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

Going to Swinley tomorrow morning, open invite

@Dogs

New trek fuel looks nice. Could be a nice marathon, trail and riding over people protesting racism and police brutality bike.

Those geo numbers aren’t far off my 130 bike. I had a similar idea, a fun poppy playful bike with short back end. Don’t get me wrong, I love the bike but I sort of wish I’d went for even less travel to differentiate a bit more from the 170 bike. Obviously what I need to do is keep the 130 bike and build a 100m travel bike too.

Thanks for the detailed reply. I hadn’t even got to the stage of considering actual costs of going with the family and now realise it absolutely wouldn’t be viable.
Whistler is on the card within the next few years but more likely with a few riding pals.
I’d probably look to rent a dh bike too. I’d like my own but it just seems like so much extra hassle.
Edit to add - the rental cost of a high end dh bike like the v10 is something that I think is often underestimated. I’ve heard anything between £400 and £600 to rent out a good dh bike for a week? That in its self seems mental but I understand that they kind of have to charge that sort of money.

Driving to the alps is hopefully happening next summer either solo or with the family. I’d intended to do it solo last year but covid stopped it happening.
I think next year my son will be old enough to tolerate the drive down. Being able to plan in an overnight stop somewhere en route and bringing my own bike makes it appealing.

Like wise I’ve dreamt of riding a-line since I was a teenager. Those pinch yourself moments must be pretty special.

I really want to ride my mountain bike now.

I'll take that on board too, perhaps 120mm might be better or even 110mm although I am conscious of how fewer the options are for beefy shorter travel forks and I would like to retain chassis rigidity...

I suppose maybe some sort of DJ fork might even be a good option but then I'm not sure how they will behave for small bump compliance as presumably they're not really designed for that?

I had been thinking if I could get my hands on a Rockshox Lyric Coil U-Turn I'd be laughing as it's adjustable between 115mm-160mm travel and I actually had one before and loved it, proper plush fork with great small bump compliance and progression for big hits!

I'm strongly considering trying to pick up a donor bike so I'll keep my eyes peeled!

Lyrik U-turn! Haha I also used to own one years back. They might be rarer these days though. It’s true that older 100ish travel forks might feel a bit flimsy.
A donor bike would be a good call. Quite often see complete 26er bikes in good nick that were top spec on release for sub £500.

Man I loved that Lyric U-Turn!

Definitely a good shout on older hi-spec bikes for cheap prices though...

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POC Consort dungarees turned up, they’re a good fit around my waist but too short in the body and the leg, so they have gone back.

187 cm/80kg doesn’t work for Medium vertically, so I’ll have to settle for something that is a little baggy horizontally

Slightly intrigued by these, how did they feel? Are they sort of like normal MTB shorts material or heavier like DH pants?

They are very thin - surprisingly so, the box they came in was far smaller than I thought possible.

Overall they look very well made, all the seams are taped, the zips are high quality rubberised waterproof ones, and as I mentioned they were a good fit circumferentially, but - the shoulder straps were absolutely maxed at their longest setting and it was still a bit tight in the crotch, and trousers need a bit of length at the ankle to not ride up over the top of waterproof boots, which I didn't feel these had.

The ankle/calf area is very narrow and the cuff is elasticated, whereas there's more room for your knee (for pads) and upper leg. I think they're very well thought out, the impression of quality is definitely present.

Don't get less travel than your 180mm bike. Get more!

https://youtu.be/5NBaFBKiM-U

Cheese and crackers! That's absolutely bonkers... definitely not something I can see myself having a use for but it does look super fun!

Not quite at the Dammit budget level but I took a punt on a couple of bits of kit from Decathlon which arrived today.

Expensive kit is nice and all but mtb kit gets wreaked quick and even quicker when you crash. So was tempted by the £39.99 mtb AM trail trousers they do and the £89.99 waterproof trail jacket.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/am-trail-mtb-pants/_/R-p-309674?mc=8540537&c=GREY

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/all-mountain-waterproof-jacket/_/R-p-309673?mc=8558698&c=GREY

Not test out just tried on and inspected.
I’m incredibly impressed with the jacket, really good design and incredibly well finished given the cost.
The reviews of the trousers said size up and this is spot on.

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Hah! I was looking at Decathlon kit the other day. Keen to hear how you find it on the trail.

You could always ask rusjan to make you something custom dammit.

They look proper good! I've been meaning to sideline my otherwise perfectly good but Power Ranger spec Troy Lee pants but shudder at the thought of spending €150+ on a pair of new ones so might try these Decathlon ones myself!

I did also come across a brand that's new to me (I think I've just been out of the loop) today called Dharco

Kit looks decent and nice clean designs.

Do also fancy a pair of these hipster spec 100% Airmatic riding pants too... they're only about €100 a pair too which is not unreasonable!

Going by the models, these trousers all seem to be aimed at people with no thighs :-(

Yeah, a lot of trousers are. Same with a lot of jeans ime

Now Swinleying tomorrow (Sunday) if there was any interest

I was going to head to Peaslake, but it’s always nice to ride with someone else- how and when are you getting there?

Earlyish train from Waterloo with @Dogs if he's alive. I'll be picking my bike up today to check it over, haven't ridden in quite a while.

Curious to see what Peaslake is like in the not too distant future as well.

Earlyish train from Waterloo

8:36 to Martins Heron, should get there at 10
I'm alive.

Cor Keith Lemons getting on