INJURED RESERVE
First Look: Cooper's New Titanium Hardware
There's Tennessee mud on my shoes in the garage. It's been there for three weeks now. Ordinarily, things like this don't happen; my riding shoes get regularly used and washed. However I’m not operating ordinarily. In addition to some mud, I also picked up seven pieces of titanium as souvenirs of the trip - two plates and five screws attached to my left radius. If you’re thinking, “Oof, that's a lot of hardware” that aligns well with what one of my (now numerous) radiology techs said… “Oof, a lot of fragments.”
It's a sticky, claylike, peanut butter mud that we don't have in my corner of BC. It's going to be there for a while longer.
So why tell any of this now, if you don't really get to hear about it until next month? Because in addition to a myriad of various medical professionals and family, one of the other calls I had to make was to the NSMB Powers That Be and explain that most of my deadlines for product review over the next 8 weeks or so weren't going to happen. So in an effort to placate them (and let brands and readers know why things on my end are temporarily languishing), here are a few small teasers and first looks for things that are going to gather dust in my garage for a bit.
I don't have any post-hardware photos yet. Or any pre-ER-reduction photos. But here's a glimpse of the mild disaster that was my wrist after it was straightened out in a Tennessee ER to fly home for surgery. I'll spare you the photos of me holding what looked like a big wet noodle.
Sidi Physis
Ample clichés exist about fine Italian leather shoes - and immediately upon putting fingers on Sidi's new Physis "unlimited adventure" shoes' welded TPU upper, you can see why. While not made of cow-hide, the look and feel of the features and construction on the Physis is as premium as the price tag (400 USD). These shoes arrived midwinter for me, and just as the weather window opened to start exploring with my feet wrapped in Sidi's new "Millennium Fit" battened down by Dyneema strings, I broke myself. So pretty soon here I'll be getting used to using Sidi's patented BOA-like "The Dial System" on my trainer. Initial impressions on quality are high, the fit is excellent, and I expect the stiff full carbon soles - which rate an 11 on Sid's 5-12 scale - to appeal to me for the targeted gravel-through-XC riding.
They're not the lightest shoes out there, but with a wider toe box (that's the Millennium Fit part) than some of their competitors, and nice grippy looking sole lugs, they should be good for those like me looking for power transfer, with just a bit more comfort and off-bike stability than a full XC or gravel race shoe.
Part of the reason I didn't spend any time in these this winter is that mine came in the excellent to look at, but likely impossible to clean, Sand colorway.
Sidi's "Millennium Fit" is a touch wider, especially in the toe box, than some racier competitors. It's comfortable for my feet.
Fox 34SL
While Deniz got to attend the coveted AZ Press Junket and is reviewing Fox's new 36SL, we haven't covered the distinctly more XC-oriented (but also fresh) 34SL. I installed the whole kit and kaboodle on the also-new Rocky Mountain Element moments before I headed down to Tennessee. I've pedaled it around the block, but no further.
There's a LOT of detail to cover on this new setup - especially around the fork - but for now, suffice it to say the 110-130mm platform should suit the new Element perfectly, blending the lines between XC and Trail. I'm very keen to put this efficiency-oriented system head-to-head with the RockShox Flight Attendant-equipped SID & SIDluxe on my personal Element. Beeps and boops vs cables; let the comments section get fired up.
The 34SL comes with - you got it - 34mm stanchions. The new hole-filled arch and other improvements keep the weight low enough for Fox to claim the lightest "whole system" of components, including the Transfer SL seatpost.
If it's a party up front, is this end all business?
There's a clever new remote that'll actuate the seatpost and fork/shock modes - you can pick if you want this to be a two or three-position affair.
Cables connect to the top of the Grip SL damper - there are open, firm, and lockout modes available.
And same back here. In the garage, it feels like the firm setting is only marginally different from open, however, lockout is as expected.
Rocky Mountain Element
It almost goes without saying now, but obviously the Element long term review is also on hold. I have no further thoughts on this platform since the First Look, so just hold your horses.
I have a fresh matching Kashima Factory post for the rear as well, but it's hard to install with one hand. Fox's Transfer SL seatpost is great - there's no air seals to worry about and it's very light. The only downside (which doesn't bother me) is that it only locks at the top and bottom.
A moment of mechanical genius? The Element lacks routing for the lockout cable, but I utilized some of SRAM's brake hose stem bolt clamps on the accessory mount.
I've done my best, but there are a lot of cables up here. As a Tidy Bike Fetishist, this is a bit Kathmandu Power Grid for me.
We'll be back soon enough. Photo: Deniz Merdano
So that's where we're at. Give me a few weeks (ok, months) and I'll be back here to wax poetically about everything from gravel to downhill bikes and everything in between. And while you're out there enjoying the prime moments of hero dirt spring riding, spare a moment for me, sweating in the garage on a trainer, or getting wrenched on in uncomfortable ways by my physio. While I'm bummed to be missing out, I know riding will still be there when I'm ready and, occasionally, this is part of the game.
I can get out and do this, though. Which is exceptionally important. A is still loving his Prevelo, although I get more, "Come on, Dad." than usual.
In the meantime, Troy Brosnan will have to hold it down out there for us dads (and moms). While rain conspired against him in Windrock, he still managed to pull out second behind some guy named Amaury.
Comments
Jotegir
2 weeks, 6 days ago
No further thoughts on the new element except "Curse you for betraying me!"
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Mick-e
3 weeks ago
At least you can keep a little fitness so when you are ready to ride you won’t be useless.
I only seem to break lower extremities and have to be off any kind of bike for months.
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Cooper Quinn
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Here's hoping, anyway.
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FlipSide
3 weeks ago
I wish you a speedy recovery. I broke my foot last summer and I also got brand new Titanium hardware in the process.
Injuries like these suck, but it's important to stay positive. Good luck! :)
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Andy Eunson
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Get well soon young man. I hope you didn’t hurt your head too.
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Cooper Quinn
2 weeks, 6 days ago
I bonked it pretty good, but (fingers crossed) I haven't had any lingering symptoms.
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rolly
2 weeks, 5 days ago
Well, you can still cross your fingers. So there's that. . .
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Stefan
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Gnarf, sucks, but yes, part of the game somehow. Healing vibes from across the pond, hope it's an "easy" one with no aftermath to carry around for years.
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ShawMac
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Heal up well so you are ready to go for the SORCA DH! :)
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BarryW
2 weeks, 6 days ago
So sorry to hear Cooper!
Heal up and we'll look forward to you getting back to it.
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Kos
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Damn! Sorry! Heal quickly and heal (near) perfectly!
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Hailey Elise
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Yikes, that helmet sure took one for the team. Hope your head is okay. Your dirt tax has been paid and it's only up from here, sending you all the speedy healing vibes.
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gubbinalia
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Cooper -- truly sorry to hear about your untimely meetup with the TN soil -- there's never a good time to get injured on a bike but early in the warm season adds some sting for sure. Props to you for making the trip out to race the big dogs, no less -- still on the Summum or new DH rig?
I'll be extra curious to hear your 34 SL review -- that fork is on my radar for the '25 Element I bought last fall (largely on the strength of your initial review and the supposedly improved bearing life). Did you go for the 130mm spec on the fork? I love that Fox is pushing XC suspension a bit longer in stroke and moving to a more supple-off-the-top damper with the GripSL.
Love the look of the camo green/brown with the orange Factory fork, btw -- much like the '18 Instinct green/orange combo.
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Cooper Quinn
2 weeks, 5 days ago
I had one of those orange/green BC Edition Instincts!
Yes, I've got the 34SL in 130mm. And while I think the Fox orange clashes with a lot of liveries, it does look very good here, for sure.
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ackshunW
3 weeks ago
Sorry to hear about the injury, that sucks! My foot explosion from a number of years back (not bike related) had multiple recovery periods which was brutal. Best of luck with the recovery, great to be able to get out a little.
Good “first look,” but when you do the full review of the injury and surgery, it would be fascinating to hear your cross-border experience, in terms of cost / navigating the US system, etc.
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Cr4w
3 weeks ago
Ouch. That sucks. Heal up! Luckily there's still plenty of season to go around.
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Allen Lloyd
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Dude hope you heal quickly and completely. If ever there was a place for electric on a bike it is in suspension lockouts, dear god so many cables and levers :(
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Jotegir
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Fair enough but that element is probably one of the least egregious examples of a dual locked bike, whoever did the cable management out of the box did an excellent job.
Edit: having now clicked through the remainder of the photos of the element, it's apparent that Cooper did the routing. Well done sir!
It's strange that they didn't account for routing for a rear lockout though. I'd estimate 10-20% of element buyers that are looking at those higher end models want a remote lockout, and having sold a bunch of elements to those guys for like 10 years.... the guys who want remote lockouts really want remote lockouts. I recall even the 2017-202X generation Instinct had a port added to internally route the lockout cable, strange they seemingly consciously excluded it (because there's no way the designers forgot) on this bike. Maybe they just figured those remote lockout guys are usually baller enough to want/need wireless when available?
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gubbinalia
2 weeks, 5 days ago
Great question about the lack of remote-lockout provisioning -- I asked the same question when my '25 Element frame showed up last fall. The answer that came back from Rocky CS was that they had considered using the "extra" right-side headtube routing port (which could otherwise be used for left-hand-rear, moto brake routing) to get a lockout cable to the shock, but then they would have had to remove the internal guide for the rear brake.
Completely agree about the desire for lockouts, or at least a remote lockout for the rear, among a "certain" type of Element rider. Interestingly, although the current Element isn't nearly as XC-focused as the pre-'21 model, I think it's reasonable to say that it's a much more plush, traction-forward setup than most (if not all) lightweight 120mm bikes on the market. That's part of what makes the bike so versatile and able to hold its own in trail-bike territory, but it also means that many folks will ask for a firmer pedaling platform that doesn't require taking a hand off the bar.
Fair point about Rocky thinking that Flight Attendant would cover the lockout gamut. I've been blown away by the number of riders, even at a more mellow level of XC race interest (let's say, "Sport" level) willing to shell out for the new FA. It's not perfect tech, though -- note that story from Cape Epic about Nino et al. wanting an extra "override" button on the bars for ultra-quick swaps between lockout modes.
For my level of racing/riding, I'm never going to be fast enough to need a fork lockout (and that little bit of extra front-end sag on climbs is kinda nice, especially with these modern sub-66 HTA bikes). But with the plushness of the Element I'm definitely in the market for a remote-compatible shock, like the Mara IL XC or the Ohlins TXC, if only to make those road grinds on the way to the TH a little less tiring!
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Jotegir
2 weeks, 5 days ago
That's exactly where it goes on previous instincts/elements - through the port, inside the top tube, and then out a small hole right above the shock. Fair enough that they don't want to ruin the tubes-in-tubes style cable routing, although as someone who worked on Rockys for years, their internal cable routing hasn't bothered me since the non-boost swoopy curve frame generation ended in MY2016/17. They make it easy with the comparatively giant ports everywhere even absent internal guides.
That said, if it was my bike Coop's setup wouldn't bother me at all and if one was truly a stickler it could be cleaned up a bit further with heat shrink wrap instead of electrical tape and one sided bolt on cable guides on the top tube. The former would involve yanking the brake hose though and who can be bothered except at initial setup.
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gubbinalia
2 weeks, 5 days ago
Ooh, great find on the one-sided bolted guides. Just ordered a set. I hope I can sandwich my lockout cable with those under the plate for my Wolftooth / Jank Components accessory mounts on the two bolts under the top tube. (Though Cooper's use of the stem-faceplate guides was pretty ingenious, you gotta say!)
One point related to remote lockouts and your excellent point about the '18 Instinct -- I think part of our knee-jerk aversion to adding cable lockouts comes from a time when trail/enduro bikes pedaled poorly enough, and created enough bob under pedaling, that we really *needed* lockouts across the board to keep things moving and grooving on climbs.
Nowadays we're lucky enough not to *need* lockouts, but we're lucky to have companies like Rocky that build bikes with plush, traction-heavy designs (and lighter compression tunes) that descend well, and if you *want* you can add a lockout to neutralize some of that plushness to make things a little firmer under pedaling.
Just my $0.02 -- I understand the aversion but everything is a trade-off in human powered mountain cycling!~
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Jotegir
2 weeks, 5 days ago
FWIW I still have two 2018-2021 Instincts (I'm a weirdo I know) , one being my daily commuter and never, ever reach for that lockout - they gave the lycra boys among us the option, at least.
There should be plenty of examples of single cable bolt on cable guides, the Trek one was the first on google and now I feel partially responsible if they don't fit under your wolftooth stuff.... but frame builder supply and others might have options that fit under water bottle bolts better if the Trek ones don't? There's like 3 "standard" designs of them, at least they aren't expensive.
Cooper Quinn
2 weeks, 5 days ago
Oooooh those cable guides are mint. I just had the SRAM ones laying around in a bin. Agreed I could shrink-wrap. I've certainly done this in the past, but it's not perfect for a couple reasons, and I mostly I couldn't be bothered to re-bleed brakes, as you note.
I don't have a ton to add, you two have pointed out most of what I'd say about lockouts (or.... pedaling platform changes through damper settings) already. With FA, you can set it so your fork doesn't full lock - on my Arrival I have it this way, because as you note a little sag/bob up front can be nice. I have the Override set to lock both ends fully for road climbs. On my Element, front and rear are allowed to fully lock in Auto, and the Override is Pedal mode, because sometimes I can't be f*cked to deal with a fully locked bike and just want some suspension (think: very long rides). Interesting you're seeing FA on the trails, I very, very rarely see it.
But to gub's point on trail/enduro lockouts vs XC, you've got a good point. When FA first launched on enduro bikes I thought it was weird... wouldn't that be an XC product? But having experienced both, I'd give up the XC before my Zeb/Superdeluxe - FA makes the big bike much better in places it'd ordinarily struggle. FAXC makes an efficient bike marginally faster. Fox clearly feels the same way, as NEO isn't offered in XC spec at this time.
Cooper Quinn
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Haha, I hear ya. Definitely a bit of a rat's nest, and I'm not even running a shifter cable. But you're not lookin' at it when you're riding, so that's the real test.
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earle.b
2 weeks, 6 days ago
The faff of lockouts to save 2.65 seconds on an after work xc ride. Seems a worthy trade off, said no one ever.
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Cooper Quinn
2 weeks, 6 days ago
I mean once they're installed, it's not really "faff". but no, its obviously not a 'need' for recreational use. But it's nice to have, tbh.
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Andy Eunson
2 weeks, 5 days ago
Not to mention being ten seconds slower descending because you forgot to open things up. If one needs a fork lockout because it’s bobbing under pedaling efforts, you really need a pedalling coach. If the back half bobs excessively you need a better design.
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Cooper Quinn
2 weeks, 5 days ago
If you're forgetting to unlock your suspension and you have a bar remote.... uh.
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earle.b
2 weeks, 5 days ago
When you've just pinned the long xc climb, your brain is low on oxygen, and you hit the dropper for the descent...I could see missing hitting the other trigger for the suspension.
Cooper Quinn
2 weeks, 5 days ago
It's... not your point, but if your suspension is firmed up and you hit the suspension lever instead of dropper, you're gonna unlock it, not lock it, due to how it works. So not a concern.
My point was... if you forgot to unlock it at the top, you can literally do it at any point with the remote. :)
Wapti
2 weeks, 5 days ago
I'm glad you're in one piece.
well, figuratively
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Cooper Quinn
2 weeks, 5 days ago
I'm still one piece, there' just some extra pieces on the inside at the moment.
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