tdmsurfguy profile

Trevor, great review. I to have a 2020 enduro. Just installed a new 2022 Zeb ultimate (without buttercups). Otto is set up at180. I was going to get the new 170 air shaft to get back to stock. But I may try the 180. What’s been your experience with the 180 so far?

After having a fox program with Fidlock I can never go back.

Andrew, my 11 year old has liked her Ride Concepts Vice DJ shoes. Grippy soles but enough flex too. She’s a hell of a skater and has been using them for skateboarding as well. I wish RC made a smaller version of the Vice for my six year old.

I bought a pair when they came available back in may and they are without a doubt the best pair of biking shorts I’ve owned, and probably best pair of shorts I’ve ever owned.  They’re really comfortable. Make sure you use &mesh’s sizing guide, I’d never thought I’d be a medium being 6’2” 195 pounds but the mediums are perfect (same with their glidepath pants which are amazing as well). Yes all 7Mesh’s products are more expensive than other brands sale price but these are a sweet kit and should last for years to come.

Ryan, great review. Looks like you tested the fork on your Enduro correct? I saw your weight at roughly 37 pounds. I feel ya there My enduro has to be somewhere close to or over (never weighed it and not sure i should). It’s a great “trail bike”.

For what it’s worth. My dentist gave our trail nonprofit $500 without battling a eye. If your in Oregon and need a dentist I got ya covered

Cam, I went to a waxed based lube this last year called Smoove after running ATB lube for over a decade. Not sure I’m liking it yet. Like you I’m in the wet PNW. What I haven’t liked about the smoove is the the residue it leaves on the chain and accompanied parts. I’ve been trying to make sure I follow smoove’s instructions and not over apply. I’m curious to hear your long term thoughts.

I tried some dumonde tech grease in my hydra and it made a significant difference decreasing the I9 buzz. The hubs are so easy to pull apart and clean/lube.

For what it’s worth I would strongly consider I9 and I live in Oregon and love shopping local. I accidentally put one pawls in backwards  when I was doing routine maintenance on my hydra (Tired, in a hurry, but actually Sober). The the backwards pawl then started shaving metal pieces off my ring drive.  Completely my fault. I called I9 and owned up to my mistake told them I was an idiot and needed some parts to fix my ring drive that was now jacked up. The customer service rep  was awesome and sent me the parts, no charge. Not saying they do this every time but I loved how down to earth, friendly, and helpful they were. I’m a convert for life. When my wife gets a bike here next year I’m definitely ordering her a set of the 1/1 XC hoops. I9 is also huge in the trail access and advocacy side of the bike industry which I really appreciate too. Hope this helps.  Also the wheelsets are bomber and look amazing!!!

For what it’s worth I appreciated Nicole’s stance and choice to write those pieces that caused a ruckus with the “bros” of the industry. Stoked to see you on board here.

Good choice on the PNW Rainer. I love mine and it’s been flawless since installed unlike my last 9point8

I was able to demo a Sentinel two weeks ago out at Alsea falls here in Oregon. All I can say now is I'm sold, sign me up, I had an absolute blast on that bike!!! It was and XL frame with GX eagle build kit. 

I had never ridden at Alsea falls and have heard different options of the trails. My opinion is that it's basically all flow style, nothing hard or super technical but fast, and traction was rated as hero level that day. It's the complete other end of the type of riding I typically do so it was really fun for me. 

Now on to why I liked the bike...The harder I pushed it the better it got! It took a little bit to get used to the SBG style of sitting more forward on the bike but once I did and really pushed and leaned the bike over in the corners the bike just followed my line without hesitation. I found that I was over clearing some of the jumps because the bike ran so fast, I was having to brake check before just so I didn't over shoot the landing...Nice problem to have. There's a section of trail at Alsea thats mainly just a flow/pump section that I previously would of thought the sentinel wouldn't of shined on, but I will tell you what I had a sh!t eating grin the entire time! I loved how when I would make a mistake in the air or get way off line the bike/suspension just ate it up and plowed through it. 

I wasn't able to doing any technical or hard climbing as Alsea is all paved and fire road climbing. It definitely feels like a pig in those situations and the climb switch is a must. The Maxxis 2.5WT tires are amazing on the DH but slow rolling going up, I'd love to see what this bike feels like with a 1600-1800 gram wheelset (although who am I kidding I can't afford that). I'm no XC racer but I'm usually the guy waiting for others at the top of the climbs so I don't mind having a bike that helps keep my dad bod in shape.

Drew from transition was there on behalf of transition and he's an awesome guy if you ever get to meet him. He had the same response to this bike as I did, this bike isn't for everyone. If you are a beginner or lower level intermediate rider this bike is probably not for you. That's where their Smuggler/Scout is going to shine. I would need more time getting used to manualing this bike as it's way longer than my size large Knolly Endorphin. If you like to push your bike, go fast, huck, drop, etc. like to get rowdy and try different lines that may not always work out but this bike is amazing! But for me who can have only one bike in my quiver I'm sold on the Sentinel. Now I need to decide on the Pinot Red or Gunmetal grey, thinking the Grey

Anyone on here have a Transition Sentinel? If so how have you been liking it for PWN riding? I’m down here out of Portland and there isn’t many options to demo one.

I just send my 9.8 back for the second time in a year for a rebuild. I can’t seem to go two rides on it with out the return speed slowing down significantly. If it does it again I’ll have it serviced again and sell it and try to get a bike yoke revive. For $475 this fall Line should be significantly better than the other droppers. I love the action, the Rebranded wolf tooth remote when everything works right. But damn it hasn’t lived up to its hype, the weather got nice and I’m stuck without a bike!