I have a set of Easton havocs, 20mm front. Qr rear going spare now I’ve changed to 29″. Pm if interested.

What are you guys running in the rear?

Been looking at a wider front and considering the MM 2.6 for my new 29er, but thinking I might keep the 2.3 Butcher on the back…

Cheers

As for tyres, I rode minion and they were great.

Make sure whatever you take is new though as you’ll wear them down fast on the hot rock (although lots of sandy stuff too).

All mentioned above, but for Moab my faves were:

Mag 7 (spectacular views as you ride along the edge of the ridge!) *Shuttle run

Navajo (relaxed but fun singletrack)

Capt Ahab is cool too, you can link it with a few extra sections of varying degrees of deathly gnar -locally only type trails.

Whole Enchilada (note that the mid section of this is a bit shit though, ie fire road type stuff). Really feels like a massive day out, you start pretty high in an alpine feeling area and descend into the desert. Take lots of spares! *Shuttle run

Bartlett wash (dont go if it may rain, you’ll get stuck. Really great fun area, you can pretty much ride on any of the rock, a giant bmx park style fun zone with natural hits and pump zones all over. Just be sure you know what’s over each ridge before you jump it.)

Moab is all kinds of awesome, but it’s super easy to get yourself into trouble out there, with either the heat or the terrain (oh so many places to fall off the edge of stuff and die/maim yourself) so take it easy at 1st and when on new trails.

Make sure you download trailforks and take a phone with you, some of the trails aren’t that well signed, there’s a small local guidebook available in the bike shops too.

It’s great!

Also, worth hiring an SUV/pick up over a car as some of the access roads are loooong washboards that’ll rattle a wee hyundai to pieces!

Have fun!

Also, Vancouver is a great city for a visit.

As above, Morzine just doesn’t compare!

I just did 3 weeks in Whistler and could easily have stayed longer!

Air BnB or similar allows self cook so saves a fortune on eating out, allows easy laundry etc etc.

Budget 800 gbp a week accom, 300gbp a week for a car. Plus flights and food and bike park tickets. Cheaper if as above you split your trip between Squamish and Whistler.

Beware that even food shopping in Whistler is crazy expensive, load up at walmart at squamish on the way up. Petrol is cheap though and Whistler is only 30min from Squamish, but then you’ll miss out on some of the Whistler vibe. Lots of folk just visit as a holiday who aren’t even interested in biking.

DO IT!

Speaking of which, being from the enlightened North with our right to roam, is there likely to be any hassle if riding on paths etc and coming across walkers? Assuming, of course that you’re not being a tit and shouting STRAVA as you nearly run over their dog/child/granny!!!

I’m tied to the weekend so there will likely be quite a few folks around.

Ta

Good stuff folks, thanks.

We’ll have 2 cars so happy driving up to an hour or so for good stuff, or even shuttling the 2 cars to enable 1 way routes if that’s the best option.

Staying mid way between Ambleside and Ullswater.

I’ll check out Strava and the Garmin links.

Or get a top end FS 26″!

Went 29″, before they decide 27.5″ are obsolete… ;)

Well, you’re all responsible for a nice big credit card bill next month!

Found a decent ex demo Elite, Interested to see how it rides compared to my ye olde 26″ blur LTc…

Anyone want to buy a Blur LTcarbon?!!!

Exciting times!

May be worth grabbing a turbo specific tyre too, a normal road tyre will wear out quickly, and a Mtb tyre will vibrate the nuts off both you and your bike!!!

Ozzie sufferfest style

GCN spin class style vid

GCN have loads aimed at various training, FTP improvement etc.

A good point to be fair.

I work away so can’t use zwift for a few weeks at a time. When i’m in training I do exactly the above, spin bike and my mobile with the GCN stuff on youtube, entertaining enough if you’re in the mood, and you’ll easily get a hard workout done in 45min.

There are a couple of knock off sufferfest style style vids on youtube from some Australian bike club too, also “enjoyed” these.

Great, thanks for the replies.

I wasn’t convinced on the pink/black at first, but the more I look at it the more it grows on me!

Looks like Specialized have completely re-designed the Enduro for their 2020 range, “Spy” shots leaking online show the shock linkage moved to downtube where the SWAT box is now…

Ahhhh!

You’re right, the S-works and pro are both the 11mm, but the elite carbon is only 9mm (front triangle with alu rear)…

Any idea on weight/stiffness difference between S-works/pro v elite? All the weights I see are for the full builds, so hardly fair with the massive difference in components.

I’m looking an offer of full build 2018 elite v a frame only sworks. No pro frame available.

Big FAN as above! I bought a car workshop fan, it’s massive, and way too cold at first, but you’ll sweat your bits off once you get going.

Zwift is a winner, you pay month by month if you like and can cancel anytime (I only have mine in winter).

I couldn’t bring myself to do turbo sessions before zwift, mind destroyling boring! If I watched tv etc then i’d slack off the pace.

Zwift races are a real motivator!

On the cheap: a basic non smart turbo, speed sensor, cadence sensor, and a turbo tyre. (Zwift do an estimated power for a bunch of non smart turbos, check out their site).

Posh: Smart wheel off turbo trainer.

Rode the black about 5 years ago before they allegedly calmed it down a bit, it was fooking nuts!

Felt like a big step up in gnar, and for reference i’d spent the previous 2 days riding the WC track at Fort William.

I’d wondered why nobody was riding it when I went up the chairlift…

Failing to squash the jump…

Europcar hammered me in GVA for a tiny scratch, as in it would 99% have disappeared with a good quality polish and I wouldn’t have even thought about a repair of any sort on my much cherished private car… (alas I didn’t even see it until returning the car).
Charged me for entire bumper replacement and respray! Previously and since, I’ve had no issues with them worldwide, so guess I was due to get screwed at some point!

Luckily I had the annual cover discussed so they refunded me and took up the issue of overcharging with Europcar themselves.

I used these guys, no issues claiming, all done via email, paid quickly etc. Lots of forms to fill in but assume that’s standard. https://www.direct-carexcess.co.uk/home
Can’t fault them and I just renewed again this year.

Mud tyres!

As a minimum one for the front, and fit a new rear standard tyre before you go so you’ll have some good knobs if it rains.

When it really rains there, the clay type dirt is SUPER slick! Good fun with spikes, a nightmare without!

I did the general admission option a few years ago and i’d really recommend it!

Went for the whole weekend so on the Fri/Sat we walked the entire track, then picked our favourite spot (the straight after Eau rouge) to watch the race. Post race they open the track up so you can go for a wander up Eau Rouge and see how steep it is.

If you plan on this take decent shoes as it’s a fair trek in the hills to get round.

Stayed in a hotel in Germany! Hour up the autobahn at silly speeds makes a nice commute and much easier to find accomodation, plenty parking options both at the track and random fields in town to ditch your car.

Great weekend, and “cheap” for F1!

As above, for the race try and get there early as the best spots will fill up quick, bu there’s loads of options so you’ll always get somewhere to watch but perhaps without a TV screen to view to keep an eye on the entire race.

Enjoy!

I ran a hawkeye wagon for 8 years without any issue.  Great cars, fast, amazing grip, spectacular in the snow!

They do run pretty small though, having said that you can easily throw a couple of bikes in the back with the wheels off.  Although not officially rated for a towbar, the chasis is the same as the standard car, I fitted a removable witter so I could throw a bike rack on the back.  Don’t put 3 DH bikes on the back, load the car with 3 guys and a weekend worth of kit though…  Arches will rub!

I maintained mine myself apart from the cam belt change, easy for a competent DIYer.  Mine ate brakes, but otherwise nothing to mention.  Oil and filters changed every year and nothing else required.

Tax is the killer, at £500 is was getting on for 10% of the car value every year.  Fuel not too bad unless hammering around on B roads.  Insurance OK for what it is.

Great cars, buy it!

Although a legacy would be similar and comfier!

Thanks folks!

Just been perusing trailforks actually and see some stuff in the Picos del Europa.  Most of the region seems pretty quiet though.

I rode down South with Switchbacks a few years ago and seem to remember a bunch of the routes there being, erm, “unofficial”…  Maybe it’s the same up North?

My complete lack of Spanish is likely the main stalling point of my googling.

Muchos Gracias!

Nobody?!

WRT to snow traction, an unloaded pickup can be sporty with plenty oversteer in the rain, let alone proper snow!

Most of my Canadian chums add weight in the back for winter months to aid traction, but they have cheaper fuel than we do…

I still almost bought a Navara though!

Ended up with a “sensible” car instead: WRX estate :lol:

I’ve been out for the last week of opening a couple of times and it’s been great.

Yeah it rained a bit some days, but mostly that just makes the trails better.

Cheap lift tickets, cheap hotels, great riding and you’ll pretty much have the place to yourself!

What’s not to like?

Garb zone will be closed but plenty in Fitz for a weeks entertainment.

Take a jacket and a merino thermal and you’ll be grand. If you’re lucky it’ll be glorious autumnal sunshine.

DO IT! If I could mget the time off i’d be there with you!

If you have spare days then stay the last weekend too and check out the turkey sale for cheap ski gear :)

Still reckon that all the riders are underpaid, say the top 10 guys/gals make £100k average each, so they’re fine but the bottom half of the top 100 will be struggling to pay for their travel and expenses, with a very real risk of a career ending injury at any time.

Compare that to the top footballers in the world who cry when they fall over…

Still, if I was good enough i’d happily ride for flights and free bikes!

I’ve bought 2 in the past, self repaired one (stolen recovered so just new locks), and had a garage do minor work for the other with salvage parts (new door).

No issues with anything, including insurance.

Family member just wrote off a cat D car, fully comp claim. No issues re payout, but the value was obviously less as it was a cat d car already.

The only potential issue is it will be more difficult to sell, but as you plan to keep it there’s no worries there.

Maybe worth paying for an inspection to ensure work is up to standard on higher value vehicles.

As mentioned above, old countertop.

I put mine on one of these.

Plenty sturdy enough for a countertop workbench and cheaper than buying wood to build a base!

Deepwater horizon is a farcical film from start to end.

WRT job prospects, things are slowly picking up upstream. But remember that thousands of experts in their fields are currently out of work, as such any upturn will merely provide opportunities for these skilled, and more importantly, experienced personel.

Look the numerous companies and governments signing up to cease production of fossil fuel vehicles and the future doesn’t look too rosey for O&G…

Why not race?

I think I’d get in the way!
(I’d be at least a min slower than the top folk at Fort Bill).

It does seem expensive.

All the races are bloody hours away.

But I do have a DH bike and I’d rather be riding that than my trail bike most of the time.

For the cost of a couple of weekends racing (entry,travel,accom, etc) you’re looking at the same price as a week in the Alps…

I think this is the biggest issue.

Obviously nobody is making much cash running the events, but the increased costs of liability insurance/medical cover etc are pushing prices past what folks believe is good value. I imagine that back in the heyday such costs were pretty insignificant?

I picked up a fenix 3 a few months ago as I started to train a bit more seriously, but also wanted something for using in the hills ski touring etc.

It’s great, I love it!

I’ve got weeny wrists and was worried about the size but it looks fine and isn’t too heavy.

Only issue is when biking over rocky terrain at high speeds, but I just sinch it up tight to minimise movement.

Also does a bunch of smartwatch stuff that I didnt want, but actually find very useful.

I wouldn’t buy a 5 over the 3 at the moment especially if you’re not 100%. The 3 is half the price brand new and 80% as good!

I think you’ll be grand with the 114.

I just bought that kmc for a new 1×11 set up, 30 x 42 max, on an XL frame FS bike, I still had to remove links.

FYI the kmc quick link tells you it isn’t reusable, they lie! :)

Actually have a Bluetooth OBD2 arriving today!

To be honest I’m scared to touch my phone in the car these days, 6points risk is too much.

As above I’ve got a TomTom and it’s been faultless, grab one with lifetime updates and you’re golden for years. I use this rather than the inbuilt car satnav, it’s just better.

Hmm, not impressed with collect plus.

Love the idea that I don’t need to be in, but poor service for me.

CRC parcels were a week,and they kept delaying expected delivery date (to be fair to CRC they emailed to apologise).

Also paid for next day with another retailer, again they wait until it’s supposed to be delivered, then send a message it’s delayed…

Wouldn’t use them for anything I needed anytime soon.

Parcelforce have always been spot on for me, but not always an option.

You’ve legally agreed to inform your insurer of any accidents, regardless of whether or not a claim is made, check your fine print.

You also need to state an accident has occurred when renewing. Even if non fault.

I just had similar, informed my insurer “for information only”, tried to claim directly from 3rd party insurer. Given run around for a week, contacted claims management comp, 3rd party insurer admitted liability within 24hrs…

WRT to lack of tech chat,the bike you ride makes much less difference in DH than the car you drive does in F1.

Stick minaar on a trek and he’d still have destroyed everyone, stick Alonso in a McLaren…

Also, very few people care about gear ratios etc when watching a DH race, watch the subtle line choice differences instead. All about the skill, enjoy it live and geek out later!

As for the course chat, it’s a world cup, it’s supposed to be difficult.

Leaving now, COWBELLS packed! :D

Along with goretex waterproofs, suncream and midge net, you just never know what you’re getting, gotta love Scotland!

All seems a bit farcical these tbh, hence me updating my current LTc with tubeless and a slightly slacker HA rather than fork out £4k on a new bike for largely the same result.

My DH rig is 3yrs old, and 2 wheel sizes out of date already :roll:

Luckily the .01 sec faster for your average WC racer doesn’t relate me too much!

FWIW I just grabbed a fenix 3 in the sale, and i’m very happy with, all the gps/altitude/HRM I could ever want for running, biking, hiking and skiing, combined with smart watch tech: text/email/fb/whatsapp updates etc. It is chunky though.

It’s great value for what it is.

Mrs has a forerunner 35 and loves it as it’s simple, small and has optical HRM, still receives texts etc and is half the price.