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

Anyone been to Bedgebury? Am contemplating venturing out today or Sunday but I'm a bit concerned it may be underwater.

Never been, looks interesting. Please tell us what it is like.

Review looks positive here. http://www.ibikeride.com/england/1489-bedgebury-forest-mountain-bike-trails

I've heard it gets very boggy when wet.

Fatbike territory?

I reckon so

I rode through quite a lot of swamp yesterday, which was loads of fun, but not sure I want to travel for ages just for swamp. Hmmm.

Bird Cycleworks which was founded and run by a group of Swinley regulars have gone into production and published their launch prices and specs. Seem pretty well priced, and i like the fact that you change change bits of the spec at no extra cost.

In a fit of madness I signed up for a four hour XC (enduro?) on Sunday.

Is that at Ash Ranges?

Is that at Ash Ranges?

No - Merida Brass Monkeys

Bedgebury good. Didn't have long there as I needed to catch a train back, but the bits I did were fun. Will post a couple of pics later.

Bit embarrassing getting the train back covered in mud. I don't think the good people of Kent understand.

is the ride up to from Etchingham ok?

It's not great... Gentle uphill to the a21, then the a21 gets a bit unpleasant - I ended up on the footpath and I usually love A roads. But there is footpath all the way though you do have to cross once or twice.

The ride back is almost entirely downhill, which means if you allow as much time to get back as it took to get there you should have time to pop into the Orchard Farm Shop and buy cake. As I did.

No - Merida Brass Monkeys

At Ash Ranges I think, was gonna race but decided to extend my hols. I used to ride there twice a weekend as a kid, the tank tracks were mental.

Let me know if you have a gpx of the course and good luck.

Bird Cycleworks which was founded and run by a group of Swinley regulars have gone into production and published their launch prices and specs. Seem pretty well priced, and i like the fact that you change change bits of the spec at no extra cost.

I bunged £50 into their Seedrs campaign, so I own 0.000000000000000000000001% of the company. Everyone go and buy many many many bikes now please thanks.

Oh man, only just heard about these guys, i'm itching to have a test ride. This could be my next bike!

my Grand Canyon AL29 (2012) shed some weight and improved handling on most trails in my neck of the woods:

• rigid carbon fork
  
• hope hubs to ZTR rims, tubeless
  
• carbon handlebar
  
• Formula R1 brakes
  
• Hope seatpost
  
• stripped Flite
  
  

next up: ditch front derailleur & shifter & 22 front ring... 1x10 should be OK, no mountains here :-)

I'd like to get a suspension fork for my Singular Hummingbird (currently set up as a 69er). Don't want to spend loads in case I change my mind and go back to rigid so thinking secondhand - is Singletrack classifieds my best bet? And any recommendations for what to look out for? I know I need between 80-120mm of travel but I'm entirely clueless about suspension :/

Reba would probably be good, and yeah, STW classifieds.

Doesn't Sparky have a Reba for sale?

Ooo. Cheers both.

Yeah - can't go wrong with Rebas.

I also have Rebas for sale, but of the tapered steerer variety which I'm guessing won't fit your frame.

Yep - cheers but I'm (hopefully) taking Sparky's Kona as it sorts my lack of 26" wheel too (and the whole bike can be used by the taller member of the household when I haven't run off with the front).

Please tell me about drivetrain for a 1x9 setup. I already have the cassette - an 11-34. It's a Rock Lobster 26er and will be used mainly for a quick sprint around the local trails for an hour or two after work and maybe the odd trail centre in the future. What's a good, budget system which makes setting up chainline easy? Should I be looking for a short cage mech?

If you go 1*9 you'll need extra chain retention. Neither SRAM nor Shimano make a nine speed compatible derailleur with a magic roller clutch.

Yes, you should be looking for a short cage mech.

If on a budget I'd look at Shimano SLX or Saint. Not sure why you'd be too bothered about chainline but square taper / isis will be the most adjustable. 24mm systems like Hollowtech II are limited to chainring mounting position.

chainline with gears, pah!