I still have my original cool tool from the 90s complete with neoprene pouch. The chain tool on that has never failed in 20 years. In fact the whole tool has never failed with heavy workshop/shed and trail use.

I bought a hexus II the other day as like 750m wide bars they are en vogue and because it is 1/3 the weight of the ct lol. I have to agree it is very good.

Last move from a 3 bed cost 275£ cash. Decent local company used them twice now. Average moving price seems to vary from 250£-600£ with the local companies for a days work. The big chains were, however, way higher price wise.

I have a set of tektro mechanicals on a spare bike which are surprisingly good, now. I did find however, that the pads got contaminated / glazed badly during bedding in though, so I gave them a good sand plus cleaned the disks. Until I had done that and they were re-bedded in properly they were about as effective as cantis on a £50 childs bike.

The cable has to be tight as already pointed out, otherwise they do the same as early v-brakes used to which didn’t have the pads set 2mm or less off the rim.

Keep them, build them up onto a suitable classic frame with stem and bars. Hang on the wall as art and for man cave points………. and job done.

Bonus is if you ever get bored you can build it up as a complete bike.

My colleague swears his 29 is giving him 10-15min quicker times on his usual route over his old 26er. This has nothing to do with the fact his new bike is 6 lbs lighter, 7 years newer and 6x the price of his old bike.

Differences in bar widths and stems however are incrementally noticeable and you definitely can get performance gains. Imo though, this is often through the new set up offering a better fit or riding position for the style of riding being undertaken.

I have been trying some of the longer travel slacker head angled FS & HT 29ers recently and this year they seem a lot more accomplished. The only 29ers I struggle with still, are the cheaper short travel 80-100mm with very steep head angles that tuck the front wheel too far under the front of the bike for my liking. Like 26ers imo it will take a few more years to get enough 29ers totally dialled to suit all tastes. I have tried a couple of 650b recently that were abismal and they most certainly did not bring the trail alive.

I remember plenty of 26ers in the 90s and early 00s that cost a fortune but were dead on the trails.

One thing is for sure, 650b and 29ers are the only option in all my local dealers to demo unless it is really low end or new old stock high end 26ers at 40-60% off.

I am fortunate to be in the position where I sold my 26er before the market nose dived, then took a year off riding a decent bike so coming to it now afresh.

On the better 29ers I am yet to find a down side; instead I have found the limits of the excessively, albeit fashionably, wide bars first on tight, narrow and twisty trails.

It is still all very subjective, but I like a long travel hard tail, and until this year I haven’t found a 29er I like. The Trek Stache or Rockhopper Pro Evo both having 120mm travel are IMO, bang on for me.

Mid-Long travel trail bikes will weigh 27-33lbs as a rule.

The whole point of owning one is being man enough to pedal up hill and ballsy enough to pedal fast down.

Best bet is to buy a sorted light 100mm xc machine, don the lycra and some 640mm bars then enjoy.

Take a look at the Trek Stache 7 2013 model. A trail 120mm 29er hard tail that can be had for £900 from your local trek dealer or Evans cycles (with trade in). These were £1300 new. Only 19 and 21 inch models left now. Recon fork, Slx/Raceface group set, Bontrager finishing kit.

Otherwise the on-one 45650b if they ever get stock.

So the superstar hubs fail, they pay for return carriage will repair or replace and post them back out within a few days or couple of weeks at worst?

Is this not better and quicker than the turn around of the same hubs via the other manufacturers and resellers, especially as superstar seem to do this way after the first year?

I have used superstar for a number of years and have found their after sales either blindingly fast or rather slow but ultimately they do deal with things to a good resolve and certainly no worse than any of the other box shifters.

Currently waiting for my new bike to turn up. Waiting sucks.

Out of interest have you had it out the box and is it nice albeit small? Are they as light as they claim?

Well, after making no progress due to the bike I was going for going out of stock in my size I have decided to go for an on one 45650b.

Right will stick with a 26er and go for a high volume tyre for now.

Thanks for all the responses.

I had considered a 29er but want to take care of my longer travel trail ht first which seems to mean 26″ or 650b.

Having tried a few 29ers I deffo like them and looking to get one end of season. Not a priority at this stage though.

I have to get my act together and order soon otherwise I will be bikeless for the Easter holiday weekend.

Cheers again for all the help.

Is there a list somewhere of 26″ frame and forks which take 650b and work?

Pricing up a parcel to Ireland (Republic) by a courier which would appear to offer insurance for bikes and suitable expedited and tracked delivery, based on correct, weight and volume of a 20″ Bike Box comes in at £67-£98 depending on the courier.

It’s a sad day for GT as a brand when someone would aspire to turn it into an orange orange rather than being proud of owning a GT.

Larger pics would help and I am still at a loss as to what your original problem was re-mech.

I have seen similar stories to apinkone’s on numerous forums none of which stack up, all contain a mega rant but never real specifics about the problem.

I can’t even see how the frame would prevent the rear mech working as indicated in his post, rather it sounds as simple as gears need setting up. Your rear triangle and derailleur hanger can be miles out after crash damage etc and years of frame abuse yet you can still adjust to get smooth gears.

Didn’t Brant have design input on these?

For the money, I reckon

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-zircon-i-hardtail-bike-2013/rp-prod81009

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-zircon-ii-hardtail-bike-2013/rp-prod81012

Finally something with 120mm to challenge the value of the Boardmans Team/Comp or in 29er

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-zircon-29vr-hardtail-bike-2013/rp-prod81010

Take a look at the Vitus Zircon I or II on CRC as they represent pretty good value at the moment, with either falling into your budget.

Seems expensive, declaring valuables and possessions of similar and higher values such as music instruments, watches and jewelry and premium is under half that. Some insurers charge per bike over 500 rather than on value. Try to find one which covers a higher base value. Afterall you are only insuring loss and theft not accidental damage.