…it looks like someone's driven into the back of it.

Whenever it starts to look a bit crap. Usually about every 4 years.

Sunday 23rd could work for me.

Lib Dem

Taken on my mobile / commute to work.

When you 'out' yourself on a mountain bike forum.

Whenever it starts to look a bit crap. Usually about every 4 years.

I actually really quite like it, plus it's a good niche gang to be in.

Great idea! What's the worst that could happen?

Is the wheel 4mm out on the chainstay and seatstays too or just the chainstay?

Proper sentences with the correct grammar may help this post make sense to somebody.

150mm stem, 0 degree rise, flat narrow bars. What were we thinking?

Open to suggestions. Currently running Spesh 1.9s and want to try a larger volume tyre. 2.2s could do. Just want to see what difference they make.

Trek 8000 is a great looking bike. Good spec too.

Sounds like Eskars win then? Front and rear?

Take it to a fire station. We cut them up for rtc training.

That rotating my bars back only 5mm makes a big difference.

Can't help but think Elvis may have just blown his budget!

My bike adds up to around the £3.5 k mark. I'm 38 and not loaded, but do live in Surrey. It gets me to work everyday so save on petrol. I also ride the very trails you mentioned among others. I think it looks nice, it's comfy and without meaning to brag, I am pretty handy on a bike. Biking is what I do, no gym membership, no fancy car, no designer clothes, I don't drink much or go to fancy restaurants. I do however thrash the arse off my bikes and that keeps me happy. However, when I'm riding along the river with my wife and kids, no doubt some other mountain bikers will think 'look at that middle aged bloke on his flash bike – as if he needs that to ride along with his kids. What a nob'. Oh, and my watch is about £60, yet a £9 Casio would tell the same time and also fit on my wrist. What was the point of this again?

Leigh Woods is where it all started for me back in '87. I was working in Bike in Bristol and a mate asked me to take his mountain bike in for a service. I did but then went for a ride after work with the other guys from the shop after they insisted it was a lot more fun than my road bike. Needless to say they were spot on! I keep meaning to return for a ride now that I live in Surrey.

Cipo had charisma.

I was out riding with my daughter (5 yrs old), when a dog raced up alongside her bearing it's teeth. She panicked, fell off and the dog went for her. Not ashamed to admit I gave it a good hard kick in the ribs, and I actually quite like dogs. The owner went mental and was more concerned about his dog, rather than the little girl screaming on the ground with a deep cut to her knee. Arsehole.

Best looking bike on here for ages Chris. Very nice indeed.

It's just a shame it looks like somebody built it themselves in a shed.

We should of course all be riding 13" On-One's with a steel front end, ti lugs and a carbon rear end, 9" travel forks with 280mm discs, a 20" rear wheel and a 29" front using a 2 x 6 set up. That might be niche enough for everyone.

That is a nice addition. Very nice indeed. This may end up costing me money!

Can't say it bothers me. I think smaller bikes with scaffold tube seatposts look worse. I'm sure some people prefer the 29ers, but having ridden one, can't say it converted me at all.

Scania gear box seems pretty reliable. No probs so far. The retarder brake is a bit jerky though when it drops down a gear at slow speed. The acceleration from starting is a bit delayed, but overall handles really well.

It's only a large. I'm not freakishly tall or anything just 6'2". Should I ride a bike that's too small for me like a lot of others on here?

What 2.3s then, given that they will not be changed until the winter. General all mountain riding, not particularly rocky, but plenty of tree roots and loose stuff.

1.9s on at the mo, but going for 2.3s next week. Stem is 100mm which feels spot on. Scania fire engine behind it – that's what I get to drive at work. Better through traffic than your average company car.

I'm sure it's fine provided you don't pedal when you steer. 😕

I think Specialized already make road bikes.

That's better. User error.

Old tyres indeed, but a trustworthy combo. I've been on a fully rigid '91 Kona Hei Hei SS for over 2 years.

This seems slightly comfier.

Bear with me. My laptop is confused. . . .

Always wanted one of the above.

Who makes that red TT bike?

Trek replaced my OCLV road frame and forks to a much upgraded version after 14 years without a second thought. Didn't have my original receipt, but someone at Trek remembered getting the original frame shipped in as a special order from the States! I was gobsmacked.

That Desalvo sure is a beautiful steed. I would probably stick with my current full suss, but road would be a custom Ti Seven Cycles with Dura Ace and all the trinkets.