ajantom Ha ha! I’m not a misogynist I just expect bike journalists to have basic bike handling skills regardless of their gender.

How hard is that to understand???

Sounds to me like your expectations from bike journalists differs depending on their gender, which in itself is pretty sexist isn’t it?

Never a truer word spoken Duncan – although I don’t think it’s ‘gash’ or ‘****’ whatever that means!

It’s just a mag, which caters to a very narrow audience of riders and I’m not within their demographic hence enquiring about Cranked.

Probably better places to enquire about it than here but I got the information I needed and that’s all you need from a forum isn’t it?

Over and out!

Ha ha ha! Are you one of the people who thinks someone who can’t ride very well is a credible bike reviewer Ajantom??

I’ve been to Pinkbike I’d recommend it – better videos, more in depth articles about bike tech and in truth the forum is better and caters to a wider range of riders too…

Despite all that I still get drawn in by the strange mixture of gammony rage and misplaced virtue signalling you find here! I might hang around…but then again I might get a life and go for a ride.

Sounds like Cranked is the way to go in the future – thanks for the useful replies lets hope they start a forum eh?

A mag without bike tests sounds promising!

Hi Mark it was a Guy Kesteven. On Instagram he said Cranked is “the only print MTB book with a growing circulation”…Maybe it’s a case of lies, damned lies and statistics. Who knows? You’ve lost me, but I’m glad you’re still growing!

Thanks for replies all – will definitely check Cranked out, the latest issue has some promising looking articles in it.

Rusty Spanner – nice guitar! Have you tried Martin Monel strings? I bet they’d sound lovely.

They die off really nicely too – you’d get a lovely pink moon vibe with that guitar.

You can watch the offending incident on STW’s Instagram – Sam Pilgrim is clearly making a joke and laughter abounds on both sides…

They took the video down because if you saw the context of the comment in the video you’d think the author of the article was disingenuous.

Fact is Pilgrim or his sponsors couldn’t care less about STW or it’s readers, most of whom seem content to keep their wheels firmly on the ground and be told what to ride by people who can’t actually ride that well.

I’m off to Pinkbike this place aint for me…..

Thanks for the replies I definitely think wall mounted is the way to go – that TV stand idea is genius Tracey!!

I have a Bike Hut one from Halfords which has served me well for a fair few years. Cost about £50, it could do with some WD40, but still works well despite being left out through multiple northern winters!

It has four feet like a speaker stand and I reckon that makes it a bit more stable than the park tools two feet equivalents IMO.

Different frames for different folks! All bikes and all people having fun – hopefully!

Chakaping – Why are you dismissive of short and steep bikes pal?

I’ve got an alloy 5010 it’s brilliant – I reckon carbon wheels would make more difference than a carbon frame.

I agree Zezaskar but MTB journos don’t have the same level of obsession with suspension and brakes as they do with long, low and slack geometry!

It seems like any bike that doesn’t follow that trend is immediately discounted – even in this thread you’ve got someone saying Santa Cruz bikes are too short. Have they even ridden one or are they just on trend with MBR et al?

Geometry makes more difference to how a bike rides than suspension or brakes too. You can put some nice forks and a shock on a crap frame and it’ll still handle like a pig. I reckon my 5010 would still ride great with basic air sprung suspension.

I suppose my point in all this is that there’s different frames for different folk and no one should be surprised when they see riders at the top of their game riding shorter frames. The fact they are just shows how powerful the marketing BS in the bike industry is…I fall for it all the time too!!!

The longer designs will have advantages for expert riders like Gwinn in certain circumstances (although it sounds like he rides a pretty average reach the rest of the time), but the main reason long bikes are being marketed so heavily is that they enable riders with less skill (most customers) to go faster. Sorry if that hurts anyone’s feelings!

Even Cotic of ‘Longshot geometry’ fame admit as much. I’m sure I read one of Cy’s blogs were he talks about how much more confidence he had at Revs on a much longer bike – if you feel stable/confident you’ll brake less and go faster..

The other thing to bear in mind is that World Cup DH cups these days prioritise raw speed rather than technique. When they were faced with a UK style techy wood section at Fort Bill a couple of years ago they all fell off!!!

If you ride Leogang every weekend then it’s natural to want a long stable bike, but I’m assuming most people here ride trail centres or natural single track where agility and technique need to be balanced with raw pace. Maybe that’s why Santa Cruz frames are so popular – they’re one of the few companies that seem to have the geometry balance about right (for me at least).

I’d be interested to see what reach EWS riders are riding…

It’s funny how everyone is seduced by the long low and slack thing. It’s a design which enables people with less skill to go faster than they could on a more agile bike, that’s it.

When you actually look at the bikes people like Ratboy, Sam Hill and the like ride none of them ‘size up’ to get more reach they don’t need to because they know how to ride fast. Some of them even size down!

Having raced on the track a lot as a youth I can categorically say you do use your legs to brake – if you’re controlling your speed by how hard you pedal that’s using your legs!!!!

A lot of novices will try and stop pedalling or use their legs too much and this can be disastrous – I expect that’s why coaches say don’t use your legs just pedal slower, so novices don’t muller themselves, but really it’s the same thing.

The key is gentle deceleration rather than abrupt braking – that’s why it’s so important to race with people who know how to ride a fixed wheel and pedal smoothly.

You can use the banking but only if you’re on the front/ The track’s clear/empty, you’re following someone else who’s pulled up or competing in a match sprint, or you’re giving up and that’s the only way off the track (Welwyn is like this). It does slow you down obviously, but it’s used more tactically (refusing to chase, short turning, giving up an attack) rather than out and out speed control.

If you watch a team pursuit they fly up and then down very quickly. They don’t really slow down that much – you actually aim your front wheel for the last riders bottom bracket then you drop in about three centre metres off their back wheel.

When I was riding at a much higher level our coaches used to put us behind dernys on tiny gears to help our pedalling and leg speed. I actually found it hard to stop a lower gear at a very high cadence than a higher gear at a lower one!

Just changed the travel on my 34s – same tool needed as 36s. I did as above, but got a paranoid about damaging the threads, so I completely removed the nuts and put a small socket turned upside down over the rebound control and the other nut to bash the bolts free.

I built mine up from a plus sized hardtail too – WTB i35 rims. I ran 2.8s at first, but the bike felt pretty dead to be honest, I’ve run 2.5s and 2.6s since, but 2.6 seems to be the goldilocks size for me, shouldn’t be too problematic on your rims either.

I went for matt black and it looks great especially with some purple Burtec bits and bobs on it – I get a lot of compliments for the way the bike looks which is nice.

If you’re up north have a chat with NWMTB in Cheadle – they built my 5010 from my Whyte 909 for free and did a fantastic job.

Yea I agree the Hillbilly is a brilliant tyre. Think I might grab a black diamond version to run on the rear at races/uplifs and persevere with the Butcher for everything else.

I would love Maxxis but they cost a fortune!!!!

I’ve just bought an alloy V3 5010 and it’s a lot beefier than the older models. The extra strut by the drive train on the rear triangle and the beefed up bottom bracket box have made the bike very capable indeed.

I’ve run 130mm and 150mm forks and actually prefer the way the bike climbs with a 150mm. In terms of descending with a 150mm fork the new 5010 is pretty unstoppable. I’ve taken it on uplifts at Antur and Hamsterley and never felt like I needed more bike, but I’ve always ridden hardtails so my opinion will differ from someone more accustomed to bouncy bikes…..

If someone offered me a swap for a 2018 CC frame I wouldn’t take it – that’s the best endorsement I can give for the new alloy 5010.

Thinking of running a DB Inline Coil on mine, but I’m in the midst of weight loss and don’t want to waste money on a spring that’s too heavy!

Thanks Northwind that does make sense. I hit the floor pretty hard at Antur a couple of weeks ago – enough to knock the wind out of me a bit.

I’d always thought it was impact rather than momentum that caused me problems, but what you say makes a lot of sense and probably explains the lack of external bruising on my chest too.

Think I’ll stick to my Leatt spine vest, it’s very comfy indeed.

20psi rear and 18psi front at Hamsterley this weekend. Rode some of the DH tracks and off piste stuff and the rear Butcher felt great. Turns out it’s a pretty decent rear tyre if you set it up properly.

Quite interested to see how the Hillbilly performs on the back over rooty loamy trails now….

Don’t bother with the Northern Quarter on a Saturday night. It’s not as alternative as it used to be….

The classic non standard indie disco on a Saturday is Smile at the star and garter. You could also try South which is like 5th Ave but more middle-aged.

Well they’re supposed to protect your chest from rocks flying up from Motos, but have been adopted for mtb protection too…

Anyone one used one?

Out of interest who’s running Hillbilly front and rear? Thinking it might be an option for Rd 1 of the Welsh Enduro at Foel Gassnach….

Thanks for the replies – I’ve definitely been running them too high. The undamped rear comment struck a chord.

Off to Hamsterley tomorrow for an uplift, so I’ll have a play around thinking of starting 20 psi front and rear and seeing how I go from there.

I ran a Hillbilly upfront at Antur in slushy freezing conditions last weekend and it never missed a beat – even though I was running it at nearly 30 psi!!

Fair points. I ride pretty hard (uplift days, jumps, drops and endure races etc) but I’m smooth (learnt on a hardtail) around 200lbs weight. Full sus bike 130 back 150 front. My gauge is a digital topeak. Just after an idea what other people are riding so I can get in the right ball park and go from there, so I if I sound like anyone else and they’re riding Spesh 2.6 tyres I’m all ears.

Thanks that’s really helpful…..

For a thread about vegan diets and eating less meat there seems to be a lot of gammon about!!!

I’ve stopped eating meat/diary products/eggs and lost loads of weight, feel fuller, so I’m snacking less and I’m enjoying learning to cook differently. Made a bolognase with lentils the other day and it was delicious.

The weird thing is the longer I go without meat and other animal products the less and less I want them. Thought I’d struggle but I really don’t. Had real milk in my tea today (ran out of oat stuff) and it knocked me sick!

I’m not defining myself as a vegan or a veggie and being dead strict about it all. I don’t rule out eating meat or fish in the future, but it has to be a conscious choice rather than habitually reaching for a chicken sandwich on my lunch break.

Interesting series on stiffness and frame material on the Santa Cruz website here:

https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-GB/joes-corner

I adopted a veganish diet (not super strict) at the start of Jan and lost half a stone in a couple of weeks. I reckon ditching milk and meat has been a big part of my weight loss. Not only that I feel better and I’m snacking a lot less too – top tip oat milk is rank in porridge but hazelnut is really nice.

Santa Cruz are on the record as saying their alloy bikes are just as stiff as their carbon frames, which probably explains the big weight difference, rather than any conspiracy about forcing people into cc purchases.

The 2019 5010 alloy frame is very chunky and very stiff. If you can ride properly you could easily race enduro on it (I plan to) I took mine for 10 runs down Antur in the slush last weekend and never felt like I needed more travel. I’m off to Danny Hart’s place on it this weekend. I know people who’ve done the mega on 5010s without any issues.

If you’re bothered about weight and climbing fast then get an XC bike like a Blur/whyte S120 or a carbon/ti hardtail – the 5010 is a bike which is meant to be ridden hard that’s why they’re so loved by the likes of 50to01.

I honestly don’t notice the extra weight compared to my hardtail apart from when I lift it up to stick it on the roof of my car!

I have the 2019 alloy 5010 frame and it’s plenty stiff believe me, I really like the look of the welds and the massive box of metal around the BB too, but taste is subjective!

If I had cash to spare I would’ve dropped an extra grand on the CC frame, but I didn’t and to be honest after a few weeks on my new 5010 I don’t regret not going carbon.

As others have said the geometry/stiffness is the same (that’s what SC say) so save your cash and spend the money on those bits.

Whatever you get the 5010 is an incredible bike – bump the fork up to 150mm and it’s unstoppable.

Thick DMR Deathgrips for me – quite like the look of the fabric 50:10 ones though. Definitely prefer thicker grips, but everyone’s different!

I’m surprised no one’s mentioned Clayton Vale by the velodrome – they’re pretty easy XC trails with green, blue and red options. You can park at the Velodrome and use it as a trail head too, café jet wash and bike shop all on hand.

I’ve ridden there for years (I’m only down the road in South Mcr) and I think they’ve done a decent job with space they’ve got. None of the climbs are long but they’re steep enough to make a couple of laps a good workout. To carry speed and hit everything fast takes a lot of fitness and technique at Clayton Vale, some people dislike it because of this, but it’s a great little training ground.

The trails are made in a similar way to Philips Park with that hardcore stuff that turns to marble grit in hot weather so watch out if it’s been dry for a while.

In terms of easy natural stuff I don’t know a right lot about North MCR, but I have a decent route out towards the Peak district (Roman Lakes) from South MCR – it involves the Fallowfield Loop, Reddish, Reddish Vale, Haughton Green (River Tame), Peak Forest Canal, Woodley, Up Werneth Low, Etherrow Country Park, Marple Mill, Roman Lakes. Once you’re in Roman Lakes you can link bridleways all the way to Sheffield!

I have the Byways in 650b flavour and use them for the mixture of terrain you describe – great tyres and I’ve taken them down red xc trails with no problems either.

Can’t speak for 700c Byways I prefer 650b in my Marin Gestalt for the sort of riding I do on it. Is there any reason why you’re not considering 650b? If you can have some spare 650b wheels give it a try – I find them so much better on rough stuff than skinnier tyres.

They look stylish on the jumps and berms raybanwomble, but those rock gardens expose some massive weaknesses technically and physically. I reckon reviewers should stipulate their standard at the start of a review or at least be open about their weaknesses/technical deficiencies that way readers can judge whether a bike will suit them or not.

That’s 100 per cent my point raybanwomble – a good example of this issue is the DH bike comparison on Vital MTB. One of the reviewers isn’t strong/good enough to hold a good line through a rock garden – he falls off on one bike and looks very sketchy on the others. Obviously if you’re the same then it’s a good review, but if you’re strong enough to hold a fast line through a load of rocks then it’s a pretty useless review…people like Guy who are decent riders are way more trustworthy IMO.

https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/Vital-MTB-Test-Sessions-Five-of-the-Best-27-5-Downhill-Bikes-Raced-and-Reviewed,2599

I think this thread is really unfair to Guy Kesteven. I’ve never met the bloke, but I’ve ridden with people who have and they’ve only got nice things to say about him.

His 2019 5010 review is brilliant and as an owner of said bike I can vouch for everything he says about it.

I find his videos really entertaining, he’s a handy rider and his passion for bikes really shines through.

It’s also great to read a review from someone who can actually ride fast. All too often bikes are reviewed by riders, who can’t really push a bike to its limits. This is fine for 90 per cent of people, but for those of us who like to race, jump and hit corners hard its not good enough – Long live the Kesteven I hope his YouTube channel continues to grow!!

I’ve got a 2018 size large Whyte 909 frame with a Whyte dropper if you’re interested? Should have it early next week after my LBS has switched everything over to a new Santa Cruz 5010 frame.

Drop me a message if you’re interested. It’s a fantastic frame, but I’ve only got room for one MTB and need to sell.

Fits 2.8 inch tyres.