mike-wallace profile

With Magura brakes you definitely want to lube the pistons with the mineral oil after cleaning.   Otherwise they can dry out and stick worse than before you cleaned them. Learnt it the hard way.  

Also it would be great to find an alternative to q-tips. I use them too but it is sometimes hard to get to the back of the piston.   I have heard cleaning string recommended but haven’t found any yet.

“Composure” is a great word for a good rear shock set up.   Nice article.

Dang it Deniz.   I just pictured you outside having a shower...

The Deores are surprisingly strong. I am still a little concerned how they perform over time as you get what you pay for as they say.   

Agree with Mitch.  Maguras have a learning curve to service but are very powerful.  The lever is a much larger feel on the finger than the narrow shimano blades.  Shimano parts and pads etc are much easier to come by in NA.  Much easier to access Magura bits in Europe. 

I have tried several brakes lately and in my opinion if I was going to spend the dollars I would go with Code RSC.   Just seem to be less issues with them.

Agree 100% Znarf.  It’s about keeping the price point down.

For me the DPX2 vs X2 debate is not about progression.  I have tried a large range of volume spacers.  The DPX2 is great in 90% of situations. Pedaling platform is great of course.  Even on big compressions I find it fine.  Where I can't get it to work well is to the high speed rough stuff.  It just doesn't feel planted.   I spent the summer on a X2 on my DH bike (always a coil before) and I was super impressed with how calm/quiet/balanced/planted it felt.  I am searching after that feeling.  Big bikes like the Process X are meant for near DH style speeds and support (long, low, Fox 38 etc).  So far the bike has what it takes but I am not sure the shock is up to the task.  To be clear I haven't tried an X2 or coil yet to see if that is the answer. 

A large percentage of the Process X riders that I have seen are riding coils.  This makes sense to me as there is no quicker way to eliminate the fluff and get that planted feel.

Very nice Deniz.   Great collection. And dang both the Forbidden and Sentinel are good looking bikes.

Nice job Tim.  Really enjoyed reading this one.

Exactly.   Nice one Hansen.

A 27.5” rear wheel isn’t really about better cornering.  Although it technically does corner better that is not the reason DH racers use them.  They can corner just fine on a 29” rear.   And having a tighter turning bike is the least of their concerns on today’s tracks. 

The 27.5” rear wheel gives the riders more room to move around.  They can get lower on steep plunges without running out of space.  They can more importantly run their seats lower without having the rear tire hit/buzz the seat.  At the very least they get a bigger range on where they can run their seat height.  

At a certain height (say 6’1” +) then this is no longer a concern as the frame is larger and there is simply more room for bike to compress.