UFO profile

When you drop $10k+ at the shop for one if these, I'd be surprised if they aren't more than happy to swap tires to your liking and maybe even a matchy matchy chain just for you. Maybe...

I get at this price point you would expect everything to be spot on, but you're basically asking for a location specific build kit. Most LBS in my experience are happy to help you adjust the build to suit, maybe even at no additional cost.

I find with bikes where there's a will there's usually a way. Most of my bike dollars are spent in the secondary/used market to extract maximum value, so for me I rely on gear being readily available on the used market at what I deem to be a value worthy price.

With the immense depreciation of a used mtb's value, it's very difficult for me to justify forking out MSRP on a larger special order part to keep this old bike going. Case in point in the original thread I discovered the latest top end Fox 36 can be ordered with a straight 1 1/8" steertube -- I can almost guarantee you the fork will out value the rest of the bike it is to go on. So at some point it just makes sense to dive into the new standards. Until the next set of Standards rolls out... Thankfully things to seem to be slowing, for now

Good to know. I thought it was a situation like the original Pike/Lyrik where they were both 35mm but the ID of the stanchion being thicker on the Lyrik made parts not compatible with each other. Or maybe I was on crack back then too

I was under the impression that this fork is built around the Fox 36 Rhythm using the lower end crown AND stanchions. I haven't done much research into this, but initially understood that the Fox Rhythm stanchions are thicker internally resulting in a smaller ID, so upgrading to the Fit or Grip2 dampers wasn't possible.

See the thing I feel is, those dropping $8k+ on a bike don't typically believe it will last twice as long as a $4k bike. Back onto incrementalism, there's also no way an 8k bike returns double the quality of experience that a 4k bike delivers.

I believe the answer to your problem is the concept of value. And value is determined by a series of personal factors as mentioned previously. If I could possess 1 8k wonder bike or 2 4k awesome bikes, my answer is the latter everytime. 

Personally, the value for performance ratio is the best its been since forever--in certain segments, if you deal hunt. I bought my first new complete bike off a shop floor in over 20 years a few weeks ago, a Norco Range 29 with a very competent parts package for less than 3500 out the door. But once again that's value based on my preconceived notions

I totally feel you about 1 1/8" forks though. I'm always on the lookout to stash and hoard these, but even then the Sakura that needs this size doesn't get ridden hard enough that its really an issue

So disgusted that you feel the need to protect said company. 

No dig to you, but if one isn't in a process to amicably resolve a problem, 100% the socially responsible thing to do in 2018 is to make everyone else aware (aware =/= unfounded slander). Maybe the social pressure may eventually move towards a resolution of your own problem, but at the very least will make others aware of this very obvious short coming.

Even without the exchange rate discount for our Ameri-friends, it's very hard to ignore the value of the WAO rims and everything they bring to the table.

As I recall Tim Coleman has been testing the NSMB WAO rims, and last I recall he really enjoyed them. I'd be VERY curious to see what Tim's feedback on the Crank Brothers wheels would be based on how discerning I know he is with his gear

I'll chime in as the Chromag rider Cam referenced above. I'm also a die hard max-min'er ala DrewM and basically all my bike gear decisions are driven with value in mind.

Crank Brothers have always placed their gear at the premium price point. These wheels are no exception, and they hold no reservations about that. Would I drop 2400usd on these, in a simple answer no. But I wouldn't even consider spending half of that on a set of wheels, nor would I drop 5k on a complete bike even, so I'm not the demographic that CB are marketing these wheels to. 

CB are sensitive to market requests by offering a more budget friendly set of these wheels, and rim only options. I'm a huge fan of DT Swiss' star ratchets; but I must admit how much I've enjoyed the P321 2.5* engagement and how quiet the wheel/hub system has been

I've always had good success with Roval wheels, running the 27.5 Traverse Fattie 29mm id aluminum rims. 

I hope with this relaunch that Roval Joe also comes back to at least MTBR. He was an invaluable resource for all things Roval related, spitting out parts numbers left right and center for all bits conventional or obscure

I have been a huge fan of DT Swiss star ratchet over the years, the 350 is best bang for the buck. They have been the epitome of reliable and value, above average bearing life too. As mentioned the 36t stars are the sweetspot, nice enough upgrade over the stock 18t without the durability concerns or cost of the 54t.

The only beef I've heard of the rear hubs is difficulty removing the drive ring to get at the bearing for replacement, but this is a job I would leave at the shop anyways. Everything else is super easy to service at home without any specialty tools.

I also have a P321 quiet rear wheel and that thing is a real treat, not as much time on it thus far though but from what I've read the current ones seem quite reliable.

Posted by: Ddean

To that I ask “so what?”

None of us get the max from our bikes. It doesn’t mean that we should not be riding them. You deserve that Evo. Go get one right away and report back on the size of your smile. Don’t delay! You’ve earned this!!!

Oh don't worry I'm not ever adverse to treating myself. 

My comment was more about the compromises in the SJ Evo that make it what it is. For my intents and purposes, I'm looking less for a downhiller's trail bike but more for a hack's do everything bike -- I ultimately ended up on a Range 29 with more conventional geometry to create more separation from my Chromag.

I was looking heavily into the MT Trails as well, great value and generally well reviewed. 

I ultimately decided on some TRP Slate T4's mainly due to a stock of Zee/Saint pads I still have on hand. Just throwing something else in to consider

I was super excited about the prospect of the Stumpy Evo. Much like how when the original Banshee Spitfire came out it was touted as the DHer's trail bike, the Stumpy Evo is exactly that.

Then I realized I probably don't ride near hard nor aggressive enough to get the most of it.

Www.blueliquidlabs.com I hadn't heard of him until recently, appears to be very well regarded and seems to be the current underground choice

A 2019 norco fluid would work quite well, 130/120 29er at 66.5 HA and 76 SA with good reach figures. If you want to go a bit further over into that spectrum even then perhaps an Optic?

If/when my Chromag Primer becomes too much for me, the Fluid would check a lot of boxes off for me

The Stumpjumper EVO 29 carbo is coming, at $7500usd for the build below. This leaked onto MTBR last week but since has been taken off Spec's website.

Fwiw my new to me '16 Scout is also about 144-145mm. Works for me because I'm using silly Roval 142+ wheels. With the shock detached the suspension cycles smooth with the wheel clamped in and my rear hub is 144mm spacing

To be fair, geometry had to catch up a bit too, so far as I can tell. 

The new school low offsets seem to work best with long reaches and even slacker head angles. We've been groomed to accept incremental changes, who knew we would be in a world where 450mm reach on a medium and sub 65* head angles on a 29er would be a thing

The standard initially was 46mm no? Then Trek (?) really pushed/still pushthe 'G2' 51mm offset.

44 vs 46, couldn't care less