Watched this yesterday, Evie absolutely smashed it. From the very start she was on the gas and had the tactics nailed. Takes some incredible stamina and bike skills to keep at that pace for the whole race. A thoroughly well deserved win. Looking forward to the next couple of WC races.

Update – did a 5 hour (mostly motorway) round trip with the Process on the old 591 roof bars. The wheelbase is right on the edge at each end, but it was all fine, put some extra straps on to make me less paranoid!!

I had to do the same last year and had similar concerns. I went from a triple to an 1×11 drivetrain using a 34t NW front ring and a SunRace 11-46t cassette, with Shimano XT M8100 shifter and mech. I was really concerned I’d be spinning out and sometimes on the road (generally at the end of a ride) I could do with the 44t, but it’s very rare.

Changing to 1×11 was a complete gamechanger for me TBH, no front mech to worry about, saved about 500grams, quieter and much cleaner on the bike. With the SunRace cassette I had a much better spaced range vs. the Shimano variant, plus it’s cheaper and I have found very durable. I was able to use this on my old pro 2 hub with the Shimano freehub.

There is a really good website that you can put your gear range in and then you can directly compare with a new set up to see what you might be missing. Try this http://gears.mtbcrosscountry.com/ – I was able to work out the gaps before I committed.

I am using 26 inch wheels too!

I’ve been running the new super ground Nobby Nics (2.35) since January. I was a little dubious as the old versions were awful. However, these are completely different, they roll fast, grip is predictable, the sidewalls are tough and the side grip is superb. Have done hundreds of miles on them now from the worst winter weather through to the couple of dusty days we had in early May and they’ve been consistently good. Not cheap at £59.99 each though – if you can find any!

Looks like the 598 is the same length as the 591, just has a better clamp for carbon frames and the wheel straps are diagonal so more secure with skinny tyres. Maybe I should try sticking with the 591 for now, but maybe add a couple of extra straps/padding! If that fails I might have to check out the Forkchop. Thanks for the advice everyone

The Yakima Forkchop looks like a good and sturdy option (that doesn’t touch the carbon frame) as it doesn’t really matter too much about the wheelbase as long as my roof bars can get far enough apart. How have you found it? Do you know if it fits T bars?

I picked up a new 31.6 (150mm drop) AXS post in January with 25% OFF, it’s been flawless TBH. Whilst it adds a bit of extra weight vs. the old Reverb it replaced, the wireless is slick, the battery lasts for ages, it responds quickly and is infinitely adjustable. Seriously tempted to try the GX AXS now.

It’s on 26 inch wheels so the city jets might be a good option then – thanks for the advice.

Yes, it has an Fox Float RP23 rear shock which can effectively be locked out. It also uses the love or hate (I’m a fan!) Kona Magic Link G2 geometry with a secondary aux air shock so there is minimal pedal bob anyway.

Awesome, thanks for that.

Do you know if the HS136 work with any brand tapered headset, I think it will be an FSA no.57 or Cane Creek?

2008 Kona Dawg Deluxe Race Light Scandium Frame. Full custom build with 2010 Marzocchi 44 Micro Ti QR15 forks and lots more goodness!

Light, fast and plush!

The Chris King headset is being fitted by my LBS today. They reckon that Hope headsets are actually just cane creek headsets with nice anodised bits!! Not sure where that info came from.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Kona Dawg Deluxe or Supreme (2008 models only)
Kona Coiler 2004 (5in)

morgs – both in black, so no choice there!! :)

TurnerGuy – my CK is one of the older versions, not Sotte Voce, so I am guessing that could be an issue

Gary M – commuting, xc, trail centre, probably similar or slightly less mileage

P20 – good point

thanks for all your comments, still not sure, but edging toward the CK!

To be honest I ran cheaper headsets for years from FSA, TH, Cane Creek and even Shimano, but they always ended up getting full of dirt or having bearing issues, then having to be serviced. I soon realised, as with most things, that if you spend a little bit more the quality and reliability improved. As someone that rides nearly every day of the week in all weathers, I thought nothing of spending over £50 on a headset.

I thinking regardless of the scratches that the CK might be the one!

I had heard the story about cut steerers too, but that also CK headsets have legendary reliability. I had heard that Hope headsets (the older versions) weren’t so reliable, not sure about the new ones, hence my dilemma! I just want fit and forget year round reliability.

I ride a 2008 18in Dawg Deluxe and I am 6ft 3in. I admit it is a little too short sometimes for XC (I am on the hunt for a 19in model) but I put a Thomson Elite Layback seatpost on and a Thomson X4 (0 rise 70mm) stem with low rise Deity Dirty Thirty bars (cut to 700mm) and it feels great. Always found a longer stem made the steering awful when riding trails.

Have to say the set up of Maxxis Advantage 2.1 Front and Maxxis Crossmark 1.95 on my Dawg Deluxe this weekend work perfectly. I was riding mostly dry chalky Isle of Wight trails with the occasional wet muddy singletrack and there were no points where I felt grip was a problem. I was running these at 40 psi and the combination was really fast rolling. I really pushed these on the descents and they never really felt sketchy.

I don’t think the set up would last 5 mins at a trail centre but for relatively dry XC they are really quick. Definitely recommended for summer use.

Thanks for your feedback. So the crossmark is not much good on the mud, but OK for gravel tracks, fireroads and dry trails? I wanted a fast rolling rear tyre that would be OK on the road but also give me some grip on the trails throughout the year, is there any other tyre you would recommend? Quite happy with the advantage on the front, been running them for a while now after years on high rollers.

Thanks for that, sorry, i meant the 2010 Micro Ti QR15.

I am going for a set with the 15mm axle as an upgrade from my existing 55’s which are a bit overkill for my Dawg!!

awesome, sounds like I am going to have to check out the miners bar!

I have tried emailing the campsite, but I get no response, not sure who is actually managing it now, it’s all a bit out of date.

We always locked our bikes in vehicles and kept them well hidden when camping at Glyncorrwg, heard a few thefts took place, but you just have to careful wherever you go.

I have bought several items from the states for my bikes and never got charged until I bought some Saint Brakes a couple of years ago and the post office wouldn’t release the brakes until I paid the tax. It’s fair enough, i got a great price, at least 50% cheaper than in the UK at that time, I must admit i had never even thought about the tax implications when i bought abroad.

If they tick the gift box before they send the items, you don’t pay tax, but most legitimate sellers in the states wouldn’t do this!! :)

thanks for your input nenija and jeffus.

Just ordered a pair of Maxxis Advantage 2.25 60a tyres from Chain Reaction for my Dawg, looking forward to testing them out at the weekend!

cheers
Sotonkona