This weekend I shall be mostly building...

[hughjayteens]

... my new bike! Have been riding a Klein Palomino for the last 4 years which I loved to bits, and when I test rode a few newer bikes of a similar ilk (but with 5" of travel) such as the Santa Cruz Blur LT and Orange 5, I got bike on the Klein and loved it even more!

As the Klein was a licensed version of the Maverick, I set my heart on a Durance, but they are like hen's teeth in the UK so I have ended up with a rather lovely ML7/5. It is the hard anodised finish and although 2 years old, has been ridden a handful of times and is absolutely immaculate.

Took the opportunity to treat myself to some shiny new bits so the spec will be as follows:

Maverick ML7/5 frame
Maverick DUC32 fork
Bontrager Race Lite/Maverick front wheel
XT rear hub with Mavic XC717 rim
Maxxis High Roller XC kevlar tyres
Hope Mono M4 brakes
XTR shifters
Carbon XTR rear mech
XT Hollowtech 2 chainset
XT SPDs
Easton EA70 bars
KS i900 height adjustable seatpost
Selle Italia SLR XC saddle
Race Face lock-on grips

Have a weekend booked in Afan on the 26th so am hoping it lives up to my expectations!

Roll on the weekend!

[mk1fan]

Sounds nice.

We're off to Wales that weekend too. Riding the Twyrch at CC in the morning, then the Penhydd at Afan in the afternoon. Camping up the road at GG Saturday evening.

Might see you at Afan. We're in a big yellow VW T4 Transporter or Big Yellow

[R.P.M]

Always interested in Mavericks. Nearly bought an 8 once.
I love the fact that the factory name each frame, this would save me from think one up

Get some pics up fella, so we can have a good oggle.

[hughjayteens]

Got it built on Saturday and am mightily impressed so far. Only pic I have so far is this one:



Already managed to come off it sadly with a rather schoolboy error. Was giving it 110% on the middle ring, out of the saddle up a hill out of my village (off road thankfully) and the next thing I know I am head first towards the deck to end up with my knee ankle through the frame and my knee jammed between the bars and top tube.

Look back and see my chain about 5 metres behind the bike.

Only damage was a scuff the saddle and a rather bruised knee, but that'll teach me to not be concentrating properly when joining my chain!

Will post some more pics up when I get 5.

[mat205125]

Love the upsidedown forks .... or should that be right-way-up after your fall

How tall are you? That saddle height looks build for a giant.

[hughjayteens]

I'm only 6' but have reasonably long legs I guess. Have always liked my saddle on the highish side for XC riding and stay seated a lot when climbing so the adjustable height post really suits giving 3" of drop for descending.

[mackie1]

Those look like the tyres I should have bought. I went for regular High Rollers and they are very hard going compared to the Bontrager Jones XRs that came with my bike. Yours look a tad less knobbly.

[Beyond Rational]

mackie1 said:

Those look like the tyres I should have bought. I went for regular High Rollers and they are very hard going compared to the Bontrager Jones XRs that came with my bike. Yours look a tad less knobbly.

Ten days ago mackie1 said:

Fitted my High Rollers last night. Even with a super tacky compound on the front they seem to roll better than the Bonty Jones XR I had before. Very grippy and the slightly larger size makes for a more comfy ride too. Hopefully they'll stand me in good stead when it gets muddy.

Eh?