Hey guys and girls
Used to be pretty good at biking a few years ago.
Got married, had kids, got fat, stopped riding.
Now got divorced, kids 50% of time, still fat, bike knackered.
Solution?
A Propain tyee 29er CF! Treated myself to the carbon Newman wheels, lyrik ultimates, super delux ultimate, code RCS... Stuck with all GX chainset oh and a bike yoke dropper!
Just hope the quoted 65 days is accurate as hearing some people being told a lot longer
Thinking of getting some tyre inserts to protect the rims although newmans crash replacement is pretty decent. I think I need some carbon contact paste stuff as well, oh and a new shock pump, oh and a shock wizz looks awesome, oh and some good pedals, oh and some new biking clothes, oh and some muc off... Oh crap it's began alrdy

Ah FFS. I had an inkling my pre-order might go wrong. Whyte cannot fulfil all their orders and I am unable to get it till about November. I've now asked about the 909 and should hear back tomorrow. Did not want to spend that much but not much I can do. Pfft. Better colour though,
https://whyte.bike/collections/trail-enduro-900-series/products/909
Get some rimpact inserts, they're great.Hey guys and girls
Used to be pretty good at biking a few years ago.
Got married, had kids, got fat, stopped riding.
Now got divorced, kids 50% of time, still fat, bike knackered.
Solution?
A Propain tyee 29er CF! Treated myself to the carbon Newman wheels, lyrik ultimates, super delux ultimate, code RCS... Stuck with all GX chainset oh and a bike yoke dropper!
Just hope the quoted 65 days is accurate as hearing some people being told a lot longer
Thinking of getting some tyre inserts to protect the rims although newmans crash replacement is pretty decent. I think I need some carbon contact paste stuff as well, oh and a new shock pump, oh and a shock wizz looks awesome, oh and some good pedals, oh and some new biking clothes, oh and some muc off... Oh crap it's began alrdy

Had my first bit of trail riding in ages today and absolutely loved it.
On thing did annoy me though. I was at Thetford forest which has a red, blue and green cycle routes plus a "heritage trail" which is for cyclists and walkers which is perfect for kids as its twisty but wide and flat. So where do the frustrated dads with their high end full suspension bikes take their kids who can barely ride... why the red route, obviously
I came across a girl (I'd guess about 7) right in the middle of a technical section I'd already committed to at a fair lick who was barely moving (literally walking pace or less). Dad (about 200 yards up the trail) helpfully shouted to her to look out which then caused her to stop diagonally across the trail. I managed to get pulled up in time but it was a bit sketchy on the loose surface there. About half a mile later, dad and son (again, similar age) stopped on the trail mid corner, perfect place for a leisurely drink stop.
This route used to be a black which kept the families to the more suitable routes but they re classified it (to be fair it was never really a black) and then made it more technical.
Other than that though, it was really good to get out on the twisty stuff again. The only other time my MTB has been out this year was for a 50/50 on/off road event with horrendous weather!


It's not just suddenly wanting to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors, it's also people bored during lockdown and now have a shiny new bike... (some of which haven't been on a bike in years and possibly haven't been to a trail centre before).This is why, or partly why I very rarely go on way marked trails anymore. Up Cannock about a year ago, trying to get back into biking. Father and son combo, cycling up the trail. Nearly caused a huge accident as I came flying round the corner.
Stick to the lesser know stuff now.
I was actually up Cannock yesterday, and the place was insanely busy. Lockdown must've caused people to find enjoyment in the outdoors![]()
Yeah we aren't exactly swamped with options round these parts!I guess Lordrobs's main problem is East Anglia's rolling hills... I grew up in North Suffolk and there certainly wasn't anything local worth taking a mtb to, so I guess main made trails at Thetford forest is the only easily accessible option (not just for himself, but everyone else in miles...)?
XC/AM tyres? Looking to update the 5'ish year old Schwalbe Hans Dampf front/ Continental Rubber Queen rear combo on my Rose Granite Chief, any recommendations without breaking the bank please?
I'm doing a lot more XC than AM at the minute, but I'd like something that can cope with some bigger stuff too when I eventually get round to riding it again.
Whilst I hate to quote myself...
I've found the Specialized Slaughter rear and Purgatory front pair for less than £40 delivered from their own website, anyone got any opinions on them please? They seem to be quite well reviewed, but it's always worth an ask.
Great price, get them bought! I might grab a slaughter.

Hi all, what hardtails should I be looking for 2nd hand with budget of £800? Apart from Bay, Gumtree and Marketplace any other places like forums to keep an eye on?

Let's play a game of spec me a new bike!
My current 2014 Rose Granite Chief is in need of some new parts, and servicing of most of the other parts :-
Bottom bracket
Headset
Cranks
Chain
Cassette
Derailleur
Pivot bearings
Fork service
Shock service
So I'm tempted to treat myself to something new rather than throwing a load of money at it, just weighing up the pros and cons for now.
I'm looking to spend up a maximum of 3k, preferably on another full suss, 120 to 140mm travel, prefer Shimano, dropper post, 650b, etc, etc, any recommendations please? Probably not the best time to buy, but can't do any harm to ask.
Alongside the Bird the other main direct sales brands need a look in - YT's Izzo or Jeffsy and Canyon's Spectral or Strive.Let's play a game of spec me a new bike!
My current 2014 Rose Granite Chief is in need of some new parts, and servicing of most of the other parts :-
Bottom bracket
Headset
Cranks
Chain
Cassette
Derailleur
Pivot bearings
Fork service
Shock service
So I'm tempted to treat myself to something new rather than throwing a load of money at it, just weighing up the pros and cons for now.
I'm looking to spend up a maximum of 3k, preferably on another full suss, 120 to 140mm travel, prefer Shimano, dropper post, 650b, etc, etc, any recommendations please? Probably not the best time to buy, but can't do any harm to ask.