D_C_ profile

Other than rim protection, it would be interesting to know what, if anything, the CushCore XC inserts give up in ride quality compared to the heavier ones. Maybe some side-by-side testing would be good.

In my view, these bikes are pretty long. Hardtails have their reach increase as the fork sags, whereas a full-suspension’s  reach stays the same or shrinks through sagging of both ends. A medium hardtail with 450 reach is a long bike.

Agreed on the head angle though, but you can always bump up the fork to 150 for an extra degree.

That said, reviews from people who paid money for something are often relief of cognitive dissonance, attempts at validating their purchase and convincing themselves they made the right choice over another option. There's really no winning when it comes to avoiding bias.

Confirmed. I deleted my comment. I just figured I didn’t have anything interesting to say so I pulled the plug. Haha

"IMO it wouldnt really be a fair test to pit a "cheap" alloy bike vs a premium carbon offering for the same reason you mention; it would say more about the manufacturing and design than material; apples to oranges."

If your budget is around ~$5000 and looking at non-boutique brands, you're likely faced with the choice of the aluminum frame with better parts or the carbon frame with a lower-end build. That comparison, while somewhat apples and oranges, would be interesting (e.g. Norco Range C3 vs A1, Specialized Enduro Comp with upgraded wheels vs. Enduro Elite, Giant Reign 1 vs Reign Advanced 1, etc.).

Nicely done. That said, Knolly has produced high-end alloy frames for most of its existence, aimed at the performance market, so it’s not surprising that the alloy bike rides well. I suspect there might have been more clear differences with brands like, say, Giant or Specialized, where the alloy bikes are geared toward those on a budget. This comparison says more about Knolly bikes than it does about materials.

I think what can be concluded is that it’s possible to make a good aluminum bike.

I just set up a ReMote LA with a Manic (already had the ReMote then got the seatpost). Unlike some other posts, the Manic doesn't drop until the lever is fully pushed over (as opposed to actuating as soon as the lever starts moving). The LA version works fine, but I agree that the regular version would work better, resulting in less lever throw.

"Do we need a bar size between 31.8mm, and 35mm? 31.8mm is so heavy, but 35mm is too stiff and not as impact resistant. Someone out there thinks 33.28mm sounds like a good compromise."

Stop giving them ideas. Nobody thinks this. Nobody.

Deleted. Oops

The first time I saw a bike going for $5000, I nearly spat out my coffee. But after becoming desensitized by countless reviews of $10000 bikes, $5000 seems like a deal. Mission accomplished.

Posted by: Cabana76

Some great suggestions in this thread.  I'm just starting to stray from my usual Shore rides to the valley.  Why did I wait so long?

Question about Vedder.  Is there a higher shuttle parking lot?  Or can you leave a car on the side of the road with no problems?

Thanks!

I saw a few vehicles parked on the side of the road by 2Cents when I was there on Saturday. The main road is pretty good up to that point, recently graded. The spur up to REFR and Black Forest HAM has some waterbars so you'd want a truck (if it's passable at all).

Posted by: extraspecialandbitter

Last year I raced with 2.3 Minion DHFs front and rear... but I was on a single speed so rear wheel traction while standing was important.

This year I'm mechanical doping with everyone else and I've had a 2.6" Rekon on the back (which was pretty good at first, but I've flatted 3 times this year).  On Wednesday I realized it was bald and so I panic mounted a 2.6" Slaughter last night.  I'll let you know how it goes in the Nimby.  

The Slaughter is noticeably smaller than the Rekon.  2.41" vs. 2.54"

What tire did you end up choosing D_C_?   It would be interesting to compare our impressions with the damp weather.

Hey, nice meeting you!

I went with the 2.35 Ikon Exo in back. I was perfectly happy with the traction. I did puncture it on Rudy’s though, but Stan’s actually worked and sealed it up. I’ve been riding the tire on the Shore for the past couple of weeks and it is surprisingly capable. It’s also the biggest 2.35 I’ve seen.

Were you happy with the Slaughter?

The bike’s a Devinci Django 29, 120 in back with a Fox 36 at 150. The bike will get Maxxis Exo sendy for sure, but I’ll save the Double Downs and CushCore for my Range 29.

Doing a bit more reading, it sounds like the main thing with using an aggressive semi-slick like a Minion SS for XC racing is that the side knobs contact the ground, which is the main reason they’re slower than, say, an Ikon.

Ended up ordering a 2.2 Ardent Race.

I'm doing the Nimby 50 later this month. This XC racing thing will be new for me, but XC around here is not your typical XC. What tire combos do people usually run?

I have a 2.3 DHR 2 in front, which is quite light for how much grip it provides. In back, I currently have a Maxxis Forekaster, but I find it feels a bit draggy. I am thinking 2.2 Ikon or Ardent Race. But what do those offer over a semi-slick like a Minion SS?

Another alternative, though not a tape, is Sugru: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/sugru-mouldable-glue-5-g-3-pk-0671073p.html#srp

Ledgeview is another one that shouldn’t be overlooked. Check out Noodley Appendage, Mixed Bag, Paper Route, Charlie’s Canned Chicken, Flintstones to Ambidextrous and others.

It’s paved, but the pedal out to Seymour Dam is nice for stretching the legs if you can’t ride trails.

Posted by: FlipFantasia

rode chossy for the first time couple weeks ago, just rolled in following some friends and don't remember anything too intense...

The first roll-in is steep and chunky.

Posted by: grambo

Of the ones I've ridden, I would rate it easiest to hardest Room with a View, Boney Elbows, Dirks Diggler, In n Out Burger, Hueso. Have not yet ridden Gouranga, 2 stroke, Take the Do-nut, Larvacide, Penthouse or Intestinal... I understand Intestinal/Larvacide are the hardest ones.

Take the Do-Nut - mostly just a natural trail with an easy, short slab at the end.

Gouranga - steep, rooty, natural trail with no significant slabs other than the option right line rock ride at the end.

Penthouse - long slab, shorter than In and Out but a bit steeper, and you come out faster at the bottom.

Intestinal Fortitude - overall, not that hard a trail, except for the big slab at the end, which is full-on. It rolls over steeper and steeper as you go, and it’s a balance between going as slow as you can and avoiding locking up. By the end, you’re really moving.

Larvicide - steep, exposed slabs the whole way down. Probably the hardest in the area overall.

2-stroke - did it once a while ago and don’t remember. I recall the slabs being toned down compared to, say, Boney Elbows.

I think Hueso would be a good one to try. Nothing too, too crazy on there. Value Added also has some nice slabs that are unlikely to kill you.

Posted by: grambo

Had an interesting encounter yesterday morning on Seymour at the powerlines resting spot after the Old Buck/BP climb (where you ride down to Severed). I was with a buddy and there were probably 10-12 other random acoustic bikers from several groups resting and happily chatting about the amazing weather and trail conditions and general other acousticy topics. Some fit looking mid 40's dude on an S-Works Turbo Levo ($14,400CAD) comes flying up the last pitch of the climb, rides right through the middle of all the acoustic riders and immediately down the road toward Severed. Did not slow down, lift his head, make eye contact, or even say a friendly hello... No one even had time to say anything or react as the guy was moving too quickly. We all had a good laugh about this, was the guy afraid of being shit talked? Embarrassed? Feeling shame? At least slow down and say hello. If people shit talk you just kill them with kindness. Shouldn't ebike owners be setting an example to other trail users that they are a friendly open group? That's what is expected of mountain bikers with hikers (and what I do every single time, even if I get silence or snark in return). This isn't the first time I've seen this with ebikers, it seriously feels like they are just using the fast climbing ability of the bike to avoid having to interact with people who might criticize them and it doesn't look good.

There was universal dislike for ebikes amongst the 3 or 4 random groups of acoustic bikers which included some older rippers appearing to be in their 50s-60s. Surprising because the ebike marketing material has told me it's not physically possible to ride in your 60's without an ebike! One of the other people in the group mentioned this ebiker had passed them 3 times so far that day in the same manner, fast and with no greeting or warning.

To be fair, I've seen regular bikers behave like that as well. Sometimes you don't feel like talking to people.

But yeah, being friendly and saying high is good PR. The same goes for mountain bikers interacting with other user groups.