Tremeer023 profile

I've had the Endura MT500 Spray II trousers for a couple of years now and wear them at every opportunity.  The range of temperatures it feels comfortable in is much wider than I expected (from freezing right up to 18C or so).  It has thigh zippers for cooling.  I personally find the waterproof seat area invaluable and wouldn't want to be without one.

I replaced a lot my bolts with ti bolts (random weight saving exercise as I was bored), but they seem to round out more easily.  After stripping a couple of rotor bolts I got scared and switched back to steel for a lot of them.  

Multitool or not, it's always worth paying more for a sharp edged quality hex tool.

417mm is an odd number.  I assume that's the shortest setting so could be lengthened by 15mm or so.  

This bike is not dissimilar to my Pipedream moxie which has the same sliding dropouts (but 425mm - 441mm).  I was running mine slammed at 425 but have recently put an extra link in the chain (ss setup) to extend to about 438ish I think.  Liking the extra cornering support and stability on jumps, but it is more difficult to manual.  Very tight cornering is a bit worse but not unmanageable.

Looks like my current set-up.  I'm running a Renthal Apex stem inverted with an Ergotec 70mm riser bar, also cut to 770.  It has a 12 deg backsweep so may be worth checking out. 

Andrew, as a fellow 'over 40' I've never seen the Waltworks look as good as it does in the top pic.  Looks similar to my bike but better.  It's my dream bike!  Maybe due to growing up riding bmx and living somewhere flat.

Haha.  Your description of it is worryingly accurate.  Was it you?

I was riding a well established mellow single track line (short trail on a small hill) in my local woods last week to discover a new feature.  Someone has created a gap jump about half way down the trail blocking the main line with no alternative 'chicken' line.  You now have to dismount and fight through a load of tree/bracken to get past and continue the line.  The run in and run out are both inadequate for the gap and I couldn't see any tyre marks on it.  

It was definitely built by mtb'ers, but they have effectively prevented at least 90% of people (if not more) from riding the trail!

We are lucky to have accessible beauty spots like this to ride in the UK.  I've been to Fort Bill a couple of times but not Inners (yet).  The Welsh Gov have also embraced mtb very well too.  We make the most of our mountains!

I see the point about too much focus on one area, but (i'm guessing) to be financially viable it needs certain numbers of people visiting regularly.  The north of Scotland is probably my favourite place in the world but it is a real mission to get to (from South England especially), so I can understand why the Tweed Valley is so popular. 

Gotta get back up there again soon.

I had a Ragley Mmmbop prior to the Moxie and enjoyed it a lot.  Wanted another one really, but for the ss option.  RSD Middlechild was also in my top 3. 

And yes, a lot of the UK does lend itself to ss riding.  Where I live in south England is quite flat but most of the ss riders I see are on DJ bikes.

I'd be interested to know of any budget friendly ss options.  I had this problem when researching ss trail worthy bikes as there are not many out there really.  Most are frame only and more pricey, especially in steel (I went with a Moxie frame in the end). The NS eccentric cromo is cheaper.  British company Identiti have a good ss dropout system but they're alu frames.

Re WTB rims, I've run a rear Asym 35 rim for a couple of years and it feels like a quality product.  Broke some spokes though, but that's probably 'cos I built the wheel myself, LOL.

I have XTR brakes with resin pads, the first resin pads I've ever used.  The initial bite is noticeably less sharp and they have a bit less power overall.  They do seem to improve modulation a bit though.

Posted by: craw

Posted by: Tremeer023

Posted by: craw

Which coil fork did you order and why? I've got a new FS frame on the way and I'm trying to decide what fork should go where. My 160 Helm 29 air is amazing. Maybe I should get a coil Helm to go with? Reviews of the Helm coil all mention how linear it is, while reviews of the new coil Z1 don't.

I've ordered a Marzocchi Z1 coil partly due to cost, and because I had a load of them back in the 2000's so there's a bit of nostalgic value. I nearly went for the Ohlins rxf but not convinced it's worth the the price difference from the Marzocchi. The MRP Ribbon looks good too but I wanted 36mm stanchions (purely for vanity/aesthetic purposes).  I can live with the extra weight.

Posted by: craw

Posted by: thaaad

You guys should check out the fuckyeahhardtail Instagram account if you're in to that. 

https://instagram.com/fuckyeahhardtail?igshid=nf771mebrl5

That's a cool account. Funny there's one in there running a Trust fork. Wasn't the one specific thing testers all agreed on was that the Trust was not good at slappy landings?

Can verify that the Trust Message is not good at slappy landings but I don't think it is a problem really as you can control flat landings to feel less harsh at the front usually.  

The main problem with the fork imo is that it excels on smooth flow trails and jumps (it makes a surprisingly good jump fork), but on those trails, you don't really need suspension at all!  On rough janky stuff, it's not good.  

I've just ordered a new coil fork to replace the Message as I realise how much I miss the comfort up front and ability to ride the fork occasionally over rough bits.  The Message will hang on my wall as a piece of mtb history.  It may be put on another bike in the future though as it does suit a hardtail frame well.  I'd never bother putting it on a sus frame.

Posted by: thaaad

You guys should check out the fuckyeahhardtail Instagram account if you're in to that.

https://instagram.com/fuckyeahhardtail?igshid=nf771mebrl5

That's a monster truck of a bike - love it. If somebody were to describe the paint job in writing it would sound awful but it actually works really well. Congrats! I vaguely remember the colour from the late 80s.  

Oops, I quoted the wrong post.  Comment relates to the Arcturian.

Yes I've seen the Daambuilt bike before, she's a beaut.  Understandable that it's your go to bikepacking rig.  170km in a day, you're fitter than me.  My longest rides are only up to 30k or so plus some playing on jump lines in the middle.  I don't tend to do all dayers.

3 bottle cages, didn't know it had that!  Maybe they've been paying too much attention to Mike Levy at PB.

Sounds like my bike will handle as much distance as I can manage and then some which is good to hear (still loving the Moxie).  I can always go back to gears.   I used to drive to trails every weekend but in recent years really appreciate longer rides from the door.

I have two sets of wheels (cheaper than 2 bikes), one with Maxxis Rekon/Ikon and the other with DHF/DHR and softer compound (dh set up).  First ride of the year with the dh wheels and, jeez what an amazing difference tyres can make.  Easy to forget once you get used to lesser tyres shortcomings.  Riding them on the road is another matter of course...

Good looking Cotic Vik. Double bottle cage; are you planning any longer bikepacking type rides with this? I'm in the middle of transforming my Moxie to a winter set up with 150mm fork (have to wait until late Oct for it), but it will end up with similar geometry to this I think. Would be interested to know how much distance you can comfortably cover with it.

Posted by: Vikb

RAH - regarding 12 deg vs. 16 deg bars I'd say it's noticeably different. Cant really say better or worse. Depends a lot of the specific bike it's going on. I like having both options.

I have ridden 17 deg bars on all the techy stuff I'm comfortable riding and after an adaptation period it wasn't a problem. I don't dirt jump so I can't speak to that. 

I plan to put a 16 deg SQLabs bar on the Cotic and it'll be used for shreddy riding. This bikepacking rig will also get ridden on very challenging natural terrain. I don't expect any issues due to the backsweep.

Thanks for the info.  I feel like I've reached a sweet spot with front end set up so don't want to spoil it really but would love some bars with a brace, but the good ones all have at least 15 deg backsweep.

I still like to throw the bike around a bit though.  I guess there's only one way to find out for sure...   As you say, good to have the choice, can always go back to the current set up.  Reduced reach could become an issue if it's too extreme a change maybe.

Posted by: Vikb

After a year of riding overhauled the Daambuilt Mega Krampus:

- fresh 11 speed XT drivetrain

- Chromag Magna 40 rims + Hope Pro2 hubs + Woltooth Boostinator kits + Sapim Race spokes

- Rekon+ tires in 29 x 2.8"

- RRP front fender

- SQLabs 16 deg bars [vs. old 12 deg bars]

- Chromag 31mm stem [vs. old 35mm stem]

- Some inboard bar ends for alternate hand positions when touring

- fresh brake pads in rear and bled both brakes

- Selle Anatomica saddle [my old touring saddle]

- custom Porcelain Rocket half-frame bag [wider than standard model for more capacity]

I'm heading out for a week on this bike shortly. I'm excited to get her dirty and break in all the new parts. :-)

Never tire of seeing this bike.  Matching hoses, nice work.  Also love the seatstay/tube brace.  The older I get the more my bike seems to be evolving into a bikepacking rig, currently looking at a new frame bag for mine.

I've recently gone from 9 deg backsweep bar to 12 deg and it does feel better.  

Question for you if I may please Vic, how much difference does 16 deg make over 12 in your opinion?  I thought 9 - 12 deg was quite noticeable, but I can still 'get rad' on 12 deg.  Do you think 15 or 16 deg would hinder dirt jumping or general trail/dual track shredding, or is it something you could get used to?

Posted by: Znarf

Lockdown-Bike (more pics in my album)

My Lockdown-Gravelroad-Rocket. It is a Pipedream Moxie 2020 size Large with 29“ wheels.

Very nimble and super snappy compared to my Raaw Madonna. Also super light in comparison. The geometry makes it very capable, but I can tell you my wrists and hardtails in harsh terrain don’t mix. I can ride almost all the trails/stuff I can ride with the Madonna. But I’ll pay dearly with several NO-Bike-days, because of wrist problems. I can ride the stuff with the Madonna no problems for a couple of days in a row. It’s not a fork issue, the Pike Ultimate works great.

I was going to sell the frame, but now I’ve settled on another use case and am super happy:

I use it it on bikepaths, gravelroads, fireroads and only the mellowest of trails, attach lots of water and snacks with straps and enjoy riding it with only a helmet and no pads like the 15 year old kid I was 20 years ago. Very uncomplicated and innocent fun. And with higher rise bars it’s very comfortable. Love the 78deg seat angle...

Nice to see another Moxie - looking good. I've got the older teal colour but prefer that blue. Oh well, good excuse for a new paint job at some point. The stack height is low on the Moxie, I've just put a 3 inch riser on mine with the stem slammed. Running a shorter fork than you though. If you're just riding gravel and mellow singletrack I agree with the high rise bar. It's really comfy when seated.

Posted by: Kenny

Posted by: RAHrider

Posted by: Vikb

Gratuitous BFeMAX photo. I got my shipping notice from Cotic today. Frame is on its way over the ocean. Exciting. :-)

Now I have to see if the fork on my old winter bike can take a 27 x 2.8" tire with or without some dremel tool persuasion. ;-)  If it can't I'll shell out for a new 29er/27+ fork, but I'd like to avoid that expense a year or so if possible.

Drool,

What colour did you get? What do you  think  about the 73.5 STA? Most north American bikes are much steeper as  you know but  my lynskey was a one off made for a UK distributor and it has a similar STA. I'm old school so I like it just fine but many on the sites think anything less than 75deg is super slack.

I find steep STA way less relevant on hardtails. I have a full suspension bike with a 76 degree STA and I would not want it any slacker, my hardtail is around 72, and it's fine.

Love the Cotic frames.  I'm sure you'll be happy with it Vik.

I went from a 73 degree ST angle (though overforked so closer to 72 deg), to a 77.5 degree.  I have to say that, by sliding the seat to the preferred position the difference in climbing and general riding is marginal really.

Posted by: craw

Interesting! The reviews all suggested that the one thing that fork does particularly weirdly is rear-wheel-first landings where the fork gets slapped down, which is something you're generally more likely to do on a hardtail. Have you found this to be the case?

Yes, it feels stiff, rides high in its travel and acts more like a rigid fork in a lot of situations, like the one you described.  I've had a couple of rides so far and relieved to say it works well on my local trails which are smooth and flowy, quite flat and jumpy. Zero rocks. If I were riding mountains I'd probably have gone with something plush and comfy instead.  The cornering stability is impressive though, you can push into the front end to help get the rear around a flat turn more easily.  Less understeer if you like.  That's the main benefit I've noticed. 

Apparently the UK importer has a lot of spare parts but fingers crossed it holds up.