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

I agree with this. I buy XT but apart from saving a few grams and a better shifter mechanism, I know it is for vanity over Deore/SLX.

@ao1989 yes, SRAM is plasticky and doesn't shift as well, especially for the lower level groupsets. I think it was only so popular because it had an extra sprocket

12s SLX is great. I can't imagine I'll ever have my head turned enough by XT to spend the extra.
Deore is good too, and the 10s is very affordable.

I'll ever have my head turned enough by XT to spend the extra

For me the shifter with its 2-way release etc is worth paying more for but that's it. SLX (even Deore) is the way to go with an XT shifter for the clever money

Deore cassette, deore shifter, xt rear mech, xt cranks, XTR brakes

SLX/Deore level is more than competent.

IMO, you’re better off putting your budget towards suspension, wheels, tyres and these will have a far greater effect on how your mtb performs.

+1 for this

full deore 12 speed group with xt shifter is a no brainer

Hard to find full deore groups in stock though

:'-( That's full Insta bling over practicalities there!

Hardtail buying advice.. Stif Squatch or Pace 529 like Dammit?

MT400 calipers?

I bought that Carbon Wasp CF mudguard for the Helm fork- spendy, but I thought it was quite cool.

Turned up today and it is very disappointing- sharp, rough edges, looks unfinished overall, literally as if it’s missed a stage in production. But, it’s got the Carbon Wasp sticker on it, so it’s been examined, signed off and then packed.

I would say that this is not a great choice, although maybe the performance will change my mind. IDK. Will report back.

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That does look pretty shitty!

I was expecting it to be finished like this:

^Picture from their Twitter

Ouch 😬 that looks pretty rough. I didn't know they were making bike parts anymore. I had some tt arm cups from them a few years ago and they were absolutel trash. I've had similar turds from watt shop and aerocoach though. I don't know how they get away with it. Just got this from rockguardz and I'm really happy with it for the money which I'm guessing is less than half what you paid for yours.

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The corners all have a different radius (one assumes from being given a few strokes with a file to tidy them up, without much care given to making them all the same) and the areas where the sheet folds are crinkled.

Someone has looked at this and said “yes, I am happy that this represents my companies best level of effort, and I am happy that it is worth £70”, then put it in a box and posted it.

On this admittedly small sample I would not rush to buy one of their frames.

Thats appalling.

I use rockguardz down tube protector on one of my bikes, its fundamentally the same thing - a sheet of carbon fibre and the finish is much better than that.

It looks like it really has missed the final production stage.

jinx. posted at same time - but yeah my rockguardz was only £40. £70 for something that looks like failed school project?
I'd send photos of it to Carbon Wasp asking if they are really happy with a product going out like that.

I went with rockguardz again as i had one or their frame protectors on my spesh epic and the fit and finish on both has been top notch

I agree send them a picture and just put the ball in their court. If they say its fine and tell you to get fucked you can share that all over the place but they may apologise and take it very seriously and sort you out. I had a wonky carbon chainring from aerocoach and they were very apologetic and wanted to do everything they could to put things right ASAP so certainly no harm in raising your concerns

I also have a Helm fork.
I found a free blueprint for one that can be 3d printed if you happen to have access to something like that.

Anyone here able to 3d print something like this? https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4552043
It doesn't look too shabby.

Yeah absolutely would at least ask CW what they think.

I had actually meant to ask Rockguardz if they'd consider making a bolt on fender for the Helm. This was a couple of years ago though but at the time there wasn't anything available for the Helm and cane creek basically said - nah we cant be arsed

in fairness to them, did you contact? As that is unacceptable

Depends what you mean by South.
There's plenty of riding in Croydon/Addington/Surrey/Richmond areas for a quick after work blast.
Surrey hills and north downs are 30 mins on a train away for a longer weekend ride.

It arrived this afternoon, I’ve only just looked at it.

I just can't see anyone finding that acceptable.