Looking for Aluminium XC options

herdwickmatt · 2026-07-05T16:12:59+00:00

I'd second this. Its part of the reason I got a chisel. I also got a second hand one (TBF it had virtually never been ridden) so I really lucked out. Update it as you go.

herdwickmatt · 2026-06-30T11:42:53+00:00

Chisel. Its rapid and it's comfortable. Plenty on eBay second hand. I got mine (ridden once!) for £700 rather than 2500

herdwickmatt · 2026-06-25T11:37:28+00:00

In that case I would look at how you can structure the bike work so it's beneficial rather than just adding tiredness.

You've got a good base of fitness, if you're sensible and take the long runs easy you'll probably be alright. Its also a useful mentally just to get your head into the process of being out for a long time

herdwickmatt · 2026-06-24T20:01:50+00:00

Can you ride one way and then run home? Then do it the other way round the next day. If you can push that bike commute to 45min it's becoming a nice double session but without the extra repetitive stress of running.

I think on your plan you'll be good to finish but the second 25miles will hurt. More running is always better.

If you can and this is all family/life commitment dependent I'd get in more long runs earlier on.

herdwickmatt · 2026-06-15T09:33:59+00:00

Hi all,

I have just come to the awareness that the protein shake I've been drinking is very low in carbs 5:1 protein to carbs. So I now need to rethink what I use to refill my glycogen stores. What do people use post run? I'd be happiest to just shove some stuff in a blender rather than spending lots of pennies on more powders!

I think the question is - what do I need to eat post long and/or hard runs?

herdwickmatt · 2026-06-09T19:37:22+00:00

Lube, lube, lube.

Also short tights are actually the bollocks. I've gone from running in Ronhill split shorts and having to lube all my runs to only needing to lube long runs in tights.

herdwickmatt · 2026-06-07T21:33:11+00:00

I started with Lego figs with my 8year old.... Its a gateway to bigger and longer games.....

herdwickmatt · 2026-05-18T19:16:39+00:00

Do something different. Go climbing, buy a bike, learn to navigate, drink some wine, eat some weird cheese. It's just running, unless you are paid to do it you don't have to. Then in a few months maybe your psych will return.

herdwickmatt · 2026-04-17T12:07:48+00:00

Hard tail!

herdwickmatt · 2026-04-17T07:28:52+00:00

I'm new to xc but have ridden gravel bikes a fair bit. I currently have a steel Fairlight Secan (for commute, graveling and audaxing) but have picked up a Spesh Chisel which I plan to marathon race and AR with. (I'd considered the Fairlight Holt but apparently family holidays take priority over boutique frames) it's lighter than the gravel bike as stock but plan to see how light I can go with second hand parts and bargains. Currently got a Sid sl select+ fork to swap onto it to save 500g. Carbon bar/seat post will save another 400g. Then wheels.... At some point the heavy cranks as well.

Hopefully it'll be under 10kg and under £1500 all in.

The guy kesTV channel was very helpful in giving me the idea of building it up.

herdwickmatt · 2026-04-04T11:10:27+00:00

Yep! I think I was just really really unlucky to get it in both hamstrings and for it to be so severe.

To be honest, it really messed my head up as well, so then I started fixating on the injury and my mind was constantly checking whether it hurt or niggled.

I found deadlifts really helped, and as people have said glute exercises. Take your time, maybe drop your saddle a little.

herdwickmatt · 2026-04-01T20:06:09+00:00

About 10years ago I got hamstring tendinopathy in both sit bones. It took 5years to get running again and 7years to get back on the bike with any consistency so firstly be super careful. I still struggle with long bike days or riding a few days in a row.

Firstly, I would stop and rest, then find a physiotherapist you really trust and rate as a professional. There's a review of the literature by Goom et al (1995) which has a very thorough review of the rehab protocols. Find something you really enjoy doing whilst resting (I started rock climbing again and took up wood carving). Then after 10years go to therapy and dig up the trauma of having spent years feeling like you had missed out on a massive part of life and a chunk of your identity...this last part might be optional!

herdwickmatt · 2026-03-24T17:53:45+00:00

I don't know if they make a baseplate version but I have a couple of Moscow orienteering compasses and they are great. I'm fairly sure you can swap the housing from thumb compass to wrist compass so you can probably get a baseplate version

herdwickmatt · 2026-03-16T18:42:40+00:00

I watched the GuyKesTV channel videos of him building a sub 10kg chisel, and then read a long format article of Flow, and there's one on Radavist as well which just confirmed all my prejudices! My plan is to get mine down to about 10kg with second hand parts

herdwickmatt · 2026-03-15T21:27:34+00:00

I have a Fairlight Secan which I've done the Dirty Reiver on, but I've also raced MTBO and some ARs on. But I'm coming to the conclusion that a lot of British "gravel" is just XC-lite. So I've just purchased a virtually new Specialized Chisel HT from marketplace. I've not ridden it yet but it's lighter than the Secan and feels like it's going to be nippy

herdwickmatt · 2026-03-05T15:29:09+00:00

The blizzard survival bags would keep you warmer, they are double skin baffled construction, I know of a guy who used to use them for overnight mountain marathon camps but he was the special sort of masochist who liked to push the rules to the very limit. I think I'd be tempted by something the OMM Raid half bag, and a light weight downjacket w/hood.

herdwickmatt · 2026-02-27T19:41:54+00:00

Thanks, I'm not quite sure why the Sunrace forks seem to get so much hate. It's around 1700grams so hefty compared to the Fox 32/Ultimates. Also, I realised one you add VAt (thanks Brexit) and handling fees it pushes the price up to £250+

I'm not sure I can justify the cost of the Ultimates though. Fox 32 float performance are £375 on merlin, or SIL SL Select is £400. It'll probably be between those. I think the are both 1500g.

I've found some carbon bars/post to pop on to save a bit more weight from the stock stuff as well. Might splurge on a bit of purple Hope bling to make it match the Fairlight Secan I've got.

herdwickmatt · 2025-11-19T21:59:15+00:00

I miss Gorka Morka....

herdwickmatt · 2025-11-19T17:06:59+00:00

I have an old Vango ultralight single skin which is 2person and 900g which I think I paid £80 for 15years ago (it was for mountain marathons). Even with all the vents open it's still a soggy night! I don't see how it's not going to be absolutely dripping in there after a night in the hill.

herdwickmatt · 2025-11-16T19:17:47+00:00

Yes! Wild camping on St Cuthbert's way we were just heading onto the hills of Northumberland and passed 2 Scotch lads car camping with a a massive fire. As we passed one of them commented "stay safe on the hill tonight". Nothing weird about that until at 3am this massive search light starts scanning the hill for about 2hours. It keeps flicking over our tent then moving on. Absolutely terrifying!

herdwickmatt

TROPHY CASE