Hello, been a while....

Hello all, been ages since I've really been on here, been busy relocating the shop, but thankfully it's now more or less sorted, and I've finally found some new staffers, so I should soon be back to kicking back at my desk, shouting at everyone else to work harder/faster whilst spending my time posting crap on forums.

That is, if you'll have me. You see, I've jumped shipped. I know ride a Saracen.

Well, to say I ride a Saracen is pushing the truth a little, I own a Saracen, but I'm yet to get the time to ride it!

I decided early in the year that I no longer have the time ride to warrant owning two bikes, so I set about de-building the Meta 5 (it was cracked anyway) and the Supreme and replacing them both with a Meta 6. I actually built a rather special Meta6 frame up, but before I got time to complete the build and ride it someone bought it, so I was effectively bikeless. So i grabed one of the Saracen Ariels from stock and took it for a spin, and was seriously impressed.

It didn't ride as well as the Meta, but, it was certainly more playful. It wasn't as playful as the Supreme, but it was a lot lighter, so I'm building it up into a lightweight play bike. It's not a long distance mile muncher like the Meta5 but I don't get the time for long rides now. And it's not as stable downhill as the Supreme, but then I don't push on the DH anywhere near as much as I used to, so I think it'll suit my riding fine for now. It reminds me of riding my old Coilers, before the Meta5 came along. The suspension is a bit ragged, and it gets out of shape pretty quick, but all that makes for a lively ride without having to push too hard.

I'm not fed up, or disappointed with the Meta platform, but after 6 years riding nothing else, I figured it was time for a change. I suspect I'll have another 55 built up after Summer, whether I keep the Ariel remains to be seen. Sadly I don't see me ever building up the Supreme again though. Age, and a sense of mortality have finally caught up with my riding and I just don't ride as hard as I used to.

Anyway, enough about that, now time for an apology.

Relocating a business is not something you do often, I've had lots of businesses but never done it before. We were in the last shop for ten years and will be in this one for at least as long, so you don't get to do it often.

This is why our relocation went so totally tits up. We expected to be up and running by the beginning of this month, but it's nearly the end and we're now only just catching breathe. And still not fully ready. But I've plenty more staff now so we'll be back upto speed soon.

All this is why our service has been so shonky of late. I'm dealing with a few of you guys at the moment on a few things and all of you have been great, totally understanding our predicament, and not losing patience with us, and for that I'm really grateful. Thanks. We have been slow getting stuff out, but we're now upto date, and with the mech hangers finally arriving in on Friday, all the back orders for these will be filled by the end of Monday.

Special thanks goes to Bongo, for whom we're slacking on a warranty job. I'd love to pass the buck to Madison on this (like lots of dealers seem to do) but it's all down to us. Good news is I've a green one here for you, but..... A rather sexy rare as shit blue one on its way. Don't ask!

Let me know which one you want.

That's me done. Thanks to everyone for bearing with us. Sorry for defecting to another brand, but I'll be back soon I suspect, and if your ever in Northern Ireland come see the new shop. it's fucking huge, with an indoor test track and a scary amount of bikes: Every model, in every size, on the shop floor! And best of all, fantastic views of the Mourne Mountains. (Last shop was in a basement, our view was a wall!).

Cheers.

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