I’ve been 4 times with Ciclo and love it. 4 of us going to Morocco with Marco in April this year.

Mid travel FS is the sensible choice, but I’m gonna try my 29er HT with fat tyres this time. Wish I’d taken my Dialled Alpine when I had it … something like that would be perfect too.

I just pour boiling water on stickers. It always seems to work.

Yep nearly all my rides.

Has anyone got the non-MMX mount? Is it any different? just wondering as the comprimise would largely be solved by being able to run the reverb and brake in the same clamp (i.e. SRAM/Avid/RS MMX). Does the normal clmap have the piston in a different place?

I’ve had both clamps and its the same, but with an additional piece which bolts on. I now have a RH without the MMX bit mounted upside down on the left. could do with the MMX bit tho as I’ve just changed back to SRAM shifting and want to try it on the right.

Anyone?

Thanks andyl. That’s really helpful.

If anyone is looking in that has one they don’t need, it’s a right hand one i need.

Coolio Brant. Sorry if that was a silly question but I’m not up on these things 🙂

Lovely mild day up in God’s country 🙂

Rather nice X0 crank set arrived this morning. Before I start damaging the rings, I think I’ll put one of those XCG bash things on. Anyone know for a fact what ISCG mount I need to buy?

I got a pair of Time Roc ATAC pedals for £26 and a pair of Windchill gloves and a Neoguard for £21.

Mother … that looks nice.

A pal recently got a longer travel Canyon 26er and it’s a lovely bike. Might see how much gear I can sell by April 🙂

Critically for me, can be used with spiderless rings.

I’m seeing only good reports on the shifting and the BB seems sorted now.

Added a £2.95 Powerlink and got both got for £182.65 less 3.03% TCB. Can’t be bad 🙂

Even better … X0 crankset in my preferred size and ring pairing for £185 … I’ll have that thanks 😀

Diablo … I’m using Flows. An HD 2.35 monster fits in the frame but you won’t get a conventional front mesh solution with it. I had one in for one ride and the bike felt fabulous, but I need the gears. There are solutions to that shown in this thread.

I’m using as Mud X with a front mech just now and there is loads of space. It’s working for me, given that the ground is almost fluid at the moment. Others have shown that a Purgatory 2.3 and RaRa 2.25 works with the back end and a conventional much.

The frame is a joy to ride … I’ve already decided to sell my Ragley and the 5 spot is next on the hit list.

Chris, do a web search for Arkle Loop, tho you’d be a braver man than me to try it this time of year. [Beat me to it Druid].

Lots of nice wild stuff around you. Try the trails into Suilven, or over to Achmelvich. The Coulag forest paths in Lochinver have some nice riding and if you want to ride prepared trails a journey down Loch Shin will take you to the Balblair trails, just outside Bonar Bridge.

I’ve zero issues with the head tube length and the TT on the 18″ is perfect for me at 6′. I’m using a 50mm stem and 760 bar with 20 rise and I reckon my riding position is the best I’ve had on any mountain bike. We’re all different tho. This build suits the riding where I am.

To be fair a HD on a Flow is pretty huge. An extra half inch on the stays might have done it but how would that have affected handling? I don’t know but I know the bike handles beautifully as it is.

Having a straight seat tube gives long post dropability, but in this time of droppers it’s maybe less necessary.

It’s great but flawed. Many first editions are. Love/Hates without front mech cable stops, Inbred 29ers without seat tube rack mounts … it happens. Maybe a mk2 will be in the pipeline before long.

Thinking I might do this myself. Pity you can’t spec the ring at purchase … £167 with a 32t at bike-discount.de. I’d need a 30t max, maybe 28.

Glad I didn’t spend £200 on a bling ring and Micro G2 now 🙄

Just been out on some pretty step and very muddy singletrack and mine was ace. Think I’m feeling a slight click from the seat post inside the seat tube. Could just be paranoid tho.

This is so near to perfect, but the small issues are just taking a little of the edge off the experience.

Right have ordered a 2.3 Purgatory, which will be my winter front tyre. May drop it back onto the rear in the spring. Cheers again.

Anyone need a Pacestar HD?

steve_b77 … are Ground Controls only 2.1?

jfeb, I was maybe being poetic … do Ralphs cope with hard knocks on rock. I’m assuming its the Snakeskin model. As a defence point I won’t use Nobby Nics as they are too flimsy and not up to mountain riding IMO.

Bigdugsbaws … any reason to buy the 2.3 over the 2.2 Purgatory? I hear they’re actually the same size. EBC are doing the outgoing model for £20. I’d be interested to hear if you noticed any difference between the two.

I’m going to go Purgatory on the front for just now with Mud X rear. Hope to take this over the 5 Spot to Morocco in April so will get something better on the rear before then. Looking at 2.25 Snakeskin Ralphs, a Ground Control or maybe Purgatory. Still probably keep the Trailstar HD, but the Pacestar is surplus.

Also got an X7 chainset through from CRC which is Bling Ring compatible, but not convinced I’ll get a single ring that suits my needs so may send it back. I also see people using XX1 Chainsets in 1×10, so maybe that’s a better option if I do go single ring.

How are the Ralph’s for rattling down scree strewn hillsides? Too light or okay?

Looking for a slightly smaller tyre than an HD for the rear in summer. Can’t have a liability for remote riding tho. Was thinking maybe Spesh Purgatory.

If you have feeble hams

Or ride mountains 😉

Looks nice chuffnuts.

Same issue here’s with the seatpost. No friction, just slides straight down when the clamp bolt is undone.

I’m using an X4 50mm which has zero rise with a 20mm rise Nukeproof Warhead 760 bar. Suits the bike very well and no problems climbing. I’m 6′ on an 18″.

Switched the rear tyre today to a Mud X and changed to 2×10. Plenty room with the cyclocross tyre in 😉 and I was able to climb the hill behind the village. Tightened the front Hope hoop and the tyre no longer buzzes the fork.

Thinking of getting an X9 2 ring crank which will give me the option of a Bling Ring (cheers Gordymac) in as low as 28t if I want to go 1×10 with big rubber in the mountains next year.

Things looking up.

Looking good Big Pete. No issues with the post mount on my 18″.

That’s still really close with relatively skinny tyres with little tread.

Cheers again. Any idea if the stays exactly the same length on the 18 and 20?

I’ll have a think and scour web resources to see the other options. Smorgasbords are dead cheap, but they seem quite tall for the size. Ardents are that way too. Purgatorys look the best option ATM.

That’s dead helpful bigdugsbaws. I’m seeing a 2.2 Purgatory online, so may just get one of those. I’m using Flows, so that will make a difference but hopefully that will be to width not height.

It would be a shame if I had to compromise the rubber on this bike to much. It feels like it should be ridden with big sturdy treads 😉 Any suggestions for a front?

Never felt slack when climbing or turning, but pointed down it was like a juggernaut. I’ve probably never descended the scree filled Peat Track from Fyrish as quickly. I couldn’t have done that with puny tyres on. Bedmaker had 2 punctures on the same with Maxxis Beavers on his full susser.

First ride impressions are that the bike is an absolute hoot to ride and is more capable than I’ll ever be. I absolutely do need easier gears tho. It climbs fine but I ran out at 32:36 and had to push.

Gonna investigate my options further but tbh the front HD was buzzing the Reba so I reckon it makes most sense to ditch the tyres and get something less voluminous.

Looking forward to hearing what definitely works with a front mech, but would also appreciate recommendations for a slightly smaller but equally durable front which can handle a variety of conditions.

I have a Mud X and ACX in the garage but it’s pointless sticking them on unless I stick to fireroads 🙄

On ma way squire 🙂

Lecht … my thoughts exactly … when its available down the range.

Hopefully this works:

Seatpost internal size is 31.6.

Proper test run tomorrow.

Sorry bigdug. I’ve finished mine for the most part but need to trim the reverb cable and tinker with the gears a bit. I only rode it briefly but it feels wonderful … like it could take on anything. Think I’m gonna hurt myself on this 🙂

Bedmaker off here tried it to and loved it. It’s such a fun bike … more agile than I could imagine any 29er being. I’m already thinking this for Morocco in April rather than the 5 Spot.

I’ll get pics up soonest. Looks quite different in the 18″.

Almost there with my 18″ build. Will post pics tomorrow. It looks a lot of fun, not really like any 29er I’ve seen. I think it’ll be well suited to the riding around here.

Predictably, the main concern is the clearance between the rear tyre and seat tube. Reckon it’s 3mm with a Hans Dampf … little room for a front mech and zero chance of running a cable to one.

Am starting out 1×10, buy that won’t meet my needs. Be interesting to see what works for others. My other option just now is a Mud X, but they don’t last too well on rock and scree.

It looks well finished; not sure an Ardent 2.4 or Hans Dampf 2.35 will fit with much room though?

Hans Dampf on a Flow going in in the next couple of days. Given this is the 29er rim/tyre of choice right now I’ll let you know.

Just checked mine over and despite me being pished it looks wonderful.

Where’s the pics bigdugsbaws … of the bike not the turds. Missus has conformed mine has arrived at home … I’m in Dingwall about to hit the drink tho.

not sure about X7 as they have a bulkier clamp design as opposed to the nice neat steel band.”

Any way of testing X7 … there’s a groupset I’d buy in the classifieds if I knew it would work.

This talk of 1×10 is all very well, but is very dependent on where you live and ride. I live in Highland and and my bread and butter ride is a 1500 foot climb up Cnoc Fyrish from my house. I would definitely be off pushing much of the ascent on a 29er with only a 32t up front and even 36 on the rear. That’s not what I want from my main HT.

XX1 may be the panacea, but I can’t justify the cost.

Tomaso, I’ve got an old LX 9sp mech on which works, so I’m guesing most Shimano bottom swing mechs will fit…

Bottom swing … as in conventional? Happy to have a go hacking at mine if need be. I have an FDM661, an X9 and an old XT available … all conventional bottom swing. Also have a Dremel I’ve never used 🙂

Edit: thanks Stoner … even I can do that mod.

That looks SWEET. Yep no decals going on mine either. The metal head badge would be nice tho. Mine should come today.

I’m assuming the SLX/XT 3×9 from my Ragley won’t work, which is a pain cos things are too steep around here for 1×9. Looking forward to clear guidance.