Losifer profile

Man, don't even get me started on Tony Ellsworth. I was a mechanic at the first bike shop that carried his bikes (very close to where he was based) and have never, in over 25 years as a bike mechanic, heard and experienced so many terrible customer service stories. 

It's because of those experiences that I chose to go with a Knolly Fugitive for my return to full suspension after 20 years.

Our organization has played around with the idea of an ebike for trailbuilding duties. There are a number of areas that would benefit from being able to get tools on them more frequently that are difficult to get to on foot. 

I was also hoping for a more in depth article, possibly nsmb could look into som of the builders’ set ups.

I know some Husky users get offended by it, but our Stihl MS260 fits in the Dakine Trailbuilder really well, and is a solid saw if’n you don’t want to push your dad’s vintage saw.

A bright red speedo at that! 

I also had no idea he started Kleen Kanteen- good on ya, Bob!

I just picked up a pair of e*13 tires For my Knolly Fugitive- TRSrace A/T for the front, SS LG1 plus for the back. I’d Ben playing around with a couple of tire combos. Starting with a 2.6” DHF front/2.5” DHF rear, and then tries a 2.6” Dissector front/2.6” XR4 Rear.

So far I’m very happy with the e*13 tires, especially the SS. Having used a Minion SS a couple of years ago, this is a much bigger volume tire that doesn’t lay the side knobs on the ground on a 30mm rim! 

I’m in Boise, Idaho. High desert, loose over hard, rarely wet, but I rode one of our higher altitude trails on Monday in some classic damp loam and wet rocks conditions, and had no regrets.

One issue with the increased erosion factor of ebikes that I don’t see discussed much Is one of rider skill. As @Sweaman2 pointed out, an ebike allows a rider of average fitness the power output of an Olympian, While that high level rider may be able to turn those extra laps, they also have invariably had the saddle time to learn things like turning without skidding their rear tire. 

As the director of a trail advocacy organization in the States, I have many other concerns as well.

I would say that this article made me glad that I purchased a Knolly, but riding it has already done that...

Of the Fugitive.

It's ridiculously good. My timing on some moves on tech climbing needs work, but that is all me. This thing rides as good as it looks, and I have yet to walk by it without having to stop and stare for a bit!

I built up my new Fugitive last month, and haven't gotten nearly as many rides in as I'd like due to the weather and trail conditions, which are really starting to get nice. I realized the other day that I was pushing myself WAY faster (it's my first full squish in 20 years...) than I normally do, and had to make the difficult decision to stay on my singlespeed until this situation is a bit more under control.

Posted by: PembyRocks

Chromag Phase 30. Best rims I've had. Broke 3 rims (XT, Flow mk3 and Giant carbon) before running these. I've beaten the snot out of them on my hardtail for the past 18 months and, apart from an initial re-tension after the first couple of rides, haven't touched them. No dents, stayed true. Highly recommended. 

I know a few people that run the beefier one (BA30) in the back too for a bit of extra security. I haven't felt the need though

Seriously considering a set of those as well!

Los

Posted by: craw

You're 40 now. Probably should buy a Chromag.

Too close to home, man (although I was 46 when I got my Chromag...)

Los

The sapphire 34 wasn’t available when I built up the rootdown. I had a 2016 diamond on it and upgraded to the newer version about a year ago. If I were to do it today I think I’d still go with a 150mm fork on the rootdown to maintain the geometry, but with that spacer it sounds like you have that covered.

Thanks for the background info. 

After your input, taking into account the burliness (or lack thereof) of my local trails, and reading the design philosophy behind the Doctahawk (on a site I’d rather not admit to reading,) I think the Sapphire 34 might be a good fit. 

I can maintain the geometry with a spacer crown race, and have slightly less impact on that geometry with less travel. Doesn’t hurt that the Sapphire is slightly lighter and a little cheaper...

Los

Posted by: ols55

I have a sapphire 34 @ 140 on my marin rift zone and a diamond @ 150 on my rootdown. I’m about 195 and wouldnt hesitate to put the sapphire on your rootdown. It’s a stiff and supportive fork!

Thanks! I appreciate the response. One question, though: did you choose theDiamond on your Rootdown because of the travel, or another reason?

Los

Anyone tried a DVO Sapphire 34? Thinking of putting one on my Rootdown (with a 20mm crown race to make up for the shorter travel.)

At 185 lbs. and not super gnar, I think the Diamond might be a bit much...

Los

I would reach out to them, see if there’s a dealer in your area.

New “shadow” paint job on the Rootdown has me drooling...

Los