We went in August when it was pouring with rain, but had been dry for some weeks, so it was sketchy as hell on the less steep trails, but once the rain had soaked in and I relaxed my death grip it was good fun, just took some getting used to. Now the rain has soaked in, it will be be gripper if slower I imagine. But you will covered in orange clay type mud a lot!

Yes you will, they aren’t steep, but very flowy, the jumps are optional on most of the runs and you can build up to them as you get used to it.

They aren’t long though, but the efficient uplift makes up for it in many ways. So you’ll get more in than BPW.

It is very different but very good, the facilities are minimal though…the polar opposite to BPW so bring your sarnies and a toolbox.

I can’t wait to go back

Same weight as you and in the winter I change to continental 4 seasons, never had a puncture on them and our roads are littered with little flints. At this time of year speed is less of a concern to me than in the summer and I haaaatttteeee punctures

AndyRT I’m from Salisbury too, you’re obviously riding in all the wrong places! We head over there once every 6 weeks or so (more in summer). Happy to play guide

That is a help, the internal on the rims I have are 32mm so should be okay

Definitely, love it there, loads of great small trails, just keep it exploring

Done

Thanks all, some very worthwhile points. I did have the cheaper GXP one on another bike which lasted longer. I expect a year out of a cheap one at least, but which ever way you look at it 3 months isn’t good enough.

Anyway I flogged the cranks and replaced with DMR and praxis BB, fingers crossed.

In other news…I do have a lovely, barely used (but well inspected) ceramic BB if anyone wants to buy it…

I run it in-house. Just give them a limit below £1k and then process it and claim the VAT, divide the net by 12 and deduct from their gross amounts.

You may want a small contract letter about them leaving before the term is up etc etc but generally it is straight forward

ESI foam grips in chunky – grip game changer

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/esi-chunky-silicone-mtb-grips-2234-p.asp

big hands and always struggled, also lock on remove feel – these are excellent, on all bikes and a spare pair hanging around

James has been awesome and hopefully some light at the end of a long wait!

As promised – http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/141953331108? I’ll do it for £200 if wanted

Thakns

Just started using a vortex and it’s great, I stupidly bought two by mistake (thought I’d get outbid and didn’t on the first one!

It’s a proper step up from my old bog standard turbo! I’ll post a link to some photos tomorrow but if you want first dibs before it goes on eBay, it’s yours for £200

Thanks

Does anyone know of availability of any XL frames?

No, just plain black & silver

Thanks Steve, Vivid air doesn’t have adjustable settings?

It also clears up with new shock mountings

Thanks all, it’s the 2015 carbon nomad with a Vivid air shock

I’d heard about the lower bushings on VPP too, but these all appear fine. I’ve been using a bog standard TF kit each time, they aren’t far from me actually so maybe I’ll get them to have a look and see if they can spot anything obvious

Looks perfect….carry on

I’ve been waiting for this bike…would also rather a 115/120mm version but I may be tempted anyway! could make my Nomad fairly redundant though

Mine when I bought 18 months ago…bit different now, frame the same size though

I took both my new canyon torque and my carbon nomad over there last year, used the torque one day and the nomad for the rest of it – so much more fun on a trail bike than a full on DH bike. Take the highest spec bike you can over there and ride that – don’t bother renting

Yes do it, look like a plank but they work!

Yes, mine were about £280 though and were amazing, strong, light and well built

I bought my hope wheels out there and a pal bought some E4s – both from the shop by the Pleney lift, the value of the euro meant they were cheaper there than at home. Just a thought if the rate continues.

I was there two weeks ago, Cafell all okay but Twrch mostly closed. Push up past the DH track then a long fireroad slog up to the slab (concrete bit about 2/3rds way round). The trail is then as normal back to the car park

The Macaskill trails are in the woods somewhere on the estate but I think riding has been banned, it was controlled by these guys

About Us

Give them a shout and they’ll advise you I am sure

Cleat mounting plate not been an issue for me, yes they do keep rain and light spray out and toes warm for the most part

Yep, had a pair for the last year or so. The hard shell toe does prevent splashes getting in but they aren’t waterproof by a long stretch. Mine are quite worn now and get very wet. I bought them because they dry quickly. It’s all relative but on balance I would definitely buy another pair

I have Tech XC in 29 & Tech Enduro in 27.5

Not the lightest, but stronger than my old crossmax. As golden wonder said, you need to keep an eye on spoke tension after a few rides.

Pain in the arse to set up tubeless but fine once done!

The hubs are the best bit and ease of maintenance!

Reverb Stealth
Revelations
15mm adaptors
Fox Rampage lid
running trainers (sorry)
Magic Mary

…sold my road bike and treated myself to some bits

Nomad XL 6’5 and 15stone

Bent mine twice, without any major prangs so sold them for £400 and bought hope Enduro wheels for £350 – definitely the best idea!

Absolutely beautiful wheels and fantastically light but as you say – made of cheese and too difficult to repair easily!

Def a warranty job, sent mine back and got a brand new one via bike-discount.de

Do it….not exactly to your spec but it’s a bargain & nearly new http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=141764073416&globalID=EBAY-GB

Pal has some and way better than his Rovals he took off.

I have the road wheels and they are fantastic

Highly recommended

I had a 2007 Enduro and now have a new Nomad – you can imagine they don’t really come close. The SC is amazing, light and fun!

It isn’t as good as the Bronson climbing but is better DH funnily enough, of course if I was fitter and lighter then climbing becomes easier etc etc! For proper mountain riding it is amazing, on local XC routes then keeping up with a 29er hardtail is a bit of a slog…no great surprise.

They seem to work better the more aggressive and faster you go.

This is bang on, the harder you push it at speed the more it rewards you – so, so, so much fun downhill!!

Like them both, Antur is pretty samey in that it is rocky, just some are are steeper and rocky than others. Having said that I think I prefer it to BPW just because the uplift is so efficient and fast!

In the wet it is still great fun and the blacks are really fun! Both fantastic and great fun!

GT 85 for me and a load of effort

Perfect thanks Phil