I have an RP23 on my 5Spot and I honestly couldn't ask for anything more. My previous 2 shocks were a PUSHed RP3 and a PUSH Race System Van RC with a Ti spring. My plan was to get the shock PUSHed next spring, but I think I'll just get it serviced instead.

Saying that the PUSH upgrade to your existing RP3 would probably be the way I'd go if I were in your position.

z1ppy … cheers … I already use a lockblock with a Fenix L2D on the lid, but wouldn't fancy it with the bigger, heavier P7.

That's the first time I've heard of the plastic mount failing BTW and at about £1 each …

I have adapted on to use on the helmet

Can you let me know how Dimmadan?

Agree 100% with Innes … these work really well. The torch doesn't move in mine and I use them on 2 bikes on bone-rattling night rides.

Another vote for Swampy 2.35s. Best winter/mud tyre by a country mile IMHO. Run a ST on the front.

Bonty Mud X 2.0 are a decent general tyre but are a bit on the narrow side and not very durable in my experience.

Maybe Tollie Path. You could manage a few pints in the Old Inn before the hard bits.

Alright big man. What you doing this Sunday?

Not many Macdonalds 'restaurants' up in the mountains. Thank ****.

My boy has just taken to his Rothan. It's wonderful going biking in the wood behind the house with him at 2 1/2. I'm that pwoud I've posted vids on my Facebook page.

Phil … very sorry to hear this. Best of luck.

Renton I thought of trying an Eskar F/Purgatory R combo about a month ago until I came to my senses and bought some more Maxxis tyres. It should be a good enough combo, but probably not enough bite for the season!

I have an unused, unfitted green anodised Imperial headset in the garage you could have for £15 posted:

I reckon the tags on this post are as good as I've seen. I can't imagine someone doing a search on "I'm gonna get you Butler" on the STW forums, but if they did … it's there.

Struggling to see how Blakey's catchphrase from On The Buses fits this scenario, but it's funny as **** nevertheless.

Ton, try some nice pastrami and emmental with a teeny bit mayo on a rough bread. Wonderful and doesn't turn into a mush.

My Coop does an affy, affy nice chicken and bacon with stuffing and red onion chutney that I've got a habit of buying for Sunday rides, but it does come back on me a bit.

their precious little country

Have a wee look at a map son … it's not all that little (at least in British terms).

My net score is 9. Points deducted for 3 chainrings (the big one gets used as a bash anyway FFS) and travel adjust (ETA). Sangobeggar is lying BTW … his fork has an ETA too.

You sure sangobeggar? Wouldya no be better building something up?

sangobeggar … you've no hurt yersel again have ye? Gimme a shout if you are up for the Bri72 return from broken arm ride tomorrow.

I take it you've heard about Nutta?

I'm only talking of a scree filled Landy Track on the back of Fyrish Devs.

Fancy a Rothie tour this Sunday? Start Lochinch Watersports and head via Feshiebridge, Lochs Gamha and an Eilean, Badaguish XC course, Glenmore Cafe, Hayfield, Traverse Rothiemurchus Lodge, Lairig Ghru and return for a beer. My buddy Bri72's return from a broken arm ride.

What about Nutter, uh? Can drop off huts in Les Gets and clear 30 foot doubles in Whistler, but cannae ride a firetrack without braking his arm. Rotten luck when he's been top of the SDA Masters from the first race.

Despite the name, these are not an all-out mud tyre IMHO. Work well in many conditions, but not very durable. Mine got trashed on rock on the back of the local hill. Still more durable than ACX tho!

Sure there's better tyres out there. Only my opinions/experiences.

It's best out from Slig to Camasunary and back. The circular route sounds good but it's mostly on tarmac.

I got one of these from DX

and it's very bright and … a couple of quid posted!!

Spud, that's where I got mine. Next day right enough.

neilsonwheels … you might need another edit.

Just fitted an £18.99 Maxxis Swamp Thing 2.35 SPC super tacky on the front of my woodsy hardtail today. Perfect autumn/winter front tyre for me. Surprisingly light too. I have an older 60a 2.1 for the rear when things get really durty, but a Michelin Mountain A/T 2.2 UST I'm using up will do on the rear for now.

G-Force 3D in an hour or so with my boy.

Bedmaker, DeVs … will we pencil something in? I cannae do this weekend and have the Inverness Raft Race the following Saturday, but that's it wi my plans for now.

Ewan, thanks for that. I'm luck enough to live in Highland, but haven't done that descent into Affric. I reckon I'll do it the next dry weekend tho. Just need to talk someone into dropping me at Kintail and I could Coast to Coast it home.

I have a 2.35 60a Kevlar on the front of my FS on an EX721 rim with a Stan's Rhyno Lite rim strip and Solution and have had no problems. Really impressed.

More money than sense, like.

DeVs … am with you brother. More travel definitely helps where there's mountains.

Anyway … I thought 130mm on a HT was now the norm rather than the exception??

15 years ago a pal fell asleep holding the Bombay mix and a hipflask of malt in my tent in Glen Guisachan. There's still some there today.

JohnClimber, depending on the weather I'll likely be heading west on the Sundays, probably to some Torridonian variation. Get in touch before you leave and I can give you some advice on routes. I did a nice one from West Merkland to Durness recently and the Arkle Loop is a classic.

Where are you staying?

I stayed at the Moorfield House Hotel earlier in the year. The owner couldn't do enough for us. Beer on arrival, washed and dried our gear for the next day (we were doing the 'Tour') and fixed up a big 3 course meal. A short walk down to the Fyfe Arms after dinner found Leffe And Hoegaarden on draught amongst many others and a decent craic with other walkers and bikers. Big breakfast in the morning too.

Would definitely recommend it.

How about this collection?

Or this?

Cheers MTB-Idle … that's reassuring. My PA is a great feeling bike and the medium is a perfect fit for me with a near 24" ETT. I'll leave the Ti envy for the moment.

Very good allthepies … unfortunately I'm only 6' or I may have bagged a large one too.

Just in case … sometime in the future … someone that has a medium MG for sale does a search on here … feel free to give me a shout. I'll probably still be looking.

living just north of the A9 is great

Hello Orkney!

Me, I drive it every day. What pisses me off is the amount of loonies you get riding skateboards, C5s, horses and carts along it for charity thro the silly season.

Also can't understand the divvies who risk their lives cycling the section of dual between Tore and Inverness, when there is a very well marked parallel old road, which is a joy to ride.

Rode to Dingwall from Evanton, got on the Bikebus, got off at Black Bridge, rode up Strath Vaich, down Gleann Mor past the big electric fences and "keep out – dangerous wild animals" signs near Alladale, then up Glen Calvie and over Strath Ruisdale before a wee bit of tarmac and home for a beer.

snaps YGM. duntstick … Bri72 easy beats you in wecht 😆 and says it's harsher than his PA.