Bushpilot profile

I definitely left skin on that rock

From what I can tell, bar comfort seems to be pretty subjective.  Here's what outdoor gear lab had to say about the Deity Blacklabel bar:  

"They are plenty stiff even with a 31.8mm bore/clamp diameter, and the 800mm width provides ample leverage. Steering feels direct and precise, but maybe a touch too little compliance leaves these bars on the slightly uncomfortable end of the spectrum compared to bars that reduce vibration better like the Spank Oozy Vibrocore or Ibis Adjustable Carbon, both of which are designed around the 31.8mm clamp diameter. More comfortable 35mm options include the Santa Cruz Bicycles Carbon and RaceFace Next R bars.

We liked the sense of control provided by the stiffness of these bars, but couldn't ignore the hand fatigue generated by them over relatively short runs. They are stiff, and steering feels very direct with plenty of leverage for muscling the bike around at speed or through rock gardens. It didn't take long, however, for our testers to start losing feeling in their hands with the feedback that came straight through them."

I have a OneUp bar and a Rental Fatbar Carbon (35mm clamp).  The Renthal bar definitely feels more "precise" when it comes to steering input.  But I don't notice much difference in comfort between the two.  Maybe I'd notice more of a difference without Cushcore, good suspension and low-ish tire pressures...

Any chance you could explain the spray paint method? I had ‘ok’ luck using Renthal’s basic grip glue with their push-on grips and better luck using isopropyl alcohol (same method as ESI grips). I’m about to put on another set of fresh ultra-tacky push-ons and am curious about how this spray paint method works.

+1 for the Houdini.   Pretty decent water resistance, tough, weighs nothing, ok breathability and goes for $125 brand new (and you can often find a sale price).

"...hammer my one gear up No Quarter out of the saddle".  My body aches and I feel like barfing just reading that.

Very thorough and much appreciated.  The Öhlins fork is on my shortlist to replace what I’ve currently got. I haven’t ridden one yet though so I’m glad to see it’s on the list!

What are the other forks on your top three or four list?

I recently put on fresh Magic Marys in Super Gravity casing.  I'm using the purple Ultra Soft compound both front and rear in 29x2.35 (with cushcore on both ends).  They're definitely heavier and slower to climb but the grip and damp / comfortable ride are mind boggling.  While it takes more energy to move them, the extra grip does help with those steep tricky climbs this time of year.  I will definitely switch to a faster rolling rear tire when the days (and rides) start to get longer in April / May.  But for a winter slip 'n slide season dedicated setup this is the most sure-footed combo I've tried to date.  FWIW my winter rides are mainly Fromme and Seymour.

Also, this tire combo can be had for dirt cheap if you're willing to order from overseas and wait a couple weeks.

Looks like that's the Canadian price on their website, which is on par with ($29 more than) a Rootdown.

Glad to see a nice short seat tube on the large.

Posted by: Bushpilot

Thanks.  I suspect the person I spoke with got it wrong (again).  I'm going to submit an appraisal from the store I bought the bike from.  If the insurer tells me that the store I bought the bike from is not sufficient then I'll ask the insurer to direct me to a shop / appraiser that is.

Update.  I emailed TD Insurance's customer service and ombudsman yesterday.  I received an email moments ago from TD's Customer Service department.  In that email they advised me that they had reviewed my policy and were emailing to apologize for the miscommunication yesterday and to confirm that my bikes are covered for up to $50,000 and that no appraisal is required.  They specifically confirmed, in writing, that there is no $6,000 bike limit in my policy.  FWIW I have the "Platinum Plus" coverage and, admittedly, it is expensive.

Thanks.  I suspect the person I spoke with got it wrong (again).  I'm going to submit an appraisal from the store I bought the bike from.  If the insurer tells me that the store I bought the bike from is not sufficient then I'll ask the insurer to direct me to a shop / appraiser that is.

Posted by: Bushpilot

Posted by: SixZeroSixOne

Posted by: Bushpilot

+1 for TD Meloche Monnex. No limit on bike (subject to limit of entire policy obviously though). Also, coverage is for replacement value of NEW equivalent bike, not depreciated value.

You sure about that? As I understand it, there is a defined limit for total contents and a "all risks" limit of $6k for any one item. Agreed about the 'new for old' part though!

(I have condo insurance so contents only as my strata is responsible for the actual building)

Every time I renew (annually) I confirm that my coverage has not changed and that the only limit is the limit of my entire policy. I was advised that I would have to pay a $1,000 deductible if I made a claim though. I'm sure coverage is not standard across the board. I have whatever their platinum plus (or whatever they call it) policy is. I confirmed all of this again when I renewed in April 2020.

But...now I'm going to call them tomorrow to ask for a copy of my policy. I specifically have them confirm the above every time I renew. It is possible that the salesperson misrepresented the coverage. This is also my 8th year with this coverage and so it is also possible that I have some kind of grandfathered policy I guess.

I spoke with TD / Meloche Monnex this morning. The agent confirmed there is a $6,000 limit unless the bike is appraised at a higher value by a "certified bicycle appraiser". Then, once an appraisal is provided, it would be covered under my global contents limit but that my global contents limit would likely increase by the amount my bike exceeds $6,000.

I'm quite disappointed because they have represented to me over the phone annually (for 7 or 8 years) that my limit for a stolen bike is my entire contents limit and that no exclusion applied (subject to my $1,000 deductible). I have requested the transcripts of my conversations with them, which he told me they keep. I'm not very happy about it.

More importantly though, does anyone know where to find a "certified" bicycle appraiser? The agent told me the appraiser needs a stamp bearing his or her certification, like an official seal. I used to work in a bike shop and never heard of such a thing. I called a few bike shops and an auction house this morning and they all told me they had never heard of such a thing. I used to prepare bike appraisals for people for insurance purposes and all the shops I spoke with do too. But this "certified" and/or official stamp requirement is surprising to me and to the shops I spoke with.

Posted by: SixZeroSixOne

Posted by: Bushpilot

+1 for TD Meloche Monnex. No limit on bike (subject to limit of entire policy obviously though). Also, coverage is for replacement value of NEW equivalent bike, not depreciated value.

You sure about that? As I understand it, there is a defined limit for total contents and a "all risks" limit of $6k for any one item. Agreed about the 'new for old' part though!

(I have condo insurance so contents only as my strata is responsible for the actual building)

Every time I renew (annually) I confirm that my coverage has not changed and that the only limit is the limit of my entire policy. I was advised that I would have to pay a $1,000 deductible if I made a claim though. I'm sure coverage is not standard across the board. I have whatever their platinum plus (or whatever they call it) policy is. I confirmed all of this again when I renewed in April 2020.

But...now I'm going to call them tomorrow to ask for a copy of my policy. I specifically have them confirm the above every time I renew. It is possible that the salesperson misrepresented the coverage.  This is also my 8th year with this coverage and so it is also possible that I have some kind of grandfathered policy I guess.

Posted by: Ouch

Posted by: D_C_

I've tried both a DHF EXO MaxxGrip and Assegai Double Down MaxxGrip. The Assegai is insanely grippy but feels like more work to pedal around (though it is a bit hard to separate what is the tread pattern and what is the ~300 g weight difference between the two tires). The DHF EXO MaxxGrip is a good all-rounder, finding a good balance between all-out grip and efficiency. It is still excellent on wet rocks and roots.

A more fair comparison would be the two tires in the same casing. I wish they made an Assegai EXO MaxxGrip.

I looked at Maxxis website again, the DHF MaxxGrip Exo weighs 1,295g and the Assegai MaxxGrip DD weighs 1,305g. Are those weights accurate? It seems that the DD should weigh more than 10g extra over the EXO?

I just bought both tires you asked about. I haven't ridden them yet. But digital kitchen scale (which is calibrated) tells me my Assegai DD Maxxgrip in 29x2.5 weighs 1250g and my DHF DD Maxxgrip in 29x2.5 weighs 1215g.  

In my experience posted tire weights are often +/- 10%.  I bought some Magic Marys in Supergravity Ultra Soft 29x2.35 in the fall.  Posted weight is 1165g.  I was a bit disappointed to find they actually weighed 1308g and 1311g.

+1 for TD Meloche Monnex.  No limit on bike (subject to limit of entire policy obviously though).  Also, coverage is for replacement value of NEW equivalent bike, not depreciated value.

Posted by: Chris_Mitchell

About to purchase a Chromag Primer. I was sad to notice the press fit BB - but realized I don't really care as long as it is quiet! (A noisy bike drives me mental). Anyone have any experience/ issues with this on a Primer? Also, I'm a 5'11'' rider going for a size M/L, but was curious if I should size up. Any insights or advice would be appreciated!

I’m just shy of 5’11” and currently ride a M/L 2019 Rootdown. I have shorter legs and a longer torso. The M/L feels very short (reach of 457mm) compared to my full suspension bike (reach of 476) any time I’m out of the saddle and the trail turns downhill or gets janky. I am replacing it with a 2020 Rootdown in L. That’s a fairly big jump In length but I’m pretty confident it will be a better size for me. If just general trail bike I think the new M/L (which grew in length a bit from 2019 models) would be great. But if you’re riding much chunder then the L is probably worth a think.

Also, FWIW I have two other buddies around 5'11", both riding size Large Rootdowns (2019 and 2017) and both seem very happy with their sizing.

Last thing: no bb creak or noise to speak of to date.

Posted by: niels@nsmb.com

Posted by: craw

A couple of the switchbacks on GSM need some extra precision but they're totally doable.

How about those three consecutive switchbacks on R&R? I find those much more difficult on long bikes than the ones on GSM.

Lol...these are exactly the switchbacks I have in mind when marinating on whether a G1 might be a bit too much...

Plenty of trails in the Robert's Creek area fit that description.  Pinkbike did a complete guide to riding on the Sunshine Coast in May of this year.  Check that out.

Posted by: Xorrox

Has anyone run into the new E*thirteen 2.4" TRS A/T Race MOPO tires for sale anywhere locally (North Van / Van) or online? I'd really like to try the 29" version on the front. 

Otherwise maybe I'll try the wide and sticky DHF instead of my usual wet weather go to, the Magic Mary Snakeskin Soft TLE Soft.

I ordered mine direct from e13 and had them shipped to Point Roberts. Arrived in two days and I don't think I paid for shipping.