Losifer profile

Wow… in the 25+ years I’ve been reading Mike’s work, I’ve always been felt a kind of kinship. While I’m a few years younger, I’ve gone through many of the same bike shop/single speeding/getting older and slower experiences.

I’m relatively new to nsmb.com, but have really enjoyed it over the last couple of years. Welcome Mr. Ferrentino, I think you’ll fit in nicely.

I had a bad injury (hit & run on my commute home from the shop) a couple weeks shy of 5 years ago. With the resulting TBI, I used flat pedals to try and gain some confidence getting back on the bike.

I stayed on flats until last summer, when the frustration of not cleaning a couple of technical climbs hurt my ego enough to put some Time pedals on my bike.

A few weeks ago, I was teaching a beginner clinic and put platforms back on, and realized how nice it was to let go of that ego need.

My wife and I will be setting out for a year of living and working on the road, and I think I may leave the clipless pedals in storage…

I’ve had good success with Squirt wax-based lube. 

Fully degreasing a brand new chain and soaking in denatured alcohol seems fastidious, but has worked pretty well. Of course, I do live and tide in a dry, dusty climate...

Second the truck and camp set up question. 

I’ll have an opportunity to ride both of these this year, but it’s unlikely either will pry me away from my Knolly Fugitive.

That is just... pretty smart. I may have to steal your idea!

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.

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