Ask the experts

[El Chupacabra]

I learned about torque caps when selling a wheelset that came on a bike with a RockShox fork. Couldn't figure out why the wheel didn't fit the prospective buyer's bike (Fox fork) even though everything was boost spacing.

[Terrapin Ben]

Alright. I ride a size large 2019 Scott Ransom I am generally happy with. It is my do everything bike from lift served riding, to long alpine rides, to after work hot laps, to general fitness riding on pretty buff and mellow trails. It's currently setup in low position with 29er wheels and 175 mm cranks. I do, however, experience a lot of pedal strike. I've considered the following to remedy the problem:

1.) put on some 165mm cranks and keep the stock geometry, or 2.) install an angleset (slack it out 1°) and ride the bike in the high position - the idea being I'd keep the head tube angle <65° and raise the bottom bracket eliminating some pedal strike.

Considering the bikes two geometeries, what is the best way to eliminate pedal strike on my ride - shorter cranks or an angleset and utilizing the bikes "high position"? An angleset is cheaper and weirder, but new cranks seem more straightforward. More food for thought, the high position would provide a steeper and more modern/trendy seat angle.... what would the maggots do?


Thanks!

[toast2266]

An angle set will lower your front end (and your BB) a little bit, so that'll offset some of the increase you'll get from the high position.

175 cranks are long. Regardless of the pedal strike issue, personally I prefer a shorter crank. I like 170's, but I know some people like the 165's (or shorter). I'd start with the cranks.

[Abies]

Help me pick new 140mm trail fork? Currently on a Helm (first gen) and I think I would like to move that to a new build and freshen up the front of my Tallboy. Thinking about these options:

1. New 34 Factory or PE. Seems like the GRIP damper is the way to go on these? I was surprised to see that even the Factory version is cheaper than a Pike Ultimate these days (by like 30 dollars but still).
2. Pike Ultimate. Was my first choice, I trust the capability a little more based on reputation but not sure that is warranted.
3. Previous gen Pike Ultimate? I read good things about the updates including buttercups but the old generation can be had for a really good price right now.

Anything else I should consider? Thought about another Helm but want to try something different plus I'm trying to make this bike a little lighter duty and kinda want the weight savings.

[toast2266]

34: lighter, more supportive

Pike: a little stiffer, better small bump compliance

You're not really gonna go wrong either way.

[Abies]

Thanks. Reviews of the new 34 say it is pretty supple off the top. Pike is still better?

Fox's dampers are confusing the heck out of me. The Factory comes with the GRIP 2 and Fit 4, but the Performance Elite comes with just the Fit and performance has the GRIP. So which is better>

[smmokan]

Thanks. Reviews of the new 34 say it is pretty supple off the top. Pike is still better?

Fox's dampers are confusing the heck out of me. The Factory comes with the GRIP 2 and Fit 4, but the Performance Elite comes with just the Fit and performance has the GRIP. So which is better>

Not true, I have a Fox 34 Performance Elite with the Grip2. Regardless, you want the Grip2 if you go the Fox route.

I’m personally a fan of RS suspension over Fox these days, but in reality there’s not much real world difference.

[toast2266]

^^^ yup. Grip 2 if you go fox.

And yeah, I like the 38 better than the Zeb, but otherwise prefer rockshox forks. Fox is still great though.

[Abies]

Cool. Just noticed Cane Creek has a 15% off coupon right now though which makes another Helm enticing even though it's not exactly comparable. Otherwise leaning towards the Pike.

[Eluder]

Cool. Just noticed Cane Creek has a 15% off coupon right now though which makes another Helm enticing even though it's not exactly comparable. Otherwise leaning towards the Pike.

IMO the 34 is beyond its prime use at 140mm/29er. Go pike at the travel.

The MK2 Helm is great fork, ran one for the past two seasons and preferred it to the Factory 36. I think I like the 23' Lyrik a little better though.

[ticketchecker]

Timely fork discussion, I’m shopping for either a 34 or pike 130mm.


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[toast2266]

You mind comparing general ride feel btwn Zeb and the 38 (Grip 2)? Have a 40 (Grip 2) I really like and a Zeb I also really like, but no experience on a 38. TIA.

Caveat that I haven't ridden the newest zeb with buttercups.

I had a much easier time getting the 38 to feel plush over little chatter but still supportive. Zeb I could either run soft and plush, or firm and supportive, but I couldn't get both at the same time.

Zeb is a stiffer chassis (despite being lighter). But the 38 has a more complex air spring (basically a tube in tube to reduce overall air volume) which makes a significant improvement in the ride quality.

I think the dampers in both (grip2 vs ultimate) are good. Zeb's compression adjustments are maybe a little more useful, but no real complaints about either.

[VTskibum]

26" tire choices for my kid? Looking for something light trail-ish. She currently has Crown V's in the 24x2.6 but planning on bumping her up to a lighter 26" wheelset but looking a good intermediate tread 26" 2.2-2.3ish tubeless tire.

Best option I've seen yet are the Spec Ground Control T7s for $48
Others I've seen: Ardent Race & Ikon, Continental X-Kings, Crown Vee.
Reluctant to go heavier trail tire, DHF/DHR/etc, as she's not that aggressive and super lightweight.

Anything else I should consider? 26" tire choice is mostly Dirt Jump wheelie/commuter bike tires these days.

[Dantheman]

Help me pick new 140mm trail fork? Currently on a Helm (first gen) and I think I would like to move that to a new build and freshen up the front of my Tallboy. Thinking about these options:

1. New 34 Factory or PE. Seems like the GRIP damper is the way to go on these? I was surprised to see that even the Factory version is cheaper than a Pike Ultimate these days (by like 30 dollars but still).
2. Pike Ultimate. Was my first choice, I trust the capability a little more based on reputation but not sure that is warranted.
3. Previous gen Pike Ultimate? I read good things about the updates including buttercups but the old generation can be had for a really good price right now.

Anything else I should consider? Thought about another Helm but want to try something different plus I'm trying to make this bike a little lighter duty and kinda want the weight savings.

What bike? Trying to optimize uphill or downhill performance?

[VTskibum]

Delete - responding to wrong response.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Abies]

What bike? Trying to optimize uphill or downhill performance?

Tallboy. It's definitely built out kinda burly for what it is. Cascade Link, XT 4 pot brakes, currently a Helm at 140. I was thinking of making it a little lighter duty and building up a longer travel rig though. IDK, it's an all-rounder? Just a trail bike.

Also I weigh about 170 ready to ride if that makes a difference.

[Dantheman]

I'd lean towards the Pike then, or I'll also make my obligatory recommendation to get a Mezzer pro and lower it to 140.

[toast2266]

Tallboy. It's definitely built out kinda burly for what it is. Cascade Link, XT 4 pot brakes, currently a Helm at 140. I was thinking of making it a little lighter duty and building up a longer travel rig though. IDK, it's an all-rounder? Just a trail bike.

Also I weigh about 170 ready to ride if that makes a difference.

If that were my bike, I'd put a Lyrik on it. Which is pretty clearly going in the opposite direction of your stated intention on making it lighter duty.

But between a Pike and a 34, I'd definitely go Pike.

[Abies]

What about a new Helm vs Lyrik then, if we are moving into that weight/capability class?

[Sandbox]

Have a Tallboy, currently with a 34 at 140 and I enjoy it but I haven’t tried the new Pike. I’d like to upgrade the rear shock tho and perhaps that cascade link to add a little more rear end support.

It’s currently my only FS bike so pushing it into that mid category makes more sense but I don’t want to take away what it is.


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[volklpowdermaniac]

I’ll just say - I’ve been blown away by my pike, ride it at 120 on my epic EVO, it’s really nice, supple off the top but supports my shenigans too…. Its the 22 ultimate right before they change to the buttercups (“I love buttered stuff!”) but then again I’m on the zeb same damper (ultimate pre bc) on the status and I think that’s the tits too, so can’t even imagine how good the 38 is if I already love the zeb.

[D(C)]

Caveat that I haven't ridden the newest zeb with buttercups.

I had a much easier time getting the 38 to feel plush over little chatter but still supportive. Zeb I could either run soft and plush, or firm and supportive, but I couldn't get both at the same time.

Zeb is a stiffer chassis (despite being lighter). But the 38 has a more complex air spring (basically a tube in tube to reduce overall air volume) which makes a significant improvement in the ride quality.

I think the dampers in both (grip2 vs ultimate) are good. Zeb's compression adjustments are maybe a little more useful, but no real complaints about either.

Yeah, the air spring on the first Zeb isn’t the best. Popping in a Luftkappe resulted in a major improvement. I suspect the 2023 Rockshox air spring would have similar results, based on the design.

[XtrPickels]

What's everyone using for tubeless tape?
I've been rocking 1" Gorilla tape.

Any reason tubeless tape is better? Anything out there better than Stans (which I think is useless).

[smmokan]

Gorilla tape sucks when you have to remove it. Sucks really bad.

I’ve had good luck with DT Swiss and MucOff rim tape.

[Andeh]

What's everyone using for tubeless tape?
I've been rocking 1" Gorilla tape.

Any reason tubeless tape is better? Anything out there better than Stans (which I think is useless).

I like the DT Swiss tape. It's got a little bit of stretch to it (helps conform to rim profile), is sufficiently sticky but doesn't leave residue, and is in a variety of widths. You want tape that's rim internal width +2mm to go edge to edge (so 32mm for a 30mm IW rim). The reason not to use Gorilla is that it leaves nasty residue and is thicker than tubeless tape, which can make mounting certain tires harder.

I've heard that DT is just rebranded TESA strapping tape, but any time I've looked into finding that in the right width or flavor, I've given up and paid the extra for DT. I only go through like 2 rolls per year between 2 bikes, which isn't that much in the grand scheme of things.