To all you 29er's out there!

Yeah, it's meant for a sus fork. Longest rigids are still about 1.5" lower, so angles are a touch steeper now. Although the new fork allowed me to get the bars where I wanted still thanks to a fresh steerer.
I also wanted a spacer stack to allow for the gastank bags velcro strap. Everyone's a winner.
I'll take more pics tomorrow...including the butchered drivetrain. :]

I think my rigid forks are spot on for the frame. But then, a year or so ago. 80mm travel was considered the norm for a 29er. Its all 100mm, like the most other XC hardtails, these days I guess. I've had to flip my stem to get my bars acceptably low. Partly a shortarse issue, partly a longboard issue. The front end is already as aggressive as I'd ever want. So I'm not lowering it with a shorter fork.

I considering picking up a 80mm travel fork, and a dropable seatpost for it. In an attempt to make it more of an aggressive off-roader. i figure the fatbike will steel a fair amount of gravel path time from it.

Ordered my first 29er yesterday. Hand made custom Cr-Mo frame. Got a rigid carbon fork for it. I've used my fixed PK Ripper in the woods, but the tires feels a bit to small. 700x35c. So this will be my new fixed 29er, room for 29x2.5's. Will post a picture when its finished. It's being shipped to me today.

Looks nice. If you really want to feel the benifit of fatter tyres. Get some wide rims, set them up tubeless,and run low PSI.

hmmmmmmm

http://reviews.mtbr.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Santa-Cruz-Tallboy-Carbon-29er.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVn4PSVFmNk

Anybody fancy doing the Welsh Ride Thing in this year?

That look awesome!

Certainly does.

The WRT has been confirmed for 2012 and there's even a winter version happening this very weekend!

can confirm that YES it will. We've lost our usual spot at the end of May (you can blame the Queen for that) and have been pushed onto the following weekend which is June 2nd/3rd and 4th.

I'm selling a 22inch karate monkey, frame, fork, headset and BB for £180, just thought this would be a good place to post, just incase anyone was on the lookout for one.

$%#@ mountain bikers say- gold

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW7xzBC-qa0

Helmet question, has anyone tried or got an Urge EndurOmatic?
http://www.urgebike.com/en/vtt/enduromatic

I really like their snowboard helmets, deceptively not as hot and closed as they appear, and I would prefer a similar snowboard/skate style helmet over a road helmet for offroad use.

Trouble finding outlets for Urge in or around London though, the best I've found is http://www.cycleopedia.co.uk/ who are based in Surbiton and whose website appears to have some: http://www.cycleopedia.co.uk/docs/155/helmets/ .

I've found them on CRC too: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=69330

But not so sure about ordering helmets without making sure they fit.

Anyhow... does anyone have experience of them, good or bad things to say, etc.

I brought a 2011 Trek Marlin ss last week and I have got to say, I'm pretty impressed with it so far. The handling is perfectly matched with a 15 degree sweep bar, its so comfortable. It rides somewhat slow however this is mainly due to the whole thing weighing about a ton. The front fork, I can just about lift it off the ground it is so heavy. The brakes are pretty useless but they do work and I don't have any serious descents to worry about.
I have everything stock at the moment but I'm going to have to change the rear wheel as the free-wheel supplied has completely gone now after about 5 hours riding.

I was never expecting it to be the lightest or fastest or best quality bike but I have got to say for how much I purchased it for, I'm pretty happy. I intend on just thrashing it and changing the components when they die out which will probably be wheels, forks and brakes.

Has anyone got a rear wheel for sale?

Helmet question, has anyone tried or got an Urge EndurOmatic?
http://www.urgebike.com/en/vtt/enduromatic

I really like their snowboard helmets, deceptively not as hot and closed as they appear, and I would prefer a similar snowboard/skate style helmet over a road helmet for offroad use.

Trouble finding outlets for Urge in or around London though, the best I've found is http://www.cycleopedia.co.uk/ who are based in Surbiton and whose website appears to have some: http://www.cycleopedia.co.uk/docs/155/helmets/ .

I've found them on CRC too: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=69330

But not so sure about ordering helmets without making sure they fit.

Anyhow... does anyone have experience of them, good or bad things to say, etc.

That's quite a full on helmet for the bike you are getting, they also do an all mountain version which may be more suitable, you could just get an mtb helmet from your local bike shop

I'm not going to comment on the safety relavence. But I have seen a fair few MTBrs, especially those out trekking, using climbing helmets. Same shape as a snowboard/ski helmet, without the insulation.

Anyhow... does anyone have experience of them, good or bad things to say, etc.
http://vimeo.com/24606775
Warning: this features Chris falling off a cliff.

Video title says it all (good video too).

Not if, when.

I've seen helmets undergo BSI tests. Frankly, I want something beyond those tests and will give me faith that anything I'm likely to throw at it will be fine.

I've used Urge on the slopes, hence my looking. I like the shape too... enough back protection and still with good venting.

I've looked at their All Mountain one online, but it's not out until the end of the year.

As for MTB helmets, they just seem to be road helmets with a beak. I'm not wholly convinced. I want good protection on the back and side too.

So the view is: Urge do good helmets, and if it's good enough for Chris, then I'm never going to have to worry since I'm doing nothing in comparison.

Oh, and if you're wondering why I want protection on the back: A friend came off on the South Downs 7 years ago and aside from smashing up his shoulder, he managed to whack the back of his head on a rock. He recovered, but hasn't touched a bike since. It was freaky I know, but hey... I want to be on bikes my whole life so an OTT helmet when offroad is good I think.

Can't help you on where to get them though I'm afraid.
Plenty of online sources but I don't know of any actual shops.

Oh, and if you're wondering why I want protection on the back: A friend came off on the South Downs 7 years ago and aside from smashing up his shoulder, he managed to whack the back of his head on a rock. He recovered, but hasn't touched a bike since. It was freaky I know, but hey... I want to be on bikes my whole life so an OTT helmet when offroad is good I think.

There are some good Fox MTB specific helmets that have a fair bit more protection down the back. Something like the Flux provides a lot more proection at the back of the head than a road helmet, but is far better ventillated than those ones your looking at.

http://shop.foxhead.com/store/products/Helmets/detail/Flux-Helmet/32848/cat20154;jsessionid=C8C13C39C486F3CDA6693F884F770C59?categoryNavIds=cat20008%3Acat20134

Giro xen/xar.

Very happy with my 661 Recon which is a similar shape to that ^^

They're just brain buckets, and all much in the same price range £40 > £60. So long as it fits, is comfy, and gives you the belief that they really will do the job then I think any are good.

But, road style helmets look goddamn ugly on my noggin. Snowboard style helmets don't look half as bad. I think I'll shoot for the divisively designed one if the fit is right... and if not, the 661 Recon doesn't look too bad for the Alien-inspired vented ones.

Not sure on that Fox, it needs a rear spoiler?

it needs a rear spoiler?

No, I think it's there to differentiate from the tarmac lot. It all depends on the shape of your head, but I have a couple of them and find them well comfy, can't see me buying anything else in the near future.

Giro Atmos does me fine, it survived a head first collision with a tree the other day

VB

If you want a helmet that goes beyond the brain bucket concept, i would look at POC, who are the go do manufacturer for downhill skiing helmets and protective clothing - they are not cheap, but they are a quality product, and it says a lot for them that a lot of the top pros use them rather than get sponsored by another brand.

They have just started doing MTB helmets, and have some very cool innovative tech

http://www.pocsports.com/en/14/wheels-helmets

Safety tech

http://www.pocsports.com/en/content/view/protective-concepts

There MIPS system is very cool

POC Receptor Backcountry MIPS Helmet - YouTube