Big John

I am keen to enter this. Joined the FB page. Confirm one doesn't have need to have done stages one and two to compete? Edit: Also probably in the wrong thread, but please PM me the answer headshot! Shot

This is exactly what you need to do. Get a quote for replacement, insure it for that value, and then take pictures of you and the bike, take specific pics of the components, and importantly, the frame number which is usually stamped into the bottom of the BB. Then email this to your insurance company. Make sure you email from somewhere where your sent items are saved forever (like gmail etc.). They will usually add the document you sent them (proof of ownership) to your policy. Make sure to email them, then you are covered. Trying to prove you owned something you paid cash for is difficult once it has been liberated!!!

I think great move. The support these will give your tires is next level. The wider rim gives the tire a wider/squarer profile and allows even lower pressures. This results in truly impressive grip. Good choice. Also Flow EX rims are narrow in vertical profile, as such, it is very rare to have a rock strike the rim, and pinchflat type issues are reduced - in my experience. I am 105kg without all the gear, and have been abusing my Flow EX for around 4 months now with absolutely no issues so far.

Haha funny story. It hardly looks like something I'd want to ride sober.... Let alone after a few VCS!

Silverback have always been such a great value for money brand - very good to know they back this up with great after-sales support...

Ooooo very very nice!

Hmm interesting... But I suspect this is just another load of rubbish. Time will tell.

Check out this Beauty! No problems on the climbs but maybe a bit hairy on the downs! Haha http://www.gumtree.c...330910024921209 Please note: I dont seriously think this is a great bike... Just a good laugh

Very interesting - Nice find! Will try if mine flares up again.

Any joy with finding someone to bring these in? Or is it an online jobbie?

I really like to use 2x10. I find that when on undulating terrain, I'll be climbing in a low gear then crest and bike speeds off and I can't spin fast enough... So instead of clicking through the gears and then having to do the same 50m down the trail to keep going up the next little Hill. I find the change from, small chainring to big, easy and the shift from big to small (so I can climb) even easier and a lot less grinding on the cassette... My 2c

Thanks. Physio also told me about the shoes, and this makes a lot of sense. Next would be pro bike fit. For now, restful weekend with feet up and plenty icing and stretching. Also, will get foam roller and loosen up these damn calves (whole leg actually needs it!)

Thank you all for the input. I went to see the quack and was diagnosed with Retrocalcneul Bursitis. Interesting to learn more about the anatomy - and good advice from hubbers to get me there. Unfortunately I'm off the bike for two weeks, and have icing, stretching, foam rollering to do. Lucky for me, it was not, in fact, the achilles so that is good news.

All the time! I would say 70% of people who have taken the time to get established on the hub are addicted in this manner!

Thanks a lot for all the info/input guys. I thought there was no interest in this post at all, but when i came to look this morning I saw all the replies - didn't realise that you aren't automatically subscribed to a topic if you start it! First off, I will bite the bullet and go see the physio - I always advise against internet self-diagnosis but then I go and do it myself . With regards to other information: Age: 25 Medication: None Previous orthopeadic injuries: Torn ligaments around outside of ankle in rugby roll-over injury - approx 5 years ago - if I'm not mistaken, same foot. Height, weight: 1.82m, 105kg Not worried about this at all - I probably am a weekend warrior! Never done a professional bike fit, but have read in depth on the subject, discussed it in-depth at LBSs, and I am satisfied that this is in order. Again, thanks for the advice. Will go see physio, continue with stretching and exercises...

Hi all, I recently purchased a new MTB and as a result of the excitement, I have substantially upped my MTB activity . After around a week of riding hard almost everyday, steep climbs etc. I found that my achilles was sore at the start of one ride. After about 10mins it was still sore (so not stiffness/fatigue etc. - I figured) so i turned back. The next day I struggled to walk without a limp. It is now approx 6 weeks on, and the pain is still there - not too serious, but definitely not gone. The best i can figure from my reading is that this is an overuse injury. I have ensured that my bike fit is correct - with tapes, plumblines, side-on photos etc. you name it! Have any of you experienced prolonged Achilles pain and what did you do to sort it out? I understand that (most of) you are not medical professionals but from what i have read about Achilles tendinitis and tendinosis the treatment of these two conditions appears to be the similar - stretching and eccentric strengthening exercises and perhaps massage. I have been doing 1 x 15 reps of eccentric strengthening exercises twice daily. Having read how frequently these two conditions are mis-diagnosed I am hesitant to spend moola consulting various pros who may just tell me the wrong thing in any case... What do you think - perhaps time just to bite the bullet? After reading the following article (from a journal) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312643/ . I am under the impression that i may be suffering from Achilles Tendinosis. I do try to rest it - resting for one complete week once - but sometimes my excitement and urge to ride the new toy get the better of me - or upcoming XC races mean that i need to do at least one ride in the week + the race. So i strap the achilles (learnt the strapping technique from my old rugby physio). Once strapped there is no pain at all, and plenty of support - i dont feel uncomfortable in any way. I would appreciate any constructive advice. Cheers.

Sorry, I didn't actually mean to quote your whole post! Should've replied down here - my bad.

Hey, having said your old bike was an AM bike do you still like to ride AM/Freeride/Enduro type riding? I ride the Trance 27.5 2 and have done better in my races that i did on a 120mm travel Merida. If you are not aiming to win the XC and you really enjoy Enduro type riding as your main riding on weekends etc (which is my situation) then the Trance is a winner. If you are really into the XC scene then maybe the others will be better for you, I know the Sprada had me oogling for quite some time - as you say great spec although they have nudged the price up - when TREAD tested a prototype, I think they said the XT Sprada 1 would be approx 25k. I think its more like 28/9k now. Just my 2c

RIP and condolences to the family and friends - very unfortunate.