another plus of the RS options is that mere humans can service them (not so easy with Fox!).

That’s one of the main reasons Fox didn’t make the list!

but at 90kg, if you tend to ride rough stuff fairly quickly, i’d imagine a stiffer fork would serve you well

I think I have now crossed the Rev off the list, at least in my mind.

If you choose AE over Mabie then Glentress will seem even better when you get there!

(Don’t)

You put coil or air Lyriks on peterfile? I take it you think the stiffness and damping are worth the weight penalty. Which fork would you choose out of my list?

I guess what I really want to know is, how important is fork stiffness on a hardtail? I’ve never ridden anything stiffer than my old Revs, but that was in combination with my Cotic Soul, which I could really feel flexing under me. I know I want a stiffer setup in this next bike, but what price do I want to pay for it in terms of weight?

Slants look like a good compromise and its good to hear that a “sturdy chap” is getting on well with them so thanks for that meatfist.

For contrast, my friend uses stans rim strips in his 721s, got them working fairly easily and he runs them at very low pressures.

The Flow Ex’s on my hardtail are still in good nick after about a year I guess. I tend to run them sub 20 psi and I am around 95kgs. Only had a handful of hard landings in that time though.

Maybe we need a “waiting for an Alpine support group” thread :-)

HA!

I doubt you’ll find out before the pre-order offer is no more :P

wasn’t Mike doing a bespoke colour option??

Yes, but not on the preorders and for an extra £50 over retail. Not bad value but £150 more than preordering a white or orange one.

What do you enjoy about it, do you like it rich and peaty or clean and almost medicinal?

On paper out of the two, the Alpine looks like the better all day bike, the Slackline slightly more of a play thing.

BFe geometry is very different.

If the X-Fusions just had the adjustability of the Pikes. It’s such a difficult 1st world decision.

I think you’re waiting for an Alpine, since you’ve not pulled the trigger on the Slackline already!

Cargo holds on commercial flight are pressurised are they not? In which case you have no worries with your forks or upy downy seat post. Unless you loose cabin pressure, in which case you’ll probably not be thinking “Oh no, I hope I can find the receipt for my reverb”.

When Rockshox say max rotor size is 200mm, do they really mean it or would 203mm be fine?

I’d paid my deposit by the time I realised the Slackline got the 44mm headtube. Otherwise I’d probably be riding one now since my old Soul is now cracked at the headtube as well as the seat stay and not being able to ride it is doing my head in!

The pain of waiting will disappear quick enough on delivery day!

Now all I need to do is decide on a Slackline 631 or wait for the Alpine MK3.

Tricky decision that. I’ve got a MK3 Alpine on order. The wait is killing me! Shouldn’t be too long now though :D

I can vouch that the finish looks a lot better in the flesh than in any photos! Nice bike.

Thanks, brakes ordered :)

I chuckled :lol:

That’s very nice. What cranks?

Would still give a good price on a number of bits and bobs.

I do most of my browsing on an 11″ screen. New CRC website only allows me to see 3 products at a time, previously it was much much better. Window shopping just became far less enjoyable!

I rode rigid forks around LLandegla, chasing two mates on hard tails. Hard work but more fun than you might imagine!

Poor butchered Sovereign

What sort of thickness are the sidewalls on these compared to say, a Hans Dampf?

I think you got a steal at £299.

I’ve run the Hans Dampf on the back of my (mk1) Soul, I imagine if anything you’ll have more clearance.

I think the HD is great on the front but I’ve since swapped for something less draggy on the back.

No stock according to the website :(

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my recent excursion into the world of zero travel. I’m only doing it as I’m “between forks” right now, but it is certainly still fun even on the dry and notoriously braking bump infested Cannock Chase. Having to manual over every unavoidable obstacle has got to be good for your technique in the long run, right? :-)

Does anyone know how the dual position air works on the new Pikes?

I’m wondering if they’ll ride as well at 130mm as they do at 160mm?

Since 3 of the 5 that were coming have now pulled out, I suggest we postpone the ride. Next one I can do is the 29th, but if anyone else wants to organise something before that then feel free to!

Oh dear, I’d be leaving those tools in the house while you’re away I_Ache.

Had much ride time on these yet Loco?

Who is still keen for this tomorrow? If it’s only a couple of us maybe we should rearrange it

EDIT: Found what I was after.

^ Dry and sunny according to that weather forecast ^ ??

26 degrees at start time not warm enough for you?!

Flow EX for the extra width. The extra volume really helps to soften things up at the back of a hardtail and like superficial says, it makes them harder to burp or roll tyres off the rim.