EDITORIAL | REVIEW
Classic, Contemporary Components
Un-Electrifying
I want to write something about the WTB Volt saddle I have been riding, but it's a bit strange. Writing about it that is. What's strange is that the Volt is boring. In a good way. What's even more strange is that it's old. This is Wilderness Trail Bikes' most popular perch. They've sold over a million units in the decade or so that it's been around. Even those riders who don't love it tend to get along with it just fine.
Unlike many of the more exotic examples that we write about here at NSMB - saddles like the BikeYoke Sagma or SQlab Active series - it will be quick, easy, and free for most readers to try a Volt for themselves. If you haven't already. Most retail bike shops will have multiple models on the floor with one waiting to be sat upon. Many riders will know someone with a Volt on their bike. They really are everywhere.
And it's not just that the Volt name has carried forward. Like the Maxxis Minion DHF tire, this saddle is essentially unchanged from the first generation. More sizes have been added, different compounds or coverings. But, whether it's a steel-railed Volt for fifty bucks USD or a single-compound folding-bead DHF, for the same outlay of cash, these are the same as they've always been, years later.
From this angle, the Volt has a classic WTB channel shape. All Volt saddles have a microfiber cover.
The range of rail and padding options runs from a basic steel-railed saddle at 50 USD to carbon rails at 250 USD.
The Ti-railed Volt uses their 'Fusion Form' base allowing WTB to tune different flex profiles. It sells for 145 USD.
Classic Criteria
It's easy to feel cynical about the bike industry's seemingly continuous drive to release new products with new features. Harder, better, faster, stronger. Add a battery, storage, or a handle. It can feel rare that anything sticks around being good enough.
There are many products with much older names than the Volt. For a couple of examples: Race Face Turbine cranks, the RockShox Lyrik fork, Shimano XT shifting, or the Fox Van RC shock. The new products share the same purpose, but everything about them has changed, aside from the name.
The DHF and Volt are contemporary classics. Products that have been on the market, essentially unchanged, for ages and with so much penetration that a majority of experienced riders will have tried one.
The Turbine's name is old, but the cranks have changed a lot over the years.
The King Ti bottle cages have been around for ages, but they're not common.
I know it's entirely arbitrary criteria. To make my list as a 'contemporary classic' the products have to have been out for at least a decade, remained essentially unchanged (i.e. not updated to the point of being a different product), and they have to have extensive original equipment (OE) spec. Why so picky?
There are many wonderful and timeless gizmos still in production, like King Ti bottle cages and Paul Components Thumbies, that simply don't have much market penetration so they don't have the same influence on our collective understanding.
There are also products with an ever-growing reach that haven't been around long enough to have paid their 'classic' dues. Here I'm thinking of the BikeYoke Revive and OneUp V2 dropper posts.
I'm certain there are other contemporary classics I've missed, even within my own criteria. For example, the Maxxis DHR2 just had its 10th birthday and I don't think anyone would doubt its influence. What else have you got?
The BikeYoke Revive is about three years from its 10th birthday. It has significant OE spec on higher-end rigs.
The posts are fully serviceable, and work fantastically, so it's believable they'll continue forward as is for years. A classic in the making?
Back To Volt
If you've tested even a few bikes at a shop or thrown a leg over friends' rigs on the trail, chances are you've sat on a WTB Volt saddle. Most likely it was a perfectly un-noteworthy experience. Though I've met the odd person who doesn't love-love the Volt, it's not anywhere near as polarizing a choice as their other most common OE option, the Silverado.
When I hear someone didn't like the Volt, perhaps the safest choice in the world of saddles, I'm always curious about what width they've tried and what saddles they normally prefer. The standard Volt comes in narrow (135mm), medium (142mm), and wide (150mm) options all with the same 265mm length but with the new, more flex-tuned, Fluid Form base design the Volt is now only a medium perch. Riders looking for a narrower Fluid Form saddle would choose the Silverado, which is also available in a medium size.
If you're not certain about your saddle width WTB has a wrist size-based fit finder system.
For riders with another preferred method of measuring sit-bones, and accounting for personal preference, a WTB narrow saddle fits a 70-100mm sit-bone width range. The medium saddles correspond to 100-130mm sit bone widths. And, wide saddles will generally work best with 130-160mm sit bone widths.
The Volt is WTB's most popular selling saddle for a reason. It works great for most riders in its medium width.
The Silverado also gets a lot of OE spec. I prefer the more pronounced shape of the Volt. Photo: Dave Smith
The Koda is still my favourite WTB saddle. I ride a medium but it's also available in wide.
The WTB Deva doesn't have the market penetration of the classic Volt or Silverado, but folks that love it, love it.
WTB-sponsored racers from Rocky, Yeti, and other brands do seem to prefer the Silverado. That's why it has all the best custom finishes.
I generally prefer a compact but comfortable, medium-wide, perch on any bike I'm riding. And, without fanfare, the WTB Volt fits that billing. It's not my absolute favourite saddle from Wilderness Trail Bikes; that trophy goes to the snub-nosed Koda, but the Volt is notably un-notable on even the longest rides. In other words, it's excellent.
The updated flex profile that comes from Volt saddles with WTB's more-tunable Fluid Form base construction option doesn't provide an experience-changing amount of flex when for me compared to Volts past or the more flex-forward saddles I've ridden like the Sagma.
The Volt saddle I'd be intrigued to ride is the slightly less expensive stainless steel-railed Fluid Form version compared to the Ti-railed model I've been on. That's 120 USD versus 145 USD. The min-max winner is probably still the chromoly-railed, non-Fluid Form version for under a c-note.
Maxxis DHForever
These days on the North Shore, the most popular tire combination is a Maxxis Assegai up front paired with a Maxxis DHR2. The Assegai will most likely be MaxxGrip rubber while the DHR2 could be the faster rolling MaxxTerra version. Just choose the amount of sidewall support and protection that you're looking for.
The DHR2 is now just over a decade old, so it's a contemporary classic as well. I used to commonly see this tire run front and rear, but it seems to have fallen out of popularity as a front.
The DHF has found a new purpose in life as a trail tire. Usually with a lighter-weight casing and paired to something faster rolling for a rear. It's now spurned by many a former lover, but the tread celebrated its 20th anniversary in '21 and is still showing up on the trail and the shop floor.
The Maxxis DHF comes in both 20" and 24" sizes.
On top of being an excellent choice to balance speed and traction, the Maxxis DHF is easily the best kids' tire option on the market in both 20" and 24" sizes. They roll along well enough as groms power down on bikes that weigh half what they do and have consistent confident grip on the downhills. They're also the most consistent small tires I've installed in terms of tubeless setups.
I'll grumble as much as the next bike shop employee about Maxxis' ever-ballooning SKU count, but I do love that they make the 24" Minion in a higher-end 120tpi, EXO, MaxxTerra version. I'm also not the only parent who would love to see a MaxxGrip version in this size, to run as a front tire, though perhaps there's not enough of us to make it a worthwhile investment for Maxxis.
Maybe it's a bit disingenuous to be waxing fantastic about the DHF when it's not a tire I regularly ride. I love that it's still a competitive tread pattern over twenty years on with many companies making a version of it. We all have our favourites. Just sticking with Maxxis, I agree the DHR2/Assegai combo is more surefooted going downhill. But would mountain biking be less fun if the DHF was the only tire option out there? I don't think so.
I wonder if front and rear Forekasters will replace the DHF front/other tire rear, setups on many trail bikes. Photo: Dave Smith
For a mountain bike meant to be ridden anywhere and everywhere you can do a lot worse than a DHF front and Aggressor rear. Photo: Deniz
The last two bikes I've ridden a DHF on have been Santa Cruz Chameleons. That name has been around since 1997. While it's seen changes to geometry, appearance, and wheel sizes over many years, the basic purpose of this all-around, easily single-speeded, hardtail has remained.
For the Chameleon-curious, the Santa Cruz archive is an interesting side trip. From gen-1 with it's dainty round tubes, v-brakes, and 26" hoops to the latest gen-8 with an MX 29/27" wheel setup, seeing them all laid out is a fun image. The static headtube angles have gone from 71° to 65°.
Anyway, speaking of classics, I'm down for any excuse to plug in my, at least, yearly revisit of Santa Cruz's best piece of marketing ever, the carbon, carbon, carbon, Chameleon. Given this model only lasted one generation I'd like to think they only made the bike so they could make the song.
Future & Other
So often with mountain biking we fall into a trap of only talking about the new-new. Maxxis releases a new tread pattern, like the Forekaster, and it's everywhere. SRAM releases the T-Type drivetrain and it's everywhere. WTB releases a saddle with a handle and it's everywhere. It's part of a marketing push, certainly, but companies are also rewarded by the pull of consumers wanting to see what's fresh.
There's nothing exciting about the Maxxis DHF, or DHR2, or the WTB Volt saddle but they were great choices, for most riders, when they were released and remain so today.
I've already mentioned the BikeYoke Revive and the OneUp V2 dropper posts as two products working their way to contemporary classic status through units sold and positive customer experiences. For the clipped-in crowd, the Shimano M520 pedal should probably make the list. I'm always keen to give SRAM's MatchMaker clamp system a nod.
What other products deserve press but don't get much these days because they're not the hot new thing?
Comments
nowthatsdoomage
5 months, 3 weeks ago
The Cane Creek 40
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Yep, that should definitely have been on my list.
It’s one of the first things I look at with review bikes. CaneCreek 40 is a solid min-max choice.
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Stephen Hawkes
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Chromag has them cheap! Or did last time I checked. I bought one from the LBS and it cost me at least a case of beer extra. But convenience and keeping the lbs alive etc etc. Also my shorts said I don't need more beer.
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cheapondirt
5 months, 3 weeks ago
DMR Vault pedals, Stan's sealant, and Shimano Saint brakes.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Stan’s sealant, 100%.
.
DMR Vault pedals are an interesting one. I haven’t ridden a pair in forever but they very well could be the flat pedal that the most riders have a shared experience with.
Although, locally in the last five years the OneUp pedals may actually take that crown? See a lot of RaceFace pedals too.
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Saint brakes are actually fairly uncommon? They don’t come OE on much anymore, I almost never see them on the trail. Definitely the best brake Shimano has made to date. Apparently we’ll see an update in 1-2 years.
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cheapondirt
5 months, 3 weeks ago
With the Vaults my thought was more focussed on the unchanged-in-forever aspect. There's a vocal cult following online (see also: Tmac) but I do see way more Oneup pedals on trail.
Saint brakes. Possibly larger than life in my head, I'll admit. My brief experience with them on a borrowed bike was eye-opening, brakes could actually be more than powerful enough!
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I'd be curious about the pad-rotor compound on the Saints you were riding. Stock?
I've owned a few examples of Saint brakes, including the most recent M820, and I'd say there are plenty of systems with better lever feel and more raw power now. Friction itself, of course, comes down to the pads and rotors.
I am interested to see what Shimano's next-generation brakes look like and how they perform.
......
Flat pedals are a hard one as well because they don't come with a bike and the first line of influence is often what a shop stocks.
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Velocipedestrian
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I recently bled and replaced the pads in my Saints. Non-finned sintered Shimano pads, RT66 rotors (the old proper ones).
They're bloody spooky on the HT, I must have been ignorant to the slow degrading of performance. They're back to proper skid-switch form now, I have to re-calibrate my fingers.
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Kenny
5 months, 3 weeks ago
The table in this brake test is so good:
https://enduro-mtb.com/en/best-mtb-disc-brake-can-buy/
It explains a few interesting things, such as that "power" can mean different things depending on context.
It can mean how much actual torque the brake can impart - a function of pad/disc friction, clamping force, and rotor diameter.
Or, it can mean at what rate can the brake system convert kinetic energy into heat, and dissipate it into the atmosphere.
So for example you could have a very "grippy" brake that feels crazy powerful, but heat soaks quickly and becomes useless, or vice versa.
The column of 30-15km/hr times is a pretty interesting one since it's a common use case.
The saints have the shortest time other than the trick stuff and and I think that's what contributes to the super powerful feeling.
I love mine, but they definitely work best when I'm really aggressive in my brake usage - ie identify braking points and brake HARD, otherwise no comfort braking.
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nowthatsdoomage
5 months, 3 weeks ago
It's a good sign of the Flat Pedal Renaissance that there isn't one on this list. It's nice to see so much variety out in flat pedals instead of either caged or uncaged SPD.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
That’s a good way of putting it; plenty of great options at a huge range of prices.
FlipSide
5 months, 3 weeks ago
When was the Vault pedal lauched? I have been a late adopter of flat pedals, so I don't quite know my flat pedal "history". I like my DMR Vaults very much and I also have a pair of NSB Daemon on another bike. Both are excellent, but I find they feel quite different. I can't quite decide which one I prefer.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
For me it’s between the Daemon and the Wolf Tooth Waveform. Both excellent but, as you say, very different pedals.
It’s a system though, certainly, where I prefer different pedals with different shoes.
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Lu Kz
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Regarding saints, the homie bias is real, because if you saw my ride group on the trail, you'd probably see saints on 80 percent of the bikes - it helps we all got them at staff pricing one time or another of the years. That, and they're expensive enough to move from mid spec bike to mid spec bike and keep the same set for years.
Or it could be that the interior favours on-off power at the expense of some modulation compared to sloppy coastal trails.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I’d buy that. Certainly a lot more brake feathering around here versus hard/off/hard in many places.
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silverbansheebike
5 months, 3 weeks ago
And similarly the V8, maybe not the greatest design but they worked well. Ran a pair for a good half decade, put them in the bin, now have them on another bike a few more years later... And I just found a set in a shop, same pedal, still being sold today.
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Brad Nyenhuis
5 months, 1 week ago
Stan's Sealant.
When the best compliment a new sealant can be given is, "It's as good as Stans"...
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trumpstinyhands
5 months, 3 weeks ago
The shift cable ;) I've owned AXS, ridden T-type a couple of times, but still currently prefer that part of my bike to be Amish.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I’ve had more than one stranger refer to my rigid #1FG set up as an “Amish Bike.”
But I guess now anything without batteries counts as a throwback? Cables forever!
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Niels van Kampenhout
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Hügi/DT star ratchet hub.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Yes. DT-350 hub as a specific product especially.
……
As an aside, the proliferation of non-DT star ratchet hubs this year is CRAZY. More so in the road/gravel world where folks don’t care about hub engagement, but even so. It’s very similar to when the Horst Link patent finally expired and a bunch of brands said “giddy up.”
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Timer
5 months, 3 weeks ago
The DT 240 might be older than the 350, but both are fully deserving of the common classic status.
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Perry Schebel
5 months, 3 weeks ago
i've got a set of the OG dt/hugis from 1998 (original built up on a 1st gen super-8) that are still rolling (been through a few bikes). really nice aggressive sounding ratchet.
also - i've got a set of the OG RF atlas cranks (2006) that are also still spinning to this day. impressive.
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Niels van Kampenhout
5 months, 3 weeks ago
[Bike nerd alert] - The OG would be the Hügi Compact pre 1995 DT buyout. That hub became the DT Hügi and later the 240.
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tashi
5 months, 3 weeks ago
So envious. I'm still choked I let my set of DT/Hugis go.
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Offrhodes42
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Time ATAC pedals. I have them on my trail bike, my singlespeed, my gravel bike, and the DH version on my DH bike. The one thing missing to really make the list is that pedals are not commonly specced on bicycles.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Everyone I know who still rides Time pedals rides them on all their bikes. Would absolutely make a Cult-Classics list.
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taprider
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I thought Tinker Juarez bought all the remaining stock years ago
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Andy Eunson
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Tinker had those gigantic red Look pedals.
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hankthespacecowboy
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I don't know if I just got a set of lemons or what, but the Time pedals I tried in the early 2000's left a very sour taste in my mouth that ultimately led to me parting ways with clipless pedals. Jamming up with mud, unpredictable release - all the problems they were supposed to solve they simply multiplied.
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Vik Banerjee
5 months, 3 weeks ago
They were my fav clipless pedals back in the dark days when my rides started with me squeezing my toes into tap dance shoes like I was preparing for a RiverDance audition. Time pedals were so reliably reliable. I loved them.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Follow up question, what was your favourite dancing shoe?! I’m guessing either Gaerne or Lake.
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taprider
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Mine is the Capezio Tele Tone II
But my first were Adidas
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JT
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Totally. I've a set of Aliums from maybe 01 that are still turning. One overhaul and a couple spring swaps over the years but nothing that's left me stranded or unable to unclip, which isn't something I can say about SPDs.
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fartymarty
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Shimano Zee mech - released in 2012 and still the best.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I purposely left it off the list so someone could own it in the comments, hahahaha.
No, I think at this point, spec wise and user wise, the Zee belongs in a separate follow-up piece on Cult Classics. Almost never see them on the trail but folks that know, know.
Add King cages, Renthal Ultra Tacky Push-Ons, etc.
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mrbrett
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I have some stainless King cages that are now 15 years old or so. Just keep moving them from bike to bike.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
My first Ti King cage was a gift when I was 18, or maybe 19, and it’s currently holding bottles on the Banshee Enigma. Never dropped one.
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Joseph Crabtree
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I've got a 24 year old king cage I just put on my new groad bike.
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fartymarty
5 months, 3 weeks ago
You probably saw my comment coming a mile off.
The Cult of Zee is real!!!
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hankthespacecowboy
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Proud member of the Cult of Zee as well! I buy them 4 at a time to future-proof against the day the are not available, and any new bike purchases are frame-only to avoid the dinner plate circus drivetrains.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
The cult is not real until we start seeing some ‘ZEE’ tattoos. Until then it’s just a club.
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fartymarty
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Tattoos are so clichéd, I do scars instead.
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Fat_Tony_NJ
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Agreed. I have one on my hardtail for about 10 years now and it just keeps ticking along.
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nothingfuture
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I'm in the minority, perhaps, but I've been riding Flite saddles on pretty much all my bikes since 1993. I buy vintage ones and re-furb them when I need to, and I still find them both comfy, long lasting, and excellent looking.
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Perry Schebel
5 months, 3 weeks ago
awesome. used to love those saddles (back in my xc days). bought primarily for the aesthetics & light weight (i'm fairly non-critical when it comes to saddle comfort).
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Mammal
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Those always looked really nice, and I had a few of them, but I always found them to be complete ass-hatchets.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
The Flite never worked for me either, though oh did I want it too.
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Mark MacNab
5 months, 3 weeks ago
That's my story with a Brooks pro (or race?) saddle I had mid-90's. I just had to have those serious brass rivets to signal just how incredibly serious I was.
serious enough that I seriously suffered for a couple seasons until thankfully the pig-iron rails folded in a crash and I got a Vetta 02 that was leagues better in every respect.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
For every Brooks rider I know… so many folks (mountain, road, commuting, gravel) who see the appeal but can’t make the saddles work them them.
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93EXCivic
5 months, 2 weeks ago
I have been trying out a Brooks C17 Carved. Only a couple rides in but so far it is so seriously comfortable. I am interested to try it for mountain biking.
tashi
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I'm with you, I run Flites on all my high-performance bikes, most of them pretty ancient. I seem to like the ones with a little gel pocket in em the best.
I've done some re-covers on em, and am curious about replacing the padding with something a little thicker for a SLIGHTLY softer feel.
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MTB_THETOWN
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Specialized Power Saddle was originally released in 2015 according to quick research, but it's getting close to being a contemporary classic.
Someone else mentioned the dt swiss 350 hubs, and I'd add the EX 471 rims to that.
Garmin 520 is everywhere and is probably is as much of a classic as something electronic can be, although I see it was recently discontinued.
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Velocipedestrian
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I'm slowly building a saddle library through trial and error. I have saved searches for a few models on a local buy and sell.
The Power is one that only comes up rarely, and always sells for more than I'm willing to pay. I suspect they're pretty universally comfy from this data point + coming OEM so being common.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
The Power is a fantastically comfy perch for a large percentage of riders. Love it.
Around here I generally recommend the Koda or Sagma as a comparably great stubby experience without a cut-out. Unless a rider has a full rear fender the concentrated water jet to the crotch isn’t a win.
I’d love to try the ‘women’s’ Power (w/Mimic) as it doesn’t have the cut-out.
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MTB_THETOWN
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I think the original was marketed as a women's saddle, but it was so comfortable that everyone just uses it so they stopped marketing it as such
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
So just like the Koda and Deva from WTB, two of my all time favourites.
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Velocipedestrian
5 months, 3 weeks ago
My main riding buddy has a Phenom with mimic. No cutout, super comfy.
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BarryW
5 months, 3 weeks ago
How I hate that saddle.
Bought one for my wife after they measured her at the (now Trek but then Specialized local store) and got the size completely incorrect. She suffered with it for the last year, but always hated it. But due to the price she was reluctant to let me replace it for her.
Just so she could try my SQLab 60X Active I swapped saddles and holy mother of ass hatchets that Power saddle sucks! Not even the stock Entity saddle roundly described as an ‘ass hatchet’ was as bad. Finally got her the correctly sized 60X Active with the Infinergy foam and she’s loving it.
Side note is I have literally never sat on a single WTB saddle. Not one riding friend has one, and no bike I’ve sat on has had one. Weird really as I hear good things about them.
Have ridden a bike with a DHR - DHF combo and I didn’t love the ‘tipping over’ feeling going from the center knobs to the side knobs. But that’s probably because I love the way my Hans Damps feel transitioning to edge.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
60X Active is a very different seat from the Power, definitely. What width do you end up on comparatively? I find the Specialized saddles many folks size up relative to the convention. So where I would ride a 14cm saddle usually I would ride a 15.5cm in the Power.
What elastomer colour is your wife running? If you have a chance to just pull it completely that always worked best for me.
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BarryW
5 months, 3 weeks ago
For sqlab I'm on a 13 and she rides a 15 I think. As mine is the older version I run it sans elastomer, but hers being the new hotness the rep advised not running it without the elastomer, so she runs the white (soft).
As for the Power, I think it's a 13 which always felt narrow to my wife. Unfortunately she's a bit indecisive so it was way too late for a refund by the time she came to the realization that it was not the correct saddle for her, lol.
I was actually interested in trying the Power saddle as I like the idea of the shorter nose, but it was terrible. But it might just be the sizing. Although it looks as wide as my 13 60x...
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fartymarty
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Barry - ah, the dreaded Minion "drift" zone between the centre and side knobs. I gave up on them after drifting, clipping a tree and breaking a rib or three.
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Peter Appleton
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Oury Grips and twisted wire.
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Christian Strachan
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Thomson Elite stem... I would say stem and post, but...
I know the stems are not as ubiquitous as in prior mtb eras, but they're definitely unmistakable and classic in most any cyclist's eye of any discipline.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
There was a time before 3mm hex-head bolts that I would have considered agreeing with you. I never see their stems on the trail locally anymore though, and they were very popular some 10-15 years ago. Now it's either whatever came OE, RaceFace, or Chromag on most bikes.
Thomson post though, yeah, 100% still the best fixed seat post (I assume you're not talking about their dropper posts). I guess it's been more than a decade since that was relevant to most mountain bikers though.
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TristanC
5 months, 3 weeks ago
*3mm hex head bolts made of soft cheese. I swapped mine for ones with a 4mm hex after an adventure with a screw extractor, but it's silly I have to do that on a $100 stem.
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Velocipedestrian
5 months, 3 weeks ago
There are three Thomson posts currently in use in our house, and another two in the crate. So good, so long.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I briefly went through a period of time last year where I was going back to a fixed post and QR on the #1FG bike. Not down to any issue at all, just the massive gravitational pull of [simpler = better]. Then I came to my senses.
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FlipSide
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Reading the article made me think about the Thomson stem too. At least for me, it is a true classic bike part. For so many years, I simply was not shopping for a stem or seatpost, I was just buying a Thomson. I felt it was the only real option if you wanted a high-end stem or seatpost.
I had a couple of the original Elite stems with the wedge clamp, then a 70mm and 50mm of the X4 version (both still in use). I also got a 1.5" in 2007 or 2008. Both my BMX bikes still have Thomson BMX stems as well.
I agree the switch to 3mm hardware was weird and unfortunate. I wonder how much that played in their popularity decrease? I now have Renthal and NSB stems on my most recent bikes.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Thomson 6-bolt 22.2mm stems are rad.
Apparently, the 3mm hex-head hardware was in response to ham-fisters cracking X4 face plates. I'm positive that's part of their decreased appeal, but also a lot more nice options came on market.
I love the NSB Daemon. It looks good, it's made by nice folks in BC, it uses all the same sized hardware (a must for me) and I prefer the big M6 bolts. I also like that they spec graded hardware instead of saving a few nickels a stem on cheap shite. That's actually a reminder I need a new 32mm Silver stem and my wife poached mine.
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FlipSide
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Yes! Now that I have a NSB Overlord stem, I can see myself going straight for another one whenever I will need a new stem. Basically, NSB replaced Thomson for me. :)
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fartymarty
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Magic Mary? 10 years old next year and still one of the best front tyres available.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
MM is a great tire. Planning to try the Super Trail / Ultra Soft 2.6” on an i39 rim with CC E-MTB inserts as a potential replacement for the 2.8” Vigi High Grip. Fingers crossed.
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fartymarty
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I haven't been on them long but am sold. Running a 2.4ST soft with Judge out back.
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DanL
5 months, 3 weeks ago
where are you finding the MM in ultra-soft 2.6 - I'm holding out as I can only find 2.4 right now
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
As of today any shop in Canada can order them from Orange Sport Supply. I had to have them special ordered but they brought in a few extra. If your shop can’t find them on the B2B tell them to call Alvin, he’s the man with the Magic Mary plan.
Ultra-Soft 29x2.6” Super Trail. How can you not want to try it?!
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fartymarty
5 months, 3 weeks ago
US 2.6 ST MM sounds like a great winter tyre.
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Timer
5 months, 3 weeks ago
It’s a difficult choice. While the pattern and name are the same, Compound, casings and even widths have changed at least twice since it’s inception.
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NealWood
5 months, 3 weeks ago
XT trail pedals would be on my list. I don't think they have changed much if at all in a long time and they are still the standard.
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Perry Schebel
5 months, 3 weeks ago
love them. the platforms have been incrementally growing over the years (i've got 3 generations on hand). beauty, robust pedals.
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Timer
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I think the PD M540 or M520 are even more deserving of the Classic Contemporary title. They are entirely unchanged since the 2000s and price/performance wise are still among the best clipless pedals.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I mentioned them in the comments as well. 520/530 and also 540 are amazingly resilient products. Within my arbitrary rules, they don’t have OE spec anymore, but I agree they’re special.
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Skooks
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Not strictly a bike component, but I nominate the 5-Ten Impact flat pedal shoe. Like Maxxis tires, this is the reference shoe that all others get compared with.
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Velocipedestrian
5 months, 3 weeks ago
My partners commuter is a gen 3 Chameleon in a lovely cherry red ano.
That 69.5° head angle is going to need more than your rule of 2 (or was it 3?) to keep me on the right side of the bars though.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
But old hardtails never die (unless the my break), which is the loveliest thing about them. Slap on a rigid fork with the right axle to crown and even some 650b wheels if you’re feeling saucy and commute the heck out of that 69.5 HTA!
It’s rule of two applicable versus an FS bike with a 71.5 HTA? Hahahaha.
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taprider
5 months, 3 weeks ago
what is this Rule of Two?
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
A hardtail should have a two degree slacker HTA and two degree slacker STA compared to a full suspension bike for the same application (static geo Vs. static geo).
Rule Of Two.
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Velocipedestrian
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Yup, it currently has a Surly 29" rigid fork. 483mm a-c seems about right.
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Mammal
5 months, 3 weeks ago
My Better-Half also has cherry red Gen 3 Chameleon, except it's a stripped frame at this point, due to not having another 1-1/8 fork to throw on it.
M530 pedals for me. I bought 3 pairs of those pedals from CRC about a decade ago, and I just ruined the first one this summer, slide-hammering my foot into a stump. So much of the material around the clip mechanism is worn away from use, but the remaining 5 pedals are still absolute champs, and can be refreshed/tightened in 5min (long-live Shimano cup/cone).
Saint brakes on my main ride. They're not overly common these days, but man, I love those brakes.
XT shifters deserve a nod, I think.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I should have written M520/M530 since they’re really two sides of the same coin… or at least two coins of equal value.
I tell folks all the time that if they can get over A) that they’re not XT / XTR branded pedals and B) that they’re thicker than the more expensive options that the performance/$$ is awesome and they put last the higher end stuff too boot.
They’re not the best overall Shimano pedal of all time, I’d have to give that to the M540, but they’re a contemporary classic for sure.
———
Shifters are a hard one. Too many generational changes to really talk about a continuum.
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Velocipedestrian
5 months, 3 weeks ago
If we're talking best Shimano pedal...
If I ever put clips back on it'll be these. Two sets in the crate.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Ahhhhh, the slop though. I loved those M647 DX pedals but I wore them out so fast.
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Mammal
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I've still got a set from 2006, that live on my DH bike. I've never had an issue with wear or slop, but I had an interesting situation just last month...
My beloved riding posse does a bi-annual Merritt trip, where we stay at a lake house and ride our DH bikes for a long weekend every spring and fall. A rumbly shuttle to the top of a local trail, and I arrived without one of my pedals (spindle still attached though). It had wound itself completely apart, which is a LOT of rotations over a short period of time, and luckily I found it on the shuttle-bitch drive back down (saved my trip). So after 17 years of owning that pair of pedals, I now know to add some loctite.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
YEOW. That's exciting!
How did you spot it driving down the road?
Mammal
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Answer to Andrew:
I spotted it with an extreme amount of luck on my side, while driving REALLY slowly looking for it. It was lying in an open section of the access road I was driving down, right in the middle, with the local cows staring at it like a cow would. If it had dropped a few hundred meters later, it would have been in between the over grown grassy section between worn-in tire tracks, and I would have never seen it.
Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
@Mammal better to be lucky than good!
Stephen Hawkes
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I've got some PD-M636. Mine are red so I think '98 at newest. I do prefer my xt trails, but it's impressive how solid Shimano pedals are. I'm down to 3 sets of Shimano spd pedals (gave my backup set away) and they are all solid.
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Lu Kz
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I still have a bin of these I've been resisting recycling because they were good, but I cracked the little plastic ring between the mechanism and the body every year. Hence the bin.
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tashi
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Nope, those were nice but can't hold a candle to the m636 for best platform SPD. Sorry.
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Velocipedestrian
5 months, 3 weeks ago
ODI Longneck? Though a lock on is more likely to be ubiquitous, is the Ruffian still OEM? Do they still make it?
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Ruffian lock-on? Just because somethings been around forever doesn’t make it good.
Longneck is rad, so few mountain bikers use push-ons though I don’t know if it would count. That’s why I didn’t include the Renthal push-ons. Ultra Tachy, so good.
On that note the Clairebarian (see bike photo above) is running a soft version of the Longneck and they’re sooooo comfy. Only available in shorter 135mm flange less model, but that’s not a deal breaker for most folks.
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earle.b
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I just put a pair of the soft Longneck on, feels nice. They were the longer 160mm ones so I trimmed them down. What I'd love to see is the flanged 143mm with the build in ends in a slightly larger diameter and the soft compound.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Interesting, I thought the proper soft ones only came in 135, I’ll have to check out the 160mm. I like longer grips on my commuter.
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earle.b
5 months, 3 weeks ago
NSBS had them.
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BadNudes
5 months, 3 weeks ago
At my LBS they're called the ODI Soft X-Longneck, on ODI's site it looks like they're called the Longneck SLX 160... either case the BLACK (and only black) 160mm flangeless soft grips are THE ONE. I always keep a spare ready.
I think if more people had access to air compressors for install/removal these would definitely be a contemporary classic.
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Velocipedestrian
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I thought the Ruffian was good 20 years ago... Never got another set though.
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lewis collins
5 months, 3 weeks ago
An ODI made push on is certainly a background classic. It’s always been there, and those that know, know. And with increasing numbers of bmxers crossing over to mtb.
They also regularly turn up on WC DH bikes, just not shouted about.
My current favourite is the s&m credence (Clint Reynolds signature grip) slight wavy version of the classic mushroom, slightly thinner and with a mini flange and soft compound (before they released it in the longneck I believe…?).
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SteveR
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Yes, the Shimano M520 pedal should make the list. I've been running them for decades on all 3 bikes, plus on my wife's gravel bike. And a lot of friends do, as well. And look- that's a Volt (Koda on another) on my "gravel" bike (old steel hardtail), and although the Spesh Eliminator/Ground Control combo has been my preference over the DHF/Agressor lately, there is least one partly worn DHF hanging in the bike room as a backup. Along with my favoured hub, the DT 350, does that make ME a contemporary Classic?
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Hahaha. Yep, put it on your resume. ‘Certified Contemporary Classic’
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handsomedan
5 months, 3 weeks ago
RIP Zee brakes…
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BadNudes
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Most of my favourites were already mentioned in some way here, ODI Longneck Soft grips, King cages, and the DHF. I'd include the Thomson seatpost and BMX stem, but they're probably more cult classic than contemporary at this point.
I'd add, and please don't crucify me here, the good ol' Avid BB7. Still made the same as it ever was, and still offering more than enough stopping power for most folk on trail bikes, just don't expect the same level of modulation as modern hydraulics. For a good experience you'll need to pair with compressionless housing and some nice levers like Paul's (another classic, probably more cult than contemp.). FWIW the right choice, even for an MTB, is BB7 road calipers and Paul Canti levers, IYKYK, short pull FTW.
Maybe the Salsa flip lock seat post collar? Probably fallen out of favour along with Thomson rigid posts. Chromag and Wolf Tooth make better options now.
A lot of Hope stuff almost makes the 10yr cut-off before getting updates, and even when new products are available Hope will usually help you keep stuff working long past that timeline.
Lastly, and I can't believe this hasn't been mentioned, the King headset. New sizes but mostly the same product. Who here hasn't tried one and/or lusted after one at some point?
New stuff is cool, but old stuff that still works is cool too.
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Ride.DMC
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Not a fan of the Volt (not sure what size came stock on my last bike, but i didn't get on with it). Replaced it with a Chromag Trailmaster, which i think may be wider, definitely longer, with more padding.
Add Maxxis High Roller 2's to the list of classics for me - although I cannot tell you if their tread pattern has changed or not.
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
That makes sense. The stock Volt would have been a medium and if you like the Trailmaster then you’d most likely prefer WTB’s wider options.
If you ever get a chance to throw a leg over an SQLab 60X Active in a 15cm size I’d bet you a can of Beere Beer you’d get along with that saddle very well.
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Stephen Hawkes
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Trail master is my favorite saddle. That being said I bought a Silverado for a new build because it was such an amazing deal ($30 CAD) and I like it. Hate the Fizik that came on my Druid. Hate the Fabric that came on another bike.
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FlipSide
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Various versions of the Selle Italia Flite has been my go-to saddle for about 2 decades, but my Trailmaster LTD has been a revelation for me on my hardtail. I just bought another one for my next build (short travel trailbike).
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Jenkins5
5 months, 3 weeks ago
SDG Bel Air...Been around forever with lots of OEM spec over the years....New version 3 has been fantastic under mine and lots my friend's asses lately (came stock on their Devinci's, Yt's, Transitions, Norcos and WAO's). A classic in my books...
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Guy Elliott
5 months, 3 weeks ago
North Shore Rack. 2nd Gen Tacoma
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
At least locally, NSRack deserves a mention for sure. Great product; great customer service, and made in Vancouver.
There have been iterations but the current design has been around a long time (just with the tines pre-bent now).
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Hayden Wright
5 months, 3 weeks ago
+1 for Zee FR rear mech. Deserves a standalone article. Mine is on its fourth bike and third set of pulleys, still goes hard.
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fartymarty
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Best mech ever made.
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XXX_er
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Maxxis Assegai up front paired with a Maxxis DHR2 in DD fanboi here. I havent noticed a general agreement if another brand is better in fact other tire brands are usually compared TO Maxxis, I don't want to spend time or money to find out if something else works better so I stick with them
also a WTB Fanboi of the volt, they came branded on my Yeti & SC. I recently I had to ride the WTB Speed V from my Fat bike, which is like a wider more padded Volt, definatly a little more comfy than the volt
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Did your Yeti and SC have the Volt or the Silverado? It would be nice to see the Volt as it’s a bit more universally padded, but the rigs I’ve pedalled from both brands have had Silverados stock.
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XXX_er
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I thot they were the volt but on-line specs say at least the SC has the Silverado, when the rail broke I replaced it with a volt
but I really like the comfort of that speed V
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Cr4w
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Andrew did you see Mavic just released a 25th anniversary edition of Deemax?
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I did.
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The-Flow-Zone
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Silca steel tube pumps! I have one still in use for over 35 years...! Lube the leather seal once in a while and pump away!
One another only 20-25yrs old!
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Andrew Major
5 months, 3 weeks ago
I don't know how many folks have had a chance to even see a Silca floor pump in terms of the general qualification of being a known entity, but certainly, they're worthy of the cult following that they have.
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