The front triangles are exactly the same between 2012 zestys and spicys, but the rear is a little bit beefed up on spicys, getting 142×12 rear axle instead of 135×10. So you can create both bikes just by changing shocks, but suppose the rear end wouldn’t be quite as stiff if you converted from zesty to spicy. My 2010 zesty is still going strong too, I love it!

Cheers for the advice guys. Not interested in 29er (because of price of buying forks, wheels and new cables etc, plus not sure I even like them). How different is the new 456 geometry compared to the old one? Has anyone run bigger wheels in it?

Thanks for the input so far. I don’t think I could afford a made-to-measure frame, should have said before my budget is £300. I like the Prince Albert, but it only goes up to a 19″ frame, and has no rack mounts (neither does a Bfe). Does anyone ride a Tig Team? Although the shape of the seat-stays suggests there might not be enough clearance to get the 700c wheels in.

Zesty/Spicy depending how much you will use it in Britain/ Alps. Won countless AM/Enduro races and ride really well both up and down.

My zestys held up well for well over a year now. Only thing sounding ropey is the pressfit bb, but its the original and I used it all last winter so I dont think thats too bad. The zesty probably can take up to 160mm forks – hotlines apparently told a customer that as long as a shop fits the fork it would be covered under warranty. They can certainly cope with 150mm forks. I’m really impressed with mine, it gets ridden reasonably hard and so far hasnt complained.

I’ve got one and its ace, like above 5 year warranty shows confidence. Its much like the orange 5 in that everyone seems to love or hate it. Mines ridden fairly hard and I’ve had no issues except after 8 months riding its getting ready for a new BB. If you’re buying one to upgrade/change nearly all the parts get the base model 214, its £1600 at Evans. Can’t understand people who buy the 314 or 514 (spending 600-1000 more) and then do exactly the same thing!

Ok thanks I’ll have a go tomorrow!

No this was with the adaptors left on. Should that make a difference then?

They turn when you do them by hand just a bit stiff. I’ve been a ride on them, I thought they’d just loosen up to be honest with a good few revolutions. The rear got even better and the front stayed the same. I hope its not a dud don’t want to go back to the shop!

No because I slotted it in before I even fitted the rotor and gave it a spin and it did the same thing. I haven’t overtightened the qrs. Its just like when you overtighten a cup and cone hub, but I don’t know how to service it (plus its brand new out the box this morning, so Id hoped it shouldn’t need servicing!)

I’m still unsure of going second hand – especially in parts – I don’t know sizing, what parts are compatible or anything about road bike groupsets etc. Think I’ve narrowed it down to dawes galaxy (seen 2010s for bout £800 which seems good with pannier racks etc included) and kona honky tonk (£550 from evans for 2010), I’m going to try and test ride some. I’ll keep my eye on ebay aswell, but I never seem able to find what I want on there! Cheers for the help guys.

Panaracrer xc pros 2.1s? They come in skinny for a 2.1 (more like 2.0 by other makes) and I’ve never flatted one running them about 40psi.

I really like those Equilibriums, but they are double my budget unfortunately! Not really sure about second hand route, I don’t like blind buying and still not sure what I’m looking for. Could do with test riding for size ideas aswell. Have to admit, aluminium does make more and more sense as I’m trawling through various sites.

After riding my dad’s 1960’s Holdsworth and my brother’s aluminium carrera tdf, I just prefer the feel and ride quality of steel. I know there are lots of pros and cons to both, but I was thinking, probably wrongly, that steel would make for a better material for touring and longevity.

I thought about a pompino a month or two back, but decided I wasn’t fit enough for singlespeed and some of the local hills, plus I want it as a tourer aswell (and no way can I ride round Europe singlespeed!) Does the Honky Tonk have pannier mounts then?

I’m convinced that a 160mm hardtail wouldn’t ride well. If full sussers are ‘boring’ hes not riding fast enough. Oh, hes gone.

I had this exact problem with my zesty – oversized bb shells are probably more trouble than they’re worth. Thankfully I only really ground a bit of paint off mine before I spotted it. I solved it by filing down the granny ring tabs, and I havent had a single issue since(I don’t think I could have got anything on warranty for a bit of scratched paint). If yours has damaged the carbon you might have a better case. Otherwise, get the file out!

Was it you I met this morning? We were on red zesty and blue stumpjumper. Its definately ruining that byway!

Cheers sounds like a XL. I live fairly close to the showroom anyway, so presumably I can go down and have a try. I only mean flattish offroading, I was more concerned about bumps/toughness, I’m keeping the zesty for proper riding! How much do they weigh roughly in XL?

Cheers guys. Thanks for the offer ikimbunza, but I’m a lanky sod at nearly 6ft 3 so I’ll definately need the large. Plus I need to save up for a month or so. Go for it Matt! You’ve all convinced me though!

Im from Barnsley, so Peaks are closer, I was just thinking of a change. But if its slow and muddy I’ll wait until summer I suppose. Cheers for feedback anyway!

I did it on a scott 100mm hardtail with semi-slicks (in summer). Seemed a good compromise to me, I had fun on the downhill offroad but didn’t die on the mega road ascents in the Lakes and Northumberland.

Ok cheers guys, wasn’t sure!

Northwind – cheers, this looks perfect. Just got to decide which ones to enter now!
Grumm – second post?

So are there any links to these gravity enduros then so I can have a look? Locations and entry costs, dates etc?

These are the ones that you use a trail/ all mountain bike for though aren’t they? I haven’t got a downhill machine!

Cheers, looks like I’ll have to save up and spend some money on the problem!

I’ve heard from some of the magazines that the downhill orientated ones are being run in the UK, but not really when and where.
All the advertisements I’ve found/seen seem to be for the marathon style ones.
Might just start timing myself in the peaks, it’ll be cheaper and easier!
We timed ourselves around Dalby last month, it does spur you on abit.

Anyone ridden a Mondraker Foxy?

Thats what I was wondering – it will mostly be used for fairly aggressive trail riding but maybe the odd trip to the alps aswell.

Ive still never even seen a 29er in real life, and I do a fair bit of riding! But to be fair Ive hardly seen anybody on my last few rides.

Cheers guys, guess hes going to have to do lots of test riding. Think his budget will be about £2000.

I had a similar dilemma to you – did I need that extra travel. I eventually went with zesty 214 and haven’t regretted it since – I regularly use all the travel and just seem to be getting faster and faster on it. Even with the heavy basic wheelset it comes with it still only weighs 30ib which isn’t too bad for all day riding, plus it can handle bit more hardcore stuff when you fancy it. I love it!

I’ve got some chunky Sunline grips which are really nice.

Same thing happened to me on Ilkley Moor the other week. Country ‘gents’ with shotguns and labradors tried telling us our bikes were eroding the trails. Hundred yards further up the hill were parked 15 Land Rovers. I was speechless.

26ers are always better!! 🙂

Doesn’t it depend more on the weight of the rider? Heavy, strong rider equals burly bike, lanky weakling like me equals lighter bike.

Having strode purposefully to the garage after following this thread I realised I haven’t a clue how to remove the cranks/ chainrings on a Lapierre – all the fittings are totally alien compared with my old Scott hardtail. How do I get the thing off!? (thought I’d ask the resident bike gurus on here rather than start faffing round not knowing what I’m doing!) Cheers. Don’t understand these press-fit bottom brackets either!

Ok cheers I’ll get on to it!

This seems to make sense – everything matches with the problem I’ve got. So my options are to try switching the chainring round then if not buy a new one?
Certainly not riding it again til i’ve changed something theres already a fair scratch!