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

Are you still trying to do the sunglasses outside the straps thing? That is a rule that only roadies abide by, so most MTB helmets won't work with it. Also, if you're riding in or around woods, then sunglasses can get annoying anyway so you might be better off just using safety squints.
I ride my road helmet for XC, but then I'm normally in lycra or not wearing any other pads. For Trail or Enduro when I have knee and elbow pads on, I'm much more happy in an MTB helmet. Is there not an MTB equivalent of your road lid?

I second the wearing sunglasses when mtb’ing, on bright days your eyes can’t adjust when you go into shaded, tree lined trail and it’s hard to pick a line/distinguish rocks/roots/ruts.

Also given the the current discounts on bike stuff now would be a good time to pick up a cheap mtb lid.

For what it’s worth I use Kask Rex

Thanks, these are useful pointers. It's not the straps per say, but that the helmet sits so low it pushes the glasses down onto my nose - and the arms don't fit nicely between the side protection.

But point taken about the glasses anyway. I'll try a few more and settle. There are definitely some good deals as @furious_tiles says

Out of interest what specs are you using?

There’s a difference for sure

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Rapha PT frameless. So big but not giant

But a trail helmet is much closer to road than a full face

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I tend to wear clear sunglasses with the trail helmet - as has been said if you are coming in and out of shade you likely don’t want actual sunglasses. I’ve got some slightly tinted goggles I wear with the full-face, but often swap them for the clear lens

It doesn’t really make a great deal of difference.

Head size, shape, geography of facial features mean that what might work for you might not for me and many others.

If you’re in London or near a variety of bike shops, take a day and mooch around and try as many as you can on and take your specs with you.

Some helmets and glasses don’t play nicely with each other. I have poc mtb glasses and helmet that work really well together, though when I tried poc goggles and helmet (which are meant to work together) the combination did not work with my face/head shape and the brow of the helmet was pushing down on the top of the goggles.

For xc riding a normal road lid might suffice. But if you are doing steeper or more technical riding the additional protection of a trail helmet is well worth it.

Wtb rigid fork

Anyone got a boost 100-120mm rigid fork

I find my jawbreaker photochromic glasses are perfect for all year MTB riding (even in the dark). I wouldn't be without them.

Not having bottle cage bosses makes some experimenting way easier. It's not the best placement, but probably the only feasible one with a 6L frame bag inside the triangle

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With the dropper down, an MTB codpiece?

This suggestion might just be enough to put the bottle somewhere else and don't talk about this setup ever again. Shall we?

Can’t you put the water in the 6L framebag?

6L frame bag inside the triangle

Gravel bike thread>>>>>

@Eejit I really don't like water bladders, so I'm trying to avoid them as long as I can

@TooTallTim 🚨🚨🚨

Finally we've reached the endpoint in this thread... Camelbak

Hipster skidders >>>> to >>>> Gorpcore

Spot the trail bike

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Hi MTB knowledge, I am getting a suspension set from https://j-techsuspension.co.uk/ looking at Ohlins RXF36 or EXT era v2 forks Ohlins TTX2 rear shock or EXT Aria to go on the Pace RC295 I got from @Dammit who has helped with Ohlins experience and thinks @TotalShanner has used EXT, any help to make the final choice very much appreciated! Thanks Tom

I’ve never owned or used any Ohlins but have EXT Arma shocks on two bikes. The hydraulic bottom out is adjustable on the Arma, it’s handy to be able to change it but I admit that I rarely bother, it’s set to my preference and that’s it.
It’s Factory set on the Storia and as in non adjustable. But it has a lock out that the Arma lacks. I had the Storia on a trail bike that I’ve sold but it was equally excellent. It has the softest breakaway of any shock I’ve ever used.
It’s a bit wanky to say it but I don’t think I’ll ever use another brand of shock.

I think the Ohlins and Era forks use similar triple chamber air spring systems but I’ve never used either so can’t say much. If you love to tinker then both offer huge amounts of adjustments but they seem slightly complicated compared to Rockshox air springs.

There’s not much I can really say beyond “my ext is really good so get that” which isn’t all that helpful.

In an ideal world you’d be able to get a shot of both to compare. Chris at mojo has been really helpful with tuning and servicing, I think if you ask nicely, they can send out a demo shock to try before you buy. It’s worth sending him an email.

I think you’d be really pleased with either, it’s all much of a muchness between forks these days but I’d definitely go for an EXT shock over the Ohlins.

I think EXT have a slightly higher bling factor if that matters to you

Edit - just realised the Aria air shock does have adjustable hydraulic bottom out. Yet another reason to go for it

Thanks for taking the time to reply so fully! It looks like the EXT Aria won’t fit the frame due to ten additional air can position. But the J-tech guys are suggesting a coil, as it will be better and not an issue, so hopefully the EXT Storia v3 will fit, as that is there suggestion or Ohlins TTX22 m.2. Anyway a long way to say thanks for the advice! I will update once the order is placed. Cheers Tom

My 2 cents, I'd be a bit wary of a coil unless the J-Tech guys are really certain - the reason being the Pace has a flat leverage curve, whereas (if you ignore Starling, which you probably should not) received wisdom is that if the suspension doesn't provide progression then the shock has to.

I tried coils on that frame and couldn't square the circle of small bump suppleness without bottoming out on bigger stuff. It may be that clever damping would, however, fix this.

I did mention this in my emails, but they seem confident it’s not an issue/something they can work around. If the EXT Aria would fit I would have gone down that route, but it looks like I already have the best of what will fit in air shock options. I think the frame has design has given them a bit of a curveball!