the other factor in my decision was that I suspected that the Epic would be quite race oriented (as Stumpy01 says). I rode an Anthem, and while I loved it, I think it would be pretty hard work for all day riding as it needs so much in put – I’m doing the Transrockies again next year, and I decided the slightly more relaxed style of the Fuel would be better for 8-10 hour days….but it’s still alot lighter than the Pace 405 I did it on last year.

I think I’ll probably only put pro-pedal on when I’m doing long road or fireroad climbs. Also mine has the 3 propedal settings, so with that and correct tuning of the rebound and stuff, I think the bob will be minimized

I made a decision…and got the Fuel. it’s currently sitting in my house all nice and shiney waiting for a ride at the weekend. I didn’t try the Epic as I couldn’t find anywhere that would let me test ride one properly. In the end, I decided I didn’t want the brain equiped shock, and did want 120mm travel at both ends – I couldn’t think of a reason not to get the Fuel!

yes it will work with your current frame – Cyclops provide a QR skewer for use on their turbos, which is has shaped metal ends to fit into the clamps (some ordinary skewers might fit anyway). I don’t know for sure but I doubt it would work with a maxle.

yes, you will be able to generate enough resistance

5. Do two hard sessions a week and kick (more) arses when riding

and enjoy riding more because you’re much fitter!

Makes me smile that just because some people haven’t got any clue how turbo sessions can fit into a proper, structured training plan, then they must automatically be rubbish

I agree…I got one a couple of years ago..made a huge difference to my fitness. If your work hours or location don’t give you the option to go out in the winter evenings, then a structured turbo session is great.

It’s not “fun” tho but v satisfying. I use the Carmichael Train Right DVDs..climbing 1 and 2 are great interval sessions, and when you get fit enough, do them back to back – make sure you have a bucket handy tho :wink:

if you like them why change?

well, yes, I do like them, but maybe there is something that does the job better……

mine are 2.25s..on hardtail and FS. not really tried anything else, so have nothing to compare to re drag.
the only thing putting me off the Nobby Nic Evolution is puncture resistance, but maybe snakeskin or double defence solves that (at a price!!)

lots of tree roots whereever I ride!

so, nockmeister, what have you got instead?

what about Maxxis Advantage on the back, High Roller on the front?

(I can certainly vouch for the puncture resistance of Fire Xc – on the Transrockies lat year, my team mate punctured his small block 8 every day, at least once….I got none!)

when running, you can avoid stiches by coordinating foot strike with breathing in and out.

not sure how that translates to biking tho!

I'm not convinced that is up to date…I was there 2 weeks ago, and it said the same, but at the top of the Skyline/Whytes shared climb (where they split) were signs saying "Skyline Trail Closed"…no diversions offered.

oh and my route starts at my house, which isn't mandatory!!

I should be able to send you a gpx track if that works for you? has some good stuff on it…maybe more scenery oriented that singletrack. I thought the singeltrack route went the wrong way round imho!!

Someone pointed me in the direction of this thread, and I checked mine out. I have the DT Swiss shock, and have had the bike for over 3 years (I think…just after they were first released anyway!). I've never had a problem with it bottoming out. I run about 10mm of sag, which fits right in the middle of the range recommended by DT Swiss.

I guess it's a problem with the Monarch shock not working the same as the DT Swiss (which the frame was allegedly designed around).

I ordered mine from Pace when they needed doing – don't think it was v expensive

why do you want to get it down?

ringo, not sure what you mean by "pace sell two sets of bearings one for the top of the links and one for the bottom" – I just bought a complete set of bearings (8 I think) – and a seperate set of bushings for the shock

I got a full set of replacements from Pace (tho I'm sure they're standards sizes so you could probably source cheaper elsewhere). no special tools needed – was dead easy (if slightly scary undoing just about every joint on the frame!)

that's a great account…really enjoyed the read :D

thanks for the linke, will have a read.
not too worried about the fireroad bits, having done the TransRockies in 2009. the BC race appears to have a great reputation with people that have done it, but I'm concerned that it might be beyond my skills – tho I happily ride most stuff at trail centres, I do bottle out of some things (like McMoab for example). I'd hate to enter the BC race and find myself walking huge sections of the singletrack!

I've got the Olympus Pen as a more convenient thing to carry round than my Canon DSLR…really like it, loads of control. they only think you might not like is the lack of a viewfinder..try it and see

Kirrough tree for me…much less busy than some of the others and feels quite remote in parts

be warned…coming INTO London on the M4 on a Friday evening is usually v busy too!!

anyone who did the Transrockies this year would see the value of waterproof shorts! :( while you'll never be completely dry, they keep you much warmer than wet lycra or baggies

I use a 705 and have no problem getting it from BikeRouteToaster into the Garmin. I'll remind myself how I do it this evening, and post the details here later. I'm pretty sure it needs to be a TCX file, and it then appears in training/courses

I use a 705 and have no problem getting it from BikeRouteToaster into the Garmin. I'll remind myself how I do it this evening, and post the details here later. I'm pretty sure it needs to be a TCX file, and it then appears in training/courses

I must admit, my tapering for TransRockies this week has involved…doing nothing! i did have a couple of sessions planned but didn't fit them in. I plan to do a couple of 1-2 hour rides at the weekend, really gently, and probably nothing until I get to Canada (so not til Friday). I've never trained for a multi day event like this, but my experience of training for marathons is that resting in the last couple of weeks is probably more important than more training – especially if your last couple of weeks have been hard.
you do always feel like sh!t when you're tapering tho! All sorts of new aches and pains come out…..
see you out there!

thanks guys…will try both

"if yer clever"….oh, b*gger

time for some experimentation this weekend, methinks

I did wonder about taking a roofrack type strap that I could then loop onto the bike and hang it over my shoulders.

ooh I can't wait to get out and try these…..I just love carrying my bike :(

If you can set it up in front of a telly/portable DVD player, I’d recommend getting the Climbing 1 & 2 DVDs from here:

http://www.trainright.com/folders.asp?uid=19

anyone got a contact no for Pace please? their website seems to be dead at the minute

first things first, get rid of that spare tyre…then get some on your bike that don’t leak

signs?! whatever next! thanks guys

“a mate”…are you sure?!?!?!

I converted it to GPX in Memory Map and saved it away, then just cut and pasted it onto the Garmin

cheers for the info…will have a play

I tried it with off-road option later on – it still calculated some crazy on-road route. I don’t want it to calculate anything, just show the route on the screen really.