Thanks all, appreciate the help.

Are the steel ones okay for 11 speed, the ones I’ve found suggest they’re 12 speed?

Thanks joemmo, I’m assuming the spider has the boost offset as it says “boost 148” on the side. I’m thinking about using a direct mount blackspire snaggletooth and looks like they do a SRAM compatible one with the 3mm offset. Otherwise I have a lightly used standard 30T ring from a non-boost GX crank which should hopefully work with the spider.

I’m about to build up the parts onto a frame and want to make sure I’ve got the right bits beforehand!

granlaw – many thanks for the feedback and pics.

Ah thanks I thought I’d read something recently but couldn’t find the link.

Are there generic caps for this sort of thing or do you need special ones from the manufacturer (i.e. spank?)

Anyone got an XL P7 29 yet and care to post some pictures?

Bit of thread resurrection, but anyone had a look at the p7 29 and the new Crush 29? Im a bit torn! I’m tempted by the crush but have never had a steel HT and am intrigued by the p7 29.

Crush 29 allegedly by the end of Sept

2019 P7 29 allegedly by end of Oct, (although no changes to geo)

Bit of feedback based on a couple of hours use:

I’m pretty tall so went for a 170mm drop (on an XL Stumpjumper 29). Bike was in for a service so the LBS swapped out the Spesh command post for the OneUp, hence I can’t comment on how easy it is to fit or set up.

For comparison I’ve only ever used Reverbs and Command Posts. From the off the post feels great, a very smooth action, the return is quite fast but nothing like as fast as the command post. The lever feel is great. I was hoping to re-use the spesh lever but it wasn’t possible in the end. Not at all disappointed as the OneUp lever feels nice, the actuation is quite light but positive and feels good to me. It was also easy to get it in a good position on the bars and it felt immediately intuitive while riding. There is a tiny bit of side to side play in the post but I’ve never had one of any brand that didn’t do this.

I still have a couple of inches of post showing out of the frame but the extra 45mm drop over the command post feels fantastic, the saddle is so much lower on steep stuff that I don’t even know its there now.

Based on a couple of hours use it’s great so far, but will see how it goes over time.

Interested in this too. Tried one on the other day and the fit was really good and it felt nice and light too. What put me off was when the inner cradle was adjusted to its lowest point (via the adjuster mechanism at the back) the thin parts of the cradle (along the sides) almost touched the top of my ears and I was concerned it might be uncomfortable and/or rub? I know the cradle is adjustable and I could raise it up a bit at the back but then it wouldn’t be as low down with the rear section sitting under the back of my skull.

Interested in this too and had no joy in sourcing an XL to try. Also quite interested in the new Crush 29 too.

Have there been any other reviews other than the bike radar one.

https://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/mountain-bikes/hardtail/product/orange-p7-29-s-review-51939/

Bit hard to tell from this whether they didn’t like the bike that much or whether it was the build kit that let it down?

Easily get 4 decent sized slices of chocolate cake in mine.

Painey – an option is to do the first Whites climb up to the end of “two tombstones” (past the abandondoned lawn mower!). When you pop out of the woods at the top turn sharp right onto the fire road and follow for about 1/2 mile. Then you can pick up the last 3rd of Blade from “Helter Skelter”.

But with the back seats down the A6 is 250 litres bigger than the A4, which is where you really notice the difference.

Wheelbase is 1206mm according to the spec sheet.

@redrook – no worries, hope it helps the decision making process! Not sure what specs you’re looking at but the A6 is also a much nicer ride than the A4 too, even on larger wheels.

@tallpau1 – As above, it’s an XL 29er so pretty big! The photo is a bit misleading, the furthest end of the handlebars doesn’t go past the top of the folded seat so in reality completely contained within the boot (and they’re 800mm bars).

Hopefully this works

I went from a 2009 A4 Avant to a 2012 A6 Avant, so both the cars you’re looking at. The short answer is the A6 is considerably bigger than the A4. I ride an XL 29er and although I generally take the front wheel out the A6 just swallows it with ease with bags of space left. The A4 coped with it fine but it was a bit more effort to make everything fit especially when carrying a couple of bikes.

I’d go for the A6 over the A4 but just a word of caution it’s pretty big and you do have to pick parking spaces carefully etc, bbu you soon get used to it!

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Thanks frogstomp

Wasn’t aware of the wolftooth option and that new one-up looks a good option too.

Anyone got any recommendations?

Something along the lines of:

A6 Avant

Superb estate

E class estate

VW toureg

Legend

Happy to be proven wrong given I haven’t got it working but I thought the edge 25 gave turn instructions along the breadcrumb trail?

I have an edge 25 and I think you are meant to load the route as a “course” which you can then access and follow on the device. I’ve tried a couple of times but I just cannot get the course to sync with my edge 25. Love to know how to overcome this though as have followed the instructions to the letter!

Can’t comment on the ‘e’ version but I bought a lithium about a year ago for family duties, towing trailers, taking on holiday etc and it has been brilliant. I’ve done a few longer road rides on it too and it’s a great all-rounder.

I’ve done two trips to Spain, both on the same pair of high roller 2s with exo casing and never had a puncture. The thing that put me off getting a heavier casing is that I’d never use them outside of the trip. The same pair of tyres has also done a week in the Alps, again no punctures.

I’d recommend tubeless though and running slightly higher pressures to prevent rim dings if, like me, you’re not used to rocky riding.

Iconic or Chronext

I had one of these on order (the Elite model) and have just had a call from my LBS to tell me that the bike will now not be in production until 2019.

Ive not seen any announcements from Specialized and am a bit gutted about this, but wondered if anyone else had heard this or if someone in the trade could confirm?

I’ve used 591s and 598s with carbon frames for 10 years or more, driven all over the country plus trips to Europe. I agree it’s wise to put a strip of Heli tape on the clamped area and if possible make sure that the clamped area is clean, but otherwise never had an issue.

Also find it odd that Thule would advise not to clamp a carbon frame yet manufacturer an accessory specifically designed to allow you clamp carbon?

I haven’t bothered, the clamp area on the 598 has loads of give and with the torque limiter on the ratchet I don’t see the point.

I’m surprised how often this gets asked.

It varies from bike to bike. If it needs shortened, shorten it!

You’re surprised yet offer no practical advice for those that don’t know whether it will likely need shortening or not, or what to look out for if it is too long.

Thanks to everyone else for their help, I will give it a go and see what happens.

Pinnacle lithium

Bought one at the start of this year for family duties, doing local rides with my daughter, taking on holiday etc. It’s great, pretty much a rigid 29 er with fat slick tyres.

It’s a cake stand, actually a very rare specialized accessory. When you store cake in the SWAT box (and you will), it allows you to arrange said cakes nicely on a stand for your friends at the mid ride tea and cake stop.

Trust me, they will love it….

You’ll be fine, make sure the bike (and your shoes, backpack etc) have a thorough clean, no need to buy new tyres just scrub them clean and make sure there is no visible mud or dirt.

Also, just as important, make sure you declare it on the landing/immigration card (says something about being on farm land or something in the last X days) and be willing to let them give the bike a good check over.

They get very frustrated with the number of people who try and bring fruit, nuts, seeds, dirty shoes etc into the country, (I’ve witnessed this several times) so if you are clued up and prepared they will likely thank you for it.

Just worried about stability and comfort, which I know is a bit silly.

Only natural when it comes to the safety of your kids. I can only offer a view of having used ours on paths, tracks and the odd trail over a couple of years, we also took in on a holiday to France a couple of times which was great.

I think this was the video that sold it to me although I don’t confess to have ever done much singletrack on it!

Why dubious about the one wheel?

Have you considered the Weehoo Igo Turbo?

We (and three other friends) all bought them for our kids. Attachment is simple, they come apart easily, suitable for 29ers and because of the single rear wheel they are narrower than the handlebars which make judging gaps etc much easier than a trailer.

My daughter has really outgrown it now but she had a ball using it and it was very easy to ride side by side with two of them. If it’s something you’re interested in feel free to drop me a line, ours is now sitting unused.

I’m not sure you can still get the 2.25 version of the beaver (and the 2.0 is very narrow). Be happy to be proven wrong though.

For the front I’d go for a maxxis shorty or the Spesh hillbilly (grid)

list so far is,
trek fuel
giant anthem
spesh epic
canyon neuron

any more to consider?

Why the Epic rather than the camber/stumpjumper. Isn’t the Epic an XC race bike?

What about the Jeffsy?