Interesting to see that Specialized tactic of ‘overspeccing’ the rear mech still works for some consumers.

Its a lovely looking machine and pretty good value but look past the bling rear mech and crank and your getting slx shifters, x.7 front mech, slx cassette, open bath RL standard QR forks… Not saying you will get oodles more spec by buying another bike (infact its on a par with most other stuff at this price) but its not really an ‘XTR Bike’ 😉

D?! Its L!

There was a camera floating about, i assume Andy or Ed picked it up, might be worth a quick email.

The other blue was a bit ‘limp’ Red is fine with me! Erm probably not, Frank will probably be watching 😀

Wasnt the other troof colour blue, or have you been changing again! Oh ive got your ‘im scared of my wife’ tee here too, i rescued it from the shed for you at EB 😉

Been the last few years with work, not a bad wander round to see the new stuff youve seen in pictures for the last few months for real but thats about it. As mentioned above Hotlines wont be there this year but were actually running our own show at the old truman brewery near bricklane the same week. Public day is Saturday (9th) and entry is free.. and if your lucky you get to talk to me 😉

New Ghost HTX Lector frame is lovely. Full builds are very good VFM too.

Would be with 100mm forks, its also slightly adjustable with the 44mm headtube too as you can run either an internal or external 1"1/8th headset.

Spec from memory.

NP 44mm headset.
100mm Reba Maxlelite
NP Stem/Bars/Saddle/Post/Grips/Clamp/All Mountain Wheelset/
Straitline Chaindevice.
X.0 Mech/Shifter
Ultegra Cassette
2.1 RocketRon/Racing Ralph (probably the biggest weight saving)
XT Chainset / Blackspire Ring
Elixir CR Brakes
Was without pedals too so just under 27 in real money.

Im going to pretend i didnt see that for my bank balances sake 😆

They tend to be love hate relationships. Ive got a 172cup, the electronics are crap, the build quality is poor, i sometimes need to wiggle the TDC sensor to get it to start… can i bring myself to sell it?

Nope! Ive had a decent share of quick stuff and this although not the fastest car ive owned is definatly the most fun, its simply a car that makes you smile. Ive driven a few 197s at RS trackdays too, definatly more refined than the 172/182 – bigger/heavier car but performance is similar due to extra power, dont notice the extra weight in the handling either, brilliant car to drive.

It will have flaws but if youve actually owned one they are difficult things not too love.

Reasonable amount, was the silver one we had at eurobike so build is pictured here:
Clicky
That build was 26lb on the nose. If my memory serves me correct frame weight is 4.4lb and BB is 12.5, dont quote me on those though as it often doesnt! Geo has been modified and tested by Lucas throughout the season and production version is a direct copy of his finalised frame. Worked ok for him anyway 😆

I think the only person with Geo on the snap will be brant. Ive got full details on all the frames but the snap Geo isnt there! Rides awesome though 😆

… and watching VERY random videos on the internet

BAGGER BAGGER BAGGER! 😆

Hey Yoshimi that would be great, thankyou.

Just pop it over to luke@hotlines-uk.com if you get chance.

Thanks again 😀

Great pics Yoshimi

Nice one of me (last one) so i would say that 😀 Awesome event though. Not raced for years, was good to hear the beeps again! Cheers to everyone involved in organisation, marshalling, everything else, was hugely apprechiated by all.

Just my other half having a nap, unfortunatly no stalking involved 😆

24.5lb as is and built ready for trail centre thrashing!

(also in the classifieds) 😉

anneka rice! 😕

Yep

F120 and 70mm stem on mine.

Epic little bike 🙂

Oh and thanks neninja!

My OH has just said… "Bet you wished you'd got the white giant now dont you, it looks much better"
😥

I think you were 😀

Its coming out to play at llandegla tomorrow so ill take a few decent pictures with a proper camera!

Ive got a very nicely specced Orange 5 but even though ive only had this out a few times i cant really think of many places in the UK where point to point it would be any faster.

As for the x4/x3/x2/x1 debate its a tricky one, im in the nice position of having to pay less between the gaps between the ranges because of what i do.

I initially looked at the X4 – superb value, looks fantastic but knew id end up needing to change the brakes as well as the wheels and finishing kit and probably a few other bits as im a tart! The X3 was certainly a good option and has sold equally as well as the x4 in store but ill be honest i just didn't like the colour! X2 for me wasnt much more, the blue looks ace and although i know the frame doesn't really need it the RP2 shock will appeal more to others in the future when i come to split the frame / sell the bike. X1 even though the upgrade would have been less than the £750 in the retails still didn't really stack up in my eyes 😐

Ive got an x2.

Swapped out the wheels for something decent and changed the fork to an f120 and dropped the stem length down a tad and its one of the best bikes ive ridden (and in my job i ride lots of bikes!)

Crap phone pic!

Hey great to see it all finally built up, looks ace. Glad to be able to get the dropouts sorted quickly for you too, my fault for assuming the box was correct! Anything you need just give me a shout. Luke

Weve got a Large Spot on demo at Rutland/Grafham

Happy to push back too 😆

Glad its arrived safely and on time.

Cheers Ton.

Split the BB shell on it, really wouldn't worry about it if your using it for normal use i really didnt treat her nice 😆

Had one up until a few months ago. Built it as a bit of an experiment really as i was running with a 120mm fork, tough wheels and 70mm stem as a lightweight but solid trailbike.

Was a great machine, climbed like a racebike and was a very confident bike on the decents, perhaps overly so as i did break it eventually. However with the sort of stuff i was doing on it, considering its a XC race frame made from glue and string i was suprised it lived as long as it did. Would have had another in a flash but the warranty frame was delayed by a few weeks so i sorted something else.

2010 Anthem X2 with a few 'tweaks' 24.05lb with pedals.

😆

Ive got a much better clue than most on here how to setup a FS bike thanks :wink:. The rebound control on this shock is just pretty poor, which makes for a 'bouncy' less controlled ride on rougher ground no matter how the shock is set, i apologise for using laymans terms with such elitist minds in attendance!

The same bike with a different shock (Pro with the Fox Triad) is much more controlled through its travel and its just a much more composed bike when pushed on because of this. Or perhaps i just got lucky and set it up better. 😀

Obviously dependant on budget but the Giant Talon 3 W is a lovely little bike for entry level trail use. Nice confidence inspiring ride position and a good colour to boot 😀

At 6'5 your going to be on the XL Trance too!

Obviously best bet is to get your backside on a saddle and make sure so its probably worth a ring round a few dealers to see if anyone has one to try. Had a quick check and the XL X4 is OOS until week 14 (currently week 9) its also the only model Trance available in XL so it might be harder than first expected!

Specialized Spring Reward

Thats your 10% free kit – actually runs til end of April not March, my bad.

What sort of height are you, HR's are pretty short for a given size, if your comfy on it an XL in the specialized is probably about right but the Large Trance is a pretty big unit so you may not need the XL.

Me saying the trance is a better bike is obviously just my opinion but based on spending a fair amount of time on both bikes and selling lots of each too.

Spec is pretty much like for like, juicys probably a slightly better brake on the spesh but the Shimano's on the Giant are decent enough stoppers. Lots of people swing towards the FSR because of the lockout shock but its actually one of the bikes downfalls, because of the way the adjuster works its often the case that the rebound adjusts itself as your riding along… never a pleasant experience, its also a pretty bouncy ride on full open, it really doesnt do whats actually a very good little frame much justice. The simple Giant air shock on the giant is just that, very simple, but its all that the frame really needs. The maestro system works well enough (not saying its amazing and doesnt bob at all but its good) without all the fancy pro-pedals gubbins and lockouts, its also a very reliable little shock.

As an aside – and as many of you will know i don't actually work there but if you are infact a large id go for the 09 X5 from Pauls at £799. Effectively the same bike but £200 cheaper and with a Recon Air fork and Juicy Brakes… bloody bargain 😆

We sell lots of both. The Trance is a better bike for less money.

You will get 10% of free spesh stuff before the end of the month with the Spring Rewards thing, however id still opt for the Giant though unless your like me and the Med is too small and the Large too big..

in which case the Large spesh will be perfect 😆

Yeti 5 is a wonderful little bike, really liked my 575 but the 5 climbs better, descends better, is stiffer, is lighter, doesn't wallow in its travel… just wish they hadn't changed the head badge!

Gary, where abouts are you based? Weve got a Large Demo bike built up and bought all of the Blue frames which we have on offer at the same price as CRC, so no need to feel uncomfortable.. unless you dont like blue! 😆

Try updating just one of your apps, cant remember why but there was a glitch that was solved by doing this.

Weve got a 20" 08 Dawg Supreme thats seen some very light use going as a frame only. Owned by one of our directors and he only rode it round rutland water! Will come with full warranty and its up at £450.

Not much FS at that price really. Got some L/XL 2009 Spark 40 frames which we can do for £650 also but these might be out of budget.

18" Stock Anthem X2 is 25.6lb without pedals, so probably not a huge amount more than your HT. Ive made a few mods to mine and got it down to 24.05 with pedals.

Love it 😆

You will definitely be on a large rather than a medium.

Where about's are you based our Demo is a large if you needed a spin.