Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

I'm off to bike park Wales tomorrow, uplifts all day long! Woot!

anyone here ride Swinley? I plan on making a trip tomorrow despite the rain as i haven't been out on my mountain bike in about two weeks.

Yup. It'll be fairly quiet if it's wet.

Any slackers around on Wednesday? Thinking of a trip to surrey or crowthorn. @IR etc.

Will most likely be riding Wednesday evening as it's the regular night ride. What time are you heading out?

Was thinking more daylight hours TBH

daylight

What's that?

Did NOT expect southern end of Chilterns to be so goddamned chalky. Riding on ice is easier.

I'll be about if I can get my chain and rear wheel sorted in time!

1x10 and bullmoose

That is a big big YES from here. Inline seatpost and flite saddle had made it 10/10 for me...

Been listening to some of these talks in work over the past couple of days. Excellent stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGiZKEZoiWQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYvPMmlBZwg

Anyone here ever public transport it to Woburn from South London? (Clapham Junction specifically) just wanted to know if I need to be aware of any restrictions on taking bikes on the train?

cheers!

I've never gone there but would really like to. I'd suggest just checking with the particular service (Southern Railways and London Midland in this instance it seems) as to what their restrictions are. I would imagine that it's typical and they will only allow bikes on outside of peak hours if they're sticking strictly to guidelines. I have found that it's largely dependent on each individual service and station, however. Some will let you on even at peak time and others will not.
Let us know how it goes.

By the way, there is a ride going on in the Surrey Hill on Saturday, probably meeting at Dorking. Let me know if you're interested.

And there's this one for Rogate on the 5th of December:

https://www.lfgss.com/events/1207/

OK dirt lovers. I'm putting together a full Bounce. Cuz I've never owned one, and because, reasons.

My main riding partner is building a full sus XC race whippet. The guys that ride/race off road in my Club also ride XC race whippets.

I want to ride With them. But feck. I live in Norway. I swear its enduro/AM heaven. I know a guy that coaches, and does tours on Enduro style routes, and hes moved closer.

So I figure I'd make a compromise bike. Well. Apparantely I mean 'marathon' bike.

26" 120mm travel Commencal Meta SL frame, With a solid 120/130mm travel fork.

I'm getting super indecisive With the fork though.

Fox float 32(or 34) CTD 120mm
Fox Talsas 32 CTD 120-140mm adjustable
Marzocchi 44 120mm
Manitu Minute pro 120mm
X-fusion Slant 130mm
DT-Swiss XMM 120mm
Rock shox revelation 120mm - 140mm

A lot of this will come Down to price. A lot of 26" forks are on clearance. I really dont want the flex of a XC fork, especially pushed to 120/130mm travel. Yet dont really want to drag 2.2kg of AM fork up the local Climbs.

Am I looking for a silver builit here?

Lefty Speed DLR 120

trollface etc

I'd go for the Revs 130mm: cheap, light and easy to work on.

Have fox float 32 in 29 and they're too flexy for me, maybe 26" will be better?

Gonna get a 130mm 34 next.

I like the Revs.
I can get some 2012 RL dual positions 120-140mm cheap. But I get the impression the 120mm setting isnt for prolonged trail riding. More to lower the front for climbing. The Meta SL frame is designed for 120mm. I wondered if I could fudge it to run at 130mm, and drop to 110mm for climbing.

Could look at the New solo air Revs. But I've only seen them in bigger travel.

Its what the Complete Meta SL is spec'd With. But its also the most XC on my list. I think it could be worse in 26", as you're likely to have it set With more travel. More exposed stanchions. Unless the 29" Wheels are simply a longer lever to flex it.

I dont think I'm going to flex stuff personally. I'm probably not knarly enough.

But the frame is built for stiffness and solidity. I dont want to insult it With a noodly XC fork.

Scott Genius + ? If you feel the terrain is more enduro than xc. Boost hubs, so stiffer wheels, travel front and rear...

and ignore price, this is a bike after all

Meant to be a budget build.

Not working out so budget so far.

Tempted by the X fusion. They get good reviews. Might need to wait till back Friday. Maybe stores are holding back their best offers.

What is your budget?

Just buy this

I test rode one of those in Swinley, they are fucking awesome.

Really? Bugger. I'm close to getting one. Because winter is ideal for full-suss etc.

If it wasn't for Howard's lefty-gate nightmare I would have done a while back.

Oh yeah and I have nowhere to put it.

That's probably less than I'll end up spending.
In fact there's a complete meta sl fir less than I bet I end up using.

But it's more fun to build it up bit wise. I already bought a bargin 1X mini group.

Plus i have bits lying around.