Ask the experts

[jm2e]

Recent Downtime Podcast had the guy from One Up Components. If nothing else, he did good job of explaining Grey Market and why there's a flood of cheap components on the way. Most frame brands have their shit built in Chinese factories. The reality of production and manufacturing is that the factories end up building bikes there in China. So the factories are basically major OEM distributors. With all the recent restructuring in the industry, the Chinese factories are sitting on massive stock of OEM parts that were supposed to get installed on cancelled frame orders. Their best way to unload that glut of inventory is to sell it on the Grey Market. It's legit stuff, but shipped to them loose instead of pretty boxes. Sucks for bike shops, but probably more for online retailers. Fantastic for us. Time to upgrade and stock up on backups.

[summit]

XT 12sp rear der

Stick arm, low chain tension, so I try to loosen the clutch. Doesn't help So I pull the clutch apart, clean, and lube as per readily available vids. That improved it, but still really sticky.

The P-tension seal ring (15) on that articulation is loose (can wiggle). Adding chain lube to that made the stick go away.

Can disassemble and service it?

[gretch6364]

Recent Downtime Podcast had the guy from One Up Components. If nothing else, he did good job of explaining Grey Market and why there's a flood of cheap components on the way. Most frame brands have their shit built in Chinese factories. The reality of production and manufacturing is that the factories end up building bikes there in China. So the factories are basically major OEM distributors. With all the recent restructuring in the industry, the Chinese factories are sitting on massive stock of OEM parts that were supposed to get installed on cancelled frame orders. Their best way to unload that glut of inventory is to sell it on the Grey Market. It's legit stuff, but shipped to them loose instead of pretty boxes. Sucks for bike shops, but probably more for online retailers. Fantastic for us. Time to upgrade and stock up on backups.

Makes sense. Where are these items being sold (least sketchy)? Might make building from a frame more closely aligned to buying a full build with stuff you don't really always want?

Another question for the collective....how many of you running tubeless carry an extra tube to fix a flat? Or are you just carrying bacon strips? If you do carry a tube....are you carrying a normal tube or one of the ultra light ones? If ultra light...what brand do you like?

Thanks!

[Andeh]

Another question for the collective....how many of you running tubeless carry an extra tube to fix a flat? Or are you just carrying bacon strips? If you do carry a tube....are you carrying a normal tube or one of the ultra light ones? If ultra light...what brand do you like?

Thanks!

q1: no, don't carry a spare tube most of the time but normal rides aren't rocky
q2: I have brought a Tubolito to a place with rocks, and it worked enough for me to get out when I flatted (& broke a rim). But my second one I loaned to a buddy on same ride, and then he flatted it again before the end of the run. I now have a Pirelli tube, which is kinda halfway in between a Tubolito and normal tube in weight, and supposedly will fit either 27.5 or 29. If I ever need it and it fails, then I'll give up on the light tube experiment.

[toast2266]

Another question for the collective....how many of you running tubeless carry an extra tube to fix a flat? Or are you just carrying bacon strips? If you do carry a tube....are you carrying a normal tube or one of the ultra light ones? If ultra light...what brand do you like?

Thanks!

I carry co2 + plugs for any short-ish ride, and a tubolito (and co2, and plugs, and a pump) for longer rides.

[dannynoonan]

I carry bacon and a ~700x35-43 tube. It's very significantly smaller than the 29x2.5 tire it'll go into, and it costs $5 not $40 or whatever a tubiloto goes for.

It's not a permanent solution obviously, but it will fit a normal 29 tire and has gotten me home a couple times. Not recommended for those who need everything to be done "correctly".

[XXX-er]

Makes sense. Where are these items being sold (least sketchy)? Might make building from a frame more closely aligned to buying a full build with stuff you don't really always want?

Another question for the collective....how many of you running tubeless carry an extra tube to fix a flat? Or are you just carrying bacon strips? If you do carry a tube....are you carrying a normal tube or one of the ultra light ones? If ultra light...what brand do you like?

Thanks!

Havent had a flat in years but I carry a regular 29"n tube, i run a mullet so i figure a 29 tube will cram into my 27.5 or the 29 but given how small (10 km x 10 km) the area is I could just end up walking it out t

[climberevan]

I carry bacon strips and a tubolito tube on all rides, but mostly I do stuff that goes pretty far out there and don't relish the idea of a 15 mile walk.

[beaterdit]

Carry strips and a regular 29er tube.

The light ones are too expensive to give away when someone else flats.

The bacon usually works though. Even if I have to double up or throw a car one in there.

[skaredshtles]

I just carry a regular tube and CO2. I should probably get some bacon strips...

[gretch6364]

Thanks everyone. I wish my bike had a glove box...lol. I was carrying a tube strapped to my top tube, but wasn't a big fan, so went to one of those small bottle tool holders since on bigger rides I always have my camel back. However, a regular 29 tube darn near fills the entire thing up with just enough room for some bacon strips, small plug/pliers tool from one up, and a spare AXS battery.

I have the one up EDC V2 tool in my stem and the small One Up pump that also holds CO2 and bacon strips attached to the bottle holder Short rides I can leave the tube and take a bottle of water.....but not fully convinced this is the best way.

[John_B]

Carry strips and a regular 29er tube.

The light ones are too expensive to give away when someone else flats.

The bacon usually works though. Even if I have to double up or throw a car one in there.

My MO is to just lie when strangers or friends get a flat. I'll whip out the Tubolito when I need it.

[gretch6364]

I just carry a regular tube and CO2. I should probably get some bacon strips...

Could always just duct tape some to the underside of your saddle.

[rideit]

My MO is to just lie when strangers or friends get a flat. I'll whip out the Tubolito when I need it.

I have gotten someone to Venmo me for a Tubolito before. (I sold it to them at my cost, though)

[summit]

My tubolito light failed to hold air after riding around in a ziplock strapped to a frame for a year.

[rideit]

Agreed, I don’t trust them AT ALL.

[MegaStoke]

If you’re running tire inserts, you can likely ride quite a ways back in on a flat. I’ve logged quite a few miles on flats with Tannus Armour, and while it ceases to be fun, it beats the shit out of doing the walk of shame.

[smmokan]

Agreed, I don’t trust them AT ALL.

The Schwalbe versions are much better.

[Andeh]

The Schwalbe versions are much better.

Good to know, when I grabbed the Pirelli one, I was waffling between the Schwalbe and it, and (think) I just went with the heavier one. Assuming weight = durability.

[Roxtar]

Curious. What's the advantage of these options over a regular tube?

[goldenboy]

Anyone have a rain jacket (waterproof, not water resistant) that they really like and is extremely packable? I want to be able to stuff it into my top tube bag, like I do with my water resistant wind layer...

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

XT 12sp rear der

Stick arm, low chain tension, so I try to loosen the clutch. Doesn't help So I pull the clutch apart, clean, and lube as per readily available vids. That improved it, but still really sticky.

The P-tension seal ring (15) on that articulation is loose (can wiggle). Adding chain lube to that made the stick go away.

Can disassemble and service it?

I've killed 3 or 4 XT rear mechs. They just start to suck after a while. Everything clean/lubed and they just get sticky and stay sticky in my experience.

I've come to the conclusion that stuff is designed for the masses.....aka people that ride 30 miles a year. Pros are getting new mechs like every week probably. Those of us who actually ride a lot but arent spancered just need to accept that these components are basically built to be somewhat disposable I guess.

[Duffman]

I've killed 3 or 4 XT rear mechs. They just start to suck after a while. Everything clean/lubed and they just get sticky and stay sticky in my experience.

I've come to the conclusion that stuff is designed for the masses.....aka people that ride 30 miles a year. Pros are getting new mechs like every week probably. Those of us who actually ride a lot but arent spancered just need to accept that these components are basically built to be somewhat disposable I guess.

You think this is true across all the similar shadow+ mechs, xt,SLX,Deore , or just a specific problem with that clutch?

With these problems and.assuming the longevity sucks , circling back to the grey market discussion from earlier, does anyone think the AliExpress XT mechs are knockoffs or factory seconds vs grey market? How about eBay? Any good way to tell ?

[Roxtar]

New Mezzer next year?

https://hayesbicycle.com/collections...32139567693869

They are pretty marked down right now

Just jumped on one of those for a customer's new dentist build Wreckoning.

[smmokan]

Curious. What's the advantage of these options over a regular tube?

They're way lighter and smaller.