They are a good bike, I extensively test rode one, light and fast, but had a few things that put me off, it came with dual control shifters, its got a Scott own brand shock that is very unconventional in how it works (pulls appart rather than compresses) I felt that it was a bike you was very much perched on top of, rather than a bit more sat in, for that reason I wouldnt reccomend it as a first bike, especially if you are tall as well… But if you have ridden a bit and you like it, why not, ask to borrow it for a decent ride.

You can lose another 100g per tube for not much money…

Not many tyres that grip under 500g, Specialized tyres have decent volume and light weights, Adrenalines are pretty good allround tyre, but dont bother with over 2.0 as they come in huge.

Wheels are a good way to lose weight, but you have decent hoops already, its expensive to change, do it when you have worn out the wheels you have.

The triple butted is under 4lb for a medium, they have another thats not triple butted at £80 nice little frames. (almost identicle to the brand X xc hartail)

Here is mine built up, the forks on this were a little too short for it, I bought the RC31’s after a few rides..

These are good for the money, light and nice gemetetry, I built one as a singlespeed some time back.

http://www.dirtyjobikes.co.uk/Frames/Dirty_Jo_Triple_Butted_Frame

If you can stretch your budget the Merlin team tig sl scandium frame is a lot of frame for not much money.

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=694

I got some Pace rc31s that I have been meaning to take some pictures of to sell if your interested in those. But yes, you can buy carbons for under £100

On here you dont see many risers and bar ends, but there isnt any reason you cant have them on risers if you want..

Have to spend a lot more to get a lighter frame than this..
http://merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=694&categoryId=106

Arent most racey frames set up for 100mm these days? Pretty sure it would still be ok at 80mm if thats what you have for it.

google marin palisades 19?? and keep changing the year, look in images until you see one the same.

Mate hired a demo bike in Afan it had one on it, would have thought they rekon it to help show off one of their bikes…

Flippin eck Jim the saint, I thought I had too many sets!!

I would love to try the Bonty Jones, they doo look a good tyre, and I like the look of the Maxxis crossmark too for dry stuff, but I wont be buying any tyres for a bit myself I got a few seasons worth I need to wear out.

Isnt Masters an age group? 30-40 or something?

What size mud mads are you running?

If you like that tread pattern swampthings are 600g in a 2.1 and a very similar tread pattern to the mud mads, not much use to you now, but a worn down swampthing doesnt roll as bad as people say and still has loads of grip, most importantly it will be worn in the middle so it rolls better but the side knobs will still be there for your cornering. Does step out on roots a bit, but as you have said your used to that, the predictable cornering takes a bit of beating.

Sad but rekon foxyrider is about right, might get more if he has reciepts for shock or fork servicing, and any drivtrain or frame bushings parts that might have been replaced recently..

Unlike mikey its the same day I feel rough…

What levels of fluid input for a 2 hour “energetic” if not flat out ride?

I am just using a water bottle, one of the big ones unsure of capacity, I usually just about finish it in 2 hours is that not enough?

I do a bit.. Not really thought about it, thought I was just tired, but now you have mentioned it, sometimes I really dont feel very well…

Rekon I might need to de bug my water bottle or something..

I would think there are many different reasons, for many different people, you mention 3 in your post.

Whahoo there, them women have been on the Fois Gras through the funnel and hosepipe diet.

Scaphoids are a bstad to heal, something to do with limited blood supply.

Thanks for making me fell sick…

So that white lump they are playing with is a scaphoid is it?

I broke mine but it healed naturally, after and absolute age though…

I still feel a bit sick James…

Flipped an MX bike wearing my safety shorts in Crete.

James thats disgusting, what the **** was they doing in there?

I said I was kidding about the Conti, take a peek at the Maxxis crossmark, my pal rented a demo bike from Skyline cycles in Afan and it had one on the back, dont think they would put one on a bike theyre hoping to show off in its best light if it was no good..

The conti twister was a joke…. Maxxis crossmark looks good, not tried it, but does look right.

Try some conti twister supersonics on it… you wont even know they are there… :-)

Can you see if there is a mark inside where the bolt may have bottomed out and caused the break?

I have tried zooming in to see from the pic but the resolution isnt high enough

There are coaches to take you and bikes back to London, for a fee.

whats the film with the freaky looking bloke on a bike then?

I decided against racing Beastway as a Vet, so built a SS to race that class instead.

Your in luck with those forks, plenty of steerer for any frame you want! :wink:

That Genesis is going to make your softy looking SC its byatch..

£67 just have it, looks great for that…

I couldnt disagree more about a 2nd hand bike, could be a nightmare of mismatched bits n bobs all of them knackered. But then thats just my opinion and of course luck would play a part, and we have no idea if you have any knowledge of working on bikes.

Assuming you dont know loads about making them run nice, I would be looking at this sort of thing. (they got your size too).

If you see anything with hydraulic discs or 27 speed in your price bracket that would be good, but your more likely looking at 24speed and mechanical disks.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/4300-disc-2008-mountain-bike-ec001562

Bargains are out there, google your brains out looking, my mate bought a Kona Cindercone from Skyline cycles for £300 this week thats a whopping 50% off the retail for a brand new bike, it wouldnt have fitted you but just goes to show bargains are out there.

If you find something and want an opinion post it here.. you will get lots of replies!

I would think Hora is knocking one out about now…

OOps might have taken the hats comment a little too literally, hadnt noticed the tongue in cheek about the dried meat products!!! :oops:

Might be worth getting a few quotes in from independant floor layers, I got my oak flooring fitted for £5 per metre more than the wood alone would have cost me, as his trade buying netted him such a discount, If I hadnt chosen the more rustic looking oak flooring he could have done the floor for the same price as the planed and treated wood per metre.

What are the hats you planning Brant? Its about time someone came up with a decent crash helmet without it being a fortune. (one of my pet rants)

Thats what I was after!!

Back on topic, what I like about the saddle is what PP doesnt like quite so much, it is flatter than a WTB or an SDG Bel Air, but where you kind of sit in those 2 saddles, you sit on the Charge and I find its nice to change where you actually sit on it if that makes any sense..

What sealant did you put in? or are they UST tyres anyhow?

You was supposed to say that looks awsome!!

It did look nice with a black saddle on it too..