I think OP means these:
http://www.fibrax.com/other-stuff/Frame-Protection/Spiral-Frame-Protector-Black

Any LBS who has an ISON distribution account can order them for you.

Bigh – what pressure are you running though? I guess there could be variance in the tyres as the one I got from specialized had slightly less clearance and @ 10psi it rubbed on one side in tight fairly high speed turns and berms.

Im running 45mm scraper rims on 29er RCT3 pike just to clarify

Had the wheel redished a couple of times as the clearance side 2 side wasnt even, but gave up and now run a 2.8NN which is just as good but with more clearance of course.

Ive found with the scrapers the sweet spot for pressures generally with 2.8 and 3.0 tyres is 10 PSI as it provides a great balance of grip without noticeable side to side roll.

As per earlier posts in the thread, 3.0 purgatory’s on 45mm scrapers wont work in standard pikes. In the stand they will just roll, but when on the trails and turning they do rub. 2.8NN’s are perfect for pikes as you can also fit a mucky nutz which really does stop the sh*t flying up into your face.

Many thanks, managed to push the seal head back a few mm but it takes both hands. Will grab someone to give me a hand in the morning.

Slight improvement on last year but actually feels like Ive not cycled as much:

Distance 3,629.0 km
Time 255h 50m
Elev Gain 62,662 m
Rides 154

Rough 70% MTB, 30% road split.

tried and gave up trying to fit PUSH ones the stantions just wouldn’t go back on cleanly. RS ones work perfectly and easiest to fit.

nice :) yes mk1. wouldn’t recommend a TB on the front though unless Super dry.

smuggler bb height is reduced and pedal strikes are a bit more common but not a problem. plenty of ruts and stumps today but no strikes

Yup confirmed as above, a 2.8 NN on scraper rims fits comfortably in a 29er pike with enough clearance for a mucky nutz mini face fender :)

Went out this morning on the smuggler with TB on the back, NN on the front expecting it to be a handful in the slop thats around these parts, but I was pleasantly surprised. More grip than expected at the front with the TB struggling for traction a bit in the deep stuff, but thats to be expected given its tread. Despite the TB it was still a good combo and worked well.

Was far more predictable and stable through the 2-3inch greasy slop than my mates std 650b lapierre with 2.2NN’s all round. Managed some great wall rides along high banks.

Really impressed so will leave the wheelset on for a while. The NN is definitely an improvement compared with Trax Fatty. Still waiting for the rekon+ though. Once that comes through will put NN on the back. That should then be a really good winter combo. Doesnt sound like we will see the rekon+ anytime soon so may have to wait for next winter for that combo.

Super thanks BigH – Slam69 came up trumps :)

Anywhere else got stock of NN 2.8?

Ordered a NN 2.8 last week from http://www.bike-components.de
Emailed today to say no stock until well into next year.

Got excited when it added to cart at £0….but then failed to checkout.
Guess website has a problem

Surprised by this claim. As a cyclist and a dog owner I would expect a cyclist just like a driver would, to be aware of their surroundings and where their view is blocked or impeded, then slow down. Agreed dog owners need to keep dogs under control, but they are animals afterall. I would have thought it would have been a 50/50 when it came to the blame game.

I had a cyclist pedal full on towards my dog who was off the lead today yelling and screaming (on a BOAT) for the dog to move….then wondered why the dog thought he had found a new friend and ran towards the cyclist. If he’d come off the blame would have been squarely on the cyclist (he didnt even attempt to brake despite good visbility 100m+) and if the dog had been injured I would have claimed off him.

as above the whyte 90x frames are BRILLIANT, pretty much bomb proof and great geometry

Clink – Different beasts. 909 is REALLY good fun, properly chuckable with loads of grip and I always feel in the zone when riding one. For twisty and technical stuff it would be my go to bike.

829 – I added pikes to mine and that made a world of difference. Quite aggressive and definitely not just an XC machine. The big wheels dont get in the way on the twisty stuff and again will plough over most things. ALL my best strava times both up and down have been set on the 829 which surprised me given the other bikes I ride or have ridden.

Whyte are really good at geometry. Ive ridden most of their range over the last 2-3 years as I know one of their test riders and they have all been great in their own little ways.

My suggestion would be Smuggler or Camber EVO. I am slightly biased as I have a smuggler but I am a massive Whyte fan….909 and 829 owned in the past.

The smuggler with pikes and some nice wide rims will smash over pretty much everything. Was more than capable at Afan and BPW in September, more than I was expecting.

yup, free ride are very good. their equivalent of enduro is proper hard core so unless you are used to serious alp type downhill technical stuff then opt for all mountain or xc which can be like afan on steroids. they have an amazing environment in that they have everything from sandy dusty trails to super rocky technical stuff to tropical forest single track. their hire bikes are vey good (spec enduro) so don’t have to take your own bike. really friendly team and well organised and good value. hope it helps

Yes, my 7 year old daughter has the 20 and my 10 year old daughter has the 24.
Well made, light compared with others and have been very reliable. Needed a wheel tweaked after a couple of shunts but apart from that have been great. Not many around my way so its good to see something other than hotrocks or Isla bikes which seem the norm in these woods.

Its been said by many that cycling couldnt have been the only sport where doping had/has been rife. Its about time the IAAF, IOC and others had their blinkers removed. It will be interesting to hear which high profile athletes get investigated and are proven to be cheats. I bet there are a few out there bricking themselves.

Thanks Loco – have just worked out where they were from (I bought them a few months ago, so had to dig out the paperwork). They are PUSH rather than SKF so I’ll drop TF a line as I believe thats where I sourced them.

Agreed – think I’ll stick with standard ones from now on :)

Thanks for the help.

Thanks guys,

Loco – SKF as far as I know. They differ from the standard in that they dont fit flush, the top 2-3mm is slightly wider than the aperture acting almost like a washer.

Solamanda – Yup tried that after the first set of springs got screwed up. Didnt make any difference :(

Ho hum, guess they could just have been out of tolerance or part of a duff batch, which of course can happen. Just seemed weird. Also the foam rings were totally different material and almost seemed too soft and were thinner.

The only worrying thing is that I heard a rumour Rockshox are to change their standard seals for the SKF ones….but not sure how true that is.

May have to put it down to experience.

Im just about to build up an S-Works 29er Enduro as I managed to get a stupid deal I simply couldnt say no to (pretty close to 50% off the frame).

However,for the OP, I wouldnt recommend it for longer distance and would recommend something like the transition scout with 150mm forks, or even the smuggler (which I also have and is super capable).

Alternatively.

Whyte G150 S or Works (2015) if you can still get one as it rides impressively well even over longer distances and time in the saddle.

Earlier in the thread I confirmed the purgatory on scraper rims (45mm) doesnt fit in std 29er pikes. Rubs on the bulges when turning due to flex. May work on slightly narrower rims.

Waiting for Rekon+

Blimey, the merlin one if real is 1299….and thats for the 2016 frame…. I have a feeling somethings not right there, however if it is then its a bargain.

Super, Cheers MSP.

Does anyone know whether the 38mm rims would fit in the back of a Spec Enduro 2015 29er frame?

Loco had some 29er 130mm air shafts a couple of months ago. Fishers still had them on back order at the time.

To save having to read the whole thread:

1. Gloworm lights are fantastic and a quality light I have been using for 2-3 years now. Designed in NZ and imported to uk.
2. Initial UK distributor, CRGMOTO (aka Danny) started out as a real star and provided excellent customer service, but something (no one seems to know) went wrong and he has simply vanished allowing people to still buy off his website even though the business doesnt even seem to exist. You would have thought his merchant services would have been pulled by now. Again a real shame as in the early days he provided genuine service.
3. ISON is now the UK distributor and are FANTASTIC and doing a proper job.
4. Most LBS can stock ISON distributed products in UK so buy local and NOT over Internet for what are REALLY good lights.

Ive had X1 and X2 kits and use them 2-3 nights a week. They have been faultless and SO WELL made compared with alternatives.

Hope that helps.
JC

If you have one, use it. If not a normal trail lid is ok. This year I took my full face and the only problem I had was getting a bit hot and sweaty. BPW blue’s and reds are similar to parts of afan, but I would say its alot faster overall.

I know I’ve asked before but am I still the only one having problems with the rear end if my smuggler? Loads of tyre rub even with skinny 2.2’s!

Anyone think it has a flexy back end at all?

Not having any Tyre rubbing problems and running spec purgatory.
Are you sure its not your wheel?

Ive done a full on weekend in Wales (Afan and BPW) without any problems and didnt feel under biked at all.

Yes Vee Trax Fatty almost self steers on tarmac. Ok on everything else apart from hardpack. Im running it at about 10psi on 45mm rims. Waiting for the Maxxis Rekon+ as I reckon that will be a perfect replacement.

I run a trailblazer on the rear (scraper rims) @ around 15-17psi
On the front Im running a 2.8 Vee Trax Fatty @ 10psi.

Madeira!!
Freeride Madeira are highly recommended.

I reckon the Spec Purgatory if you can fit a 3″ tyre at the front, otherwise wait for the Maxxis Rekon+ as that looks great and will be slightly (fingers crossed) narrower @ 2.8. Has anyone seen any dates for the rekon+ yet?

I have both. trail ones are a revelation off road and well worth it. road are marginal and IMO not worth splashing out if you already have something for the road you are happy with. but if u have cash to burn or an itch to scratch go for both :)

don’t worry about jumps, it all just very technical and pretty steep in places. you’ll love it :)

rode with free ride in august. fantastic. word of caution their enduro rides are very hard core and their all mountain rides can be like afan on steroids. great fun but technical. well worth it

Thanks boxelder, also looking at Trax Fatty 2.8.

Spec b+ from any Spec dealer. My LBS got it for me. Circa £45.
Mine may well be for sale later this week if the Trax Fatty works. Will be up for £29 posted. Only done 2 rides.

Spec Purgatory on 45mm Scraper rims comes at pretty much spot on 80mm edge to edge. Hope that helps those who asked above