Very nice, talked a lot at the show about it.

You should also look at the high pivot version on his Insta feed.

 

19. quite pleased with that

 

I enjoyed that event. I did the full series this year, enthusiastically riding around at the back.

And why won’t these be okay?

Plenty to digest in the responses.

The Fork would be at the same Axle to Crown when sagged, but have a more linear stroke until the end, increasing bump sensitivity. Basically a softer fork by increasing the volume.

The shock will indeed be just having a longer stroke, the CC 60 and 67 are the same shock with a spacer. However 67 will cause the Tyre to hit the seat tube.

I do wish the Jeht existed before I got the Flare Max, as the Rocket always seemed “too much”.

I so need a Rox T-Shirt!

Global Supply issues I’m afraid. I’d rather he had a bike all summer and got out and rode. Unfortunately as an Independent LBS I don’t have the buying power, or storage space, which is why I/We have to focus on more specialist parts and components and repairs. Hence we become expensive stores that are scary to new riders. He can have one from the store when he is definitely a keen rider.

I never understood the Halfords Hate.

As a former Halfords employee, I can say that (at least in our branch) the BikeHut tends to be staffed by enthusiasts. We all rode bikes, talked bikes, spent money on bikes, and chatted bikes to anybody who would listen. We’d always try to sell people the right bike for the application. The same can be said for a few other bike dispensaries, Like Decathlon and Go Outdoors.

The current Voodoo, Carrera, Caliber and Rockrider bikes are pretty good value bikes, and the staff seemed to care. I just bought my lad a Two3 Caliber and it is amazing value.

I just hope that the service offered in my bike shop is as good. I will always struggle with the instant availability of “new bike” stock against the bigger stores, but I always try to have the “needed” items in stock, and we have shifted our hours to suit the average working hours. I know my market, and if they want to call in with their Halfords bike for a repair, spare or upgrade, I will happily work on it and advise all day long. And when they decide that this bike thing is awesome, I’ll advise them on a great bike to move up to. You have to start somewhere, and like me, my riding buddies and the lad, nobody starts anything new by going all in at a £1K.

The plant coverage on Smithills, Rivington and Darwen Moors is tinder dry again. But there is still a few muppets out there. I saw a couple flicking their dog ends out of the window on Georges Lane. UU have been out with signs about BBQs as well.

UU (and the Woodland Trust?) are maintaining the fire breaks better now, and there are some beaters situated around the moors too. Spotted a couple on Two Lads last week, but hope we don’t need them.

Bikes have Category’s, I learned about this last week somehow – ASTM F2043-13 Standard Classification for Bicycle Usage ASTM

Cat 1 – This is a set of conditions for the operation of a bicycle on a regular paved surface where the tires are intended to maintain ground contact.

Cat 2 – This is a set of conditions for the operation of a bicycle that includes Condition 1 as well as unpaved and gravel roads and trails with moderate grades. In this set of conditions, contact with irregular terrain and loss of tire contact with the ground may occur. Drops are intended to be limited to 15cm (6″) or less.

Cat 3 – This is a set of conditions for operation of a bicycle that includes Condition 1 and Condition 2 as well as rough trails, rough unpaved roads, and rough terrain and unimproved trails that require technical skills. Jumps and drops are intended to be less than 61cm (24″).

Cat 4 – This is a set of conditions for operation of a bicycle that includes Conditions 1, 2, and 3, or downhill grades on rough trails at speeds less than 40 km/h (25 mph), or both. Jumps are intended to be less than 122cm (48″).

Cat 5 – This is a set of conditions for operation of a bicycle that includes Conditions 1, 2, 3, and 4; extreme jumping; or downhill grades on rough trails at speeds in excess of 40 km/h (25 mph); or a combination thereof.

Great Tune choices this week. I was relistening to my Warp collection earlier this week, and you can’t go wrong with a bit of Massive Attack.

Just received my Club Shirt and it’s really nice. Great in the sunshine.

Bicycle courier! then you’ll be super fit.

Shame I can’t make this one, but I will be doing next year. Ridden Sandwell, Eastnor, Gatcombe and Marston Lodge. Sandwell fast flat and dusty. Eastnor was wet (I may have done a dry year?) Gatcombe was an awesome track, and Singletrack gave me free beer(s). Marston was also suburb. Roll on number 25! (My 9th I think)

@Sandwich I think i’ll try your MiL recipe this evening in front of a fire.

I’m all in with the shifter. All the good bits of the mech happen at the shifter, multi drops and raises, all at the shifter. Beautiful tactile feel and action, lever again. Always annoys me when a XT mech gets a Deore shifter on a factory spec bike. Give me a XT shifter, and a Deore mech, and when it gets mullered, I’ll tick an SLX on there. And if its a SRAM, I’ll wait to the whole lot implodes of its own desire and get Shimano.

And Grips. Got the FAT Ergon grips in January, and they are amazing. More comfort, less pain, more miles and smiles. Brakes and tyres are good, but what if one day is a slopfest from the depths of a biblical flood, and tomorrow is a baked gravel hardpack rockfest of a desert cliff? Think I’d rather have comfort both days. That takes me on to saddles. Saddles are nice. Defiantly better than just a post. That would hurt. But if I had good bib shorts on, how much does the saddle matter? And what shape is my arse? Is it M/L or Wide? Are my sit bone here or there, or under that 13% Porter I drank last week? And again, is it at the right height?

Wheels. Nice wheels are nice. I can’t afford lots though, so I need nice do everything go everywhere be ace all the time wheels. Not sure how I can quantify what they are, so I’m in your hands MTB Journos. Do I go Hope, Hunt I9? 32 or 36 spokes, carbon, alloy or a mad mix? is 29 or 30 better, should I mullet and mix widths?

In hindsight, the 90’s where much easier. Everything was newer, lighter, faster and purple. Also it was all bobbins compared to now, and even somewhere in-between then and now. Not sure where this post is going now, going to bugger off and get a map and plan a ride for tomorrow in the Peaks. With my wrong shifters, inappropriate tyres, poorly sized wheels, but nice grips, comfy shorts and hopefully have a blast, find a nice pub/cafe and talk bolloxs to other people who also have no idea if the bike is the right one, or the wrong one.

Mountain Biking is ace.

Oh dear, oh dear oh dear.

This would be cheaper than my current plan though, as I am an engineer (degree and 20 years in industry), and have just purchased a real bike shop! (I have worked across multiple bike shops in the past, including being a Saturday boy at Halfords, so not totally blind) Also just to cap it off, just fixed my neighbours “that’s not a chain, it’s a rusty bar” Halfords bike for about 50?% of it rrp.

Ah well what can go wrong…….

Despite the cost stopping me from ever experiencing them in the real world, them cranks don’t alf look stunning! (As do the pedals and stem, and much other expensive things….)

Dream

Pretty close on the rear, touch high for the front. I’d run less at a trail centre though, but these suit the pointy rocks in the lake district.

Hi,

So, I used to put Kaitlyn (from 8 months till 3yrs) in a rear seat. And William (from 3.5 yrs to 24″ wheels) on a Trail Gator. Both on road and on Trails (not red and blue ones though!).

Brother-in-Law runs a WeeHoo trailer with 4 yr old twins. Again both on and off road.

Couple of pics in use: Clicky for Picy

Our latest issue is how to tow two 4yr olds on their own bikes….

Hi All,

Had a chat with Cy, and the Gen 3, with a 53.5mm stroke will give you a “133” Flare Max, but he advises no more than that otherwise you’ll be colliding and crashing links together.

Will give it a go with the next service, as I’m a fettling addict.

@CY if you see this, I’ll be in touch for a sticker and have a 132 Gen 3 Flare Max

Cheers All.

Hi Rob,

Sign me up please, 97kg & 210w FTP

Ta.

Hi @intheborders,

Think 2018 is the Gen 2. I’ve the CC Helm up front, and that is pretty stiff, and adjustable.

Initially I’d thought Rocket MAX and to be fair it makes more sense than 15mm. Like the shock idea. I’ll see what can be done with the CCDB IL, 132mm would satisfy that “itch”, and leave funds spare for a diesel heater in the van for more road trips.

Ta,

I have a basic Sonder Camino and I really like it. Its taller than my road bike, and about 20mm lower than the MTB.

Not sure what is going on in your case, but SRAM site does have loads of good info. I used it when the rebound on my Pikes wouldn’t turn in either direction. Got it sorted with the drawings and videos.

MSR TrailShot Pocket-Sized Water Filter – It also plumbs in to a bladder hose and you can back fill directly. Love mine for overnighters.

Cleat looks a little like TIME.

However, seeing as my Time pedals are 24 years old, and I have sets on 4 Bikes, and have never needed to do any service work on them, or on my Knees, I’ll stick to Time.

But saying that why all the fuss over the cleat? Crank Bros. have there own cleat, time has there own cleat, and if you look at road bikes, every brand has multiple cleats.

Run Trail Kings (ProTection Apex) in 2.4 and there ace. Ran a 2.2 Mountain King, also ace.

I use the light weight Bliss impact gel things. So far very comfortable, snd survived some big offs.

Transition Scout, tested loads last year, and the Scout has the highest smile per mile factor.

Tested:
Five – A bike (sorry fans!)
Fuel – Soulless (but very capable)
Remedy – As above
Aerial – really good, just not quite my size/shape
Scout – capable and playf6

Norfolk Mustard or Limeade

Arrived!!

Try before you buy.

Of this I agree, tested an ABP Trek as well now, and yes it is very good, but the Scout had a bigger smile factor. Next time the Trek may win, but at the moment it’s a clear victory to the Scout on feel factor, being able to customize the spec for my riding, and making me smile, which is why we do this sport. (In fact the Trek may of “ridden” better, but the Scout wants you to have fun)

As for internet reviews and strangers, always remember an opinion is just that. Although my internet bought Rose Pro SL2000 road bike is excellent, and the fit is perfect, although i did have all the dimensions from my bike fit on the last road bike to get the size.

UPDATE:

Had further conversations about the Yeti with friend of a friend, who is also a Yeti dealer, and we concluded that the Yeti is excellent, but not as playful as I wanted. He said it was an all day epic rider with very neutral characteristics, which would of suited, but with the young family at home, the all day epics are not as common as they should be. The quick ride out locally, very early morning and 1/2 day at a trail center, and a ride whilst away visiting friends are where it’s at. So on that note I booked a test ride on the Transition.

I took a Scout out for a ride, and initially I was horrified. It was dead and unresponsive. However after resetting the sag (30%), centering all the damping, and getting tire pressures sorted and saddle in the right place the bike really came together. It really does encourage you to go much faster than a 125mm figure would suggest. Tracked really well on small and medium bumps, and large impacts didn’t overly worry it. It didn’t skitter about, and really likes being hurled and thrown at and over obstacles. Makes my (10 yr old) Cove Hustler feel flexy and hesitant. However the bike is not a climber. Sure you can sit and grind, letting the pedal damping work, but on the technical sections you need to shift your weight a long way forwards to keep it from wandering. Fire roads where not bobby, if you flicked the shock over, so that’s good for the majority of my rides, and as for the tech sections, it’s more about adapting my (lazy) technique and more time on the bike.

In Summary: Huge Fun and Playful nature once setup to taste. Climbing not its natural habitat, but will get you to the top relatively efficiently. Deposit placed.

apparently the 650b yeti 575 is a disappointment.

I have also read this, Cube could be an option, although the Whyte is UK…..

Too many options hence the original conundrum. Test on the Scout coming up.

I am thinking that too.