heathen profile

That's what I did to mine. DHF 2.5WT up front. Recon 2.4WT out back. Level ultimate levers with a code caliper up front and guide caliper out back. Huge upgrade.

What is this suspension setup you speak of?

Thanks. It's a blast to ride. The geo definitely makes you push it way past what you would normally consider riding on an XC bike. I had a 2018 Optic before this. The Element is way lighter and more fun. Plus I could never keep the pivots tight on the Optic. I have already racked up almost 400km and nothing has come loose or given me issues. Super well designed bike.

Mine came with an FSA EC lower cup too. I swapped for a purple Wolftooth.

When they dropped the new Element I knew I had to have one. Put money down in September and the bike arrived in December. It was worth the wait. For where I ride and the way that I ride it is the ultimate BCXC bike. I got the C30 and swapped ever part but the drivetrain and rear shock. Probably should have waited a bit long and bought a C50. With 30mm carbon rims, Recon 2.4 out back and DHF 2.5 up front the bike is a absolute rocket. I have done XC races, 30km epics and drops and steeps I probably shouldn't. The bike has yet to let me down.

To get the 49mm chain line with boost are you running a non boost ring?

@andrewmajor

I am a bit perplexed when it comes to chainline. My 2021 Transition Scout has a 148 boost rear hub with a 52mm chainline. If I am understanding this correctly, a 52mm chainline would move the chain more inboard so there would be less chain deflection in the larger cogs. Making it run smoother and quiter in the larger cogs. I am understanding this correctly?

@Andrew Major its been a few years now. What kind of mileage are you getting from the SS ring? Any problems?

So you loved the med and bought a large? Now you sold the large and have a medium? How tall are you?

That seems kind of counter to the current trend of bikes getting more progressive. I just moved from a 2018 Range C7.2 I belive it was 18% progressive. To a 2020 Scout that is 25% progressive. Same rock shox super deluxe. Man what a difference. The bottom out feel was way nicer. I have now switch to a Super Deluxe coil, my first coil bike. The ramp is perfect. I have no idea how people ride Patrols "on coil" with only 11% progression. It would just bottom out like crazy.

In the crew of people I ride with there are at least 5 of us that have hardtails and two of them are hardtail only riders. We have found that 2.6 tires with CushCore and 30 or 35mm rims are perfect for aggressive riding. I know a few folks who run 2.8 and they said they are fun but the tires don't like high speeds. As you have to run quite low pressure to get the advantage of 2.8.

I like the DHF 2.6 MaxxTerra EXO for summer.

WTB Vigilante 2.6 Light High Grip for winter.

I have the Bell Super DH. It is the only removable jaw helmet that is DH rated. I really like it.

Posted by: Poz

Posted by: velocipedestrian

Posted by: Kenny

First ride was definitely a tweaking ride. Second ride was the first time maybe ever that I finished a ride and thought "this bike is perfect, I need to change nothing". Super stoked on the Revel. It could be new bike Googles but the ripmo AF and jibb did not give me this vibe when new. 

Yay! Wierd to not feel like I have tinkering to do though. Some purple headset spacers and seat clamp maybe. Lol.

If nothing performance changing, purple ano is a psychological upgrade.

False. Each purple ano part is proven to add 1.6 watts.

Purple ano adds mega psychological power!!!!

As seen on all my bikes... I should take a famijy photo of them together. LoL 

Fluid Function is amazing. I have had my rear shocks serviced by them for years. Never had a problem. Only sent my fork a few times and I do it myself

Posted by: niels@nsmb.com

In my opinion all the big problems with MTBs have been solved for a while already: geometry, suspension, drivetrains, tires, dropper posts, you name it. Any "innovation" is now either only a marginal improvement over an existing solution or something new but mostly unnecessary designed to lift the top end price level of the market (electronic shifting etc.) and lure in consumers looking to spend no matter what.

I've mostly lost interest in new bike tech developments and just focus on enjoying my rides.

This 1000%

I am running DHF 2.5WT MaxxTerra EXO up front and a Recon 2.4WT MaxxTerra EXO out back and I can't believe how grippy that combo is for BCXC/Down Country. I am thinking of giving it a try on my enduro bike this summer with a MaxxGrip up front and changing the rear tire casing to EXO+.

I prefer to say BCXC, but down coutry seems to be the new catch phrase. I just built up a 2022 Rocky Element for The same style of riding as you I would avoid the Z2. If you can try and get a Pike you get a stiff chassis and a great damper. The new C1 DebonAir shaft is great. I weigh 200lbs all kitted up and run just 1 token and the travel ramps up perfectly. 

As someone who just bought a bike that came with a Z2 I can tell you the Z2 rail damper is not as good as the Fox Grip damper. The Z2 chassis is stiffer then the flexy 34. But the Rail damper packs up too fast and is way over damped IMO. I switched to a Pike Select and it is way better.

That looks like a super fun bike. Always loved the Thunderbolt

The stack height on the new Element is a bit high for my tastes. It wondered like a drunk on the climbs. So moved the shock to position 2 to raise the seat hieght a bit in relationto the bar, put a 50mm Chromag Ranger stem (they are 0deg and have a low stack), swapped a Salsa Salt Flat 31.8x770 carbon flat bar. Took it out for a 27km XC rip. What a difference!!!! The bike is a rocket now!!!!! Climbs and decends better. Plus the 31.8 carbon bar with 11deg sweep feels so good. So comfortable. Now my bar is so low the shift pod hits the top tube, so to protect it I put Ride Wrap chainstay rubber on it