Another run keeper user here. It’s free. Works like a charm on my iPhone 4. Pre-iPhone 4 GPS is quite sluggish though, so bear that in mind with any GPS app. If you have a 4 though, then no problems. Here’s a map generated by runkeeper.

http://runkeeper.com/user/75856432/activity/16519450

Is that 2k budget for the frame only, or a complete bike? I’d have loved a Blur myself, but that frameset costs a lot of money before you start attaching bits to it. What about the new Nickel – similar sort of territory, but with a design more in line with the Orange 5?

I like techy stuff, and when it gets a bit much, I just take the chicken routes, and the few trails I have had the pleasure of riding. I just don't want to be abused because I'm not going as fast as the dude with 24" of travel and a motor bike helmet who wants to get air over every hump he sees.

I wanted to go to Glentress to pootle down with the saddle up my ass. Is this not allowed? This is what has always put me off trail centres despite liking the idea of miles of manufactured fun. I'm not a crazy, jump off everything, get to the bottom as fast as I can, kinda guy. I wanna get back home to my kids, preferrably alive. Are trail centres full of unwelcoming gits who don't want us normal folk about?

That's a nice looker.

Nice Bakey. Looks great in white. I'd have loved it in the Green, Baby Blue, or White – but this year it's either Red or Black.

Thanks guys, very pleased with it. And the large, with that slightly laid back seat post is a perfect fit for my 6 foot and a bit height. Feels really comfy and the suspension is so plush – the old Gary Fisher Sugar 2 I had a few years ago was nothing like this. I love it. The paint job is radioactive – silly bright – but I kinda like it. Both my kids are well pleased as they both have red Islabikes. 5yo and 2yo are easily pleased though. :D

No idea how it compares to an Anthem X, though that was the other frame on my short list. I nearly bought an X2 last year, but my budget couldn't quite reach it so I got the 2008 Kula Deluxe hard tail instead – which was the donor for this bike. I guess I've been a SC fanboy for too long not to own one!

All done. Only managed a quick test ride in the pouring rain outside the shop, but it felt great. They've made the front mech cable hose a little on the long side, but I'll get that shortened later. Other than that, very happy. Whilst it was there, I got them to pull out the spacer in my Reba's, increasing the travel to 115mm. I'm surprised how much longer that 15mm makes the shocks look.

Could be 2008 after all then. The site had totally different graphics for the 08s, looked well dated, and those graphics for the 10s. Maybe they've been that way since 08 and the site was showing pre-08 graphics. Either way, I'm happy as they look more upto date than I expected. :D

Nice bikes (and single track) in the other folks photos!

For the ODI caps, I pressed them into the rings before I fitted the grips to the bars. I seem to remember having to press em pretty hard – I put them face down on a table and pushed the grip onto them.

Standard XT and Hayes clamps. I just removed the shifter indicators with blanks (came with the shifters and the original bike). I find them so much more comfortable like that, and as you say – nicely spaced for 1 finger braking.

So after worrying about the gusset changes all night, thinking – this is why they've dropped the price – they've built a Superlight clone with less features for less money. Then I got up and checked out the entire 2011 range and saw that pretty much all but the DH bikes have lost the gussets too, so I've probably been worrying about nothing but advances in tube design.

The paint on the rear triangle looks a little bit streaky though. Still at the bike shop, so I can't verify if that's a trick of the camera or bad paint. And I've still not had a chance to ride it. Was gonna wheel around chainless for 5 mins yesterday before dropping at the shop, but was late for getting the 5yo from school! Doh!

Is the lack of gusseting anything to worry about?

Cheers. I can't wait to ride it. Sadly, it's at the shop now til Saturday, as they are quite busy.

Almost done. I had a go at the gear cables and then realised my tools weren't up to the job. So it's at the local bike shop for the gear cables and the chain. Scored on the frame – ordered a Float R and got an RP23. Scored on the bars – paid for 2008 EA70s and got 2010s. :D

I've not read all the other posts on this subject, so don't shoot me if I'm repeating or contradicting somebody. I have one of the new 27" iMacs, and it's a really great machine. I can't fault it. I went all out for the quad core, 8 threaded job.

The great thing with iMacs is that they hold their value well. It's the fact that you can't upgrade that does this. I bought a 24" iMac for £1200, kept it 3 years, and sold it for £550. I never managed that sort of thing with a 3 year old PC!

My wife has a MBP that she likes. I tend to use the iMac for serious stuff, and the iPad for everything else.

I love mine. Just moved them over from my kula to the new superlight. Great pedals. Bigger surface area than most similar pedals. Well sealed. Loads of grip from the replaceable pins. And the look good too. I'm a flattie heathen though.

Al, I sold the old frame with it's FSA headset. Figured the Hope headset would need a different ring. It certainly looks different.

I know flatties aren't really correct, but I've never ridden SPDs before – I have a set but haven't had spare cash for the shoes. Besides, I see it as a short travel trail bike – I won't be racing. These are supposed to be great on single track. Am i alone in using flatties? The bike will get equal time off road as it will park time with my 5yo. Flatties seem ideal for that really.

Off topic, sorta…

Regardless of whether or not they are "cool" BMWs are great cars. Drivers cars. They are built for the driving experience first, the luxury thing 2nd. Sure some have small engines, but they all share the same class chassis. And anything with a 2.3 ltr engine and above is gonna be a lot of fun. Same thing can be said for the Audi's of this world.

You get a lot of folk who don't seem to have much clue about cars who instantly label some of the best drivers cars in the world as poseurs cars, hair dressers cars, etc. Then quite happily brandish the keys to their Kia 4×4.

I'd love to replace my R32 with a 330 Coupe, M3, M5, S5, RS4, TT RS, etc. I'd certainly not feel I was driving some sort of fashion accessory so much as one of the best cars money can buy.

I'll be selling my Thomson layback 27.2 this week when I strip my bike down. Pm me if you're interested. It's a couple of months old and seen just a couple of rides, so mint.

They for using with gears completely enclosed or for the hydraulics. If for gears, then I'm not too fussed just yet, but will keep in mind.

z1ppy. What the heck are those, and how do I use em?

Frame ordered with hope headset and bb. Never built up a bike before. Should be interesting.

Thanks for the size info guys. :D

What about the chasing and facing – I'm tempted just to get the bike shop to fit a BB to it before the ship the frame. Doesn't seem to be anything wrong with my Race Face Deus XC BB though, other than that everyone says they are made of cheese.

Hey guys, I'm probably gonna order me a superlight frame tomorrow. I need to transfer as much kit off my old bike (a hardly used 2008 Kona Kula Deluxe). Pretty sure all I'll need is a headset, seat post, and some tools to get the chainset and BB off the Kula.

Questions though:

1. Do I need to get the frame faced and chased? Will Stif do that?

2. I'm 6ft, maybe 6ft1. 33" inside leg. Does a Large frame sound about right? Looking to build up a comfy all day bike, good for single track, trails, and park rides with my 5yr old. :D

Thanks.

’08 Kula Deluxe. My first foray back into biking in 8 years. Bought new a couple of weeks ago. Swapped out the stem for the shorter Race Face pictured.

A good point Rich. I forgot he was going C2W. I ended up whacking mine on the interest free CC instead because the sweet deals on 08 bikes offset the discount I’d have gotten via C2W.

Pauls Cycles have a bunch of 2008 bikes at reduced prices. I picked up a Kona Kula Deluxe 08 from them a few weeks ago for £1k. Granted, not as trendy as some of the bikes out there, but it’s got a nice Scandium frame, allbeit in Girly white/blue. I figure I can change the frame later. They have a few other bargains as well.

Gee is right, I spent a further £100+ on accessories. In hindsight, I might have been happier with the Specialized Stumpy Comp 09 with the 10% accessories deal. Then again, the Kona Dawg is nice too. Of course, if I’d bought something else I might have been saying, ooh, but the Kona Kula Deluxe is a nice bike. lol.

Not as trendy as some…