Second any axe by Gränsfors love mine to bits.

I seem to hover around the 150mm mark but angles etc have changed a lot to make my uphill a little easier with only a small compromise on the downhills

IWC Aquatimer for everything.

Fancy Sunnato tho for riding

Ooh I would say 54%

Afan is fun even when it’s chucking it down!

W.I.M.P.

Better a bent mech hanger than a bent frame!

I’m in as as long ad the dates work for me.

Any up for a cheeky bivvy??

Seems like my riding habits are not that odd then!

I agree that riding in a big group can be a pain and all the stopping/starting/mechanicals can make a short ride into q much longer one. I rode a couple of times with the Cheesy Riders and BMBC in bristol and had that problem.

Also has the problem in the past where my ideal ride is a far cry from theirs. I also have a lot more time and an understanding wife so find it a lot easier to get away than a lot of my other mates.

That was awesome, those boys certainly have the skills to pay the bills.

Although was like watching an advert for Orange bikes.

Makes me wish I had gone out on my bike today

I have always liked Patriots going back to the first one they brought out around 99/2000 I think.

If I had my own bike company my line up of full sus bikes would be pretty similar to Orange

120mm – ST4 XC Race/All Day
140mm – 5 Longish travel all rounder
160mm – Alpine 160 big bike that you can still take anywhere
180mm – Patriot UK DH, Alps uplift days, must be able to take 203mm forks
200mm+ – Full DH bike

Most other makes have a very similar line up

Spesh – Epic, Stumpy, Enduro, Big Hit, Demo
Giant – Anthem, Trance, Reign, Reign X, Glory
Trek – Top Fuel, EX9, Remedy, Scratch, Session

Decision made, I’m going.

I am in to all sorts of riding really. Pure downhill isn’t my thing but am OK at it much prefer long flowing technical descents. I hate using the cliches but All Mountain suits me as I have no problem with a long climb as long as the downhill is worth it.

No idea when I’ll go as we have no kids so not restricted to schools holidays etc. As long as the weather is good, the uplifts are running and I can get access to food and beer I’m more than happy.

Now that I am committed to going if anyone wants to join me I’m more than happy to meet up for some weekend rides prior to booking something.

Em I’m married.

Wife is happy for me to go away, she came along a last year when I went climbing in Italy and she does a bit too. When I went to do harder routes she just chilled in the Spa then we met up later in the day.

Bit of a mystery by all accounts then!

If you can’t find a ‘massage’ parlour in that valley your not looking in the right places!

Hmm Specialized Stumpjumper, don’t think it was an S Works but must have been fairly high end as it had a brain.

I have shown people lots of trails over the years and it was great to have someone return the favour. Ended up doing the new loop three times!

Poo was going to go up there on Sunday and always enjoyed the food at the Drop Off.

Will head to Cwm Carn instead!

The saddle is usually a little higher in the frame (about 2 inches).

The cockpit was perfect on my old bike but will play around with the setup on this to get it right.

Current bars are 685mm but fancy trying a set of Easton Havoc bars which are 711mm but will have to wait as if I spend any more money my wife will kill me.

Thanks Handyman, Rutland managed to do some digging for me and have sourced one so I should be back on the bike in a few days.

Great recommedation and service from Rutland.

Cool, will give them both a try tomorrow morning.

I’m think of changing mine from 685 which I have run for years, but really want to try a set of 711mm on my bike before buying any.

Easton Havoc’s have caught my eye!

Well they are not ‘old’ but as I ride once a week they are all showing signs of wear and would be really nice to have everything in mint condition

Snap, a casual bit of forum surfing this week saw me pick up a Turner DW 5 Spot frame for £550!

Building it this avo!

Anyone?

When we met them we where both on a public bridal way and had been for most of the day so far other than the odd shortcut.

I never felt threatened by them it was more his approach which annoyed me. Life you have said above, it’s not as if he is actually going to shoot anyone with around 20 witnesses in broad day light.

I have come across guys shooting up there plenty of times and have no problem with it, most are keen to chat to ensure we both have a good day enjoying the sport we love which could be hampered by getting in each others way. This guy took the completely the wrong tact, which was what annoyed me.

If anyone who wants one live in or around Bristol you are more than welcome to pop round and take a look

Never had a problem with it letting the rain! Used it for three days in the Gower this summer and it chucked it down the whole time but never let water in.

I am 5′ 10″ and my Mrs is the same and we can get us both in there, both sleeping on 3/4 Thermarest. Used it early Dec where we where both in big down sleeping bags and both carrying 45ltr bags and it wasn’t too cramped. Porch is big enough to store your boots and setup the stove for making a brew when the weather is miserable.

I got mine from Taunton Leisure as they had the best deal on at the time, not sure if that is still the case.

Here are the only two photo’s I have of the tent. One from the Gower and the other in my front room to test how big it was!

I bought one last winter and absolutely love it. Used it around 15 times and there is usually two of us in there and never had too much of a problems getting all the kit in.

There are some really useful features and it a great design. I have spent a couple on night in Laser Comp and they are great until the weather turns for the worse. From memory the weight penalty was about 700gms which it well worth it when your tent doesn’t collapse on you in a storm!

Heading over that way on Monday, hoping for some good conditions but went out today and prepared for the worst with some new seal skinz socks and waterproof shorts!

Agreed, no deep plot or memorable acting but enjoyable all the same

Not that one, really annoying that I can’t find the leaflet or anything online.

Oh well I might stumble upon it one day when I’m over there

No its on an industrial estate I think and stock high end stuff mainly,

Thanks tho!

Not really fussed where in North Devon is just a nice place to be and its pretty close to Bristol (where we live).

Thanks for the suggestions so far, hotel on the beach looks good but they have no availability the weekend we want to go.

Had a mate who bought from them, great service with great deals on the site

I sound like a kn*b but stay loose I always find works best.

If I’m nervous, I feel more unstable on the bike. On trails I ride week in week out I ride them pretty quick but most importantly I’m completely relaxed and try to let the bike do the work under me.

Can’t really believe I just wrote that….

Cool ta,

I am leaning towards Stans, just hope I can get some in white!

Magic, that seems to have done the trick.

Thanks,

Tough one, I love my 150mm Revelations which have a 20mm Bolt through.

I would be put off buying Suntour forks as I haven’t seen any of their new high end stuff or seen any of it reviewed

I’m heading over that way tomorrow and hoping for an easy journey.

Thinking about leaving Bristol around 9 which should hopefully avoid the worst of the traffic

Whats the max travel recommended on that frame?

I would have thought the head tube is going to be under a lot more stress than it was designed for and therefore more likely to snap/crack.

Utter crap