Thanks again for contributing all.
I feel pretty positive today- I’ve ordered and picked up some of those (audio) books, so I look forward to working my way through that.
I’m also going to check out our work medical cover. I have a feeling counselling may be part of the service so that’s promising.

More fantastic posts, thank you!
Just reading about other peoples struggles and knowing I’m not alone has made me feel a lot better.
Much of the advice is exactly what I wanted to read and where I want to get to.
Thanks again!

Thanks so much for all the contributions. It really helps!
I think it doesn’t help that I was brought up in a very stiff family with emotional neglect.
I find I can open up when typing, but actually talking out loud is difficult.

My Explosif 650b is very comfortable. I went from a variety of steel/Ti/Ali frames to the Explosif and don’t feel beaten up after longer rides. I did wonder whether the QR rear helps over 142/135×12 bolt throughs.

(The Stooge is even more comfortable though :twisted: )

In the past I’ve had to bodge a spacer so that the forks would clear the frame (dj bike).
I had a small spacer (6mm) machined that sat between the crown race and headset bearing. It worked absolutely fine for a couple years. Once the headset was preloaded there was no play. It probably wasn’t a mechanically sympathetic solution but it worked.

Why on earth should the OP apologise? What a bizarre request.
” Here are your wheels! You get them late with poor communication but you got them so say sorry.”

Edit.

Could you take a photo of the rear wheel clearance? What rear tyre are you running?

My current name.. It’s a guys and a girls name :oops:

I would like that if it didn’t have that hideous front triangle. It needs a normal straight tubed front triangle.

I use a Spesh Purgatory Control 2.3. The Butcher is good too, definitely grippier, but a bit draggier. If you’re all about the downs, go Butcher, if you need to get miles in, look at Purgatory.

They go up very easily on Stans rims, which is a bonus for me.

My exact experience. Spesh Purgatory is my favourite all round 29er tyre.

I run all my n/w chainrings reversed. I’ve done thousands of miles without issue.
I don’t like the garish graphics that most chainrings have.

1 x 10 with clutch and N/W ring

+1

Edit: I did that back when 10 speed first came out..

For ’14 I’ll go for Stooge frame & fork

Just realised- gopro, fox & Oakley sponsored that film.
None of which I saw being used in the video.

Love it 8)

I love the look of these! Only thing that concerned me was mud clearance on the back.

How over lapping is the Five ’14 and the Gyro? I’d quiet like a Gyro but don’t want a bike that does the same thing..

Tubeless was incredibly easy.
Wrap of duct tape, 24” inner tube split, stans, tyre and pump. Took me under 10 minutes.

I’ve just received a set of forks with a crown race attached…
Should I tell the seller?! :twisted:

Completely agree with Njee (for once)!
It NEEDS internal cable routing to be special and warrant the price tag in my opinion.
I think it could of done with either sliding dropouts and no EBB or EBB and built in rear.

A bit more work and it would be on top of my list.

Do it! I had a nice 25 mile ride this evening. Freezing but dry.
The Chronicle was great playing around town too.

I’d prefer 26” over a modified 29er to fit 27.5”. Sounds like an afterthought.

I’ve done about 50 miles on this so far.
Running tubeless at 16 Psi. It takes away the zing and my wrists don’t suffer as much. Doesn’t weigh much more than my Flow & Purgatory. It’s still easy to manual. Very happy.

The Rocket has caused such a headache for Cy. Amazing how difficult it can be to bring one product to market in the UK.

Matt- Andy runs his Knard on a Flow rim and gets on well with that set-up.

29+, 100mm BB, 170 rear

Can I ask why you went for 100mm bb and 170mm rear?
If it’s just for 29+ you could have got away with 73mm bb and 135mm rear like the Krampus.

I contacted Steve a few years ago and we got the ball rolling for a BFe like inspired HT. Sadly he wasn’t confident in building it so the project stopped. Would have only been £725 :(

Almost? It would be my Stooge in Ti with a 44mm headtube.

I really enjoy his posts! Lots of in depth details.
Looking at his other threads suggests he rides or used to ride a lot, including racing.

I find it a very strange thing to bring up at all, njee20 and dirtyrider. I don’t see people asking in every build thread how they use their bikes, be it for the fun of building, owning or riding. It’s irrelevant.

Kona Explosif 650b Ti- designed around 120mm :-)

I started on the Spoon and have gone through about 7 or so.
I then tried the Scoop and found it much more comfortable. It’s got a similar/same profile but I think it has slightly more flex and it’s more durable. I’ll be sticking with the Scoop from now on.

Just a quick pic- installed the Chronicle 3.0″ today. I was running Purgatory 2.3″ that have been great until now. Haven’t ridden the Chronicle yet but initial thoughts are that the tread pattern will suit the local mud. The compound is also fairly sticky which is good.

I’ve got a CCDB Air, not the CS version.
I think it’s a fantastic shock and really suits the bike. I think a simple suspension design really benefits from a more complex shock.
I didn’t want the CS version as I found that the demo bike with the normal air didn’t bob much.
I started on the base tune and added a bit more HSR and it’s perfect! I don’t really notice it which means it’s doing its job.
Wouldn’t change a thing. Personally I’d have a go on the normal version before spending the extra money on the CS.

I didn’t find fitting the rear brake problematic. In fact I didn’t even notice until you made that point! I must of been lucky- Exo’s on 160mm rotors.

Fitting my Rabbit hole with Maxxis Chronicle front wheel this week- look forward to my first ride. :D

So what’s the final spec? Has Ben given you an ETA?

Is there something like the standard Garmin bar mount but more secure? That might screw on? I’ve got one of the SRAM ones above but I hate how far it sticks out and I can’t reverse it because it doesn’t fit over my stem at a reasonable angle.

Edit: Edge 200, 50mm stem & 5mm spacer.

“You’re all set!” :evil:

My guesstimate was based on it being 650b.
I thought that 2013 was the last year for 26″ wheels on the Five?

Frame only; £800-1000.

He replied to my email in minutes earlier.