TTB profile

Very nice, looks so clean and tidy with the singlespeed :)

Very nice mate, looks like a fun one!

meh, still riding this as my only mtb. Who needs to pedal up anyway?

(yes I know the hoses need sorting, just haven't got round to it yet)

I've actually done a 28 mile xc ride on it and survived though, it just wasn't enjoyable doing around 1000m of climbing on haha

ryando… that looks so awesome!

It's hard to beat some of the options from On One, especially if they're still doing the free bars, stem, headset etc deal with the frame. The 45650b looks like a great cheap frame, or 456 evo if 26" is your preferred choice.

hm yeah On-One are good value for money. Not sure if I want something heavy though, they're quite hefty aren't they? Wouldn't mind something aluminium tbh, so long as its a bit more forgiving than my old Chameleon haha

Thinking about getting a cheap (ish) light hardtail for xc/"trail" (god I hate that buzz word) riding, what do you guys recommend? American/Canadian brands are probably out of the question as I'm in the UK. Is a 29er too big for me at 5'9" with a 29" inside leg? Worried about standover and getting a decent seat-handlebar drop to make climbing comfortable. If so then is 650b worth it or should I cash in on cheaper "obsolete" 26" stuff?

I basically want something that climbs well that I can still descend with confidently. Don't like too much travel on a hardtail, 120mm max. I really liked my old Chameleon apart from how stiff it was. Fun geometry.

I guess what I'm worried about with switching to clips is getting lazy and into poor technique when it gets rough or if I want to bunny hop etc. Does that actually happen if you've been riding flats all your life and have decent technique already though? ie can bunny hop without relying on pulling the back up with the cleats if you see what I mean.

I ride flats on mtb and clips on my road bike. I may consider clips for the mtb if I ever start doing more xc/climby stuff but the majority I ride DH so clips seem kinda pointless other than perfect foot position all the time.

haha yeah I know, I took em off my old hardtail so they're a bit short. Gonna get new hoses soon. They seem fine under compression though so it'll do for now.

Finally got some 170mm Lyrik RC2DH for my Voltage. Haven't ridden it properly yet though but they feel nice in the garden haha

People still ride dh bikes?

Yes. Well sort of, I ride a Scott Voltage which will soon have a 170 Lyrik on the front so not a proper DH bike but definitely no enduro whippet either. I pretty much only ride DH/FR so it doesn't make sense to half arse it with a jack of all trades and compromise on fun which the Voltage has tonnes of :D