Brilliant, thanks for the offer I’d like to have a go at making one up so all the pics in following posts are very helpful.
Cheers
Richard

OOS at Merlin and Parkers at present.

I had similar experience with recently built BFE. I sold the frame very quickly and acquired an NS Surge to try, very different feeling to the BFE and so far so good.
The advice about standing up is very relevant, I found my weak core muscles were a real disadvantage so combined with the GI plan (-10lbs in 3 weeks) and some core exercises I hope to enjoy all the benefits of a hardtail.
Richard

dantsw13 are you running tubeless on ust rims or with sealant etc?
Regards
Richard

sorry try dales bike doctor too, he had some good prices last week.

CONTINENTAL RUBBER QUEEN BLACK CHILLI – 26 X 2.4 INCHES bought from Velo Ecosse £34.95 delivered fantastic tyre so far.

Thanks all I had the long one as a legacy of my old triple set up . Medium it is then.
Regards
Richard

Jedi just curious about new tyre choice, you mention in blog that you are running Mountain King Protection on your Mavic rims, are they compatable with UST? Just trying to find out if I can run these with 823 UST rims, nobody is too sure.
Cheers
Richard

Thanks

Sorry anybody?

😀

I’ve got a Thule bootrack on my mini and it mounts in 30 secs, carries 3 bikes comfortably. Really solid and simple to use.
Richard

Have you spoken to Ride on at Rawtenstall. I’m in Fulwood and popping over to them this week. I could drop it in if you liked?
Richard

I have a set of 2.4 BFT which I bought for my BFE. I’d describe them as slower rolling than some of the competition they have an aggressive tread pattern. They were good in my local trail centre Gisburn, but I found them a little heavy going for all round use. (I do a bit of road riding to get to my off road sections. On advice from 18 (very good) I ran them at 35psi tubed on 823 rims.
The pair I bought are unmarked, they have about 3 hours riding on them still have the little knobs on.I’d be happy to sell on for £33 for the pair plus £5 to cover some postage costs.
Richard

Highly recommend Bookatrack, service and support is first class.

I don’t think paypal gift via bank is free, got charged last time I used it.

They look ace, pic here, ordered mine yesterday pm and arrived this morning. 55mm

Rob, have a look above Scorton/Nicky Nook and then access to Trough of Bowland routes. We are short of good trails in this area but these areas are ok.Some cheeky runs around Parlick, Longridge Fell nearer Preston.Have you been down to Rivington and Healey Nab (Chorley)

Slightly off topic has anyone got a slight seat wobble, my Reverb (2012) seems to have a tiny amount of play where the shaft enters the collar not major but it does cause the seat to rock a few mm’s ? I appreciate it cannot be fully rigid as the post would not telescope in but just wondering if I should be worried.
Thanks
Rich

Tracking these on ebay over the last few months,this one looks very tidy.
most people will tell you to split if trying to maximise the value.

The frame only seems to go from £250-400 dependent on shock and condition. The longer travel 7+ seem to be rarer so maybe a little more.
Drivetrain £100
Fork (Manitou?) £125
Wheelset £140
Brakeset £100-120.etc etc
so c. £850-1000 broken down. Built up it will struggle to get beyond £750 I think (seem to be plenty of Patriots for sale around £550-650mark with similar spec ).

Richard

Thanks for the feedback , anybody else had similar or something else they’d recommend?
Richard

MTG yes they mentioned it was a non supercharged RR engine, May called it the Meteor version.

After 2 weeks of trial and error I have removed the 160 Fox 36’s Van I had in favour of the Pikes that I had left in the corner at build time.

I think a few of you were right about the Van being a little bit of overkill. The Pikes do give the bike a much nicer feel, it now climbs well and feels to have sharpened up the steering but it still goes down the hill like the clappers.

In terms of tyres I had tried the CST BFT 2.4″ but have found them poor on punctures, 5 so far, maybe I’ve been unlucky but I had assumed these would have performed better than this. Also they had made the bike feel very sluggish has anyone else got any experience of these tyres?

Overall I like the bike very much.

Richard

Sorry I was looking at £800 ono for the frame and shock.
Regards
Richard

Simon,

From what you describe it may tick a lot of boxes for you.

I think it looks good in the flesh. Nice to hang your quality kit off for sure.
You do not see many when out and about and I suppose that might appeal. The ride is very good and it handles very well.

I’d take a bit less than asking price. The frame and shock combo are c. £2200 new.

I change my frames quite regularly and this is for sale as I have just acquired another frame and transferred all my parts onto it.

I’m 6 ft with shortish legs (30″) by the way and this sizes up very nicely.

Regards

Richard

Biased know but 2nd hand value is hard to beat.
See http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-nicolai-helius-cc-2009-medium-frame-1
Regards
Richard

Lee has left Merlin I think, they seem really busy with new builds from the website. These seem to be taking priority and repairs and other works are getting pushed back a bit. Matt is still on his own i think in the workshop and always seems flat out busy.
Richard

Ride on at Rawtenstall seem very helpful.

Trails looked in good shape today, Hope line has a piece of my sons knee wedged into it from this mornings ride! Pads ordered this pm!

Thanks all survived a trip to Gisburn today. Loving my new build.

Lowering the stem makes a real difference, the bike WAS all over the place with the spacers and stem I was using, nearly on the back wheel the whole time when climbing all the way up the hill …horrible.

Revised the cable runs for rear brakes and Reverb slightly as per advice on here. Thanks again all.

Thanks for all the comments, particularly helpful explanation on the stem, bars etc. Better get out and ride it now.

AVOID
The dash made of cardboard and very cheap plastics, awful main dealers, unreliable electrics, wheel bearings, ABS, AC packing up, worst car we ever owned

LBS?

spaces

Heavy I’d guess will weigh up tmrw

Its got Fox 160, Hope Mono M4’s, Mavic rims and Hope hubs, Reverb, Fat Bars E13 bash and X9 /SLX transmission and a chunky stem, just debating new tyres as need something bigger out back.
Like it though feels tough!

Not sure how to post on here sorry link here anyone help?

http://catgreenhorse.pinkbike.com/album/bfe/

built up and off for a ride….any comments welcome
http://catgreenhorse.pinkbike.com/album/bfe/
do not know how to post pics onto here directly.Sorry