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After a few trips with seat packs and their annoying swaying, we acquired some Tailfin racks. They are everything they are reputed to be! Zero movement and you can carry way more.
I got the aluminum one so I can mount stuff to the sides on the eyelets. Ms CE got the carbon one bc she's fancy. She also has the Tailfin Aeropack version, where the bag is integrated and very nice. I'm using a Rhinowalk 20L duffel from Ali.
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I used one of those Aeroe racks with a cradle on each side on my Element to ride the Colorado trail, and while it worked very well, I'm intrigued by these tailfin racks. I saw Lachlan Morton used the carbon one on his full-suspension bike and also on the CT, which I believe is quite a bit lighter than the Aeroe rack. I too hate large saddle bags, and large handlebar rolls for that matter (wouldn't mind the roll for regular bike touring but not for tons of rugged singletrack, it makes the bike handle poorly in my opinion), so that could be the ticket!
There's not much info on using the Tailfin racks for full suspension, but it's definitely part of their design intent.
They can be mounted to very slick special axles via some QR adapters that also allow pivoting. (Gravel bike have eyelets so we're using those to save a bit of weight.) The rack has another pivot at the junction above the tyre, and yet another just behind the seatpost clamp (also beautifully designed). So, when the suspension compresses, the angle between the horizontal and vertical parts of the rack gets more acute. They also offer an extended seatpost part to get the bag farther back for clearance.
I think it would definitely work, but prob not super well for a bigger travel bike. The main pivots don't have bearings or anything, just tiny plastic bushings. It's prob still by far the best option for FS bikes though.
The carbon arch is super pretty, as well.
I keep saying I'm going to figure out a bike packing type setup and still haven't done it.
Did buy some stuff today since I finally sold the bike I made with all the parts from new procaliber. Pedals, saddle, lockout/dropper combo lever, couple other little things. Almost have everything I need to put it back together, mainly waiting on the sram order for the fork and cassette which might possibly ship this week.
Tailwind looks good, but buy extra links(adapters?) for the connection points. At the start of the Tour Divide this year, a racer was frantically looking to replace one that broke. I can't imagine they found one that morning. Special parts need a backup, especially when in the backcountry.
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Picked up a Ripmo v2 on a late season sale and moved over some of the parts from my Ripley. BTLOS carbon wheels with DT240s and XT cassette, SRAM XX1 cranks with Wolftooth chainring, carbon bars, Ergon grips and saddle, the rest stock SLX with a Bike Yoke dropper. I'll keep the heavy OEM wheels for shuttle/park days. Currently 30.4 lbs with pedals and reasonably hefty tires (2.3 DHF/Aggressor), I'm planning to swap out the Fox 38 for a Mezzer Pro which should get it to around 30. Might also swap out the x2 for something lighter (Float X? Mara Pro?) although I'm liking the way it rides.
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I got 5 seasons out of the Race Face Arc 27 rims that came on my Bronson, but they’re finally done (multiple stress cracks around the nipples). Have always been happy with standard aluminum rims, but am feeling decadent so treating myself to some Carbon Nobl TR33s, which I’ll get built up locally on my DT 350s. Couldn’t make sense of the various choices, but there aren’t many other options for 27.5, 28 hole, ~27mm, the reviews seem positive, and Nobl offers industry pricing, so I’ll give ‘em a go.
This is clearly the answer if you're putting a Mezzer on it. I'm a huge unabashed Hayes/Manitou homer for several reasons, but the Mara Pro really is an awesome shock. The only real contraindication would be if you're a really big guy, like 200+ lbs. For some reason Manitou uses a fixed-pressure negative spring on the Mara Pro. I've read reports on MTBR (with the boatload of caveats that entails...) of small bump compliance being less than ideal for big guys who need to run more positive pressure. I'm 160 lbs and absolutely love mine; supple off the top with great support and bottom-out resistance. It's better in every respect than the DVO Topaz T3 I was running before.Quote:
Originally Posted by teledad
Just finished building this guy:
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It's a 2022 Stumpy with full XT drivetrain, 150mm Pike in the front, DPS in the rear (may soon be replaced by a Mara or other beefier shock), Chinese carbon wheels on DT350s (which have handled 2500 or so hard miles on my previous bike), and Dominion A4s to slow things down.
29 lbs on the nose with heavy tires that need to be finished off, hoping to go back down to 28ish once I get back to a more appropriate casing. Might put a Mezzer Pro in the front if the Pike feels too noodly but that might overwhelm the 130mm rear with flex stays. Now that I have an enduro pig for rowdy riding the trail bike doesn't need to be quite as beefy... This guy feels real snappy when bouncing around and spinning about the neighborhood, can't wait to ride it!
Frame/shock + fork, parts of the drivetrain and the cockpit came from a local mag who was super accommodating and kept a bunch of stuff for his next build so I didn't have to strip and resell half the bike. Thanks g_man80!
Thanks, ordered the Mara Pro. I'm 170 lbs so sounds like it should work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dantheman
Got this for $400 on Pinkbike. Super stoked.
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Smoking deal, haven’t seen one for my frame less than $850 yetQuote:
Originally Posted by parkmeister
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^^^Nice!
Two years after deciding I was too broken, old, and scared for long travel bikes I've decided I miss the extra travel so...
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Accepting your thoughts and prayers for my physical well-being, hahaha!
Operation “Drop three pounds off of my wife’s bike for her birthday” proved successful. Built her a 1450 gram Wheelset, Ti pedals, Carbon bar. She should be happy. She is only 120# soaking wet, she can run racer-weenie stuff.
Beauty. And I bet you'll eat shit less on that thing than on a small travel rig. Big bikes are much better at saving you from yourself while little bikes are always waiting for the moment to knife you.Quote:
Originally Posted by beaterdit
I concur. I did a few rides this year trying (but also not trying?) to ride the 120/130 like my 170/170, and it was freakin’ SCARY. I’m sloppy enough I need that margin of error.
All the new canfields look fn good. Raw aluminium ftw
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Man I miss big beefy coil shocks.
Pretty stoked!
Definitely agree on margin for error, I need it! My Tilt is firmly in "trail" category but letting go of the brakes in the rough stuff has scared me more than a few times.
And Raw Alu is as hot as ever.
That coil is within an ounce or two of the Float X2 on my old bike, and it's both more sensitive AND more supportive. Amazing.
Ms CE tried out her new Magura brakes today and gave detailed feedback: " They seem fine."
The struggle is real.
LOL
Take the win.
Right? Last time I upgraded something on Ms Boissal's bike (swapped the shitty 120 dropper with horribly stiff remote for a 150 OneUp with a WolfTooth light action remote) she got annoyed because I apparently changed the seat angle by 0.3 degrees and it hurt her hoohaa. Absolutely no mention of the improved dropper. Same when I took her shock in for service after it started sounding like a wheezing pig and felt completely off. I don't think she noticed that the cavitation noise was gone or the shock was actually working but she did ask me why I changed the o-ring to a red one when her whole bike is black. I was a bit miffed...Quote:
Originally Posted by beaterdit
Wifey, ever the negotiator, was quite excited about how light the bike is now. However, she wanted to wait to thank me properly until after she rides it.
I leave for Mexico tomorrow at 5:30.
Hmph.
FTR, my wife greatly, greatly, greatly appreciated the difference in ride quality with three pounds off of her bike! Might even give her a rekon or forekaster up front, she’s so un aggressive on the DH’s, I don’t actually think traction plays much of a role in her speed. That would be another 1/2 pound + right there, coming from an Assegai exo+.
I put Rekon 2.4s EXO on my wife’s Rocky Element. Not only her weight is noticeable, but the roll-ability of them is a big bonus.
Same thought that her downhill is not so aggressive, and does not need a DHF/R or Assagsi.
I just make sure she does not pump the Rekon up over 22-23 psi and they have plenty of grip.
Bought: My late friends gravel bike. Nice Giant carbon frame, Ultegra build kit & 2 sets of wheels. His widow was happy to see it go to a friend, it fits and she got a nice infusion of cash. Picked it up yesterday and it promptly snowed 5". Several of us got together and inventoried his bike stash. Still a lot of nice stuff that will go on Ebay or FB Market place. He had a bike and parts habit that knew little bounds.
Not technically bought today, but the rain cleared for the first ride on my ripmo.
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Super happy with it.
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NBD (sorta) for me. Fork/wheels/cranks/post are new, the rest is used/parts bin.
Pipedream Moxie Ti, size "Longer" (510mm reach), 150mm factory 36 and Spank 350s on DT 370. With a 420mm seat tube, I might be one of the few candidates for that 240mm OneUp dropper, but the Transfer gets plenty out of the way for now.
OH Ti !Quote:
Originally Posted by ZomblibulaX
Nice, did I mention Chromag does a Ti frame?
Seriously for the great deal on those Moxies, I'd give em a try.
Damn looking good Z! Thing is sick!
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Acquired this bike a few years ago, but now finally giving it the business.
Building it up as a singlespeed for the SSCXWC happening here in about 10 days.
Gonna be set up flat bar with an ENO hub. Can’t decide between white grips or yellow grips.
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White would work best, unless it’s a really close match to the old Yeti yellow. SSCX is it’s own dumb and fun thing! Have a few buddies who’ve raced it over the years, though not sure they’re doing so this year.
Overall I think CX is dying, likely as a result of the upswing of gravel.
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SWeet ride! For that frame I'd def go white.Quote:
Originally Posted by joetron
White grips will be grey grips in two rides, go with yellow!
Accidentally one of these today.
(Will be riding on the many hundreds of miles of moto trails around here)
Insane deal.
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Cheater ;)
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It’s only cheating on Strava anymore!
Rocky are more powerful than what's kicking around so the brose/ the Shimano/ the bosch
something about the voltage
Volume spacer for float x
Fucking with a brake for like the eigth time
Screaming deal on a new '22 Genius 940