awesterner profile

Oh now it’s all coming back to me…that sliding idler! I think I ultimately spaced out a jockey wheel from a chain guide as I went 1x on that thing. I went through a bag of those pulley (sent by them as replacements). Then they improved them but still were weird. If I recall the chain would jam against the roof (upper guard??). I rode out once just with the chain on the pulley shaft after I broke the thing. **note Andrew’s comments of OG riders bringing the kitchen sink with them on rides, I needed it hahahaha

This is amazing Andrew, I had one of these!! I think it was a 2007/8 in some sort of creamy off white colour. I can’t recall what shock it had but may have been a Marz. Bought the frame from United Cycles in Edmonton, behind the hockey section.  Even today it has nice proportions and a cool industrial design. 

It was very heavy. It was also a very fun bike riding the big long descents at Moose Mtn in Kananskis. I’ve ridden a lot of bikes since but that one has the most downhill comfort of anything I’ve had ridden in recent years.

It had issues and I think they were related to the idler. From what I recall the pulley wore out very easy. What was great though, being a small company back in the day… I talked to the owner/marketer/designer a few times on the phone. Sorted me out with a newly designed pulley that they made. 

Wow, thanks for tickling my memory bank. Those were simpler times haha.

It’s the new E6100 on her Kona, mine being the Active Line Plus. I demoed a city bike last year with the CX. It was overkill (too much assist, a little unnatural on a city bike). I’m a pretty fit high mileage rider that just likes enough boost when carry loads. I think the unrefined comment about the Shimano stems mostly from the noise. Other than that it’s still very nice. And the complete weight of her ride is considerably less than my Cannondale Canvas, even after fully nerding out on XT, 11spd XO1 leftovers, and nice cockpit and wheels 8-).

I do want to try a new gen emtb, but we are tapped out on bikes for a good while (n+5;)

We have 2 e-bikes in the house for commuting, deleting one car. Work, CSA pickup, groceries, General errands. Amazing, especially if you live in the traffic sh*T show of North Vancouver. Casual cruise into the city for a beer after a big mtb ride in the morning? Sure! 

I’m personally not a fan of e-mtb  s at this point, but I get the arguments some have on the long solo rides. Personally any form of bike to get out in the air, especially if it replaces driving a truck to our local trailhead, have at it :)

Now technically speaking, with one being Shimano E-steps and one Bosch, the Bosch is completely silent and more refined. By a large margin.

Worth a try! It’s decent in the winter as well, as long as it’s applied several hours prior to a dry chain. I usually reapply every couple MTB rides. On my e-commuter I apply every trip or two (58km round trip). Probably don’t have too, but I can hear it in the shifting. It calls to be to re apply haha. Gravel/road-every ride, due to the occasional dust and longer distances. Of course everyone is different :)

Worth a try! It’s decent in the winter as well, as long as it’s applied several hours prior to a dry chain. I usually reapply every couple MTB rides. On my e-commuter I apply every trip or two (58km round trip). Probably don’t have too, but I can hear it in the shifting. It calls to be to re apply haha. Gravel/road-every ride, due to the occasional dust and longer distances. Of course everyone is different :)

T9 is a harsh chemical so make sure to wear gloves:) It’s also very toxic to our groundwater, so don’t dump out out people! 

That being said, it’s a really durable lube. I’ve gone back and forth between T9 and SQUIRT for a few years and settled on the later as it’s water emulsified.  It’s somewhat messier (gums up a bit), but I’m getting mad distance out of my drivetrains akin to the performance I had with T9. 

Fun fact, Triflow, like T9, is aviation approved. No idea what it’s used for, presumably for lubing cables or something:) there are a few bottles in our Chem cabinet. 

Great read as usual Andrew, love it. 

Oh, if you SQUIRT your chain, method #2 8-)

I’ve been riding my V1 for a while now with the cascade link. Really like the change. The first few rides had me frustrated though. It sat higher, and was incredibly compliant. It took a few rides to get the balance back with the fork. Very happy overall with the new 160/152mm setup. Pete mentioned stiffness of the rear triangle. With the OEM carbon rocker I noticed a little flex as well. I damaged it and transition replaced it with the aluminum one last year (at a 60gram weight penalty if anybody cares). I did noticed the rear triangle being more rigid. The Cascade link is a lot more substantial, the bike is noticeably stiffer. I thought I wouldn’t notice it between all three links, but it’s there :)

Great piece Pete. I was going to go for the V2 Sentinel as well but I dithered and dithered until well, we all know what happened these days when one does that, ha!

This is my 3rd year on the V1 (first was metal, current is Merlot). It’s a great bike all around. I managed to get a Cascade Link for it, snipped a spacer in the shock to up the travel a bit to 152. It’s a big change to how the bike rides, surprisingly. I dig it and I’m very happy to keep rolling on it for the next season!

To anyone reading this I highly recommend a High Above hip pack. Hand made in Bellingham by a really nice dude. Stiff waterproof shell material, with a really close fit. I have had 2 versions for the last five years and they are indestructible, and still look fantastic with tons of use. Surprisingly good value at 100-125USD depending on version and configuration 

https://www.highabove.net

Is there no appetite from the District  for connecting the quality separated lanes of Boulevard Crescent and Lynn Valley Rd?  That short section under the Trans Canada Highway. It’s a messy spot for cyclists with two narrow lanes and an off loop from the highway. Every time I ride that way I laugh at the sign telling cyclist to share the narrow sidewalk. 😂

That’s a great little ride, especially in the evening. For whatever reason I go gravel first and back on the road. Maybe from doing it at the end of a long ride, I find it more casual on the ride out on the pavement . Love the section through the old growth, and nice new cedar bridges!

Yes, excellent! Clearly the typo has been changed for some time. The BB I picked up in the winter had the typo, so probably fairly old new stock :)

Somewhat related, has anybody looked at the installation instructions for the Cinch BB threaded cups?  For years the torque is listed as ~40nm and 40 *in/lbs. I emailed them long ago (but clearly got lost in the black hole of customer emails;) mentioned the discrepancy. Either it’s 40nm, 40in/lbs, 40 ft/lbs, or ~340in/lbs. I’d pick 3 out of that list as correct.

8-)

I think I may grab some 50/36 rings, for my riding around the city. The only niggle I have with the 48/34 is I cross chain a lot on normal hills around here, at least when I’m in a hurry. When on dirt the 48 is fine, and we’ll you can crawl in the 34/34 if you need too :)

Agree, a great all surface bike. I have the Advanced 0 with GRX 810. A very good value that needs no upgrading (friggin light too).  I was lucky to snag one when they first came into stock last fall. 

For those that ride mostly tarmac, do consider a 2x. It’s not fashionable, but I personally think that it’s more versatile. The maxxis velocita tires are good for what I do 70-80% road, and still can make up steep dirt if you need (anyone familiar with the stone climb heading westbound from the bike park on BBY Mtn—stuff like that-totally manageable).  I do have specialized pathfinder pros for longer crappier surfaces.

Rhetorical question: If there was never was a game of whack-a-mole with Metro, I wonder what the lay of the land would look like up there?

When a 2 ft wide path become ten 2 ft wide paths.  Some areas of upper Seymour are completely sh*t kicked and are a disaster and eyesore now. Many respect ‘holistic’ trails, but sadly many more don’t.

Yes messaging is scattered. However I have very reasonable friends perhaps ‘getting all caught up in the confusion’ and riding in groups that aren’t their household. Dumpster shuttles appear to be hot right now again.  ‘Tis the season for getting after it and showing your friends. Instagram is the damndest thing....;) 

I’m enjoying riding my local from home, even if it means just time for one climb and descent.

Call around, some of the LBS’s in the lower mainland have dozens of pairs of Code brake pads in stock. No need to freak out people, well not yet hahaha