Will be interesting as I walk and cycle on Bramshott (almost daily) and Hankley both MOD, near Longmoor and popular with dog walkers, horse riders and cyclists. Would be a real pain if they try to stop us there too. I agree, most of their land is used so infrequently it doesnt make much sense.

The bottom half of mine literally ground to a halt and then fell out when I popped the forks out to check it, so I replaced it with a hope. I dont know the size as my LBS sorted it for me, but only took them 15mins to sort out the mess and fit the new. Previously people on here have claimed its a nightmare to get the old ones out.

super thanks :)

EVO sounds good. Anyone know what the difference will be between that and the old C456? We have 2 C456’s in the family and love it but could be tempted by a change. :)

as a cyclist I hate drivers and as a driver I hate cyclists. however no matter whether riding a bike or driving a car I always make room for the other, even in the case of overtaking cyclists if it means slowing right down because of blind bend or hidden dip coming up. I normally hug the gutter as a cyclist but know fellow riders who take the view that sticking the bike halfway between gutter and white lines means cars are less likely to take risks overtaking which actually make sense. it’s all about balance, but there will always be a minority on both sides that will drive and cycle like idiots. with cycling becoming more and more popular like running is I think a govt tv campaign like they did in the 80’s reminding road users about road etiquette would be a good as people do over time forget their Highway Code etc

I’m lucky, as I have a 26 HT, 26 FS and a 29 HT and all are very good in their different ways. However, if I was only able to have just one MTB it would be a 120-130mm full sus 29er without a doubt. Spec Camber is a VERY good allrounder, and I dont normally like Spec, but I now have 3 friends with various versions of the camber and they just suck up the XC miles, go down as well as they do up….almost a no brainer.

Unless you do a lot of technical down hill, then for the UK I think a 29er is perfect…but I do fancy a go on a 650b HT…hmmm.

Brendog is fairly local to Swinley and I think Ollie is also.
I only wish I could go as fast as that through some of those sections.

Met Brendog on a night ride locally, but I didnt really know who he was at the time. Really nice down to earth chap. Realised he must be pretty handy when he launched himself off a cattle grid at almost walking pace and still got it about 4 ft off the deck horizontal…. can drink too….I think I rolled back home at 2am and he was still partying with his brother….but then again they are almost half my age…lol

BigUp!

Thanks everyone,
Not wanting to go too light as Ive found 32’s on my 29 hardtail flex, so looks like its going to be between the trace and the pikes. Question is whether 140mm pikes can be spaced down to 120? any ideas as I cotic are doing pikes for 550 and the trace is pretty much the same money elsewhere. Would probably go for pikes over trace if the same money in order to protect residuals.

If you can get a 2014 Whyte 905 for that kind of money go for it as there wont be many left come end of Feb or march due to the excellent write ups in the mags and value for money. Same thing happened with the T129S when it came out, the mags loved it so it went out of stock really quickly.

A friend demo’d the 909 (same frame) and reckoned it was the dogs dangles down hills and totally out ripped his OJ Five and other bikes.

Pop in to see cycleworks (in Burpham), the guys should be able to point you in the right direction.

Thanks, it looks like it could be the maps so now trying talkytoaster.com as its been recommended by scarletfire and others. Will repost if it works.

Ive got family there and was over for xmas. I wish I had taken a bike as all the hire options were fully booked. Not ridden there yet but from the few websites and videos Ive seen it looks pretty good and steep. Would definitely need a guide, and looks like there is a growing enduro scene.

I am also amazed there arent more pro level teams doing their winter road training there as its alp like climbs but in 20 degrees pretty much all winter.

Doesnt help that easyjet and their pants weight limit is one of the few ways of getting there from the UK since they bought GB Air. Hopefully that will change in the coming months.

If it was just marketing they’d sell 26″ and 650b (LOOK YOU CAN BUY BOTH!!!!!! BUY BUY BUY!!!!!!!!)

I disagree, the amount of capital bike manufacturers have to put into producing bikes is incredibly high, and when ordering a batch (for companies like SC say in the thousands) they have to be certain they are going to sell them. The last thing they want is a huge stock of frames or even complete bikes at the end of a season still sitting on the shelf as it can devalue a brand if they have to offload too much stock quickly.

Most manufacturers cant risk producing both 26 and 650 of the same model, hence the turning point was when suspension, wheel and tyre manufacturers committed to high volume 650b output, it was then an easy decision for the likes of SC to make. Its purely a numbers game and given the interest the likes of SC already had with regards to 650b it was less of a gamble than some other manufacturers.

As SC led the way, they have probably reaped the most benefit in 2013/2014 but the others will catch up this year and next.

Very good article and I think its spot on.
To answer the authors question of why the sudden dominance is simply economic and profit led. It just shows how good marketing is these days and once a few of the mainstream manufacturers made the commitment it was an easy decision to make for the others. Risk trying to flog 26er kit to people who already have it (remember suspension and brake technology hasnt moved on in the last few years) or sell them something “new” and hype it up….I would if I was them, so fair play.

I wont ditch my 26ers until they are beyond reasonable repair or the maintenance costs get excessive. But then again Im lucky to have both 26ers and 29ers.

Take to Yeti dealer and ask them to investigate with Silverfish.
Depending on age, ASR5’s up until 2013 I think had 5 year frame warranties.

Thanks Everyone so far, most appreciated! I’ll go through all the links.
ND – I’ll be in touch next week if thats ok :)

sounds like steel and probably alu is out. Carbon or ti. don’t care what the reviews of the c456 are like, for the money you can’t go wrong. it’s my cheapest bike in the stable but gets ridden the most with and xt build, fox 140mm floats and Mavic wheels. proper chuck able and light.

My Amazon purchased unit turned up today, with everything as per advertised. HR monitor, cadence sensor and main units. I have bought a cheap 4GB Mini SD card and in the middle of downloading the free OSM maps as per this sites recommendation:

http://www.forgot.co.uk/edge-800/

I will only be using mine for road riding so dont need trail maps. I Prefer to use a watch for MTB as I dont need navigation….too busy looking at the trail in front, and even doing that I still go over the bars.. :)

Bargain tastic, just what I was after…ordered.
Only going to use this for road use so don’t need really detailed maps which is handy. Added bargain of getting the speed/cadence sensor and heart monitor included as I was looking at the 800 unit only last week at 226.

Well done. Definitely question the depreciation on the parts. As for all the stupid comments on here from others stating its 50:50, your fault etc just shows you the lack of understanding around insurance claims and what is pretty much black and white or perhaps how many teens and trolls spend all day on STW. Oh that and IT peeps driving audi’s and riding Orange 5’s…sorry couldn’t resist that one.

I ride my hardtails 80% of the time, my FS only gets out probably once a month if that. 95% of surrey/hants trails can be done on a HT, only things like Swinley, Afan, BPW would make a FS more fun than an HT.

FANTASTIC!!!!!! WELL DONE!

Unfortunately my boss won’t let me make any more

I reckon the boss should seriously look at working out what they could be made for (cost) and create a new niche market. Those forks look the BIZ!! I bet there is a small market for “custom made” balance bikes especially for some of the so called “riders” in London who quite happily splash 10k on their first road bike without a second thought.

Another reason why Im going to start putting a gopro which I use for MTB on for all road rides. Ive had so many close calls recently normally by cars overtaking in REALLY dangerous spots narrowly missing other vehicles and/or me.

Last week a big 4×4 overtook slowly leaving very little room, them immediately (<10 metres) braked and indicated to turn right, causing me a my fellow riders to brake hard and stop behind him. I did wave my arms in disgust but didnt get verbal only for him to then sit on his horn giving it the full beans (fingers and verbal from behind his windscreen) as if we were in the wrong…t*sser.

^ +1

Ask nicely for a demo bike to borrow just for the duration of your holiday. I dont think that would be an unfair request especially if they know its going to take a few months to sort.

Add ORBEA into the mix. Bought my eldest their 24inch dirt model. Excellent quality, fantastic bike. Solid forks though which means less to go wrong.

Be careful with compressors. I use one and a couple of weeks ago managed to over inflate (in a rush and wasnt watching what I was doing that closely) the tyre….BOOOM. Ripped the tyre off the 6 week old wheel, managed to right off the rim completely. Was an expensive mistake to make. So ensure you get a tyre pressure adapters with gauge.

definitely makes life easier when used correctly :)

[/url]
RIDING[/url] by varifle[/url], on Flickr

^
Have to agree a 29er makes sense for those trails.
Self build is fun, worth looking at a Whyte as their builds are good value and their 629 and 729 frames have a good geometry so not too XC as they are a bit slack. I have an 829 in my stable and its fantastic!

Also worth looking at the on-one lurcher. Their complete bikes are reduced to £1,099(only two left) but a self build could easily be done with SLX and Stand/hope wheels with a good fork for around £1200..just. Again a good fun hardtail and carbon if thats your thing.

Ive got the Torc ground anchor and the pragmasis 13mm chains and locks..Very very good.Wont stop someone chopping a frame to get the bikes though but will slow them down enough.

just send it for a service just like any other suspension product. I’ve got more than one and they get ridden at least
once a week, so an annual service is expected. if it’s a possible failure the uk distributors are really good and sort pretty quickly never had any problems and normally at most a weeks turn around

you don’t need to buy expensive lights, just well tested ones that are better built than some of the potentially lethal ones.

would love to see my bosses face when things start melting and smoking on a desk due to a non PAC tested non work related device was being used as I bet his insurance wouldn’t cover the damage

unfortunately it’s get what you pay for. I’ve had cheapie lights off dx and eBay in the past but the significant worry of burning your house or garage down isn’t worth it. buy some well and truly tested kit, hell that’s why we read these websites isn’t it?

I know people who leave their exposure lights on permanent charge for months at a time and hey no problem. couldn’t say the same for many other brands.

it’s a shame as some cheapo lights are ok but I wouldn’t risk my or the families life on them

Mucky Nutz front guards are very good but due to their small size will never be 100%, but I dont think they aim to be.

Dont use a rear mud guard, thought they were only for girls ;)

Worth having a look at howies activeshell.
Last night was down to 8-10 degrees my way with a brisk breeze and it was perfect with a short sleeved base layer underneath. It can take a reasonable sprinkling or rain too.

I also have a gore phantom which is very good for proper minus figures, but for the money the howies jacket is excellent. Wiggle were knocking them out at £30, howies rrp is 40.

Phew, on second look, Ive managed to use a longer bolt and thread seems ok. End of old bolt looks pretty knackered. Fingers crossed it holds.

Helicoil

Thought so….not confident enough to that myself so will try and find someone locally. Yup post mount. Cheers

Brant, is there going to be a c45650b?
I noticed there is a steel version coming along, but a replacement for my c456 would be fantastic!

pretty please :)

why not mail GIRO when uk distribution was in a mess with no way of getting pads (no LBS that I talked to could get hold of them)? Personally I would have expected them to send out a set FOC especially when the lid is only a few months old and the pads have disintegrated in their first wash.

Its not much fun if its your only lid and is painful to use without what is a very basic part.

Have always bought GIRO in the past, but will go elsewhere in future.

let me know if you find any….Ive been after some for a few weeks and no one that Ive contacted can get them. GIRO wont even return my emails!