martin profile

Awesome. That's my vision of a good headset : I don't mind paying if it stays trouble-free and doesn't say a word. Just ordered both halves and wanted to have good conscience haha! I also bought their crown race setting adapter so installing it should be smooth. Thanks again for the info!

So even with the tight crown race issue, would you go with a Wolf Tooth over an FSA No57e or Cane Creek 40/70 if the price is not an issue?  When you say that's the only caution you'd have about it, what do you think the tight(er) crown race could harm ? (genuinely curious)

Thanks again!

Hi Andrew,

I'm pretty much set on this headset for my new build. Any updates on how the headset is lasting ? No creaks or other noises ?   Thanks!

Martin

Hi Rob,

how did your story end ? I have a Suntour Triair shock coming tomorrow with 45$ of UPS import fees. The bill says "declared value of 0$" but it's still 45$ of broker and government fees. (WTH?) 

I have also paid 15$ of shipping so it's 60$ to try the shock. Pretty bummed with this and I don't feel like paying that much to try it for a few weeks. If I can refuse the delivery I'd do it, but I have a feeling that UPS will bill me anyway for the brokerage.

Thanks for any info! Cheers,

Martin

Thanks for the review! I just bought a Repack over the older/cheaper Palos and I am really happy about that choice. 

I removed the magnetic clip and replaced it with a velcro cable holder that I roll around the tube near the flow valve, which Is holding a small climbing clip that clips on the straps where the magnetic holder was. I route the tube on the waist strap, and at my 33" waist, the length is perfect. The tube can't fall, and it's quick to grab/put back after a sip. A 5$ upgrade that's worth it!

Just curious, how many kms per day were ridden during that trip?

Awesome, I'll add the 2.6 SE4 to my to-try list!

Thanks for the recommendations Andrew! The SE4 looks pretty close to what my ideal tire would look like. Maybe with TRS sideknobs. I prefer lined-up side knobs and not too wide of a channel, and those SE4s seem to be a good compromise.

I've mounted some E13 TRS+s and I find them quite square on 29mm ID rims. I've never used a squared-profile tire like that so I might need some time to get the right feel for them.

And since the Specialized tires are buy one get one until June 3rd, I ordered a pair of Butchers GRID 29x2.6s (the new Gription version) to try them. In store they had quite a nice shape but the compound seemed less sticky than the E13s. Probably faster rolling though.

How would you compare wet roots/rocks and off-camber traction on the TRS+ vs Butcher and SE4 tires ?

Hi Andrew! 

I am coming from a fully coiled freeride bike so I'm interested to see how a coil shock behaves on your Marin ; )  It's good to know that Suspension werx can resize a coil shock too, I'll contact them. Too bad that the thru-shaft technology isn't available for other frames as I most often choose suspension parts based on serviceability and long service intervals.

And as a side-question concerning the down tube stopper on the Trek, have you had any problem with boost-width-forks' downtube clearance on your Rift Zone?

Thanks!

Martin

Hi Andrew! 

Do you have a Rift Zone review coming up? I'm torn between the new ´18 Rift Zone and a '18 Devinci Marshall and altough I liked my Marshall test, I can't try the Marin before buying. Looking forward to hear your inpressions on the rear suspension performance and the different setups you've tried. Cheers!