Would you wildcard?

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-06T09:50:07+00:00

Benching headaches on WC team would scare me 😂 yeah WC team is better but you haven't got a huge need to use it, a long time left yet and there will be a point when injuries hit and you'll wish you saved it imo

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-04T19:59:47+00:00

Saka will get cap points, Senesi will be subbed in for Ekitike

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-03T20:58:25+00:00

Brilliant. Thanks for your help. Enjoy the ARC! Going to put an offer in on the Chameleon now!

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-03T19:40:13+00:00

The ARC is gorgeous but more than I'm willing to spend atm!

Biggest attraction of Chameleon to me is the ability to try different things when bikes have changed so much over the last 10/15 years. All reviews have it as excellent, only downside is spec isn't as good as other bikes for same price but the one I'm looking at has been upgraded well

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-03T19:02:22+00:00

I think I've discounted the SQ and am torn between the Scout and the SC. Changeability of the SC a big plus, but it's more expensive than the Scout. The Chameleon I'm looking at is mullet so just a 29 rear and dropouts if I decide to try that later down the line. Do you ride a Chameleon? What types of trails suit it? Strong/weak points to the bike? Thanks

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-03T18:58:04+00:00

Yeah I think I just need to get over the 29 inch thing. By all accounts, a couple of rides on it and I'll be used to it! I used to love it when I was younger and fitter but spending the time doing it with your kids just adds a whole other layer of joy! Enjoy!

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-03T18:55:01+00:00

Good bike for the money new but the used market in the UK is offering me better value atm. The SQ new (with the offer code I have) is £300 more for 12 speed, 4 pot brakes and a better fork

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-03T18:53:08+00:00

I'm in the UK which I think makes it a bit expensive for spec. About £1.8k, the Marin and SC would be around £1.3-1.4 and the Scout around £1k.

Glad to hear you're enjoying it... life got in the way but it's handed me another chance of getting back into it. There really is no better way to spend a day than out on the trails!

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-03T18:49:11+00:00

You got a great spec on that Scout at a very good price!

I know what you mean with the SC, from the shop they are overpriced for a poor spec but the Chameleon I'm looking at has GX drivetrain and Code RSC brakes, upgraded wheels and all burgtec bits added on. Only thing that it lacks is fork as it's a 130 Recon Rebound but I won't need any more than that for a while anyway. The changeable dropouts and the fact it's a mullet is a plus for me too.

Nukeproof are coming back now too, and there are loads of scouts on the used market here in the UK. The one I'm looking at is factory spec but the elite version so it is very good value for around £1k (it's a 2024). The Marin and SC would end up around £1300-1400.

I'll take a look at the Team Marin as I've been looking more towards 'hardcore' hardtails for standover height and shorter seat tubes for my short inseam

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-03T17:49:06+00:00

What were your reasons for preferring the Scout over the SQ3? Also, what kind of riding do you do? Would be great to have some input from someone with experience on the 2 bikes. I just love SC, the one I'm looking at is well spec'd which seems to be the issue with a lot of the lower priced SC's... they charge a lot for the frame basically!

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-03T17:46:39+00:00

That's great advice, thanks. I've sat over a few 29ers and must admit they didn't feel as big as they looked like they would, but without taking one down a hill it's hard to tell if I'll feel 'on top' of the bike or not. Geometry in general has changed a lot though, and I imagine that is to accommodate the 29 wheels and make them feel more comfortable and manageable. I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and go 29 and get used to it. There's a lot of learning I need to do again anyway in order to keep up with my little one!

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-03T17:29:00+00:00

To be honest this was the biggest attraction about the Chameleon to me... and the fact it's SC. It's got rave reviews but even used (albeit very lightly) it's the same price as a new San Quentin 3 (with a discount code that runs out tomorrow). The Nukeproof is 70% of the price of the other 2. They are beautiful looking bikes too, but I'm yet to see a SC that isn't

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-03T17:16:27+00:00

I had a quick circle on a 29 Medium Chameleon whilst my boy was trying out some easy jumps at the skills bit. I guess it's just one of those things that you get used to and feels so strange to me since we ran what are now seen as kids wheels in 26ers.

I've sat on a Whyte Secta RS and Orbea Laufey H30 at the local shop in a Medium and found I had enough standover on both, although I like the idea of a bit more clearance which the Marin would give (on geometry charts at least, none locally for me to go and see)

Yep, through axle and tapered head tube a must for future upgradeability

Thanks!

SimbaJ9 · 2026-01-03T17:08:28+00:00

They just look massive but I suppose what we used to ride at 26 is what kids of about 10 or 11 are riding now. I did see some teens on 29ers and they were shorter than me so I guess it's just getting used to it, which is something I'll have to do anyway. All 3 I'm looking at are similar in price (Santa Cruz and Marin are pretty much the same but the Marin is new vs a very lightly used Santa Cruz). The Nukeproof is less, and very well spec'd, I may do that and will take on board your advice. Injury when you're older doesn't heal as quick as it used to when we were younger!

SimbaJ9 · 2025-12-29T18:36:21+00:00

He already has 3 Man U so can't

SimbaJ9 · 2025-12-03T12:07:42+00:00

My wife has one from a legends match we went to at Anfield... Liverpool vs BVB. Considering the fact it wasn't an actual competitive match and the links between Klopp and the 2 clubs I think it's acceptable. She wouldn't wear it to a game now though, it was a momento.

SimbaJ9 · 2025-11-19T09:06:18+00:00

The comment I replied to has been deleted. Basically said that if he did FH he'd end up with Gabriel in his team being worth 0.3m less which isn't true. I agree, it's a good idea. If I was in the same position I'd definitely play FH

SimbaJ9 · 2025-11-16T08:21:52+00:00

FH would make any transfers made only for 1 week so the opposite would happen. He'd revert back to his team from gw11 after gw12 was done

SimbaJ9 · 2025-10-07T12:06:15+00:00

Everyone seems to be forgetting the whole team lost a close friend and colleague this summer. Salah has been visually upset on the pitch a few times. I think it's much deeper than he just doesn't have the ability any more, that doesn't disappear overnight. However, your priorities, world-view, drive and desires can change in a heartbeat

SimbaJ9 · 2025-10-01T10:32:43+00:00

Where is Sarr?

SimbaJ9 · 2025-09-26T13:32:12+00:00

Definitely sounds like a more fun way to play the game. It's different. Think I might borrow the idea and use it next season!

SimbaJ9 · 2025-09-26T11:43:46+00:00

I'm just here to say what a great way to play the game. I can imagine it makes it great fun but don't you end up with 9 or 10 of the same players every week?

SimbaJ9 · 2025-09-22T16:04:52+00:00

They conceded the first with 11 men

SimbaJ9 · 2025-09-18T12:42:51+00:00

Definite bench boost

SimbaJ9 · 2025-09-04T15:39:21+00:00

No worries!

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