The thing is it comes with the bike i want to purchase, oh boy another game changer .. As i really like this bike :(

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3048#tab-reiter2

@robsoctane. -hey mate let me know what you came up with by your research and opinions across forum threads, was planning myself with other half and some friends might be around june-july … Actually starting shopping with spare parts right now as shops going to xmas sale. ….None of us been there too so no idea what to expect..too many places been mentioned here which is very helpful and make it more confusing as well. Been riding mostly local red graded trails here( cannock, shropshire,sherwood) but thats just it. Will be expecting ride like the 2 last photo posted by “coogan” epic view for couple of days then ..i’ll see it from there where i can take my limits, dont wanna be fool being cocky the first few days and not see the whole 10 days of my riding holiday. pM details if you can, for some reason i dont know how to do it here. (Cannot find the PM button)

Ah ok cheers pinetree.. And thanks all :)

I didnt realize swinnerton is selling.. Most i see there is trek and giant. Will have a look ;)

Silverfish doesnt have one mate

West midlands, coventry

Can bunnyhop at will like real bunny :roll:

So when is best time you reckon.. I dont mind rain really.. Just not everyday :roll:

If this is so.. I think i will lean on continental baron (black chili) on this fit and forget. But most likely will be there around june

For some reason TREK is not so appealing to me, i hope i can explain. Im sure its a good bike and all.

I just realized YT website dont have credit card payment option but bank transfer.. This is a game changer for me :cry: … I always prefer credit card for purchases online for my protection as a consumer. .. Now the Cube dealer just around the corner where i live starting to be more appealing.. Or maybe the canyon nerve al+ .. I might need to re-assess my options again :roll:

?? Umm how about .. Looks and specs wise? :roll:

Cheers for that” swamp thing tyre recommendation” is this applicable as well during middle of summer? Or does anyone know whats the weather over there after the megavalanche?

@wallop. My choice of tyres as well.. You running 2.35 both? The 2.35 advantage is a bit bigger thought just dont know how it is

@accu. Exactly the kind of situation im trying to avoid, its not easy for myself to get a holiday break as everybody else.. every hour counts… only to be ruined by that kinda thing. reminds me bringing my spare seatpost.. Still i cant picture out how your seatpost broke unless its a really nasty crash.

Born with a horse shoe in my arse.. Lucky indeed, im frame size small 8) .. Just waitingnfor the creditcard with 22mos 0% interest :)

Swamp things on the summer.. Seriously? :roll: Was leaning towards minions dhf 2.5 ST front.. 2.35 60a rear. Or advantage 2.35 front/rear. … Mostly doing singletracks first few days and getting more technical .

..i knew i gonna bring locks :wink:

Cant wait to get my hands on this.. Anybody who got one near the west midlands? Or riding the chase perhaps? Can i see it please… Im weakened each day to press the “buy it now” button without seeing one yet in the flesh :(

@mikewsmith … I assume its fort knox safe these chalet to keep bikes.

@wallop LOL.. Too late now. After watching it countless times..my mind is set you are that video :P

Nice video . What bike you got there @wallop

By the way.. No one seems to be suggesting bike lock. Do they have facility for this?

Nice one @packer.. Havent thought of that 8)

Updated list from suggestions:

Things to buy: (that i dont have)

01. Tyres (advantage or minions dhf) + inner tubes + repair kit + extra stans fluid
02. Brake pads x 3 sets
03. Rear mech hanger x3
04. Chain + chain links x2
05. Decent (all can do) toolkit (lezyne maybe)
06. Decent MTB insurance (cover helicopter rescue)
07. Osprey or Mule hydration/day ride bag (i think my Rogue is too small)
08. Gear cables x2
09. Haribo x3 8)
10. Sun cream 8)
11. Spare spokes
12. Spare rotor (200mm front)
13. Contour HD video cam (go pro 3 just too expensive and heavy + me just being cheap)
14. Brake fluid + sus fluid
15. Extra bit of pivot (sus link) bolts as spares (i have no idea where to get this)
16. Ice/heat pack
17. Scholl foot plaster for blister
18. Shitloads of money ( i highly doubt this after purchasing all in this list)
19. Spare Fork ( now what is CRC maximum days return of unused items?… Im not really looking forward purchasing one out of necessity and not CRC/wiggle/merlin price., or waste my holiday hours fixing it up.. I would rather deal with it when i come back)
20. FF helmet (not really sure about this, do you need this on red routes there?.. I also want a backup helmet just in case i wanna have a go with more techy trails, probably gonna happen last days of my riding holiday.) . Plan is gonna go easy first few days.. XC / red route stuff .. Enjoying scenery as well… Dont want to have elbow/knee broken the first few hours.. Remember i still have to drive back home.

Things i already have

01. Decent elbow/knee guard
02. XC helmet /cratoni c-maniac
03. Clothing layers, jerseys,rain jacket,warmers
04. First aid kit+ painkillers
05. Dropper post came standard
06. Camera (photo)
07. Cleaning kit
08. Duct tape
09. A smile … :-)
10. Haribo x1

Really thanks guys for the suggestions.. This is really helpful. .. About where in alps.. I only have bike village im reading about at the moment….. They seem to cater all that there is (as their website claims to be).. I hope this is a good place to start with, being us that never been there… Im not really worried so much about the spares but it is better to have it and not need it than the other way around, after all CRC and wiggle have a very outstanding unused items return policy. I hope they’re not reading right now, or maybe i hope they do so they can come up with ALPS basic spare kits (all in one) to sell for people who have no clue. Point is.. Wish to have good riding all days of the holiday, and not wasting time worrying and shopping LBS over there in case things go south as i have 3bikes to worry already (other half and kid).. And another 2 more (friends that would maybe tag along who probably got no clue to repair or service a bike) .

And to the guy who’s selling me a minion dhf 2.5, for some reason i dont know how to send PM.. Can you send me instead and how much.. Cheers.

Not really sure what to expect.. Most likely equivalent of red routes (hints of black routes mybe) that we have here (uk).. And trails with outstanding scenery which we see in magazines (or cube bikes advertising)..

Do i really need that much hangers and set of brake pads? (Will i be changing this on a daily basis) I will probably go driving if some friends tag along. Maybe 5bikes all… All have no idea what alps riding is all about. They would take the plane.. Have a small van 3seats max… What is gold plated insurance that was mention?..

Providing i have all the spares mentioned.. What other things expensive over there ? Where i would most likely shell out cash?

She will decide after xmas mate if its ok, will pay you by then.. Dont worry.. By the way would you mind if we borrow your bike for the weekend.. I think its gonna make her decide sooner by cycling and wearing the jersey. :roll:

@timidwheeler.. May i ask what bike you willl be bringing?

Thanks all.. Will be looking for all suggested here.

Already look at the giant reign i cannot find an xs frame… We’ll try to demo an orange 5 diva small.. See how it goes.. .. Shes currently riding cube attention 16″ on a 120mm of travel.. For some reason the frame suits her.. But still i see it quite big for her body size.. A size 14-15 would probably be spot on.

Looking for all mountain really.. Will be using in local trails (red/black graded) most of the time.. But decent enough to bring to alps for the summer.. So something that is good for climbing as well.. Spesh.. Canyon.. Women full susser got max 120 of travel that i can find.. Anything anybody know about with a 140 travel? On xs frame?

@rickmaster: do you have this orange diva yourself or personally seen this?

Thanks evryone who reply… @pocketshepherd. How he manage to crack a frame? Big jump? Im in the UK as well i was thinking about going to germany to test as well. Will be buying two bikes .. One for the missus, dont know yet if they stock on spot. I probably gonna drive with bike carrier.

@jakebeach… How is the sizing? High-low points of the bike? Hows the suspension?

Assuming properly bedded and no rubbing… Take out pads and rotors.. Spray with brake cleaner and light it.. Literally. I use the one (i dont know the name) where you light an old gas cooker.. Its like a lighter with a handle and pointed tube where flame comes out. Light your rotors and pads with just the blue flame..Then spray back brake cleaner . It can go very hot be careful. Fixed my elixir 5 this way.

Aha. So i caught some peoples attention here :roll:

How would you fit your bike in that?

51 plate? Its a focus mk1. Dont know if its the same under, but the procedure is the same, its important to warm up the engine and oil inside so as to allow sludge to liquify. Then drain.. And make sure the ground is level when youre doing it. .. Handbrake on and put bricks or any to car back tyres in case shit happens. Then jack up front.. Slacken the sump plug a bit… Position the drain container .. This is when your hands get dirty as oil will start to drain.. Assuming drain container is ok, take out the whole sum plug.. After full drain wipe clean drain hole..Change the copper washer.. This serves as a “seal”. Then put sump plug back wih new copper washer. Dont know the torque. Just google it. Then put oil back. Asda tesco halfords oil or any all the same. Assuming you dont change filter, this is all you need.

Oh and careful with those exhaust pipe down under touching your skin. Take your time. You cant go wrong.

Are you speaking about mk2 2.0 zetec? Its pretty accesible but i have a diesel. Jack up the front (dont know if this is the right term) as you will be crawling downside. There is a hole in the plastic panel at the bottom of the engine. Find that bolt with a copper washer. I believe that is what youre looking for “sump plug” .. You will need replacement for your oil . Have it prepared together with the new sump plug.. I dont know if you will go as far as changing the oil filter as well while youre at it.. Highly recommend changing it when you can… Run the engine for a while to warm the oil so it will drain faster. Take out sump plug.. Then drain.. Replace new sump plug… Replace oil.. Mine took 4ish – 5liters . Job done. Do wear latex gloves its PITA to wash engine oil off your hand. Trust me you will get dirty. And dont forget to dump those used oils to your local skip. Take your time. Check youtube too.

How do you get on mentally? Bruise.. Broken ribs.. Heals in their own time…

Still havent recovered mentally my last OTB down the chase. :roll:

Are you selling that HOpe H cup?

Get the one with shin protection mate. Its better to have it and not need it than the other way around. Besides after couple of pedals you can barely feel its there.. Just be sure the fit is snug. Saved me from broken bones last weekend.

My LBS idea of solution to my problem is buying a new fork that they have on sale. .. I turned around and walk away.

Change of angle.. Is it in a good way?

I saw couple of deer down cannock chase (follow d dog) then i saw the male deer massive one with some horns staring at me. I have never pedal so much in my life in that section.. Male deer charge right? True story

I can only think of taking their skin as part of the carcass for my tyres :roll:

But perhaps some would say its a little bit too much :wink:

Hi andyl, can you show me link ?

Juan, fork is tapered.. Frame headtube is straight semi integrated 1 1/8… Can you show me link what it looks like as well?

Im sorry, this headset headtube is like learning a new language for me. Cheers guys.

Cheers mate. You are a credit to this forum :-)