velocipedestrian profile

Remember spacers under the stem lose you reach, while high bars don't...

>As an experiment I bolted on my 160mm Pike for giggles. 10mm doesn't seem like much, but adding a bit of BB clearance, extra cush, and a slightly slacker HA contributed to a nicely balanced aggressive ripper.

Does your Pike have the same damper? If not, how much difference do you think just the 10mm would make?

Like my man Tom would say...

The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away.

Article gets hopes up with "every Process 134 comes with a piggyback for 2020" followed by the let down pictures at the end...

No, the required spring force is a result of your weight + the frame leverage rate. Custom super firm compression will just slow down the shaft speed, not stop it getting to the bottom of the stroke.

I'm in a similar boat testing a 450 & 500lb spring in an old DHX 5. But I've found the 450 with near full LSC is still kind of mushy (though not bottoming - it could just be my impression of coils famous plushness). While the 500 is great for traction and mid stroke but with the LSC full open it only uses 2/3 travel and feels uncontrolled.

Still more testing to do, but I put the CCDBA back on for my last ride to recheck my benchmark, and it's great. Less supple off the top sure, but in every other way better. I'd love to be comparing with a CCDBcoil for apples, but they don't come up cheap second hand often. 

Still loving the RS firm (blue) spring in the OG 26" MiCo lyrik up front.

Riding with better buddies can go either way. I recently broke a helmet following some friends into a trail I've ridden before, but over a year ago.

I assumed that I was still on par and should follow the line and speed. OTB, head into a root and it's time to go home... I need to pay more attention to my own current ability to stay safe. Ego can be hazardous.

I understand the reasoning, it's still an ugly tactic. Particularly when a build is named XT for example, but features mostly SLX and Deore parts.

There was a company (Haro, maybe?) that had a go in the early 2000's who tried marketing full group builds, it probably only lasted a model year or two.

These guys should get into bed with one of the silent freehub companies.

All of this, but especially the shifter / derailleur issue.

Do people still look at the derailleur as a mark of the quality of the bike? I guess they must if the PMs are still doing it. 

I'm super happy with my XTR shifter / SLX derailleur combo, and won't cry when I munt it on a rock.

Banshee dropout bolt & flip chip.

Hope the owner notices before the second one jumps ship too.

Posted by: xy9ine

i really like the combo of am7 / am9 on saint clipless. slightly softer sole with the added support of the larger platform is comfy & great for tech riding. the extended cleat channel in the shoe (in conjunction w/ the pedal shape) makes for a solid grippy interface if you get clipped out as well.

Yeah, that's what I thought it was going to be, but the sole is still too stiff to really make the most of the big platform. They are great with m530 / xt / etc but I want to actually use the pins in the pedal. 

Anyone found a clipless shoe that's too soft in general? Could be ideal for the v-twin and similar offerings.

Dredge.

I've been a long time clipper, who's spent the last six months or so on flats (5.10 freerider / saint) and put the clips (Shimano AM9 / DMR v-twin) back on for my last ride... 

I felt some super obvious up and downsides to the clips, and wonder if anyone has an idea of what shoe or pedal I could try to find the best compromise. 

The freeriders are amazing for pedal feel, but too soft - any stiffer 5.10 should sort out the flat downside. But the AM9 is really dead feeling - like my feet are numb as soon as I put them on the pedal. 

I fitted the full height 'traction plates' and the corner pins that reach the sole to the v-twins, with the release tension set full loose. Looking for the rubber - to - pin grip feel of flats, with the certainty of placement of clips. No dice, the connection still feels mechanical and vague. I can move the bike around and corner better in clips, but I'd really like to have that analogue feel of the flats... 

Maybe a shoe with a softer shank? Or a deeper cleat pocket? Does anyone have a goldilocks combo with the feel I'm seeking?

Posted by: DemonMike

Posted by: coolatt

I'm leaning towards one of the many Spank rims or an MK3. 

I can't see what the difference is between the Spank 345 and 350 other than 20 grams and $10

Anyone recommend a shop to get this built?

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2363/5997/files/SPANK_HF_1140x500web_Rims_Wheels_2.jpg?v=1561012750

here,s a cross-section view of the Spank rims, The 350 is not as tall in height

Strange chart. The rim I'm using is the lightest there, and is rated for enduro, freeride and DH, but not trail. 

Guess I'm doing it wrong.

The bead on the spike race 33 is the tightest I've seen, had to soap it and inflate to 50psi to get it to seat.

Not rolling off in a hurry though...

Not quite your stated spec, but I've been happy with my Spank Spike 33 Race rims.

26 (I'm sure 27.5 is available), 32h, 28mm internal.