I take it all back, never realised there was a reverse arch Fox 32!

Assume if you spend that much on one of these bikes it will come with the fork actually fitted the right way round (not as the pics suggest!), unless Fox have snapped up Manitou!! :)

This doesn’t sound good, they announced a new and slightly burly gravel bike a couple days ago! It would be a real shame for them to go under, they’re a brand I’ve loved since the 90’s, they carved their own path for a long time and didn’t really stick to convention. Sadly they stagnated for a while and made a few poor decisions. They’re deemed a big brand but they never had the volume and buying power of Trek, Spesh etc. so they just couldn’t compete at the prices they charged – in latter years spec never justified the price.

Anyway, I’m 11 Kona’s in and currently on the Process 134 29 Carbon, it’s covered 7000 miles in 2 years on everything from sessions at FOD to the whole SDW in a day to XC races, it’s an awesome bike, for me the one to do it all. I’ve been looking forward to what they make next, I hope they get through the other side and don’t forget the essence of their brand.

The UK team and particularly their shop in Chertsey are brilliant, hope whatever happens next these guys aren’t impacted

I have the PR1200 which I believe has the same display, just has a less powerful main beam. I’ve used mine loads at full beam on the Downs. After about an hour of full beam and varied dipped beam use on the roads home, mine showed 0.6 on full beam or 7.5 on the lowest setting in dipped so it definitely rounds to the nearest 0.1.

I went with Fortus 26 for my Kona Process 134, great for general trail riding, not as weighty as the 30 and easily take a 29x 2.4 tyre with no worries. Next time around I’d probably look at a DT XM481 or similar rim option though, whilst the Fortus rims have done well for the 4000 miles I have used them on (I am not gentle with them!), they are quite heavy versus the competition.

Yeah as said above, Shimano are generally all cross compatible. I’ve run older style Saint and XT calipers with newer style XT levers, was just a question of the getting the right connectors – I ended up with Saint gold banjos etc. Now swapped to XTR 4 pot calipers (found a ridiculous deal that was cheaper than XT) with XT levers, no change to the hose, just a slightly different fitting to the caliper, all work great.

Got an XX1 cassette off Lordgun when I couldn’t find a single one in the UK. Although I had to pay the Brexit tax to DHL before delivery, it arrived on time and was actually about £50 cheaper than buying one in the UK – if I could have found any at the time that is!! I doubt the deals will be as sweet now, with GBP hitting rock bottom, but I couldn’t fault the service.

I did it with Trailbreak in early July as I fancied doing my first attempt with a bit of support. They’ve actually been running their SDW Century since the 90’s I believe, long before the BHF, so it’s a well oiled machine – super well organised, well signed (not that you need it much), support when you need it and really good value. Would highly recommend.

Update. I rang the guys at Fox UK first to check that had the replacement uppers in stock. Once confirmed I sent my 34’s to them on Friday lunchtime. They got them first thing Monday and I got the forks back today. Have to say, top service and no quibbles around the warranty etc.

I have an old Charge Plug, it’s great for bombing around town, beautifully uncomplicated. Hills are a proper challenge though both up and down, as the braking on mine is utterly useless (have some old rim brakes) so you have to think a little further ahead about stopping!!

Trailbreak run a pretty decent calendar of mostly XC/Gravel events in the Surrey Hills, South Downs and SE. They’ve been doing it since the 90’s so they’re always incredibly well planned and organised.

Trailbreak

I’ve got the new Biofibre sealant, thought I’d give it a punt as I was fitting a new set of tyres and ran out of Mucoff sealant – just happened to see the Guy Kes video that evening too! Wouldn’t have touched the older original version.

I rode the SDW a couple of weeks ago and got a hole (only a couple of mm) in my rear tyre about 70 miles in, the sealant acted really quickly, sealing in a couple of seconds and was fine for the rest of the ride, with no noticeable pressure loss at all. Have been out a couple of times since and no issues. Does what it’s meant to do, whether it’s any better than Mucoff, Stans or Orange, I’ll see in the months to come!

Agree, it’s a good review – love that colour too!!

Spec choices can be a bit odd with Kona, but the build quality (and the paint finish!) and geo has always been pretty spot on for me. I sometimes think for the smaller big brands (if that makes sense!) like Kona they probably don’t have the buying clout or produce the volumes that the D2C or the big brands like Specialized have. I wonder with a new owner, some investment and production efficiencies whether the spec choices will improve in the next year….

I’ve been trying the Ergon GE1 Evo (regular) for the last few months. I like the fact they help get your elbows out a bit more, however I find them generally quite uncomfortable on my hands for longer rides, no matter what position I get them in. I’m wondering if the slim versions will be better, but they are not cheap, if I find they still don’t work for me!!

I loved the Deathgrips, but they wore out pretty quickly for me and didn’t find them the most durable.

Great, thank you both, very useful, will give them a shout today

Did the SDW in a day on Saturday, with Barzo 2.35 (TNT) on the front and Mezcal 2.35 (TNT) on the rear – noticed a lot of folk had the same. Tested for a few weeks up there beforehand with no issues at all, it’s a great combo, the front grips and corners well, the rear rolls super fast, but with a enough grip when climbing, I’d imagine it would be proper sketchy in the wet as it drifts a little in the dry (in a fun way!), so I’ll probably switch to a Barzo on the rear for when the weather turns. No issues on the day at all other that a small hole in the Mezcal which the new Peaty’s Holeshot sealant filled instantly. Thanks for the recommendations, pretty chuffed I made it!

I had a similar problem with my rear wheel last weekend when changing tyres. I had to remove all the rim tape, wash the wheel, clean out where the spokes fit (I found sealant had got in there which was likely the issue) and thoroughly dry it. I left it in the sun for a few hours, then cleaned the rim with rubbing alcohol so there was absolutely no residue left and applied new rim tape, with a layer of electrical tape on top and a blast of the hairdryer! New tyre inflated perfectly with the track pump after that. Was a bit time consuming, but it was worth it.

Had mine for a year and have done over over 3000 miles of riding on it. It looks a little battered and I’ve replaced the jockey wheels (after Surrey Hills sand destroyed the bearings), but other than that it’s still running perfectly. You can’t beat the clean consistent shifting every time, lack of a cable and I personally love the cool robotic sound!

For the first time I forgot to charge the battery on Sunday (I also forgot to charge my spare!) but despite the flashing red with every shift it got me home fine.

It is quite an investment (I got mine for £399) but, in my opinion, I think it’s brilliant and was well worth it.

When I first set up tubeless I originally found getting a decent seal with rim tape (was using Stans and Muc Off tape) a nightmare, even with new and clean rims. I found running an additional layer of electrical insulation tape over the top of the rim tape then applying a bit of heat with a hairdryer got a decent seal. It also gives a nice clean finish!

That’s some serious numbers @5lab I’d be chuffed to get anywhere near that!

Nice work @5lab that’s a great effort, especially in that headwind and without riding for a month! I did a 50 mile loop up there on Sunday with the Westerly from Lewes to Washington on the way out, it was certainly more fun on the way back – all nice a dry now too :)

After my rear tyre gave out (again!) at the weekend on the Downs I’ve placed an order for a 2.35 Barzo and 2.35 Mezcal (TNT bead) combo. Hoping these will be a little more durable, but still roll fast.

Pinch flats used to be a thing when I used tubes. But now it’s thorns (which the sealant handles well) and the main offender – sharp bits of stone/flint that you can’t really avoid. They made a massive gash in the sidewall of an Onza Ibex a couple of years back and destroyed an Ardent EXO on my older 26er. Ran some heavier and slower rolling Pirelli Scorpion Trail S tyres (with the Pro Wall) over the winter, didn’t get a single issue in 2000 miles of riding up there. They’re not great on dry trails though and the compound is pretty hard so it’s tough going on the hands/wrists. I wanted something faster rolling but with a similar level of protection – although I feel that magic tyre doesn’t necessarily exist!!

Thanks for the update @four – was that the Mezcal with the TNT bead too?

Yeah, I think the Forecaster and DHF, whilst good tyres, might be a slog on some of those climbs

Yeah, it really is @fatbikeandcoffee – I had a comedy accident last winter where the front wheel just disappeared beneath me (Schwalbe related!) on that green chalk, I couldn’t unclip fast enough but luckily fell into a hedge, a soft-ish landing, except for all the brambles!

Thanks James, I’m really looking forward to the ride, have done most sections before, just never all together in one day. I’m just hoping to mitigate any annoying tyre issues and get the bike as light and fast rolling as poss now!

Thanks @fatbikeandcoffee that’s good to know – think TNT might be the best option then.

I got caught in the torrential rain last night up there, was lots of fun on the chalk with the Hutchinson Krakens, it was like ice!! :)

Great, thanks @susepic that’s really helpful

Thanks @susepic and @remedyflyer do you happen to know what version of Mezcal/Barzo they are? I am assuming it’s the TNT and not just ordinary TLR (which comes in tan etc.).

Tried the Schwalbe options too, super fast rolling, but sidewalls are made of cheese!

Digging up this old thread as I am curious to see whether the barzo/mezcal combo worked for you @four I am struggling to find a decent set of fast rolling tyres that have decent enough protection for the South Downs. Tried out some of the Hutchinson Krakens with the hardskin – roll fast and the sidewalls are pretty tough, but got a few holes in the tread after first couple of rides and needed to plug one last night – for 4 weeks use, the rear in particular, looks like a pin cushion already!

I can confirm it was pretty damp up on the Downs last night, a lot of surface water in the usual places and that chalk…. it’s pretty sketchy/fun! With all the rain and occasional sun, the brambles have gone crazy too on some parts where the path narrows, not great for tyres, legs and arms!!

I’m doing the full SDW in a day on 2 July all being well. I ride on the Downs at least twice a week (from the Brighton side) all year round, my last few rides have been several seasons in a day, those summer tyres definitely went on too soon! As you’ll know it dries out pretty quick, but that chalk is like ice in some places that are less exposed!

At this time of year I use the water points all the time. However, about a month ago I was ill a few hours after a ride (vomiting, diarrhoea and fever). Other than some trail snacks, I had eaten the same food as my wife that day and the day before – she was fine. I could only put the illness down to the water refill I got from the Washington tap. When I rode by last week it looks like there have been some water company works near it, so it’s probably OK now, if it is was that!

I have used the Cadence tap at Upwaltham, Saddlescombe, Housedean and Southease Church all recently and they were fine. It’s a shame the Cadence base at Truleigh hasn’t returned as it was great.

Forecast does look pretty good for this weekend and shouldn’t be too hot either – I am sure you’ll have a good one.

Saddles are a very personal thing…. for me over the last 10 years it’s been the Fabric Scoop Shallow Elite (still have a Charge Spoon too, from before the rebrand to Fabric and the expanded line). It’s a cheap and unassuming saddle but it’s comfortable all day, in any condition and can take an absolute hammering!

I’m having an odd indexing issue with my GX AXS. My LBS changed the jockey wheels and I got a new chain ring, cassette and chain fitted as it all needed replacing. First couple of rides were perfect, but now in order to change down a gear I have shift down three and up two, the indexing is shot, after previously having consistently great shifting!! Back to my LBS today under the warranty for a quick check over and tune up. Will let you know what’s caused the issue. Still on original mech hanger.

I’ve ended up with a STW Timber Bell on one side of the bars and a Oi on the other side of the bars. Timber Bell does a brilliant job on the trails (well except for anyone with airpods in, they could miss an A380 behind them!), but is next to useless on the flat, hence the Oi to back it up! Never thought I’d become a single, let alone double bell end :) ……but it’s become essential!

I think the Alleycats are excellent, so much so I often forget I have them on, which is what I wanted as a non-glasses wearer! I’ve been using the low light light lens throughout the year and on night rides with no issues. I use with a TLD A3 helmet and have no issues – guess it depends on the shape of your melon!!

I was concerned about them misting on climbs, but it’s very rare and they clear very quickly.

I did get a small crack in the nose area on the low light lens. I contacted Melon and they sorted it immediately, no quibbles, so I can confirm their customer service is excellent too.

Highly recommended.

Red Brick from Square Mile Coffee Roasters is hard to beat!

65 miler on Good Friday with 7,500ft of climbing on the South Downs, training for the full SDW 100 mile/12,000ft in July. 9 hours elapsed and 7:10 riding, needed plenty of breaks for food, drinking and general breathing!!!

Here’s mine, only mildly obsessed with Kona’s;

Raleigh Boxer
Raleigh Lizard – with all the neon green accessories :)
Specialized Stump Jumper
Kona AA
Kona Cinder Cone
Kona Cinder Cone
Kona Ho-Chi-Min (limited edition version of the Roast)
Kona Scrap
Kona Coiler
Kona Coilair – the crazy flexing 1st Gen MagicLink version – was terrible
Kona Dawg Deluxe (Scandium)
Kona Dawg Deluxe (Scandium)
Kona Dr Good
Charge Plug Zero
Kona Abra Cadabra – the very good Scandium framed air MagicLink variety
Kona Process 134 Carbon

@theotherjonv yeah 2012 geometry was quite different especially when you’re very tall! My year old 29er looks a lot less like a farm gate on tan walls!! :)