T-Bob

G'Day Tim! Added another face to a name. Rode today and Rinkals wasn't open yet but saw the trail fairys hard at work and fixing Vasbyt. Kudos to them.

Tinder gives that info? Jokes. If it was at the top of Cobra then chances are that was me.

They've actually tweaked this quite a lot to this one over the carbon. Mine can't run a coil as it's way to linear and this has been altered specifically for that and ships build with a range of coils. Rear suspension has pushed out a bit so that there is a wide range of rear shocks available (210x55) if you want to experiment. Head angle has slackened to 64.9, seat angle at 77 and the other numbers get pretty close to something like the Transition Sentinel which is a plow, hulk smash, mini DH rig. The carbon one has been run by the EWS team since it launched (mostly with the DPX2 shock over the X2) so it's not some long legged trail machine. I'd say this is the burlier, harder hitting, shore riding, ginger step brother. As oner review said 'it's just perfect for peddling somewhere and smashing the downs in a perfect huck, flat, pray way and then peddling back up'.

What's next... headset? Spacers? Top cap? Ohhh... seat clamp. Question is matchy match or mix the bling?!?

and what pikey colour did you get? Hopefully something like a garish purple.... They probably won't feel amazing at all. I was super underwhelmed coming off Curas and wondered what I'd done for the first few rides. I then got 203mm rotors front and back, got used to them and then it all became clear.

Like a growler of pale ale and a couple of wines the night before hot ride up tokai. Massive difference to... well.. alot.

For me it would depend on a few things: - If he brings sponsors - His base wage, contract term and winning bonus structure - Riders / staff he wants to bring - What his personal plans are with the olympics coming up - What his goals are for 2020 and how to measure success against the rest of the season - What me an as owner would want out of it? Pure wins, a larger mentoring role for the team etc. - If his head is still in the sprinting game. It's a hard and confronting place and you have to go against fearless, younger riders without family etc. Is the desire to compete actually there not just the blinkered desire to win or to prove people wrong. He's in a sticky situation, Renshaw has gone, Bernie is out of contract, results for 2 seasons have been non existent, results since being medically cleared haven't exactly gone up, there are younger riders coming through, he's going to be 35 next season and that is getting well up there for a sprinter. It's a shame he's had 2+ years robbed from him and how that has impacted his careers results and TDD's results is a big one. In 2016 he was so good after being written off and to see this slow fade out isn't befitting. But again, he has been written off a lot before so... He'll definitely have great exposure for sponsors for another year especially with Le Tour and the record but unless something changes it might be a very romantic gambler who signs him up in 2020. Not sure how many of those are left running teams and want to loosen their purse strings on that premise.

Torture devices to add to that list would be new supplements / drinks that you've not got used to. Seen a couple of mates change up drinks / bars before a race and later squatting at the side of the trail wishing they hadn't! A proper feeding strategy and keeping on top of hydration are 2 things that will get you to the end better when alot of fitter and more talented guys are dropping. Hydration is some thing that is very hard to get back in front of once you start suffering so get that in place from the go (in fact before the go). Feeding should be broken down in to the basics of protein and carbs you need to fuel per hour and go from there. Remember everyone is different so like your bike, suspension and the rest you need to know what works for you well before hand.

I'd be looking about for an X2 for that bad boy! I've had the DPX2 recently and found it very supportive throughout. I very good little shock that performs brilliantly but I recently upgraded to the X2 and it's awesome... total difference, which is a little weird because I had it on my Orange Stage 5 and hated it. On the Ripmo though it's perfect which again is a little odd as the original DPX2 has been tuned specifically for that frame but I just found it a bit too 'taunt' throughout the travel even after fettling.

The surprise is he didn't take it.

First up, what bike is it going on?

Mark Cavendish managed to crack the top 30 in the Tour of Britain. First TDD rider to cross the line. #ComeBack

Those are sooooooo good.

I'm guessing that he feels very much the same way.

Anyone know any contact detials? I've just got an SMS with a race number. I didn't even know I'd entered and have no idea what distance that relates to.

Interesting insight on Mullet testing with the founder of Cotic. http://www.downtimepodcast.com/cotic-mixed-wheel-size/

Those bars interest me like for the same Reason We Are One rims interest me. Made in-house, crazy good quality and take an interesting design approach / solution to a standard item. Those bars are small run, UK made, with a lot of attention to the build and shape and on the flex characteristics as well as neat little things like markers and angle gauges printed on so your brakes are at the same place and angle. Gimmicky? Maybe but they are about the same money as other carbon bars so you pick your reasons and go with one if you're in the market. I've had some cheap carbon bars and they are junk compared to my Renthal ones.

I would never go near hope a few years back and thought them to be over priced, rank colours and couldn't stand the hope fan boys. Needless to say I got a set if wheels with hope hubs and they worked brilliantly, I can get every bit for them to service and replace when I had some Eastons that had bearing issues and the dealer flat out told me I should bin them as they were a couple fo years old and weren't supported any more. From there I tested the water with the brakes and coming off some Curas I wasn't going to be convinced easily but I got them at a bargain so what the hell. Black, couldn't be dealing with them being bling. They have been great and again you can get every bit you need. Not like Shimano, try finding a lever for a SLX or XT brake. Now, I did something dumb and cracked with some new Kore pedals I purchased and got offered some Hope pedals and I went with them and as stupid as it may sound they are brilliant. Pedals are pedals right? Well yes and no because after Spank, Kore, Saint and DMR I can say that I don't ever think about where my foot is or feel them so Guess they are better. I'm not going to be a Hope whore but what I've got has been great quality.

Is the general moan on? Okay I've got 2. 1) Ads with 'Bargain' in the title. Honesty the number fo times I've tried to buy 2 of what ever they are selling just because of it is insane. Just the best way to shift an over priced and not moving bit of kit that people won't buy. Evil and mystical way of selling. 2) 'Groupset'. A cassette, shifter and a rear mech' is NOT a groupset. Throw a chain in and it's still not there. Put it on a new build and then try to go for a ride. You'll soon see what the missing bits that actually make up a groupset are. Hint: they'll be all the bits missing.

Saved that text down and got it ready for the next one that does that.

Some bike crack from my local woodstock dealers fresh out of their new den.

Am a member already and pretty familiar with board and constitutional requirements of NPOs and corporates through a fair big of experience. Hoping to discuss a range of things at the AGM tonight to see what's viable. Could have been a throw away comment about free membership but also could be a good way of bringing those who have put a lot of effort in over the years back in and not to suddenly feel excluded now there is a membership structure and requirement. Who knows what is on the cards but I'm sure we'll find out a lot more tonight.

100%. Blood, sweat or coin should get you in the door!

Seems a couple of Tokai forums have disappeared. I hope the Tokai guys all know that the majority of riders are hugely appreciative for the effort that goes into all the meetings, red tape, management, financials and all that stuff even before they get onto the ground to build the trails. I for one am thankful for everything they do, unreservedly. I have a family and a business and hardly have time to ride a couple of times a week let alone devote weekends driving about looking after the riders on the mountain, organising security and week nights sorting the admin obligations that mean they can carry on. Honestly, there would be fook all action with out good, dedicated (and slightly deranged) people who do a shed load for what looks like a pretty ungrateful mob. If you can do it better, can commit more, do better fundraising, deal better with SANPARKs, fight a corner with a diplomatic manner then god damn stand up and do it but I'm pretty sure most of the empty cans here aren't going to. For the access I'm happy to pay the tiny amount for an activity card (which also allows me to walk dogs, ride horses, all the rest) and the equally small amount for MTB membership (plus donations when I can) if it helps out. Rather TokaiMTB get my money than the snooze fest of other clubs / areas for more money. I know I don't contribute in any way for the trails in person. I wish I could as I know it's not a prerequisite in their mandate for SANPARKS to do anything at all so we can go play at ride bikes around a national park. I think the idea of a closed AGM is was a bit of a mistake but the pile in after was flat out dumb. I personally don't have an issue with the AGM being a members only, if you want to get involved then throw out the R300 odd and then you can get involved and find out everything. They are a NPO (i'm guessing) so everything should be available on request or posted for everyone after. To be honest I'm pretty sure that if the AGM had been an open affair that the turn out on the day would have been pretty sparse. People are full of noise and will swear blind they'll be there, they'll right the wrongs, build the rails and then something always will turn up. That's not what's needed to keep our privileges growing up there.