fartymarty profile

I haven't but thanks for the tip.  Will research further.  Do you run them F+R?

Cam - is this with Tannus or CC or both?

I'm after a lighter alternative to the V/J but with similar grip.  Minions are good but don't have as much grip.

I'm trying to find the holy grail of tyres - light, grippy, puncture resistant, good support and fast rolling... and tyres I can leave on all year.

Thanks all, lots of food for thought.

Cam, thanks for your reply.

I wasn't having any problems with lighter casings except maybe lack of grip in the winter slop from the DHF / DHR2 combo.  I run MG front and MT rear on Maxxis.  The Judge / Verdict combo is a lot better for grip and I would love these in a lighter casing.

I need to re-read AJs article.  Maybe a lighter casing + insert is the answer.

It would be great to be able to try before you buy.  Maybe this is something I need to speak to my riding buddies about and split the cost.

Cam - I'm an insert virgin and have only just moved to proper casing tyres. I ride in Surrey UK (no rocks, some roots and plenty of mud atm) and have previously got away with Exo F+R.  I'm now on WTB Verdict LHG and Judge THG for winter which are properly heavy cf 2.5 exos.  While I like the WTBs they're probably more tyre than I need.  

Would your preference be to use a lighter casing + insert or just run a heavy casing?  Weight wise im sure an insert isn't going to be heavier than the ~1400g Judge I have on the rear.

Thanks in advance, Martin

Also the majority are sponsored by Fox / RS who have just released 38/Zebs.  Running a cut down Boxxer  / 49 would kill long travel single crown forks.

Ryan - great article.  Your Range looks so good with the boxxer.  I'm sure we will see more of this in the next few years.  If money were no object* I would run a dropped Ö 38.

*and I had bigger hills

@RideEverything Please post some photos when done as I would love to see it built up.

Under promise, over deliver.

GreyHead - thanks for your post.  I'm not in the market for a new HT but the Solaris Max is on top of the shortlist.

The hg500 shifts really well even under power.  This is why I stick with shimano cassettes.  I have run a Sunrace and Shimano 11-42 at the same time and the Shimano shifts better.

Plus I like short cage mechs like the Zee.  It is quite tucked away.  I have just replaced one Zee with a Saint on the HT (killed a Zee the other night and there are no Zees in UK atm) and it works up to 42 teeth but you have to be spot on with chain length otherwise you can't get enough B tension on the 11 cog.

Is anyone on here still running 10 speed?

My current setup is full 10 speed, XT shifter, HG95 chains (rotating 3), Zee mech (11-36), Shimano HG500 11-42 cassette, Works Chainring or similar.  I run this on my HT and FS bike (Starling Murmur).  Even though the Zee is only rated to 36t it works fine on my frame for 42.

It's a large.  I should have got an XL but bought it used and wasn't sure of the standover on the XL.  

It's a bit short and the STA is too slack but it is fun to ride.

thanks, m

Tried to upload a photo of the Krampus but didn't work - anyone got any tips on how to upload photos?

I watched both the HTP reviews but am new to his channel so still trying to get a feel for his reviews.  He seemed to really like the Solaris but was on the wrong size BFe which I'm sure didn't help.

I'm fine with bikes with long rears (Krampus has 446 short, Murmur 445, old Keewee Cromo 8 is 470) so that doesn't bother me.

I've got a -2 in my Krampus and wouldn't ride it without.  I would go even slacker if someone made one.

I've just rebuilt my OG Krampus as a geared HT (from rigid SS) and really enjoyed my first ride back on it the other day.  I will try and get some photos over the next few days.

Vik - how are you finding the the BFe Max?

Has anyone else ridden one or a Solaris Max?

Posted by: Vikb

Posted by: skooks

What exactly are the benefits of a single-speed mountain bike? Serious question. I sure don't see any down-side of having gears on my bike but I haven't tried going without them either.

1. lighter

2. simpler

3. more robust

4. weather proof

5. cheaper

I mostly ride geared bikes so I am not suggesting SS is better like it's the holy grail, but it's definitely different and some of the differences are benefits if you care about them. I have also done a bunch of touring on IGH bikes which is sort of the mash up of SS and gears. You get the simple chainline and it's harder to damage that drivetrain, but you lose the simpler/lighter/cheaper part of the equation in exchange for being able to change gears.

When I switched to SS on my Krampus I expected it to be a short-term thing for a laugh and then I'd put gears on that bike. Surprisingly it was a lot of fun and I have done some long 100K rides with a lot of climbing that I thought would be hard and they were enjoyable so I never did put gears on that bike and can't imagine doing so now. That's got me wanting to setup a trail bike SS and do some SS bike touring.

Also SS is way more efficient.  You notice it when you get back on a geared bike.