Thanks Bens, that is really useful. I was a little concerned about the smaller screen. Now I’m even more so ! Lot to consider isn’t there ?

I’m leaning towards the 830. Will it do all I want ?

Oh and ONLY off-road, lots of bouncy fun fun fun !

Bike mounted. I used to use my phone on the bars (proper mount) but the bouncing messed it up. I’m hoping a Garmin would show me the route like my phone did. Using Strava or Komoot and occasionally Shimano e-tube ride app. Can you run all 3 ?
Budget ? Not too silly….

Bruce no a manual bike. I think I posted just after getting back from a very hot ride with loads of hills and getting hotter pumping up my tyre with a pretty naff mini pump that I have hardly used. Maybe I should have cooled down first 🙂       I was really thinking more about my mate who had a puncture recently and has now taken to carrying a track pump in his back pack ?? The joke is, it was his first puncture for over 3 years…

Goldfish, I’ve got tubeless in my other bike and tubeless isn’t quite faultless is it ? You still need a pump with you and even a tube (very occasionally) to get you home. Yes I’ve got the bacon strips too. Watched some downhilling the other day and even legend Gregg Minnaar lost his back tyre !

Fumpa cool name eh ?

Mmm, sounds like the way to go, thanks guys

Years ago, when I was racing cross country she was always at Cheddar along with Peaty and the others and she was winning then. She was magic then and in my eyes, is still magic whatever she decides

<p>Cheers guys. Yeah I never wanted to go away from 8 speed when chain length was easy to set up – and a lot cheaper. If it was mine I’d just add the links and change if needed but my mate can ride a bike but that’s it ! Just trying to make my life easier. I’ll set it up then give it a ride. What could possibly go wrong ??</p>

Steve_b77 obviously, you would run tubeless less than 30 normally but I was trying to point out DON’T run them over 30 because they are awful in the wet then. Thanks for your suggestions though. Might well go for those. There’s so many choices to make. Price might be the deciding factor now on the lightest.
Thanks again guys

Thank you so much guys, that’s more than I could have asked for.
Thanks Tom that is super helpful.
Thols2 and Kelley and DanW yep spot on there 26” and 1.95 mostly so, like any modern bike the weight can’t touch a 26er but, as we were told years ago “26 is dead”. Mmmm
Munrobiker and tuboflard and didnthurt good ideas and weights.
Mboy and qwerty really useful suggestions.
Cookeaa I’ve got a pair of Mezcals on my 27.5” bike and use them throughout the year. They are a little sketchy in the winter slop if you put a little too much air in. I weigh 10 stone so can get away with less than 30psi and that works.
Thanks to the guys that suggested ikons and conti’s.
Chiefgrooveguru right !
I’ve got a lot of searching to do on the internet tonight. Now what’s in stock at Chain Reaction ? 🙂

Like that ‘timba’I was thinking of a variation of sew.
Cheers guys.
I guess jairaj nailed it there with his first line but I’ll take a look at Halfords.

Obviously dry paths right now but I usually run the same tyres throughout the year.
Liked the first 2 Slider references.
“When I’m sad, I slide”

Damn, I’ll take Ralph off the front then. Both are the earlier models but Nobby up front seems the choice of many. Oh well. Thanks guys

Hey Joe (see what I did there ?) yeah it’s 80mm travel and having ridden it for the very first time yesterday (only bought it second hand the day before) it felt really smooth and I was aiming at any drop offs I could find.
My 27.5 bike has 140 front and rear but the Scalpel felt good compared.
At 5’ 6” I never fancied 29 but maybe I was missing out.
Nice pic Andy, thanks

Thanks guys. Just an idea. I’ll stick with 29 then.
I’ve only got 80mm travel forks. What do you think the longest I could go up to ?
100, 120, 130 a bit too much ? It’s an aluminium Cannondale Scalpel from 2013

Going into town now with those suggestions then probably come back and order online ! Thanks again everyone

Great stuff guys, many thanks

Many thanks Joe. You know your stuff on Canyons. And small looks about right. I’ll keep checking eBay from now on….

Thanks guys, really appreciate it

Despite years and years of mtb racing I never really analysed my riding style until my arms started to play up. So much so that I had to get off and walk on a long downhill section in Wales ! Awful !
Thanks again guys for some really in-depth answers. I have changed a couple of angles on the cockpit and it has definitely helped.
I’ve been using thin grips for years but maybe that was the wrong thing to do. Interesting

Got some of those Ergon GA3 grips with that ‘Ergonomic wing offering wrist support and relief’ that have really helped.
Some good tips there guys about angles and things. I am sticking to one bike all the time now (not usual for me) it’s full sus and super light so I will alter the cockpit a bit.
Onzadog, I tried stickadictome, but I haven’t tried that one. Is it much cock ?

There’s some really good points there guys. Think I will try a few and see how it goes. I’ve got a couple of left shifters in my odds box (doesn’t everyone nowadays ?)
I’ve got the cable Devine Bike Yoke so might try with that. Bit of a pain and fiddly but if it works it’ll be worth it.
Bigjohn I come from a time when no one THOUGHT about dropping the saddle !

Cheers guys. I’ve got a dodgy left thumb so was thinking I could use my palm on the saddle lever ? Does that make sense ?

Some good points there. I shouldn’t be lazy. Hope the rear mech is okay now….

Cheers guys, just checked and all looks ok – I’ll wash it off when it gets a bit warmer – April do you think ? 🙂

Going to Uckfield tomorrow with the frame but now looking at the forks they do look a little tired. Anyone get their forks done there ? Do you need to dismantle them ? If so, it’s a no from me…

Cheers guys, really appreciate it. Uckfield will be getting a ring tomorrow.

No worries Josh, I sometimes put in a response that is funny to me at the time but probably not really helpful. Depends on your mood doesn’t it ?

Singletrack has been playing up for me a little while, so much so that I thought it had gone down. SO pleased it hasn’t ! It’s so useful.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS ALL (even josh 🙂 )

Cheers guys, really appreciate your advice.Sounds like the Trans x might be easier to restrict. The string/zip tie could be a solution though

It never stops amazing me how technically minded some of you guys are. Brilliant ! I’ve NEVER had a question unanswered on here. Thanks guys, I love you

On eBay it’s a Whyte 604 with a rock Shox recon fork.
Cheers kelvin, yeah I know what a steerer is I didn’t really word the title right did I but you know what I mean.
You’re right Daffy, when you look at some tapered forks it looks impossible to have a lower cup that would make the fitting right. Think I’ll look for a Whyte with a tapered head tube.
Thanks guys for all the help

Mmm, there is a bike on eBay using a Rock Shox tapered fork on a Whyte hardtail with a 1 1/8” straight steerer. It’s a 100mm travel fork but I’d like to go longer on mine but when you look at tapered forks I can’t see how it fits just by putting a small adapter down the lower part. Are some tapers different as Aidy says ? Knowing bikes that’s probably right

Are they Rick Shix or Fux forks ?

Sorry to hear about that Simon. Maybe taking the isolation thing a bit too
far !
Thanks guys for the advice. I might let my wife try it first….

Thanks Sam, really appreciate that.

Someone must have them ?

I brought a 661 from Chain Reaction years ago and have used it on and off ever since. I’ve started using it on every ride for probably a year now as years of racing have taken their toll. I don’t even notice it as it is so comfortable and light. The Velcro is showing it’s age but otherwise it does exactly what I want it to. Get one now. I’ve got a left hand one but you’ll need both of course. Good luck mate

Will someone post a pic of the new logo ? I can’t find what you’re talking about ? The logo hasn’t changed, as far as I can see, since their original Adidas beater. And I’ve had Dales since forever and still run 2 now

Cheers guys, appreciate your advise