I’m interested … and very jelous 😉

70 miles off road … nice day out.

Wouldn’t dream of it … go and enjoy. It’s difficult to go wrong in the area, just get a map and explore.

All good here too.

Yes but I wouldn’t go … you really won’t like it, or find anything good there 😉

NS Bitch here … it’s the older one which was designed for 170mm forks, ’tis very nice.

M6TTF … it’s not the organisers responsibility to clear up after you – it yours FFS. They’re not your fuc*ing mum!

Sorry but I’m saying no … it’ll come off again pretty quickly.

Aye looks a right mess.

Gearbox problems weren't uncommon on early R1s.

I've got a RAB On Demand eVENT smock … very nice it is. I've seen them at go outdoors for less than £100.

'Cos all the cool kids have 'em 😉

Rigid no trouble … just watch out for the mincers at the top of the rocky chute on their 6" full sussers, they'll slow you down 😉

When did banking change from swindling to cutting edge technology? … and since when did working in banking involve any sort of skill? 😉

Mine are running ghetto tubeless, no problems on some old D521 rims.

I like 'em but i'd say put a pair on for winter … can be a bit draggy though.

+1 for a trip to Nant Yr Arian … a different trail centre experience to most.

Have a look at Innov8 stuff … big in adventure racing, fell running, etc. I think Wiggle stock it.

Cheers folks.

I'm with you there … Specialized just not cool. Seem to be the silver BMW / Audi of the bike world, very "safe" and suited to those with little imagination IMO 😉

Anybody about to take offence at the above comment … don't, you haven't seen some of the shite I ride!

I'm 5'7" and have a 16' 456. Running with a 60mm stem, backswept bars and an in-line post it's just short enough … On Ones do have a pretty long TT.

I do however have long legs and a short body, so as above perhaps you're the other way.

Have a search for RISE racing in the states … I'm sure theirs are pretty long as they have a 9" drop!

I've seen you ride so find it difficult to understand how you'd hold people back. Your Orange might not be the best 'all day epic bike' out there but when there's across and down to ride I can't see why you would have much trouble. 😉

Remember there's lots of stuff within mountain biking that isn't as obvious / mainstream as the usual trail centres that we get fed … sometimes a change is as good as a rest. Having a goal works for some people, an event, race, etc – something to aim for and work towards might help with motivation.

Most importantly, I think you're underestimating yourself … you're much more capable than you think.

Stuart

What are you doing back … bears get ya? 😉

Not unusual … I instruct lots more women than blokes, somewhere around a 70 / 30 split. The majority of them ride in their own right as it were and aren't just tagging along for something to do.

Some of the best riders I've seen have been women … they have the ability to ride with their heads not just dangly bits 😉

Woody, Paul78 has a Sandman frame … that's his up there^.

I've emailed them and am waiting to hear back, however I am told that he can be a touch slow with these things.

EDIT: There isn't one up there^ … must have been a different thread but he does have one, really he does 😉

Salsa Moto … try billys.co.uk

Any 1/8th chain will do … just depends how bling you want to go 😉

Depends … owt from 2.1 – 2.5

I bought a Pacific Outdoor Ether 6 … not quite as light as a neoair but less than half the price, very warm and dead comfy. It's only a few grammes heavier than my Wee Airic but it's full legth and 62 mm thick instead of 25mm.

Ta … my Carver might just be needing a Larry on the front.

Stu, did you get your fork through ISON or direct?

Hood doesn't roll up but is wired and volume adjustable so doesn't really get in the way.

I haven't got wet so far even in some pretty nasty weather over a long period of time. I've become an eVENT convert after spending time in an eVENT bivvy bag … still, damp and humid, fully zipped in and not a drop of condensation. I'd have drowned in some other bags.

Go outdoors had smocks last week for less than £100.

I've a RAB, On Demand eVENT smock … not overly cheap but a top bit of kit. I just got sick of buying waterproof cycle jackets that weren't!

Whilst Mr Dodd can manual, perhaps he's not explained himself very well. Every instructor/coach who comes on here will all say, you don't pull … remember there can be a massive difference between a good rider and a good instructor.

Stuart

Think you might have answered your own question with the sentence above 😉

Clockwise is best.

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

One and two day courses, one to one at no extra charge and a free bunkhouse … all in sunny mid Wales 😉

Paul78 have you got any price info on the Sandman frames … I've just looked at the website and am liking … lots 😀

Stuart