Whats the best bike for the Highland trail 550? HT550 2024 bike checks

The HT550 is the original Uk bike packing race. It takes place every May and consists of a 550mile course around the best mtb trails of the Scottish Highlands. It's often characterised by bad weather conditions and brutal hike-a-bikes.
In this video I take a look at some of the bikes that were ridden in the race.
You can see the route on ridewithgps here:
ridewithgps.co...
The HT550 website can be found here:
highlandtrail5...
A big thank you to the brands that support me:
Mason Cycles - masoncycles.cc
Hunt Bike wheels - www.huntbikewh...
Albion Cycling - www.albioncycl...
Tailfin Bikepacking equipment - www.tailfin.cc...
Enduro bearings - cycling.enduro...
If you like my videos and would like to help me produce more, please consider buying me a 'virtual coffee' at the link below, thanks!

[@Fishd1]

That Fairlight is such a lovely looking bike. Looking forward to the release of the Tailfin frame bags for MTBs as well.

[@totosupertramp]

alex and I were running 100mm fork not 120 :) 34 plunger with control on the fork for him , 32 plunger with remote 3P control for me !

[@joshibbett]

Thanks for the update

[@mattiasboman7409]

That Sour Cowboy Cookie is soo good looking

[@oquemaur]

Would love to see some of the Cotic bikes in action on the HT

[@bobwightman1054]

I did the HT550 in 2017, used a Cotic Solaris Mk1 with Travers Prong carbon forks, i.e. fully rigid. Had Bonty XR2 on the front, XR3 on the rear. Wildcat harnesses and bags front and rear, no frame bag.

[@GrahamFootBicycleLover]

Looking slick Josh, I did wonder how long you were going to grow that beard. Another great video, love these bike checks

[@br5380]

I'm riding from Fort William eastwards to Fife next week, off-road for as much as possible and carrying camping gear.
I was going to use my HT but having just got back from a test ride & night out, I'm now thinking my Cotic FS is going to be a better (comfort) choice 🙂

[@velopest]

need some info cockpit bar set ups ! ;-)~

[@jonpoon3896]

You should ask Mason to make an aluminium full sus bike

[@joshibbett]

That would be the dream.... but dont think it'll happen!

[@MaxWithoutTax]

What are these grip things called some of the riders had on top of their handlebars?

[@joshibbett]

There are a couple of types but I think the main one is SPIRGRIPS
www.spirgrips.com

[@MaxWithoutTax]

@@joshibbett thanks mate, those are exactly what i was looking for

[@peterbell8564]

Hey Josh, unrelated to the video, but will you be covering tour divide again this year?

[@joshibbett]

Yes thats the plan

[@Wombels1987]

Great video ,, learnt a lot of stuff from this channel ,,,,,,when it comes down to dropper post getting stuck with the mud has no one come out with like a sleeve that goes over the dropper post which would stop build up ?? Think it would be good idea

[@oquemaur]

Mason Raw 😍

[@MarmiteFerret]

I thought Mason were based in Lancing/Sussex?

[@joshibbett]

Yes Mason are, but the frame builders who build the RAW are based in Scotland, and all their other frames are made in Italy. The HQ is in Sussex

[@leebarrett4709]

First bike, frame bag, Restrap? Is this a prototype? So annoying when you can't find out where the bags are for sale

[@joshibbett]

I think that make custom frame bags for their sponsored riders

[@NkB984]

You can buy a custom frame bag from them, it's on their website.

[@kpj5]

Is the tailfin long top tube bag out yet?

[@joshibbett]

Not just yet, but its due in the coming months