Ian wrote:OK, I have now have a frame to do the Highland Trail on. Its being painted at the moment, and all being well will be here on Friday
However, in what is possibly shaping up to be the most difficult and unpredictable month of my life (so far), the head tube on it is 30mm longer than my old one, and so my fork steerer is too short.
Does anyone have any suggestions where I can beg/borrow/steal/purchase a suspension fork meeting the following criteria:
29" wheel, air sprung, 100mm travel, 205mm steerer, 1 1/8" straight steerer, (bolt-thru - desirable but not essential).
Thanks!
I've got a pair of manitou tower experts you can borrow?
Cant recall steerer length off the top of my head, they are 20mm thru axle though.
On reflection, borrowing someone else's fork would probably be a bit much to ask. 560 miles of Highland Trail is quite punishing on kit. My Reba's were pretty tired after last year (440 miles), and they went into the race fresh from a full service, new damper and new bushes...
The main issue is time. We've gone for a Matt finish because it takes two says less time to do. They're baking the frame off overnight tonight, then shipping it tomorrow to get here Friday. Build up Friday night, shake down ride on Saturday, then get frame bag sorted next week. At least I'm in a good position to get a frame bag at short notice
It does limit choice, yes, but the opportunity to ride for Shand only came about last week. They happened to have a frame already made that was my size, and there wasn't time to spec and build something more custom. Steven originally made it for himself for Bikepacking some time ago but never built it up, so aside from head tube size narrowing fork choice slightly many of the other frame attributes suit my intended use. Very much looking forward to riding it
Ready to see your dot's grinding over the map. I'll be thinking of you, suffering and being pounded around on the occasional rough descents. FLV, please do me a favour and put down that sprint Ft Bill to Tyndrum again
I do hope you all get last and before last years fair weather.
Fingers crossed.
Just need to swap over a set of tyres tonight (Geax Saguaros) after I ripped a hole into the sidewall on the Cairngorms Loop and needed to use a tube. Other than that, the bike is riding fine.
I got a handlebar harness yesterday off a mate and I'm surprised I didn't get one ages ago - far easier than just strapping a drybag to the bars.
Final decision has been made. This is my ride for the HTR.
Sleep stuff up front, clothes rear, food in triangle. Hopefully my Alpkit stemcells turn up before I leave, otherwise I may have to take a small rucksack for extra food.
Just had an epic trying to mount my new tyres. My existing track pump wasn't up to the job so I bought a replacement today.
First tyre went up fine with gas, then it wouldn't go up again so had to replace the rim tape. All I had was road stuff that was really narrow so I ran about four layers of that. The second tyre wouldn't go up at all, so rim tape again, but by that time I'd run out, so electrical tape in there. One of the valves is faulty as well, but it seems to be working. Haven't even started packing yet, and I need to take all my kit into work on Friday morning.
