I used to have a Spearfish (split pivot). Unfortunately, and somewhat ironically it split at the pivot (side note, if wanting fancies a snapped frame for free, obviously, let me know) ! Now I use a Kona Hei Hei setup 29 with 130mm forks. Personally I prefer this to the Spearfish. More trail like geo...

Chrisps How have you fitted that water bottle? I got Neil from Sonder to put bottle bosses on the top of the frame! That said, on other bikes I have used some gorilla clips (https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/shop/?product=gorilla-clip) in the same location. Works fine as long as you get the cable ...

I've got an XL Broken Road that is 2 years old now, but I believe still the most recent version. Mine was slightly tweaked for me by Neil to be corrected for 120mm forks, have a fractionally steeper ST angle and extra mount holes added. The best of these additions is definitely the top tube water bo...

I have super wide feet too. As others say, sizing up an XM9 and OK, but general fit isn't great when you do that. I find Specialized 2FOs are pretty wide and comfy all round. I use the flat versions. Presume spd version is the same. Sidi wide are really wide and comfy, but they are useless to walk i...

Another vote for the Kona Hei Hei. I have a 2016 one I bought cheap in 2017 to replace my 2015ish Spearfish when it spectacularly snapped in half. The Hei Hei is built with 29x2.4, Hope Tech XC wheels and a 130mm Pike I would say the Spearfish felt a little faster, but the Kona is no slouch. The Hei...

What wheel building stands do people use? I've never managed to find one that is a reasonable price and fits big (wide 29) wheels or modern hubs

OK, thanks guys; looks like the Krampus is staying and I'll have to take Sean's advice and get rid of some of my wife's bikes in thy night

Thanks... @Alpinum, Its not so much that I don't want 29x3.0, but more I want to consolidate and am wondering if I will really miss 29x3.0 if I go to B+. Seems to be some conflicting views from Stuart and htrider... I guess my concern is will the B+ feel much rougher than the Krampus... how noticeab...

Hi, I am wanting to consolidate my bikes, as my wife and I's collection is getting out of hand! I currently have a Surly Krampus (29x3.0) and one of the new style Sonder Broken Roads (29x2.2). I am considering selling the Krampus and putting 27.5x3.0 tyres on 45-50mm rims. However, new wheels and ty...

PaulB2 wrote:

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Thinking I should perhaps erect a range of shelters at the WRT so people can take a closer look and try them for size?

That would be very handy

Seconded; great idea!

Not a shirt as such, but for cooler weather (as in overcast British spring), I find that Rab Vapour Rise Lite jackets are really good "all in one" base & mid layers. Especially the ones with pit zips. Super comfy to wear, warm if you zip everything up, surprisingly good at temperature ...

On the 29+ subject... my 2p worth. I have had a 29+ for about 18months. I flip flop between 29x2.4 (with an RS Reba 100) and 29x3.0 (rigid) (on appropriate rims for the size). I use the bike for commuting (involving a frigging massive hill / 30km mixed surface round trip), general winter XC riding a...

I did something similar last year. I would be tempted to skip Islay to be honest. I couldn't find much interesting biking... The stuff I did find was on the far west coast, which had some spectacular beaches and felt nice and remote. But the roads to get there were basically a slog into the prevaili...

Not for us, I hasten to add :)

Mountain Rescue by chrisp455, on Flickr

My fiance and I use a Trekkertent Stealth 2. Works quite well. Its light (we have the lightest fabric) and packs down small. I use my 29er front wheel to hold the back up and one of the carbon poles from the bear bones shop for the front. Decent amount of room for 2 inside and the inner is quite far...

For future people reading, check out Trekkertent. Made by a chap in Scotland. They are traditional 2 pole design, but I use a 29re wheel for the back pole and a BB carbon pole out front. About 650g with the mesh inner. We have used ours for about a month worth of bikepacking and backpacking. Still g...

The west coast is nice, even on the flat road. Lots of seals! The South west however, is quite dull (on the road). Blackwaterfoot north is good. There is a lovely camp spot on the coast north east of Lochranza. Head north on road on the east side of the estuary and keep going as far as you want afte...

Ok, thanks. I have some like tough bags. I will maybe give it a go... Just wondered if there was some kind of special mitten people used that allowed you to grip the bar and brakes at the same time.

Thanks!

I tend to use Gore Tool gloves if it gets wet. They are windstopper, so wet out, but sort of keep my hands comfy. I have read a few things recently suggesting people bikepack in mittens though. Am I miss understanding, or do people really ride in mittens with all their fingers in the same "pock...

Ok, Interesting!

Thanks... wonder if the x-king would fit in the frame.

How different a ride is the 2.8 Trailblazer compared to say the 3 Chronicle (I am talking in terms of feel from the volume as opposed to differing tread patterns etc)?

Ok, thanks!

For either 27.5 or 29, i was thinking of getting 38 (32 internal) rims, as this seems to be what Cotic thinks works well on their bikes. It also seems to be a nice compromise to get high quality 29 rims, as you could still run standard 2.3s on the same rims. Any thoughts? My thoughts are ... 'plus'...

I tried a 27.5+ at a demo day (a Specilized full sus - probably a Stuntjumper, but can't remember). That was fun around a trail centre, which is kind of what got me thinking beyond "plus, how ridiculous!" I have no idea where I could try a 29+ though, as the local Trek dealer doesn't have ...

My understanding is that the 29+ format isn't as bad on being caught out by the lack of damping because of lower sidewalls compared to B+?