I sat on the fence for a few months, watched all the videos, looked at all the reviews and then bit the bullet a few weeks ago. I have used it on a new chain that came on a new bike, so used the strip chip and followed the instructions. Nice and straight forward and worked well. Chain is a bit noisy on bike as it kind of needs running in to remove alot of the surface wax. Fingers crossed it does what it says on the tin.

Its a bit messier if you wanted to wax a used chain.. but the videos make sense and easy to follow.

Reason I went for the Silca one, is due to the temp control being setup specifically for bike chains. It may be that temp isnt actually that important, but does sound (on face value) the Silca team did quite alot of research and testing, rather than just relabelling an OEM device and cheap stuff from China.

Only time will tell, but although expensive, its well made… the wax and strip chips will last a long time.

Will update once Ive done a few re-waxes etc.

Be warned a lot of the YouTube videos remove the actual amount of walking needed on both routes up and down.  Even on an ebike I was surprised on the amount of walking which was a shame. Rangers down (not sure whether we missed the turn off point TBH) was so rocky it wasnt rideable…. I would have rather tried another route or just come down the same way we went up… but that would have been a bit boring I guess.

We actually had more fun the day before at Antur Stiniog and then the Marin Trail the day after.

Ive ordered twice now and nothing ever delivered. Contacted them and been told they have had “issues” and I should cancel and try again. Given up now.

Last september I did the N2 challenge which is a great route. The N2 is the old continuous road that goes from north to south and is a fantastic way to see all of portugal. Very quiet with great scenery and places to stop etc. Have a look here for info on route

https://voltaprotours.com/N2.html

Ive had a pair of the MT500’s for a couple of years now and just before xmas they ripped in the crotch having gotten caught on the saddle one too many times. Endura will fix them for £15 so not the end of the world. As above not very waterproof but keep the muck off well and good for really cold days. I also have the full waterproof onesie which is excellent and used on full on wet ebike rides which means the full waterproof trousers work well.

An alternative that I have also bought recently are the decathlon trousers…. at 40 quid I REALLY rate them and for non waterproof trousers they are probably a really good benchmark.

THULE all the way…. yes the bike rack people make AMAZING hip packs.
Ive got the mid size one and they dont loosen off like the others, well made and hardly notice when riding.

I found when using bike-discount.de it was cheaper to pay in EURO’s and use Paypal.
The exchange rate was better by some margin a few weeks ago.
AXS is brilliant. I was a mug and bought it when it first came out but its been faultless. Bike-Discount.de are very good and reliable.

I bought one from the original pre-order batch and was very happy with it. Sold on now as wifey moaned about too many bikes….Im 5’10 and if I was to do it again I would buy an XL and go with a sub 50mm stem. Cable routing was fine, a bit rattly… but solved with a bit of insulation tape. Yes paint is very thin but at 150 notes it was a no brainer. Great winter hardtail for where I live. Having said that I now spend 75%+ of my MTB time on the ebike.

Yep, I have a 2016 year model and have a stages (latest version) and clearance is fine. I had the previous model and that also worked but was replaced under warranty. If the stages fits I would have thought the 4iii would also

Ive still got one of the originals and love it. It is a trail bike rather than pure XC, but is a great all rounder. 140mm on the front if you can. I have two sets of wheels and run 2.8’s on 650b as well as standard 29 which is great fun in the summer. At 5’10 Im on a large and its spot on.

Thinking of getting one of these frames to build up, at 175cm tall as usual I seem to between sizes medium and large, better to size up or down on one of these? A different frame but had a PEX London Road a while back in medium and it felt a bit too small even when altering saddle layback, stem etc. Erring for large size – any advice? Cheers

Im 175 and went for a large…. but in a way I reckon an XL would be even better.

Thanks for everyone’s input…. finally got everything built up. A mix of old and new parts but pretty happy with this.

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Any ideas for solving the cable rattle from cables in downtube? trying to find ways to tension the cables but of course the exit holes dont have anything I can attach a zip tie to.

Thanks Faustus – will give it a go… had assumed it could only take one cable.

So a new hanger sorted my axle problem… cheers PX
Daft question but does a stealth dropper cable need to pop out the back insert in the seat tube or does it run via the BB shell? Reason I ask is that I can see only two cable inserts towards base of downtube (eg 1 for brake and 1 for gear cable). I must be having a magic moment otherwise

@variflex if you remove the small bolts holding the hanger to the frame but keeping the hanger in roughly the right place can you then screw the axle in? If so where does the hanger “try” to sit relative to the frame and the bolt holes?

tried pretty much everything. Spoken to PX and they are sending a new hanger in case its that but it screws into the hanger off the frame ok. Looks like the hole drilled in the frame is a very fraction misasligned with hanger so I can only get 1/2 a turn on the axle before it grinds to a halt.

Ho hum, cant fault PX support via online chat… very helpful and fast

Mine wont engage with mech hanger

That sounds wierd. So if it’s not the mech hanger or the axle it must be your wheel that’s getting in the way. Do your adapters foul and stop it dropping into place?

Try it without the cassette on and or freehub so you can see more.

Havent even tried putting a wheel in… simply trying to screw the axle in.

Anyone had problems with the rear axle?
Mine wont engage with mech hanger. If I take the mech hanger off and connect them off the frame they are fine… so perhaps something is out of whack. Phone call in the morning I guess :(

better luck than i had with free hub bearings going after less than 500miles… they didn’t want to know, only wanted to sell me more of the same. replaced them with endura bearings. other than bearings the wheels have been good though and still going strong 2 years down the road. light and strong and setup as road tubeless

Looks like the frames and being sent out. Just received an email to say mine arrives tomorrow…. just need to wait for the headset now and a wheel adapter (for rear boost). Pretty excited, first on-one since I sold the C456 in 2012.

Cheers. They are flying out. We have a lot ordered but at this rate they will all be gone inside two weeks.

The power of STW I guess :) .. oh and instagram

Thanks Brant…. ordered… cant wait!

Always wear bibs under baggies… and there’s a very good reason why.
On the last bank holiday Monday in the UK, I went for a spin on my own on the full suss… fully bibbed up with Endura baggies over the top.

Went down a technical single track which was pretty steep and twisty plus recently tree cleared by the forestry commission… so lots of stumps and log stacks off line. Managed to get the front wheel stuck in a water gully rut the perfect width of my tyre on a corner and went OTB.

As I went up and over the left hand end of my bars came round and dug into my groin (bar ends were shot so pretty much bare alu)… I then pivoted over the top being skewered… the only reason I didnt pierce my danglies was my bibs helped keep them out of the way.

One very black groin, smashed up thigh, muscle lump on elbow and smashed calf I walked away and carried on my ride not realising what had quite happened. Ended up being 2 weeks off bike but at least everything was still functional.

Thank b*lls for bibs ;)

looking to do the coast to coast in a day so would
be interested if anyone has a gpx or tcx file
of a decent route for road bike with 25 tyres?

Fatcreations are by far the best, but the waiting list is around 10months. They are near Chichester though so not too bad a hike from Hampshire. Other than that, there is OOEY at Woking who are very good. Im sure there are others.

Carbon Scouts have internal routing tubes I believe which makes life easier and stops the rattling. Some good bargains out there. I was going to press the button but then was offered a T130 carbon frame pretty much brand new for silly money… However, really like transitions these days… my smuggler is fantastic.

hmmm, have loads of xt brakes including m8000 and all

fine. as above warranty is really good so use it. cost vs competition have always lead the way

i’ve got a set on my cx bike as hated cable

discs. they were a bit tricky to get the right adapters for and in the end used sram post mount stacks (thick spacers basically). bleed using reverb syringe as it has the right connection on nozzle.

performance wise they are mega, almost too

powerful but with loads of modulation. well worth the money spent in my view

As above. Take you your time and definitely do it indoors with the heating on, will make life so much easier and the stuff will actually stick. Keep it wet with the diluted baby lotion (or whatever the instructions recommend.. I forget). I did two frames and they look really good and two years on, no peeling.

Ive got the hope’s on my CX which I used for winter road duties. LOADS of power and really good in comparison with cable operated spyre’s I had previously… but I guess that should be expected. Im alot more confident in the wet now.

Maxxis Shorty or Specialized Hill Billy on the front when it gets proper sloppy.

Many thanks!

I think FROG have got it spot on and chosen a sensible part of the market to specialize in….by basically not being too greedy.

Kids market is a constant as they keep growing until mid teens. Their bikes arent complicated, but solid and well built with a reliable spec. The sales model works really well too by including the dealers and not doing direct only. They have taken a chunk of the kids market off the direct brands in a relatively small amount of time. My LBS’s sales lead up to xmas was 90% Frog bikes with a few nice high end MTB, eMTB and Roadies thrown in.

Cheers ajantom
Good idea on the clinic had forgotten they have one.
Guess age is catching up with me

Not going to make it now :( Weather and work has failed me. Ho hum, there is always 2018. Goodluck everyone who still has a shot at it.

LOL eddiebaby – This is on the road :) as well as MTB.

Very good, but not really mountains, but very big hills :)

Stay as close to or in Funchal as possible if your other half isnt riding.
Inlaws live out there, so go over at least once a year. Amazing riding and pretty hardcore in places. Best trails are on private land so you need to go guided. Not much free navigation and you’ll see why when you get there. Freeride are a great bunch and will pick you up from wherever you are staying. Their bike fleet is pretty good. Spec Enduro’s last time I popped in.

oops double post

As above (speedstar), the heat can be a major problem along with hydration and fueling. Ive done it twice. Didnt finish in 2015 due to passing out with heat exhaustion. This year I purposefully didnt go all out and took my time and used a power meter on the hills. I finished it with plenty left in the legs but again the heat and the fact I couldnt physically manage to eat anything for the last 30kms (the hardest) caused the biggest problem. Its not always super hot as its rained on a couple before which adds another dimension especially on the downhills.

The food stops are pretty useless so take enough gels and food that wont go all mushy in the heat with you. Saddle bag or frame bag for spares and food in jersey. 2 x bottles and if you can take your own tabs do that (space dependent). 11×32 worth considering as it really helps on the long and steep 8+% plus climbs for 10km+

Dont assume you will get a rest on the downhills. Although your legs do, your concentration and other parts of your body really suffer on 10km+ descents. Also time in saddle is 8+ hours depending.

2018 route looks better than both this year and 2015. Wish I had done 2016 as they took a climb out at the last minute and was pretty straight forward by all accounts.

Also try and remember to look around and take in the atmosphere as its very easy to end up in an almost catatonic state staring at the road and those around you just to finish.

It will be one of the toughest things you will have done on a bike, but well worth it for the atmosphere, views (route depending) and climbs.

Both times Ive gone down we have tanked it down by car on the Friday and then straight back on the Monday morning which in a way I wish I hadnt done (all too rushed). If you get the chance go out earlier and do at least a long climb before the big day to acclimatize especially if hot. Perhaps take in the tour that will no doubt be relatively close by.

Good Luck :)