Mountain Biking

CraigN · 10 Feb 2026 at 09:16

They weep with whatever sealant the shop set them up with and I replaced with peaty’s to try. Same outcome.

I have a spare assegai and DHR2 could chuck them on.

Or I might try my Albert radials. Hopefully my suspension comes back this week and I can test it at windhill on the weekend.

glitch · 10 Feb 2026 at 11:17

There's something about the sidewalls of Maxxis tyres that has always bothered me - they crinkle, crease and crack in storage like nothing else I've used and as such, the whole weeping thing seems to be an occupational hazard for them.

Wouldn't necessarily worry about that alone, but the centre of the tyre tearing itself apart would bother me. Get them warrantied.

CraigN · 10 Feb 2026 at 11:20

Spoke with them this morning when i sent the photos they said they will raise a warranty claim.

will put my Assegai and DHR2 on the bike. Not sure i want to risk my Radial Alberts on it as i use them on my eeb in the summer months.

Dyfi has always destroyed non DH casing tyres for me. Which is where i use this bike most.

robj20 · 10 Feb 2026 at 11:25

CraigN said:
Spoke with them this morning when i sent the photos they said they will raise a warranty claim.

will put my Assegai and DHR2 on the bike. Not sure i want to risk my Radial Alberts on it as i use them on my eeb in the summer months.

Dyfi has always destroyed non DH casing tyres for me. Which is where i use this bike most.

It's the only place I have punctured a DH Schwalbe tyre as well.

Atherton owners day has been confirmed so I'll be back there in May it's not much but it's nice getting a free day each year and the chance to ride with the Athertons and Charlie Hatton.

SDK^ · 10 Feb 2026 at 21:19

Those tyres look bad.

I run Maxxis DHF and DHR with Peaty's sealant, for nearly 2 years with no issues.
We are yet to visit DYFI though

robj20 · 12 Feb 2026 at 17:03

So tempted by a set of Reserve 30SL wheels, not had carbon rims before.
The rims will be a bit lighter than my current Arch MK4 481g Vs 30SL 440g, but the annoying thing is I have CX-Ray spokes so actual wheel weight probably won't be that much different.
Why they aren't using better spokes on carbon wheels I don't know.

CraigN · 12 Feb 2026 at 17:08

I tried some and was under whelmed. Think my expectations were high for such a big cost.

I loved the i9 hydra hub noise but couldn’t justify the cost.

I have Dt swiss FR 541s on three bikes, love them.

Admittedly I don’t really pedal 2 of the bikes and the third has a motor :cry:

so weigh is not a factor there.

I found them quite harsh and rigid. Was expecting rotational mass to feel noticeably different. It did not.

Andrew Moore · 13 Feb 2026 at 14:16

CraigN said:
I tried some and was under whelmed. Think my expectations were high for such a big cost.

I loved the i9 hydra hub noise but couldn’t justify the cost.

I have Dt swiss FR 541s on three bikes, love them.

Admittedly I don’t really pedal 2 of the bikes and the third has a motor so weigh is not a factor there.

I found them quite harsh and rigid. Was expecting rotational mass to feel noticeably different. It did not.

FR541 and FR571 are the absolute goat. No need for anything else. I have all sorts of wheels and the ones I use on the regular and have zero issues with is the FR5x1s. Banging wheels. I have sets on the DT350s (fit and forget almost these hubs are) and a set on the Hope 5s.

robj20 · 13 Feb 2026 at 15:21

Andrew Moore said:
FR541 and FR571 are the absolute goat. No need for anything else. I have all sorts of wheels and the ones I use on the regular and have zero issues with is the FR5x1s. Banging wheels. I have sets on the DT350s (fit and forget almost these hubs are) and a set on the Hope 5s.

I'm definitely a big fan of DT rims, I have some XM481 as well. They're a bit heavier than the Archs

Andrew Moore · 13 Feb 2026 at 19:01

Where would the best place to buy a cheap and cheerful (not rubbish but emphasis on cheaper) bike frame ?

I have an SLX group set, MT5 or code brakes inc Magura or sram rotors, one up dropper (31.6), bars, grips, cranks and BB, chain, wheels on either 29er or mullet, fox 36 rhythm 160 or fox 38 performance elite, 230x60 and 230x65 fox float x performance (modded to elite) as well as a 230x62.5 DHX2 factory kicking about.

As far as I can tell, it’s a bike and then some and it would be a good way to build something up to move some bits on without much hassle.

EBay is a minefield I’d rather not touch however I could be tempted.

Begbie · 13 Feb 2026 at 19:03

Andrew Moore said:
Where would the best place to buy a cheap and cheerful (not rubbish but emphasis on cheaper) bike frame ?

I have an SLX group set, MT5 or code brakes inc Magura or sram rotors, one up dropper (31.6), bars, grips, cranks and BB, chain, wheels on either 29er or mullet, fox 36 rhythm 160 or fox 38 performance elite, 230x60 and 230x65 fox float x performance (modded to elite) as well as a 230x62.5 DHX2 factory kicking about.

As far as I can tell, it’s a bike and then some and it would be a good way to build something up to move some bits on without much hassle.

EBay is a minefield I’d rather not touch however I could be tempted.

Checked pinkbike?

Andrew Moore · 13 Feb 2026 at 19:19

Begbie said:
Checked pinkbike?

Hadn’t even thought of pinkbike. Not even a member I don’t think so that’ll probably be the first hurdle. Oh and I do t have Facebook so there won’t be a marketplace to browse.

CraigN · 13 Feb 2026 at 19:38

Got my hardtail from these guys.

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Steel bad boys

ichabod crane · 13 Feb 2026 at 19:51

Andrew Moore said:
Where would the best place to buy a cheap and cheerful (not rubbish but emphasis on cheaper) bike frame ?

I have an SLX group set, MT5 or code brakes inc Magura or sram rotors, one up dropper (31.6), bars, grips, cranks and BB, chain, wheels on either 29er or mullet, fox 36 rhythm 160 or fox 38 performance elite, 230x60 and 230x65 fox float x performance (modded to elite) as well as a 230x62.5 DHX2 factory kicking about.

As far as I can tell, it’s a bike and then some and it would be a good way to build something up to move some bits on without much hassle.

EBay is a minefield I’d rather not touch however I could be tempted.

I might be selling a Production Privee Shan 917 frame shortly, got to clear some space..

SDK^ · 14 Feb 2026 at 18:58

We managed to get out for a quick 1 hour ride today at a hard pack trail close to us. It was still very muddy and unrideable in some sections.
We tried out the new tow rope I bought and it works really well - Much easier than I expected, I can barely feel i'm towing anyone.

Just managed to give these a hose down before it got dark.

robj20 · 20 Feb 2026 at 15:21

Decided against the Atherton cranks, went for the Hope Carbon ones instead, fair bit lighter and fair bit cheaper.
They're beautifully made as well as you'd expect from Hope.

On the subject of Pumps what's everyone using, thinking of the Lezyne Pressure Over Drive.

ichabod crane · 20 Feb 2026 at 16:24

robj20 said:
Decided against the Atherton cranks, went for the Hope Carbon ones instead, fair bit lighter and fair bit cheaper.
They're beautifully made as well as you'd expect from Hope.

On the subject of Pumps what's everyone using, thinking of the Lezyne Pressure Over Drive.

I have the Blackburn Chamber Tubeless Floor Pump, seems to blow well.

ichabod crane · 22 Feb 2026 at 21:33

I demo'd the Santa Cruz Vala yesterday and was very impressed with it. It didn't match the power of the Amflow but it was so much more usable (the Amflow hits its limit very quickly) and a much more confident bike on the trails.
I even managed to take the wee man out for the afternoon with it and tow him up to do some runs together which was great, I was concerned the 600w battery wouldn't be enough but it did just fine for us.
It is definitely my top choice right now.

CraigN · 22 Feb 2026 at 21:38

Its a great bike. Id recommend the powermore range extender and the Kiox 400c screen.

I felt the same to begin with about the battery. My previous bike had 720wh. I have been running my range extender pretty much all the time on rides over the colder months. It does add a significant/noticeable weight penalty though.

ichabod crane · 22 Feb 2026 at 22:00

CraigN said:
Its a great bike. Id recommend the powermore range extender and the Kiox 400c screen.

I felt the same to begin with about the battery. My previous bike had 720wh. I have been running my range extender pretty much all the time on rides over the colder months. It does add a significant/noticeable weight penalty though.

We had it for the day and the battery held up but it is good to know an extender is available should you need more.