Thanks for the advice

I have just spoken to my bike dealer, and chatted through it with them, they think my C-16r is a 1" set and possible its threaded, (haven't sold them for a while ) and think to get get a set of sus. forks i will be very limited, and they may cost a fortune. The also said about the geometry side.

So its stick with what i have got for the time been, hopefull i will be out on it as much as i used to be and back to fitness to make those hills more enjoyable.

Though I have to admit, when riding up a forest trail, I have a little voice in my head say why the hell are you riding when your car could do this for you  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

If you can't get a fork, and to be honest I did say choice was limited with threaded headsets, then at least get a pair of dual or triple density grips and some gel gloves, RSI is not funny

I given up on the forks, as i wasn't finding anything (not that i have done a lot of looking)

Good idea on the grips and gloves, might get a cusion for the seat next time too

Been looking at a couple of bikes today, whilst getting some new tyres and the shop sells LandRover Bikes too, appartently they are Claud Butler branded to LR Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I'd have a look in at Evans at exscape( Castleford freeport) next time you're passing at consider a suspension seatpost as a comfort upgrade.

I know of Evans, I was in there looking for a bike for my son, though the chap i spoke to seemed to have better things to do

I best stop looking at bike shops, I know what i'm like , one minute looking, next minute ride off £800 lighter  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I just bought a new Mongoose full suspension, hydraulic disc braked, 27 gear model having just recently taken up the sport. So far I've done some of the decent local trails, eg. through the Pentlands and Glentress, and have around 10 more events schedules for the up and coming weeks.

Give me a bit of time and I'll see if I can find some of the good websites listing routes etc. I've got a few magazines and books with some good trails too, I'll have a look.

In a fortnight I'm heading up north to the Highlands for a 'Mountain biking weekend' with family friends, we're doing some of the best man-made and natural routes and trails so that's one for me to look forward to  "CY from DISCO3"

Discovery 3 TDV6 SE

Cheers CY

I have a book somewhere for rides in the peak district, and a book with pub walks in it but that sounds like i maybe in a bit of a state riding home  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I wasn't made aware of this until recently but whilst it's unlikely (as police tend to use discretion) it's worth being aware that you can be fined up to £2500 for being under the influence of alcohol whilst riding a bike on the road (or public 'off-road' routes). They can't actually put points on your Drivers Licence (like many insist) but a bike is classed as a carriage for highway use so you can be fined

I'm going biking in Yorkshire later in the year so will hopefully hunt out some good off-road routes by then.

There are loads of good routes around Yorkshire, Northumberland and the Lake District.

In terms of forums, bikeradar.com is very good and you'll definitely be recommended some local routes if you introduce yourself there. Otherwise, just do a Google of 'Mountain bike routes' + your prefered area and plenty will pop up.

You don't need to go mad on the money front to get a decent bike. Hardtails are significantly cheaper than full sussers and you'll get a lot more for your money with one (if your budget is limited) however full sussers are great fun and more comfortable off-road. To get something with better brakes than your Orange, a few more gears and front suspension shouldn't cost the earth. "CY from DISCO3"

Discovery 3 TDV6 SE

i'll have a look at bikeradar

seen a couple of bike with full suspension a trek fuel and a scott aspect fx25(?) both for around £800

Though i'm not buying just yet, if i get out as much as i plan to i will upgrade at some point next year  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I was actually pulled up by a foot patrol copper for speeding on me racing bike when I were a younger lad.......

He 'estimated' I was doing over the 30mph limit.

We've had the tandem up to 45mph before we ran out of gears,
If I changed the 48 front cog for a 53.......................................

i did 24miles an hour down a fire track at the weekend

It felt Fast  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

An old reply with a least a little relevant advice at : http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic1601.html?highlight=

Even if thinking of spending more than £250 I would say:

1) Find some buddies to ride with. Thats what its all about.
2) Find some nice trails. The countryside is secondly what its all about.
There are plenty of guide books out there. Google is my friend. People are so keen on www.singletrackworld.com they will even be happily to invite you along for rides... be careful..they are fitter than they make out..
3) Get fit on the bike you have. You have a very high pedigree bike. Most rookies learn best to ride on hard tails and no front suspension. Steve Peat, the downhill world champion several times over started out his career winning his races on a hard tail kona when others were following behind on full sussers.
Also dont forget that rear suspension, hydraulic disc brakes and rear suspension are NOT cheap to fix or service.
Servicing my front shocks and rear shocks can cost as much as servicing the FL2!! The sealed bearing and pivot kit alone for the rear sus unit costs £120! And are you really prepared to start bleeding your disc breaks when the mineral oil gets air bubbles in it??.... keep it simple...
4) Make sure your clothing is BETTER than your bike. If you have good riding buddies, a good trail and it rains and your cold, wet and miserable in your trakkie bottoms and cotton t-shirt then you only have yourself to blame. Layers and gortex and decent shorts are your best friend.
5) Ignore all of the above. If £800 on a new Trek Fuel..floats your boat then go for it! A litle bit of what you fancy and all that.
6) Grin with mud in your mouth! Points 1 and 2 are what its all about. I am still good friends with biking buddies from 15 years ago.

Woof Woof!
Scotster. '57 GS TD4 in Stornoway. Privacy, Leather, Tred Cills. From ebay etc.. 18" 12 spoke HSE alloys, rear spoiler, clear side repeaters with clear leds, led interior light to replace bulbs, sports exhaust trim, TomTom 720.
Favourite Off road vehicle, still my Santa Cruz Mountain Bike! http://www.team-banana-racing.com

cheers scotster

You fully right on what you say, you obviously know what your talking about

I do go for the layer like you say, as i have a fair few tops due to the snowboarding, and and waterproof jacket in the rucksack if it rains.

Going to get a set of proper cycling shorts, instead of the standard shorts and keep the existing bike, it was a lot of money when new and didn't let me down once, and i'll use it to get fit on and get back into the sport all been well.

I'm going to keep my eye out for a bargain on the bike front and maybe get something if there is something thats a great deal

Looking around for route and track last night i found a guy selling a Thule RideOn 9403 for £50 so I'm meeting him tomorrow to buy it (looks to be what some of the others on here use)  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis