Anyone have anything they'd like to rant about?

[Roxtar]

ranting at the clouds

What's the process to request an emoji to be created of this?

[Andeh]

Look, I'm the first one to hate on proprietary BS, and while Spec has done that in the past, their newer bikes are largely free from it. They use normal shocks (aside from custom tunes, which is a good thing), where the only thing proprietary is the flush mount eyelet hardware on the yoke-driven models. UDH derailleur hangers. Post mount for brakes. The headsets are IS but the Evo & Enduro frames have adjustable angle cups that have rectangular keys to make them easy to align (unlike ZS/EC anglesets). BSA bottom brackets. Seatposts are 34.9 which is actually the best size from performance standpoint, and you can easily shim up a 30.9 or 31.6 seatpost to fit it if so inclined. Boost spacing, not SuperBoost or some other weird shit. The only bike with headset cable tourism is the silly top-end XC model. They have good PDF manuals with exploded parts drawings clearly indicating part numbers, torque, use of Loctite/grease, etc. Bearing shielding is decent. Their ebikes' warranty transfers to second owner (only brand I know of that does that). They are by and large well thought out and well rounded bikes. I personally like how other designs ride better, but there are definitely a lot of brands that ride a LOT worse.

The criticisms of how they lean on small shops are fair, but saying their bikes have proprietary BS is just not true anymore.

[skaredshtles]

None of this changes anything. Specialized can fuck right off. Fuck 'em.

[XXX-er]

The criticisms of how they lean on small shops are fair, .

Well thats ^^ a business decision, when I suggested shop owner bud might pick up Specialized and he said he didnt want any part of them and their business model

far as I can tell at this point there isnt any shop in northern BC selling specialized

[El Chupacabra]

I ranted about this a few pages back.... What am I doing , ranting at the clouds if no one is paying attention?

Yep. Ranting into the void...

[hick]

People ranting about big S like they fucked their mom and didn’t pay her. Sorry, I had to say it
End rant/


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[smmokan]

Here's one... fuck electronic drivetrains (as I alluded to above).

I was reluctant to have them on our demos (Transition) this year, but I did because in order to get a decent build level, it has to have fucking Transmission. First trip this week in Moab, second ride on one of the Smugglers and a woman took a mellow spill about 3/4 of the way through. She happened to clip the underside of the handlebar, and somehow popped open the shifter battery cover and lost it, along with the battery. No more shifting for her the rest of the ride (she didn't know what happened, she just thought the rear derailleur battery died). in looking at the battery cover, it's a horrible design: it's not protected at all, and the new ones are easy to pop off. Luckily some duct tape and a zip tie kept the bike going the rest of the trip.

[XXX-er]

People ranting about big S like they fucked their mom and didn’t pay her. Sorry, I had to say it
End rant/

well they seem to be a fuctioning brand and people buy them but maybe not up here

their bike shoes fit me better than any other

[hick]

I was electronic curious, but I think you just solved that for me, thank you. I’m now thinking of how I drag my bikes through the bush in the backcountry and realizing it could be an absolute shit show with that kind of delicate shit. Good rant smmokan!


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[XXX-er]

I was electronic curious, but I think you just solved that for me, thank you. I’m now thinking of how I drag my bikes through the bush in the backcountry and realizing it could be an absolute shit show with that kind of delicate shit. Good rant smmokan!


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I did that on my Shimano EP8, a wire on the back of the display snagged on a willow and i was dead in the water

got the replacement on amazon

[Eluder]

Even setting aside my hatred for Specialized as a company, I'm gonna disagree. Specialized has used proprietary bullshit on their bikes for a long time. Custom shocks have got to be one of the worst ideas for a mountain bike.

That, and their bikes are covered in generic specialized branded parts, top to bottom.

If you're focusing solely on pivot longevity or serviceability, I have no idea.

Pro and S-works level stumpy evos even come with deity stems, bike yoke droppers and DT hubs ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[HAB]

Here's one... fuck electronic drivetrains (as I alluded to above).

I was reluctant to have them on our demos (Transition) this year, but I did because in order to get a decent build level, it has to have fucking Transmission. First trip this week in Moab, second ride on one of the Smugglers and a woman took a mellow spill about 3/4 of the way through. She happened to clip the underside of the handlebar, and somehow popped open the shifter battery cover and lost it, along with the battery. No more shifting for her the rest of the ride (she didn't know what happened, she just thought the rear derailleur battery died). in looking at the battery cover, it's a horrible design: it's not protected at all, and the new ones are easy to pop off. Luckily some duct tape and a zip tie kept the bike going the rest of the trip.

You can shift AXS derailleurs by the button on the derailleur. Single push shifts one way, double push does the other (I forgot which is which).

Obviously not an on the fly move, but better than nothing.

[evdog]

You can shift AXS derailleurs by the button on the derailleur. Single push shifts one way, double push does the other (I forgot which is which).

Obviously not an on the fly move, but better than nothing.

So....remind me which problem electronic shifting was solving again?

[jackstraw]

So....remind me which problem electronic shifting was solving again?

That wire thingy coming off the handlebars.

[beaterdit]

So....remind me which problem electronic shifting was solving again?

I run AXS but I’m pretty agnostic about it. It’s good enough, and reliable enough that I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it again if I can get a deal again. I have a backup analog XO shifter and derailleur BNIB in the garage that I’ve never had to put on. The Lady’s getting upgraded with that now.

One thing that isn’t necessarily a problem but is quite nice is flying with the bike. Modern “Enduro” rigs are heavy. Mine comes in at 35.5lbs. Making weight in a bike bag is tough. I’m taking multiple parts of the bike and packing them. Being able to unbolt that derailleur and pack it without dealing with the cable and setting it up again at your destination is pretty sweet.

I once said I wouldn’t travel with it due to possible reliability issues. I’ve gotten over that fear. Of course now it’ll shit the bed on my next trip.

[evdog]

Yeah you've just jinxed yourself.

I can see benefits in terms of having fewer cables and some reduced headaches from that. But also know I'm the guy who will end up with a dead battery at some point and be unable to shift.

The biggest thing for me is all these innovations just add more and more cost to a bike, for a debatable improvement in performance and reliability. I've never had much issue with cable shifters so I see no need to go wireless. Same with things like carbon rims vs AL or 12sp drivetrain vs 11sp.

When flying I just undo he derailler bolt, wrap the D in a rag and zip tie it to the chain stay. No adjustments necessary to reinstall.

[zion zig zag]

I was electronic curious, but I think you just solved that for me, thank you. I’m now thinking of how I drag my bikes through the bush in the backcountry and realizing it could be an absolute shit show with that kind of delicate shit. Good rant smmokan!


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Sounds like I need to carry a spare shifter battery and cover as part of my repair kit?

Thanks Specialized (and Obama)!

[t.odd]

new (barely used) Blur came with AXS, i really like the dropper. the shifting....few rides in and overall I'd say it's a solid MEH. Definitely doesn't feel 'better' than my shimano equipped bikes, does the job, kinda fun that you can customize shifting on the controls, but, can't say I really need it. It's not bad, but it isn't really game changing in any way other than not having cables.

[singlesline]

Sounds like I need to carry a spare shifter battery and cover as part of my repair kit?

Thanks Specialized (and Obama)!

Or just add "wrap with electrical tape" as part of the installation instructions.

2032s are small though. Could easily tape one under your saddle or something to just always have it. I'm more worried about the larger, more expensive, shorter-life derailleur battery...that's the MFer I know I'm going to forget to charge.

Someone needs to develop a wireless charger that connects through the hook my bike hangs on in the garage...iron that out and I'm ready for electronic shifting.

Bonus points if the "hook charger" can also magically charge my wahoo and garmin vario taillight...because the fact that I've forgotten to charge both of those tells me all I need to know about whether or not I will end up with a dead derailleur battery someday.

[jackstraw]

I have axs shifter and dropper on one bike. I have forgotten to charge, so that is a pia. The shops will tell you having two is convenient because if derailleur dies on trail, just steal the dropper...if that one isn't dead.

The shifter was out of alignment and I didn't know how to adjust, so that was annoying. LBS showed me, but I've already forgotten. It needs to be on YouTube. Maybe it is now.

I will say the dropper is awesome. I would stay with cable shifting and upgrade to axs dropper if I was to build new.

My friend just bought a new ride and it came with the Flight Attendant fork...another battery. If it dies the fork just stays in the open position, so doesn't matter. He's undecided on how he feels about all of it. This is his first axs stuff on a bike.

[Andeh]

FYI, if you pair your Wahoo with your AXS stuff, it will do a popup notification when the battery gets low (red), both when it first gets to that point during the ride and when you end your ride. But even when it gets to that point, it's still got several hours of shifting, so no need for anxiety.

[singlesline]

I keep a charger and little USB-c cable plugged into the 12V outlet in the back of my car. Good for both topping up batteries on the way to a trailhead if you forgot to charge, and charging on the way home if you notice you are running low at the end of the ride (and having the device plugged in when you get home is a perfect reminder to plug it in somewhere else to fully charge rather than just forget about it while you go shower).

[beaterdit]

Yeah you've just jinxed yourself.

I can see benefits in terms of having fewer cables and some reduced headaches from that. But also know I'm the guy who will end up with a dead battery at some point and be unable to shift.

The biggest thing for me is all these innovations just add more and more cost to a bike, for a debatable improvement in performance and reliability. I've never had much issue with cable shifters so I see no need to go wireless. Same with things like carbon rims vs AL or 12sp drivetrain vs 11sp.

When flying I just undo he derailler bolt, wrap the D in a rag and zip tie it to the chain stay. No adjustments necessary to reinstall.

I do that with my hardtail but it's quite a bit lighter lighter than the 'real' bike. I pack the derailleur just to get weight out of the bag, along with the chain, coil shock, and pedals. That way I can leave the rotors in there so they're not getting shoved into a soft bag and bent.

Sounds like I need to carry a spare shifter battery and cover as part of my repair kit?

Thanks Specialized (and Obama)!

Do you have the new 'pod' ie. Transmission, or the older paddle style shifter. I run the older ones and the hatch is nicely tucked away and not easy to open (coin slot). Still should pack an extra battery for the shifter though.

I have axs shifter and dropper on one bike. I have forgotten to charge, so that is a pia............................................... ..

I've got two batteries and keep the spare fully charged and in my kit.

FYI, if you pair your Wahoo with your AXS stuff, it will do a popup notification when the battery gets low (red), both when it first gets to that point during the ride and when you end your ride. But even when it gets to that point, it's still got several hours of shifting, so no need for anxiety.

I use this, nice feature, as well as displaying current gear as either a visual or numeric.

[jackstraw]

Swapping my Sram for XT brakes today on my Blur and could not get one of the rear caliper bolts off. I got about 2-3 threads out and that was it. I was nervous the carbon mounts were going to snap! At this point, my tools were kinda hitting the frame so I couldn't get proper leverage, but something wasn't right. It should be pretty much hand turntable by that point. Got the front brake on and bled with no issues.

Ran it to the lbs and they threw it on the stand. With a proper long torx they got it to barely move once with a loud snap and then no go. Wtf. I left it with them to see what they can do. This bike was new in September. Seems odd.

[bamboocoreONLY]

The AXS dropper is awesome, probably my favorite part of all the AXS components, mainly due to the "lever" having such good ergonomics where all you have to do is barely push it to use it. The bleed port part of it is very handy as well if it does develop sag (which the one I had for two years only developed maybe twice).

I'm not a fan of the transmission, mostly because I don't like how slow it shifts. Sure, you get used to it and maaaaaybe I should learn to be in better spots with my gearing, but honestly after recently racing a lot of XC, there's always situations where you don't know the course and are simply to involved/tired/etc to shift as good as you should. Shimano just shifts so dang well under load, and also really never needs adjustment (I moved the barrel adjust on my XTR last summer maybe one whole turn) that I see no reason to switch. Also managing a bike shop, Shimano is just less hassle on lower end builds so I've gravitated towards that.

That said, I do like that AXS exists, mostly because I'm a sucker for cool technology being around. I'm a guy who oddly likes the bike industry changing things up a lot, just for the simple fact that I can nerd out on it, even if I don't use whatever it is. When I had AXS, luckily I'm the type of person that is good at remembering to keep things charged and also having chargers in both cars as well as my bike gear bag.