Just ordered some Oakley Sutros and Rudy Project Spinshields. Both black with dark grey tinted lenses for road use. The Oakley’s went back as for me the fit of the RPs was spot on.

I used Duncan at Genesis Watchmaking for a tag service a little while back. Top man and great service. Pricing / contact details are all on the website.

Can Ogden or anyone else give me some information on the experience of buying from light bicycle (presumably via the European part of their site?), Delivery time and final £costs of the AR45 wheelset?

Thanks

Does this come into play immediately or from 6pm tomorrow (4th)?

Another vote for the Hoy Bonaly here. Coming off the back of a couple of Frogs, the geometry on the Hoy seems so much better and it’s really light too.
When my daughter’s grown out of her 24 I’ll definitely be looking for a 26 version.

Seeing as I started this thread it’s only fair I give some feedback!

I’ve had mine for just over a year now, (CF 6.0) and I am really happy with it. It’s been to the Alps, Wales etc and ridden on lots of different types of trails.

It’s not the lightest bike but you you don’t really notice it when pedalling. The flip side is it feels really solid on the downhills. It took a while to get it set up but it feels really plush on rough technical stuff and gets better the quicker you go.

I was pretty sceptical about the shapeshifter, but I actually love it. It’s simple and works well. The climbing position is good and noticeability different in the DH setting.

I have the Rockshock equipped model but hated the SRAM brakes. Despite being 4 pots they felt underpowered particularly on long steep descents. I swapped them out for SLX 2 pots with sintered pads which are great.

There is space in the rear for a 2.5 tyre so I’m using a 2.5/2.6 combo now.

Happy to feedback on any questions.

Thanks for the feedback, great to hear. I’ve been looking at the RN 303d. Want to try it out with some speakers I have,but love the old school looks!

Hi, sorry for the thread hijack, but I’ve been looking at the Yamaha steaming/network amps and would love to get some feedback on which model you’ve bought and how you’re finding it.

Thanks

Agree with everything twojumpers said. Brilliant all-rounder and incredibly capable.

Skoda superb (sportline trim) or
VW Passat (R-Line or GT spec)

After years of Audi and BMW estates, I got a great deal on a 2.0 tdi VW Passat Estate GT. It’s a brilliant all-rounder. Amazingly comfortable (I’m 6’4), easily does over 50 mpg, has a 650 litre boot AND a proper full size spare wheel!
We drive to France twice a year and it makes the whole thing a breeze. Adaptive cruise control is brilliant too.

I’d have another one, or would have a good look at the superb too.

I ordered something from them on 17th May, only low value (£10) but sent 3 messages last week asking for an update, none of which were responded to. I’d basically written it off but it eventually arrived yesterday.

Thule Evo Flush Rail 7106
Thule WingBar Evo 118 – aluminium (pair) 7112
Thule Kit 186001

Have a look at roofbox.co.uk or roofracks.co.uk

May be cheaper and you’ll get matching locks thrown in.

It’s great all-round really. Comfort is not a problem with 2.5/2.6 tyres, happily copes with longer rides, climbs really well, totally confidence inspiring on steep technical descents and is fairly light with a modest build.

Highly recommended a Bird Zero 29. I’m 6’4″ on an XL with 29×2.6 tyres and it’s a brilliant all-rounder.

I have two XL 29ers, the longest is 1270 and they fit on Thule racks (598) fine. They are getting near to the limits of the racks but you just to spend a little bit of time adjusting the tray/clamp position. Very easy to do.

Can’t give you any feedback on the cotic but have had a Bird Zero 29 for a nearly a year now. Fairly modest build with some 35mm 140mm revelations, 1×11 GX and some old xt brakes I had. Because I wanted to run 2.6 tyres I did get some 35mm spank rims which are great.

Everything about the process with Bird was brilliant, from demo to purchase (frame only in the end). Ben was super helpful and answered loads of questions and gave me lots of geometry advice. I had a small issue with the rear axle on delivery and it was sorted within 48 hours.

I use this bike all the time from family xc rides with my daughter, mucking about, longer rides and trail centre trips.

It is so capable there have been a couple of times I’ve taken it to Cwmcarn and Afan in favour of my full suss to ride the DH and Enduro trails just see how it copes, and it does brilliantly.

Through the winter I used a 2.4 DHR / 2.5 shorty which worked really well. The rest of the year a 2.5 aggressor / 2.6 DHF. Not had any issues with comfort and would happily do longer rides on it.

Short answer, cant recommend it highly enough!

I have a pinnacle lithium which I bought for family duties, holidays etc. It’s basically a 29er alu frame with steel rigid fork, fat slicks and discs.
It’s fantastic, I’ve done long rides, gravel rides everything on it. Just had the rear brake bled and realised it was the first bit of maintenance required in nearly 900 miles.

On mine, I swapped the DHRs out in favour of a 2.5 aggressor on the rear and 2.5 DHF on the front, (2.6 DHF also easily fits on the front). Seems to be a good compromise.

Do you mean stiff as in harsh or stiff as in direct?

I love mine (also an XL), it’s such a fun and capable bike. Running 2.5/2.6 tyres and comfort is not at issue, certainly never thought it was harsh.

Deleted double post

Bird Zero 29 (and £5 seatpost shim)
They are shipping too.

Pinnacle lithium

29er HT frame geo, rigid fork, discs and fat slick tyres.

Mines done over 800 miles of family duties, plus summer holiday trips and not required any maintenance.

Daughter who is also tall for her age went from 20″ wheel frog to a Hoy Bonaly 24. The Hoy is fantastic, geometry is better, it’s really light and wider tires. She loves it and her confidence doubled overnight on it.

Meant to add, running those combinations on 35mm rims.

Ah that makes more sense!

I have a Bird Zero 29 which easily takes 2.6s, and I’ve tried a few combinations (all Maxxis) so far. My feedback is as follows:

Both 2.5 and 2.6 DHF on the front is great. Loads of grip and loads of volume for comfort.

2.6 DHR II on the rear. Loads of volume and grip bit can feel a bit draggy

2.5 Aggressor on the back is a good compromise when it’s dry.

Through the winter used a 2.4 DHR and 2.5 shorty which was a good combo.

What’s an HCH?

6’4″ and just been through a similar exercise to try and replace my bikes with ones that fit better. I’ll be honest in that my main search criteria was based on reach, effective top tube and stack height. I have a slightly dodgy neck and it drives me crazy when XL bikes have 100mm head tubes!

I ended up with:
– Bird zero 29 XL hardtail with 140mm forks
– Canyon Strive CF 29 XL

Although the seat angle on the canyon doesn’t meet your criteria on paper, the shapeshifter puts you in a very good climbing position. My seat post length on both bikes is around 290mm

Am very happy with both bikes.

6’4″ and have replaced both my bikes in the last 9 months due to the realisation that the reach numbers were too short.

New 29er Hardtail is 507
New 29er full suss is 500

500 would be a minimum for me now, new bikes have been a bit of a revelation

Do the initial whites climb until you pop out of the woods at the top (by the optional black trail), turn right on the fire road and follow for about half a mile then hook up with the last third or so of Blade back to the start.

Kids clear safety glasses, only a few quid.

Very happy Bird Zero 29 owner. Amazing bike.

Bird Zero 29
140mm Revelations
SRAM GX 1×11 from old bike
XT brakes from old bike
2.5 Shorty up front
2.4 DHR on the back

Took a punt on a 2.5 aggressor on the back of my hardtail and really like it. Probably not the fastest rolling but a very good compromise of rolling and grip for 3 seasons use.

Thanks Sanny and Peter that’s really great feedback and just what I was looking for.

I set up an oozy 345 wheelset tubeless recently. I bought them new a while back and found the pre-inatalled factory tape (brown fratelli tape?) wasn’t creating a good enough seal. When I put the tyre on to test they were leaking through several spoke holes. I re-taped both rims with a double layer on each rim and they both went up fine with the supplied spank valves. I did have to really tighten up one of the valves before it was fully sealed but they’ve been great ever since.

Been riding mine for 5 weeks now so happy to give a bit of feedback.

I’m 6’4″ on an XL, bought as frame only, running with:
140 mm Revs
Spank Oozy 345 wheels
GX 1×11 with 170mm cranks
XT brakes
Aggressor 2.5 / DHF 2.5 tyres

Firstly, the whole inquiry, demo and buying experience was a complete joy. Ben at Bird was extremely helpful and responsive with all my questions about geometry, particularly around the Reach and ETT numbers. I booked a demo and took it to Swinley (a place I personally don’t like riding on a hardtail) and was totally sold.

I’ve been riding it on my home trails (Wilts / SW) for around 5 weeks and am so impressed with it I haven’t touched my full suss during that time. It climbs well, it descends brilliantly (Strava says its as quick as my FS). It’s stable and confidence inspiring yet fun to muck about on, it’s pretty light and the volume of the 2.5 tyres give great comfort and traction. I was concerned about the BB height but haven’t had any pedal strikes. I love it!

I think this review sums up my thoughts on it perfectly.

http://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/mountain-bikes/bird-zero-29-first-ride-review/

If anyone has any specific questions am happy to give a view.

After having had a couple of frogs, and based on a great Singletrack review, we bought a Hoy Bonaly 24 for our daughter who is about to turn 7. I am so impressed with it, especially how light it is. She’s only had a couple of rides but the more MTB geometry, bigger wheels and fatter tyres over the frog has seen a huge leap in confidence, speed and distance.
It’s a brilliant little bike!

Anyone bought or built one of these up yet and can provide some feedback?

Just bought a 49″ Panasonic from richer sounds, with a central plinth. Very happy with it and £380 with 6 year warranty.

Panasonic TX49FX550B

Just to echo what has already been said by iainc and mike_p

Previous A4 Avant and then A6 Avant,  both with 3 x Thule 598s. Quick and easy to get bikes on and off, and easy to remove racks and bars. I regularly carry 3 bikes (incl. two large and one XL 29ers). We’ve done several summer trips with family, carrying 3 x family bikes including kids bikes on the roof down to southern France etc. Been using 591s and 598s for well over 12 years on carbon and alu bikes, never had an issue.