature I don’t particularly see the use of is the bite adjustment, my brakes arrived with it wound right off (so it bites as soon as possible) and I can’t ever see me winding it in so the bite point is closer to the grips. YMMV.

Haven’t bled/carried out any maintenance other than changing pads. Simple enough job to do the pads…

FunkyDunc – Member
A lift from Samoens to Les Gets, are you sure?…

A lift in our car. From what I can tell, the side of the valley which borders Les Gets side is lift free. The only way to the top is by bike, transfer bus or getting the other half to drive us and drop us off.

I might be wrong. I’ve never been before!

We’re also heading to Samoens. Will leave buying the pass until we arrive based on what you’ve said.

Noticed that the lifts are closed some days but fortunately it fits with our plans (Mrs STS doesn’t like biking, so the off days will be spent doing via-ferrata, walking and kayaking).

In addition to the Grand Massif area we’re planning on getting a lift to the les gets side and doing the trail from the top back down to Samonens, which has been recommended by quite a few people on here – If you’re interested look back through my thread list, i started one a while back about Samoens and got some good advice on places to ride.

I’ve got some nukeproof ones which you might be interested in. Drop me a line if you’re interested, email in profile.

I’ve got one booked with HSS at the moment for a smaller job than yours. It’s costing around £30 for the weekend which I didn’t think was too bad.

Personally, I can’t see the value in buying one unless you plan to do a lot of wacking* at some point.

*Flattening, not sending people to sleep with the fishes.

Reasonably in depth conversation here – http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/which-evoc-pack-with-protector

I’ve just got the fr enduro blackline pack (small back) which is 14l. Plenty big enough for me but if you’re taller the medium is 16l and the large is 20l.

Singletrack review here – http://singletrackworld.com/reviews/evoc-fr-enduro-blackline-pack/

I’d recommend it but i’m coming from a knackered 5l tesco jobby so anything would have been better…

edit: and the back protector is a nice thing to have.

We had a similar day on Cadair over the Easter weekend.

Great ride down from the top with pretty much every surface you can dream up. The grassy section approx 2/3 of the way down was great over-steery fun until I nearly missed the last turn!

Have you ridden snowdon? How do you think the Ranger Path compares to Cadair?

Think they’re at fod this Sunday too

The missus rides a 29″ hardrock in small and she’s 5’4″.

She hates riding proper trails on it though, think it’s a combination of narrow(ish) bars, heavy wheels, rubbish forks (noodly) and rubbish brakes (tiny rotors).

I’d suggest going second hand for £500ish but if you have to buy new avoid Suntour XCM or any of the other entry level variants. Noodly forks which lock up every time they get significantly wet.