I tried exactly that to also get a little more clearance but I didn’t like the (slightly) shorter stroke at all ! I’m only 5′ 6″ and always used to use 175’s when I raced just about EVERY week. Read later that I should REALLY use 170’s (which I switched to) then I read it should be 165’s but, as I said – didn’t suit. Now I’ve decided to go back to 175’s as they just felt right ! There are NO real rules in cycling – just personal preferences I guess…

Ignoring the Cannondale hater, when it comes to putting a ‘dale with a lefty in a small car – just take the back wheel off ! That’s what we do with my son’s front wheel bolt-through bike. Not really anymore hassle.

I was told Kenda small block 8’s are brilliant rollers and good for 3 seasons at least. Don’t know yet if it’s true (saving up) but it WAS a bike shop and they get to try ALL their tyres. Perhaps owners will confirm ?

NEVER give up mate. Had a bike nicked a while back and found it locked up at Brighton station when they used to have boot sales. Got it back when a guy returned to tell the policeman he had got it off a stranger in a pub !?? I go to stanmer / SDW a lot and will keep ’em peeled. GOOD LUCK

Nah, tried that with 165mm cranks but didn’t really like them.
Thanks for the suggestion though.
Going to look at the Cove. That sounds interesting…

so….any suggestions on a full sus that gives standover height for the smaller rider ?
I got hit twice on the top tube in less than a week having to stop suddenly off road so I DO thing it’s important !
Why do we have to put up with companies ignoring all the rules us mtbers have gotten used to for years ?
Sure top tube length IS important but so is standover height.
Wanted to try a small Zesty for size but Evans wanted £50 just to put it together though it was sitting in the back. All I wanted to do was try the p!$$!*£ standover height for gods sake ! So no sell that day, thanks Evans !

Mine are both 160’s so I guess if the new set are the same rotor size (ofcourse) it would work ? Want to keep my rotors as they are really light, you see..

DON’T get a Specialized and you should be okay for a start ! Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had two in the past, great spec, great weight, both full sus but both bb too low ! Why ?? Made me part with both because of that ! Really good company to deal with on the phone, by the way, too.

I’ve had various Camel Baks – and still got two, one waist type too – but I still prefer the cage and bottle as you never know how much water you’ve got left in your ‘Camel’.
There’s enough taps on route to keep filling up that bottle. Trust me, I live 10 minutes from the SDW and have done it a few times in even the HOTTEST conditions.
Before you go ahead with the 30th July, I would check that the weather will be in your favour. That’s dry and if there is a wind, it’s NOT in your face all the way !
This is not an easy ride (as you now know) so you may as well enjoy it as much as you can. Great views and, generally, great trails (apart from that stupid ‘new route’ after Black cap to get you over the A27) and marked fairly well.
Good luck anyway.

Anyone having FUNN ?

…tough eh ?

Cheers Quirrel,I’ll give it a go in a minute. Probably wasn’t a good idea to try to do it after a 75 mile offroad ride in the rain and mud !!

I’ve got some bits in a bag. I’ll have a look for that plate. Cheers guys

Cheers guys. UPLINK – reading that link I started to lose the will to live – well to go tubeless anyway ! No doubt it’s what you SHOULD do but does anyone REALLY do all that ??
MMB – don’t you use the ‘soap and water test’ at all ? Your way certainly sounds simpler and more like what I was expecting.
What do you reckon UPLINK ? Is this what you do / did ? I guess it all gets easier after you’ve done it a couple of times ?

That’s brilliant guys, thanks for your help. And yes Mary, the rims are tubeless ready too. I’ve got to do it haven’t I ?
You know, in the last week I have broken THREE promises to myself.
I now own a CARBON framed Specialized with a BRAIN and now I’m going TUBELESS !! Fingers crossed I don’t regret any of them….

…and did you land it ?

No problem. I had exactly the same thing and asked in my LBS if they do smaller ones – the solution is to ‘trim’ the plug down until it fits ! Easier than I thought, just don’t get carried away !!
By the way (in true BLUE PETER style) – ask a grown up if you’re not sure….

Yeah right holyhutzpa, do a lot of offroad do you ?
THAT pain is certainly NOT mental !!
Sounds like the ‘Raleigh / Halfords school of cycling’ “Yes sir, one size frame fits everybody !”

…but no one mentioned standover clearance – is there any ? I’m 5′ 6″ and really wanted a Cannondale full sus but even the small Rize gave me none !! No shops in the Brighton area stock small frames in ANYTHING but Specialized would be my choice after missing out on the ‘dale sizing.

That ugly guy in the picture overtook me today !

Hey Jimbo give A.D. Cycles in Horsham (01403258391) (I’m sure you probably know them anyway) a ring. They have really cheap ones to fit everything I’ve ever had. Wish I could remember their name but I can’t and it’s raining cats and dogs so I’m not going outside to look, sorry

Always sad to see another bike stolen. Good luck mate. Was it locked in the street or home ?

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= Gerber Cool Tool – best chain tool for EVERY speed !

“Off on hols with Neilson!”

‘Can’t live if living is without you….’

Off to Biggin Hill with Evans…?
There’s probably a song in there but I can’t think of it…

Could try popping into your local bike shop – they are bound to have some old mechs kicking about – ‘course, it’ll have to be a bike shop that’s been around for years as all the new shops will probably only sell you a new mech.
How about a ‘Nuts and Bolts’ shop. We’ve got one in Hove (actually) and they do everything – at a few pence too ! Don’t know if it’s a chain of shops or not….?

8 speed rules in my house anyway. Does the ‘R’ stand for Retro ???
Actually I hate all this ‘Kool Retro’ hype ! It’s SO last year !

“If you paid by Paypal you will more than likely get your money back”
Echo that ! My sister got her money back recently because the keyboard she brought from e-bay was used by a smoker and was filthy !! AND she has the keyboard as well. Result ! Good luck mate

8 speed is best anyway

Have you changed your cables lately ? If it did work a couple of times it could just be sticky cables and time to get some new inners and outers.

A guy I knew – ex yachtsman – swore by 'marigold' dish washing gloves ?? Didn't fancy going out with the pink ones i found under the sink so never found out but I would guess a liner underneath and that waterproof covering you'd have it all covered…

Phone Pace mate. They are always helpful and friendly. English you see…

Try Evans mate

I just hope they sort out the sizing !! I bought a 'small' Rize 2009 but I still had NO standover clearance and had to return it. Chocked !!
I loved the look of that bike.
I'm 5' 6" and ONLY ride Dales so my Chase hardtail has been fitted with bigger tyres until Cannondale can make a full sus that I can reach the floor with !!
Come on guys, I sold my Gemini (with loads of standover) to buy that Rize, now I'm snookered !!

"Born to Boogie" …pure T.Rextasy

Went to Thetford 18 months ago thinking I'd find the DtD corse easy – but didn't. Ended up doing the Red and Black routes and loved them. Great fun, not REALLY long but at speed they are worth doing without a doubt. As you are there anyway, don't miss them !

But they are ONLY for protection not support anyway. Shame, I only sold some at a boot sale the other day. Think I got my money back…Typical, you could have had those !

Won't they have any at the start anyway ? Evans does for their rides. Just wondering…

Gonna post here so someone answers you mate. I'm off there later this month…

Hey Jo – where you going with that pound in your hand ?
I'm going to the pound shop to get me elbow pad, deng deng de dennng !

Yep, certain £1 shops sell Slazanger (is that spelt right ?) elbow pads. Being as you'll dump them in a short while I would check out your local bargain provider. If not, go to a boot sale….

Mmmm ordered monday late afternoon – arrived this morning (wednesday). Perfect for me anyway !