cyclotoine profile

Not that I've tried them, but it sounds like Cush Core (based on their claims) might be helpful. I haven't worked up enough saliva to swallow the bitter bill that is the price of admission myself, but I'd sure like to see what this tire damping is all about.

Riding with someone who is more confident than you also has an effect. I have done a couple of rides this summer with riders who are more confident and skilled than I am and I watch them do moves I'd balk at riding alone or with less skilled riders. Suddenly it all seems possible and I am able to do that drop or that roll and suddenly my perspective changes and it all seems doable.

77? Only the small is 77.1 at a puny 90mm headtube height and the seat tube actual is quite slack on this bike. What does that mean at your saddle height? It means this seat tube is pretty slack. Almost certainly slacker than the transition sentinel I'm currently riding. 

The transition smuggler is a 120mm, 66-degree head angle 29er that has been on the market for two years and its actual effective seat tube angle is steeper. Note: I believe transition reports effective ST angle at estimated saddle height for each size which is why it appears to get slacker quicker. Don't be deceived by geometry charts.

Great review. For me it’s not so much the colour that ruins them aesthetically but the giant NW on the side. Come on guys!

I can't justify (to myself) replacing my functioning stock reverb on my FS, but I wish I could. I picked up the PNW Rainier Stealth post for my fat bike as it will see riding at -25C. The action on it is amazing and the quality of the product overall is very impressive. I like it better than the Reverb. I regret not ordering the loam lever.

That metal shim looks like a great idea, I always fill the channels under the cleat with shoe goo once I've dialed in my cleat placement to prevent water from going in. I never thought of using a shim there too. I've also never tired crank pros since SPD pedals seem to fall from the sky.

I think it's just grease. The fact that the 210 dropper isn't slammed and shimmed for the perfect fit makes me think this frame is a bit on the small side.

For me the excitement of watching WC DH live is unparalleled. However, I agree with edits as a start. I don't have the time to watch Le Tour anymore since I no longer work in a shop where it can be on in the background, so I watch the stage recaps. Something like that format would allow more spectators entry into following EWS more closely and a stepping stone to a better thought out live coverage model.

Those look fantastic. I’m still riding the original Trail Skins with no good reason to upgrade. I’ll definitely be sticking with this company for the quality and thought that they put into their products, when it comes time to replace.

Ha, I worked in shops for about 5 years and miss it still 8 years later. It’s a bit early to be thinking this way but I have already thought about how when I retire I want to work in a shop. My partner says I should work one day a week now but I already don’t have enough time to ride and maintain our bikes between work and having a 1 year old.

pretty much agree with everything craw says. and while I am riding 75+ degree ST angle bike now, my next bike will be a Pole, because I want it steeper. My partner really appreciated the climbing benefits when she went from a 73 degree ST trail bike to a 75 and she is a hair under 5'8". So maybe 75-76 is good for average sized riders and it needs to be adjusted from there.

I think Forbidden is a great example of where the industry is going. Riders want more choice and we will increasingly see these small brands eat away at the custom and big brand market because they will offer bikes that have semi-custom geometry off the shelf with different seat tube angles and rear centers in each size. It means some bikes will get even more expensive, but we have seen that people are willing to pay for it. I would take a size-specific geometry alloy bike (Pole just happens to be making what I think will work best for me at 192cm) with a nice GX build over a carbon superbike any day (and then put really nice carbon wheels on it). That is what is going to be the best performance to cost ratio for me.

So I think we're going to see more of what Forbidden is going in terms of geometry offerings.

I also think tire damping is a thing and we will see more tire companies launching their ideas for it in the next few years. I think there is likely a lighter way to incorporate damping into the tire and that will be the way it goes, but we'll see.

I also think we reached peak hardtail popularity and it will not begin declining in popularity but always maintain a low-level market share.

Posted by: bmak

Anyone ridden the new Instinct?

I guess you mean BC edition since this is a long travel thread, but yeah I am riding the new A70 and I think it is a great value. As a super tall dude I wish it had more reach, but it's not bad with a 60mm stem and a bit of rise. I had a 2015 BC edition previously which was a great bike, the new bike is way nicer. Climbs better and more fun/agile than the old bike. I won't comment on the suspension since I went from XFusion -which was great for the price point- to Fox performance elite and of course it's way better in every aspect. 

Posted by: craw

I'm 6'6" and tried 180s for a while. I liked the way they rode but the clearance issues were enough that I switched back to 175. 170 just felt too small. 175 is a good compromise for me.

Damn! What do you ride at that height? I would think almost all production frames are really too small for you?

I'm 6'3.5" and most XL bikes are not big enough for me. We still have a ways to go on reach. I need it longer. Pedal strikes keep me from riding longer cranks but I would not give up 175 mm cranks. I run 185 mm cranks on my monster cross and 180 mm on my other two road bikes. I have 180 mm cranks for touring too. I love the power of the longer leaver and at my height I don't have to worry about closing out my knee angle on the top of the stoke, it's just a non-issue. 

So it comes down to personal preference. I see everyone here has a full range of preference.

Fixed gear I have run 165 mm but prefer 170 mm and I have run 172.5 and 170 mm on the boards. I even have 177.5 mm cranks on one vintage road bike.

I have the Dainese trail skins, the first ones. The second ones look like they address my only grip with the originals in that they are more formed to the knee cap. They stay in place. have side protection, move well and aren't irritating, but the fit it a little awkward as they are not cupped enough to fit nicely on the knee. I would recommend them and figure the new ones are the way to go if you can find them. I live in the North so I pretty much have to buy online anyway since local options are extremely limited.

Pretty happy with my riders thorn anti-fog photochromatic glasses. They're a bit big but the anti-fog really works and I can't live without photochromatic lenses anymore. I lost pair of specialized berm's which were photo chromatic last winter on a back country ski trip. I was super bummed. Those were my favorite all time MTB glasses.

My partner road a giant dropper on her 2014 trance for three seasons. Never serviced, worked like a charm and sold the bike this spring (the black stanchion one). My friend had the older version with a gold stanchion and it wore out. Some people clamp their post too tight and damage their droppers. I did it with my first X fusion and didn't make the same mistake twice. My partner got a new trance this year with another giant dropper and I hope it holds up as good as the old one. I like the performance of my Xfusion better but it does need more frequent service.

Posted by: mrock

Posted by: shoreboy

Ordered about $500 of parts and apparel from them on Apr 3rd.  Shipped out Apr 4th, delivered in Vancouver Apr 8th.  I always choose the Canada Post option.  I got charged $9.95 handling and another ~$22 in taxes (which is lower than what it should have been).  Fast and cheap, no complaints at all here.

I'm at 18 working days now, and nothing has showed up for me. Ordered about $200 worth of Shimano drive train parts. My first order with CRC as well, and it's taking wayyyy longer than I expected. Hopefully better luck on some future orders, or better yet, I hope this order even shows up!

Don't start to worry yet. It can often take 3 weeks.

Is there hard evidence that wider makes you faster? Shouldn't we first ask how tall the rider is and if they have broad shoulders? 

It seems like everyone is going wider and wider and riding similar bars, but bars should be sized to suit the rider. I'm 6'4" with broad shoulders and am happy with 740mm bars though I do ride some tight trees. 

I had to put narrower bars on my girlfriends bike because the stock ones are ridiculous for a 5'7" women for trail riding.

Also keen, are they available currently? Sending PM.