Mountain Biking

Yeah definitely something is a bit weird, the dropout looks fine and the mech looks ok fsr as I can see but sadly I never took a photo of the mech head down view when new so can't compare then to now. I will get it all serviced as they check all of these things as part of the process so either way they can advise accordingly.

Quite annoying! And yeah I am learning just how small a room for error is left by going 12 speed lol.
 
So after a few weeks I’ve finally narrowed down and got my cyclesheme voucher sorted.

but I need help deciding, specialised rockhopper elite 29, trek x-Caliber 7 or a cube analog rs

the trek is only one in stock but am I letting patience get the best of me if I go for it?
 
So after a few weeks I’ve finally narrowed down and got my cyclesheme voucher sorted.

but I need help deciding, specialised rockhopper elite 29, trek x-Caliber 7 or a cube analog rs

the trek is only one in stock but am I letting patience get the best of me if I go for it?
Very interested in this as this would be my kind of bike and budget. I'm drawn to the cube for the 12 speed but I don't have much experience so don't pay any attention to me :)
 
new crankset turned up this morning so finally got a new drivetrain fitted, had the gx eagle mech and cassette for a while now but as the cranks needed replacing its been a struggle to get any, ended up having to get some carbon gx cranks, it was either that or Hope. the old stuff was all gx eagle and has lasted a couple of years(cranks 3) so hopefully by the time this lot needs replacing there will be no stock issues.
of up to scotland tomorrow for a day riding the golfie and then innerliethen uplift day on monday
 
new crankset turned up this morning so finally got a new drivetrain fitted, had the gx eagle mech and cassette for a while now but as the cranks needed replacing its been a struggle to get any, ended up having to get some carbon gx cranks, it was either that or Hope. the old stuff was all gx eagle and has lasted a couple of years(cranks 3) so hopefully by the time this lot needs replacing there will be no stock issues.
of up to scotland tomorrow for a day riding the golfie and then innerliethen uplift day on monday
OH YEAH!!! Definitely feeling those stock issues as well! !ts brutal at the moment. I've spent a lot of time searching high and low for parts to build up my latest rig. I effectively was left with the decision to settle on borrowing parts from my other bike and buying decent parts that will work instead fully speccing out the parts that I actually want.
When stock availability allows there are quite a few parts I'll be upgrading.


Managed to find a good deal locally on a set of practically brand new 170mm 36's, bike is now feeling a lot more complete and the front end is feeling a hell of a lot more balanced. Yes they are 29" forks, however, I wanted to keep the option open to mullet it in future. Plan to upgrade the airshaft to 180mm come next service, seems a waste to service a brand new fork though so I'll give it ~6 months.
Brakes however are the next main priority, currently thinking Hope E or V4's.
Cant wait to get it out on the trails now. Supposed to be Monday my next organised ride, but I dont think I'll be able to wait that long. Can see me heading out tomorrow:D.
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So, proper ride out on the new (old) Fox forks that I picked up for next to nothing locally. Same travel as my Suntour ones but a big improvement in comfort, compliance and stiffness, or so it feels. Also snagged some Shimano 4 pot brakes online for a song too, so should have them sorted in a week or so.

Only needs some orange decals on the forks now to replace the blue, more in keeping with the rest of the bike!

Appreciate upgrading a bike isn't the cost effective way to do it but I'm enjoying it this way and the other half is planning to grab a cheap bike. Means I'll have plenty of spare parts to bring a cheap 2nd hand one up to spec!
 
Anyone in here for one of the newer Transition frames/bikes? How are you finding it.

I really fancied the Scout to replace my MK2 Nomad, but being honest the Spur will probably do me better and be more fun at trail centre type trails. The Scout also surprised me that the carbon frame is heavier than my mk2 alloy nomad frame.
 
Went to the local trails on my way home from work on Friday, damn it felt good to be outside doing some downhill trails after sitting in an office all day. Might become a much more common occurrence, albeit it'd be nicer (aka less wet) if it hadn't been raining all day until that point :p
Sealskinz socks really showing their worth mind!

Also figured it was about time to get a proper helmet, been using a cheap £40 job initially while I was finding my feet again on a bike, now however I'm realising that was a bit of a waste so I've ordered myself a Bell Super Air. Better protection, Mips, lighter etc
 
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@mrk assume you ended up with an import duty/vat bill from DHL after your forks were delivered? You got them from Bike-discount in Germany right? They've got a couple of bits that myself and a mate want and actually have stock, plus way cheaper than UK prices even factoring in the 20% plus 5%.
 
Seems a bit much? Wasn't it around £220 shipped? So costs should be 20% plus 5% duty on bicycle parts, plus the handling fee. Only ask as our order looks to be around £170 and I calculate that out to £53 all in extra costs
 
I just checked back on receipts and I paid £252.98 for the forks inc shipping (no VAT added at checkout). The DHL invoice says £112.86 for VAT and £11 for "Disbursement" whilst the Duty column is £0.

So all i all these forks have cost me £376.84

I have now checked UK stock and found the non remote version for £352+shipping, whilst the remote version is a bit more expensive. So all in all I have ended up paying a bit more than if I waited for some UK stock to be available although when that stock would have come I could not have known!
 
I'd have planned on getting all my SRAM AXS stuff from Bike Discount don't think I'll bother with them now.

How is £112 vat correct on something costing £252.
 
I'd have planned on getting all my SRAM AXS stuff from Bike Discount don't think I'll bother with them now.

How is £112 vat correct on something costing £252.


HOLD UP!!!!! I have been reading it all wrong. This DHL invoice is for a watch I bought from France back in January! I have not received any customs invoice for the forks :D

My bad!
 
This VAT stuff has killed it :( Buying parts from Germany was just the go to place for back up. I always found UK stock *** at the best of times over the last decade, let alone with the state of the world now.
I'm going to have to go read up on it, but I thought I read that if it was under £135 then there are no charges? But then making several purchases is going to add up on shipping.
 
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