slyfink profile

regarding the stats about crashes... I would ask whether the severity of crash locations and potential damage matters more than frequency of crash location. As someone who landed on the top of my head rather violently last summer, I am convinced the helmet absorbed enough of the energy to save my neck. Point being, I'm not sure if frequency of impact location is more relevant to the desired outcome than location of impact.

all that said, this looks like a nice helmet. I hope it's still around when I am shopping for my next helmet.

Also, I'd love to see pictures of your forehead after a long ride with this helmet on... How long does it take for the marks to go away?!

Thanks Tim. 

it's what I assumed, but wanted to be sure. I also was curious about the comparison to aluminium. It's the main argument I use to avoid lusting after carbon ("they're just trying to mimic the feel of aluminium, so why would I pay more for just a few grams - and even there, some strong AL rims are just as light?!")

I'm looking forward to reading more of your thoughts about the traction benefits... (I'm a heavier rider too). I wonder if there's too much of a good thing?

Couple of questions:

"There is legitimately less vibration". Less than what? Carbon rims? Aluminium rims?

Re the deforming rim and de-tensioned spokes: straight gauge? butted? tension?

(not trying to be snarky, these are honest questions)

What about Newmen rims out of Germany? They make aluminum rims whose walls are  angled rather than vertical... The marketing claims is that they did this to better dissipate impacts to the rim while the bike is leaned over. https://www.newmen-components.de/en/77/mtb/rims/evolution-sl-a30/ I'd love to try a set. Weight seems reasonable too. If only they were available in Canada...

I recently listened to the Downtime podcast with Dustin Adams. I like where his mind is at, and I like where his products are heading. But I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed the Faction rim isn't available in 650b. I haven't bought into the wider-is-better mantra. I like 2.3 to 2.4 tires (60mm) and I'm happy with 25-26mm internal width rims.  I find that to be a happy combination of tire profile, weight, support, grip, and sidewall feel. I'd be willing to go to 27-28mm, but I'm not convinced by 30mm.

I have been hesitant to buy in to carbon rims, WR1 was the first company I'd been seriously contemplating. Maybe if I wait a little longer, the Faction will be available in 650B?

650b 2.3 Aggressor DD = 1050g

650b 2.35 Hans Dampf SG = 1065g 

Not sure where you're seeing such a large weight discrepancy? My experience with Schwalbe was with knobs ripping off. That was a long time ago, but I've also not really found a compelling tread pattern from them either. Magic Mary is grippy as heck, but I wasn't happy with rolling resistance.

Yes! glad you wrote about this. I remember spending hours in the bike shops trying on all their helmets to find the one that fit my noggin the best (and that I could afford) back in the 90s. Now, I am someone who falls squarely on the line between medium and large. the mediums typically just barely fit, but seem small and sit on top of my head. the large's are, well, large. They have a little side to side play, and fit deep on my head. it's what I typically go for, but in this day and age of $300 helmets*, I wish there was an in-between shell size that didn't rely on a thin plastic strap so much to adjust for size.

*I can already hear the people yelling expletives at this price. I have a Kali Interceptor and a Leatt DBX 3 All Mountain helmet. Once taxes are factored in, they come out pretty close to $300. Having crashed on my head a few times now, and having my neck saved from severe trauma, I'm happy to shell out that amount of money. But I wish there was a broader range of shell sizes that fit better given the significant cash outlay.

While this is a good rule of thumb, accidents happen. Sometimes, even if you're riding within your limits, something happens and you want your helmet to be there for you.

Also, I firmly believe in progression. It's what I like most about mountain biking: trying things that are outside my comfort zone. that's why I have a dirt jumper and go the skate park. of course, you have to progress slowly, but that still requires an element of risk.

I've cracked a few helmets in the past couple of decades riding bikes. I'm happy I have them, and I'm always paying attention to new technological improvements. of course, I'd be happier knowing those improvements have a basis in science, but as long as they don't take away from the baseline safety of the helmet (i.e. meet the same basic safety requirements and pass the same tests), I'll gladly shell out for a helmet claiming to have even more safety built-in (though an independant test that proves these claims sure would be nice).

Ooooh, thanks for the tips! I had forgotten about the Salsa and didn't know about the Scott.

I too am solidly in the rigid camp; at least until my kids graduate from "I like to go out riding with dad. sometimes", to "this is awesome and I want to spend all my time doing this". I think a fat (or semi-fat) rigid offers the greatest versatility in that it can be used to ride off-road in the summer, maybe in winter when conditions are good, and to get to school and muck around the hood the rest of the year.

I also wanted to mention that I didn't realize quality kids flat pedals were a thing. I'll have to look into that. He constantly loses his pedals while we're riding. I keep trying to teach technique (drop those heels, get up off the saddle, your elbows and knees are all the suspension you need!), but some good/better pedals would probably help a shit-ton too.

I love this site: you guys equally fire my "gnar" stoke, as well as my kid stoke! thanks!

My 6 y.o. has been watching me head out on fatbike rides, and asking if he can come along. This weekend the snow was firm and not too icy, so I thought lets give it a go.

it was tough-going on the little wheels and slippery pedals, which led to this:

that said, he didn't give up, and still had fun. But it got me thinking... maybe one of those 20" "Plus" tire bikes would work well for him? Hmmmm...

Something like this:

it would likely do well in the summer too...

but... are there others?

ridden the KS LEV? howzit compare? you compare it to Reverb and Special-Ed's posts, but my experience is with the LEV, whose features are closer to the Kronolog than the other two… thoughts?

I'd be really curious to know what tires the top 20 were on. Width and casing, tubeless (or not), and how many tires they went through during the race…

Thanks for the coverage guys, it was awesome. This race is definitely on my bucket list….

It's probably hard to measure the impact that Digger has had on mountainbiking in general, not just to the North Shore. I remember flipping through Bike mag waaaay back in the early 90's and dreaming about riding North Shore type stuff. Then watching the NSX series of videos. I think the Shore spawned a style of riding that has spread throughout the world, and Digger is in no small part responsible for that, having envisioned, and created those trails. I think he needs more than a plaque, he needs a statue!!!

In the mean time, I'll raise my glass in his hounour after my next ride (which should be tonight).

How 'bout a Tall Boy vs. Evo 29r head-to-head, mano-a-mano style?

I thought I'd just add a note about feedback's customer service. I have an old "Ultimate" bike stand that had broken parts. I eventually found out that Feedback had bought Ultimate, and so I emailed them about replacement parts. Not only are they stocking replacement parts for Ultimate racks, they are also honouring warranty's and offering discounted rates to retrofit and upgrade Ultimate racks to the new (higher) quality of Feedback's designs. They were willing to work with me on shipping options, and helpful in helping me figure out how to do the retrofit. I was pleasantly surprised. they're good people.

"Not just because of the trails, the tales and the exquisite women, but because of the people." Are you suggesting that women aren't people?!?!

otherwise, nice write-up… makes me want to go.

I'm not sure I understand your beef with the contact adjust. Are you saying you run your levers as far from the bar as possible, and so therefore the reach adjustment is useless? If that's the case, then you're the opposite of me. I try and run my levers as close to the bar as possible, and without a contact adjustment, I can't get the lever close enough. which then renders reach adjustment useless. I run the levers close to the bar because I have short fingers, and I try and keep my hand as closed as possible to avoid arm pump.

nice write up though… keep us posted about how the bleedings go.

could be the Jura, or the foothills of the alps, a little farther south and west.

i have a question though, can it be called an "enduro" ride if he doesn't have any water? Maybe he stops to drink from the streams… :)

I'd like to know about the rims/wheels. what was it like to ride carbon rims, and do they seem like they'll hold up to some abuse?

hahaha, lol at the Dobermann "Le Pink"… it's the name of a strip club in Gatineau (well, Aylmer to be exact)!!!