Recently had to warranty a DVO shock and a Shimano brake caliper through Merlin Excellent service, both items assessed and replaced within a week once I’d returned them. Very impressed.

whereas I normally like Merlin but had a zefal saddlebag break within warranty. Was told I had to pay for postage to return it (even if they found it faulty, which they would) to be assessed despite providing photos of the broken zip. It cost me £12 so decided it wasn’t worth paying half of that and queuing an hour at my awful WH Smith post office. Which is probably the result they wanted.

I’ve never bothered with inserts and do all sorts of riding including plenty of rough stuff. I also had a 905 for a few years (great bike!) and didn’t find I was dinging the rim more than any other bike despite the plus tyres? Having said that I’m under 11 stone so not the heaviest.

As the other reply says if you are worried I’d just pop one in the back. Huge variety of inserts available as well from cheap to expensive!!

Reverb was the worst and most unreliable component I’ve had on any bike in 20 years.

A hateful thing. Replaced with a Fox / Brandx and completely forgotten about since.

Reverbs belong in the sea.

+1

If I had room and more free time I’d love the Myst. Pretty good value already as far as DH bikes go. And if it is good enough for Matt Walker…

I always thought Santa Cruz full builds were there because they had to have them but that nobody really bought them as most were sold frame only and built.

I went frame only on my Hightower a few years ago. I’m not a dentist. The frame from sigma was cheaper than a privateer by way of a comparison.

I’m have a sram dub that was on a bike I had for three years and never touched it, moved it to the next bike and that’s also been two years without any action needed on it. Ridden in all conditions.

Obviously they are not reliable for many people but I’ve been lucky it seems. Mind you I struggled to believe the threads about shimano brakes until I then had a run of micro leaks 😂🤦🏻‍♂️

@rockhopper70 – cheers for the heads up on those elbow pads at stif, just what my skinny arms need for more adventurous days out

Anglesets?

Guide REs (old code caliper on guide lever) £42 an end on tredz. Often pop up £5 off £50 coupons when visiting the site too.

Already my go to brake for vfm and ridiculous at that price.

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.SRAM-Guide-RE-Disc-Brakes_102709.htm?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7cGd47rlgwMVUYKDBx2jIQ7AEAAYASAAEgImbfD_BwE

They look brilliant, unfortunately I’d need an XL but have been considering one at rrp

Only thing that holds me back is those size restrictions as others have mentioned. Just waiting for XL’s one day…..

I have a mk5 as they came in 18 or 20 inch seattube. A few of the models have had two size options.

That’s really nice. I really like my mk5, I’d buy this in a shot albeit they aren’t that dissimilar so seems pointless.

They’re just fun bikes. Which can do anything to a greater or less extent, but very much focus on fun. My mk5 I have in 650+ mode and it’s like a big bmx, probably best on quick singletrack and popping off any little stone or tree stump

Why close the thread on the forum? Could have linked this piece at the same time but no need to end the discussion there?

Wow. This is sad news.

That looks great

I had a 905 which shares the same frame as the 901. Thought it was one of the most fun hardtails I’ve had, very capable at all sorts of rides but with a focus on fun rather than flat all out speed (fast as you like in technical stuff but linking sections are always going to be quicker on a 29r / more sedate geometry).

I’ve also ridden the previous transmitter a lot, which has had subtle tweaks to it in recent years but mostly just increasing intended travel a little. Again I thought it was a really good all rounder and like the whyte best at messing around and charging around trails. They’re both objectively for me “fun” bikes which encourage you to stomp on the pedals and pop off of things. There are faster bikes out there but I’d happily own either. Think you’ll be happy with either one to be honest.

I keep going out but it is monumentally wet. I had a short window yesterday so did a short ride (7 miles) in the slop, when I got home and hosed the bike off I decided to just turn the hose on myself I was so muddy

This was mentioned earlier and looks very good for £2k https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/status-160/p/199767?color=320388-199767&searchText=93722-7204&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax%20Shopping_UK_Bikes_HighAOV_ROI&utm_id=17857134217&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAs6-sBhBmEiwA1Nl8s8bU2urH-sACvllfbqgGIf6rnGg2EOMGjb344Yv7vROAzH0LlM533xoCj1sQAvD_BwE

Not ridden one so only an opinion based on what I can see online.

£2k for a 2018 enduro does sound a lot of money.

You can buy a marzocchi / fox and deore Spec Orbea Occam H30 for less than £2k new

https://www.southforkracing.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/2023-orbea-occam-h30-mountain-bike-in-leo-orangeblack__64360?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=N254-OrangeL&gclid=CjwKCAiAs6-sBhBmEiwA1Nl8s0qb_k2REonA7x9KOstuDxRVEEHhER_x-RYid5284ZHLN1J4XQFfShoCmt8QAvD_BwE

Smidge over budget but canyon have some very good vfm full sussers, the strive 160 just over budget but looks pretty sorted spec wise with no noticeable downgrades to address

To be honest this type of bike should get you something very good second hand or something pretty useful new given everyone seems to be having fire sales

Last went a few months back but big diversions on whites at the time, you may want to check if it is fully open as some of the best bits were closed (eg zig zags or whatever it’s called)? Reminds me I need to try skyline, blade etc which I’ve never done as always do W2 when I’m there for a day

What’s the recommended sag? My smuggler had a suggested range of 30-33% I think. It was certainly better using recommended range.

Did my first bivvy. One night close to home but gave me a bit of confidence and lessons for a few proper adventures next year.

Was very pleased with the number of times I rode this year, had some great times. And my jumping skills have got better.

I think that’s basically the minimum I’d expect. But it is a bargain – if it was something you could replace elsewhere I’d ask for more (call their bluff) or return it. Depends how bad the scratches are? If they’re not too bad – it will get scratched anyway – and they find the end cap and new rotor I would say that’s ok

After killing zips on endura I went for some cheap Planet X ones and they are miles better and have last several winters. Doesn’t look like the exact same ones are there anymore but similar to these

Carnac Neoprene Overshoes

Just a heads up that their socials keep showing prototypes of a new model if that makes a difference to you (may mean the current one becomes even cheaper).

Neil the designer seems to do everything on his hot pink custom one, trips abroad, XC racing etc.

Haven’t ridden one but would definitely consider it. May be worth joining the Sonder group on FB albeit most of it centres around the Camino!

Shimano Zee-great reliable brakes

I had zees and loved them but both front and rear developed micro-leaks at the caliper and were refunded within warranty period. The missed bike time means I avoid them now.

I’m a fan of guide RE’s for power/price.

SRAM brakes generally have been more reliable for me. So many of each out there they will all have issues, but your viewpoint tends to be focussed on your own experiences.

Never really understand the more bikes = more maintenance argument (well I can to a limited extent but it’s limited). It’s miles / use that wears things out, so if you have multiple bikes you use less things wear out quickly vs one bike taking all of your miles.

Decent price but also quite a few alternatives in sales for the same or less – endura, Troy Lee, nukeproof all been available (not sure if they still are) for between £40-£60

Mentioned before but once you apply the 10% code these Clockwork’s seem decent value at £720.

Judy silver forks on that compared to what’s on offer with ragley, vitus, nukeproof or even the bizango…

Hard to ignore the ragley bikes given a lot of people seem to want more for their second hand bikes

Thanks everyone, some great ideas and options I hadn’t considered. Also reassuring it isn’t just me killing the traditional zipped ones!

As someone who doesn’t do many events just wanted to say thanks for highlighting this. Taunton is very close to me and this seems like a light hearted fun event, so I am going to sign up.

Don’t actually own a ss at the moment but that’s a small detail

These for wet and cold winter riding (and sailing) at £5 or so a pair.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/uci-aquatek-thermo-full-dip-latex-thermal-gloves-orange-large/182gx?ref=SFAppShare
And a wooden spoon to invert them for drying. We use them for dinghy sailing in the winter. At that price the kids have enough pairs for a lunch time swap both days on a training weekend

I bought these last year and whilst they are good for outdoor work hardening etc, I found they bunch up on the palms and therefore weren’t great on the bike. Also not quite warm enough for me albeit I have terrible circulation to toes and hands.

I get it on roads around east Devon – people beeping their horns and waving me off the road (and I’m so slow I find gateways for people to overtake anyway, not like I’m bashing out strava times and pretending I’m in the tour). Some people just have an irrational hatred of cyclists.

I sympathise as it can affect my mood and takes the edge off a ride when it happens, but not much you can do and you can’t reason with idiots.

Looks really good, enjoy.

Engagement rather than weight will be the biggest difference. Personally I find that makes it quite a big difference, like spinning an easier gear

@diggery my bad on geography, just a comment from my smuggler’s rear clearance, which was the only downside on an otherwise brilliant bike. It weighed a lot but I never noticed it

Briskers are great gloves but echo the not for winter comments. I might try the new extreme one. It’s wet and cold here in the south west so we don’t get cold and dry, so wind, wet and poor circulation means I need something toasty.

Have invested in boots this winter and those gribgrab gaiters seem a good idea, thanks. I found I would still get slightly wet and therefore cold toes with waterproof socks as water would get in through the ankle/leg, which this should hopefully help.

Probably the first time “a sticker” was a good answer on here 😂

Build looks great and can’t knock the value of the total bike. However that looks like some poor welding on that photo

Levers make a difference. Have tried plenty and whilst the bonty is good the ztto is much better in my opinion for less £.

Brand x dropper will do everything most people want and costs little.

Unless they’ve improved in the recent past avoid a reverb like the plague