Tremeer023 profile

This may be a short-sighted question but why aren't one piece steerer/CSU's a thing yet?  Is is purely down to manufacturing costs with each one needing to be specific to each fork or something?  Or is there something obvious I'm missing.  I'd pay a bit more for the reassurance of a one piece.

I've been riding a Trust Message for a few months now and would have to agree that as an overall package, it isn't really as good as the best conventional forks out there.  However, it is better at certain things (cornering stability) and DW's concept does work.  If someone could combine this with the comfort of a plush telescopic fork then they would have the holy grail of forks imo.

Can't go wrong with a straight line top tube/seat stay.  Good looking bike. 

However, 'All Country' frame?  Don't get me started 😡

I used to ride medium sized frames as seat tubes were historically too long.  The reach was scarily short on some older bikes with short stems.  I'm 5,11 and ride large size now so in many ways the jump to modern geometry and fit has been compounded.  

I remember buying a custom built ht frame (Curtis SX) in about 2006 and requested the longest top tube (22.75 inch). The builder quizzed me at the time suggesting it may be too long but it felt great at the time having a short seat tube and longer reach.

Still remember how shocked I was when changing the pivot bearings on my old 2008 Intense Uzzi years ago.  Never though an expensive hand built USA made frame would be misaligned.  Didn't really notice it on the trails though.

No worries on the tyre, not the first time and won't be the last. 

Rim is WTB Asym 35mm internal diameter.  Tyre Minion DHR 2.4 EXO Maxx Grip.  27.5 wheels. 

Narrow roll tape.

I understand that Gorilla tape usually makes a mess of your rim if stuck properly and mine didn't so maybe I just didn't stick it down enough.  It was fitted in coldish temperature.

About as easy coming off as putting it on for me.

Haven't got a plus size version but did recently install a regular one in the rear of my spare wheel set.  About 20 mins of swearing and sore fingers later and yes, the bl**dy tyre was on backwards (facepalm). 

Anyway, re-did it but tyre wouldn't inflate.   I used Gorilla tape but due to the tightness and having to tuck the bead under the already tight fitting insert, the tape kept peeling back exposing the spoke holes.  Got fed up in the end so took it to LBS with a sorry look on my face ha-ha.  I will be using regular rim tape next time.

Haven't been able to test it properly yet, maybe in 2021.

I went from 800mm to 780mm and it feels much better (I'm 182cm tall). Used to run 760 on my DJ bike and may well try that for a while as most of my riding is relatively lower speed.  

My current carbon bar has a few scratches and I'm interested in trying a 12 degree back sweep bar instead so good time for an experiment as you say.

I no longer carry a tube either, just a plug and mini pump.  Been running a frame bag only for every ride for about 4 years now with no issues.  Water, snacks, tissues, multi tool (with small chain tool), spare link, zip tie and Gorilla tape wrapped around the pump all in the bag.  It's a minimalist set up but no problems so far on rides up to 3 hrs.  If you keep your general bike maintenance up together it really helps I find.

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.

Amidst lockdown fever this accidentally happened to my bike:

Don't know if the obvious has been mentioned but, if there is one close to you, regular pump track or bmx track practice will really help. It won't be much fun at first but stick with it and your pump/manual/jump skills should improve. You don't really need a specific bike either (although a proper DH bike won't be much use) - just run your summer tyres with 40psi +.

I grew up riding bmx before switching to mtb in my 20's. However I found that after having kids, and reaching about 40 (I'm 43 now), I shy away from bigger jumps, particularly doubles.

Posted by: michel77

Posted by: Tremeer023

My old Ragley:

Lot of cool stuff happening on that bike! Singlespeed? And digging that underseat dropper lever!

Thanks, this is my one bike for all so parts swapped over, always evolving and upgrading. The latest is a set of Raceface Turbine wheels on the Moxie.

Been single speed for 4 years straight now (well, on and off for the last 30 yrs). The lever dropper post is because I have a tag-along for my son so need to swap it out sometimes.

The bikes are quite similar but just went to a slightly longer frame and steel frame for change.

My new Pipedream Moxie:

My old Ragley: