mammal profile

And that savings is presented where? It seems to me both bikes are priced at the higher end of the market median.

Even before I finish reading this review, that fifth paragraph was a pleasure to read! So funny.

Yes, Ibis sends them uncut to customers. My comfort zone was with 17mm of spacers under my stem, installed two up top for future adjustment after cut off a good 15mm from the steerer.

I've done 3 rides on the link so far, and the initial verdict is, "it does what it claims". There's a noticeable difference in ramp up at the end, but in a smooth controlled fashion. That's allowed me to reduce the volume spacers in the Topaz. It's also seemed to smooth out the "knucke" before the sag point. That characteristic isn't usually an issue for me past my 31-33% sag point, but I've always found that it's very noticeable when hitting obstacles mostly unweighted. The knuckle is hardly noticeable now. Climbing performance, from what I've noticed so far, hasn't changed.

Now I didn't completely adhere to the scientific method. I serviced the clevis bushings while I did the install, and they really needed it. The bearings in the link are new, compared to the ones in the old link that were slightly less than smooth. These things make a difference too, but I've experienced the gains from those things before, so I can discern between those maintenance improvements.

Overall, the link is well worth the money for those who what to improve the downhill performance of the RAF. Especially those with an air shock that's crammed full of spacers, or a coil without a progressive spring.

Michael Jackson popcorn meme...

WOW. Want. Incredible work, from top to bottom. And yeah, the cranks push it right of the ledge into the abyss of awesomeness.

I was going to say the same, but with sunrace 11-46. Perfectly fine range with a 30T ring, and less heinous on the chain line.

Can you slam an angle set in there (-1.5 or -2) and then lower the fork to 140? That would be a great addition.

I'd agree with that last statement if the buyer even partially understands what they're getting into. Unfortunately with entry level, that's almost never the case, and it's compounded by sellers seeing an opportunity to offload their clapped out equipment.

Dave, an answer to why a bit too much OTT can be bad from my findings over the last year and a half, and others on the forum for RAF bike. 
There's a transitional period between the relm of OTT "assistance" and the point in travel where it's no longer active. For the first year, I ran "too much" OTT, and that created a perceivable wall of resistance (felt like a compression spike) around half-way through the travel during high speed compressions or repeated smaller hits. This gets worse the more OTT you add, past the "perfect" amount. Obviously that perfect balance is going to be different for everyone, OTT gives a nice supple effect in the beginning stroke, so it is valuable. For my setup, it seems to start being a noticeable negative effect when the fork sags slightly on it's own, and others have echoed that. Your airspring pressure is set up for your weight and riding style, and as soon as you're overcoming that static situation, it can become a bit harsh in the middle. I'm talking only two clicks difference (18% of total range) in my case, and taking it from 10 down to 8 made that feeling disappear.

Posted by: TheWasp

So anyone get towed / ticketed ?

I've parked there for riding a handful of times since this thread started, and stopped by the liquor store about the same amount in that time. I see no reduction of "bros" and haven't seen any enforcement or ticketing of any kind.

Posted by: tashi

Element was basically a slow operating auto-on 4WD  Good for getting unstuck but too slow to catch the car when the traction disappears.  On snow packed roads I’d intentionally slide the tires to get it to turn on so I’d have it.  I would have preferred a button. 

Same here with my CRV. They've got little clutch packs in the differential that lock up temporarily when "needed". They can't put in a button for that, because the clutch packs will overheat in no time if they're engaged for more than a handful of seconds. It's the same reason why they suck for extended loose uphill climbs during the summer.

Totally foreseeable, yet totally hilarious outcome.

Posted by: martin

My '20 Meta AM with a new build for 2021. Loving it and no plans to replace it anytime soon!

That Helm looks great with the grey on the Meta. And normally those white springs normally look hideous, but again, works really well on with that paint. So tidy.

Posted by: Greasyone

One of my buddies works with a guy who has a 2014 Aurum 6.3 that he wants a G for.  It's 10 years newer than my bike, the seller did a few chairlift days per year with it, and the price seems right.  Bearing in mind that I'm currently riding an 04, do you think this is a good interim bike?  I still want to buy a newer one, but prices are pretty out of hand, and I'd like to be on something a little more modern...sort of ease into current geometry as it were.

They actually did a big Geo update for the '14 Aurum, it's got pretty modern reach and HA. The 26" wheels are the most out-of-date aspect, but the chain stays would be a bit on the short side for modern DH bikes. I know all this because I bought the same frame with full warranty from a shop 3+ years ago. It's currently in mullet form with a Dorado and 27.5 front wheel.

As everyone else is saying, no, you don't want to pedal that bike up hill. It would be terrible. Fun for the downs though.

Posted by: shoreboy

Not sure if it was in this thread or not that Shimano mineral oil was being discussed/hard to find. Bicicletta in Vancouver has the 1L jugs available again if anyone is on the hunt. Not cheap ($42), but should last you a few years.

Those jugs are the only way to go. I've got 4 mtb's in my household that use it, and my jug is only half empty after 3 or 4 years.

Never not impressive Dave!

Didn't realize this was from 2020. The guidance still stands, but I guess I'm just a little late.

Yeah, Merritt is all I really know about.

Burn and Windy looks good, but I've only ridden the other trails in that zone, since it's a decently long ride up to the start of B&W on a hot day. The other blue trails over there are very mellow, but easy access and still satisfying because you can get some good speed going and it's pretty open. 

On the other side of town, Iron Mountain has great shuttles or there's a nice climb trail across the canyon from Iron that takes you up to Godey trail, which is quite fun.

Bike aside, I would not worry about the power with the Deore brakes. If they are 4-piston (and they should be on that bike), they are every bit as powerful as the XT brakes, they just lack the lever position and bite point adjustments.