joseph-crabtree profile

Specs say 29x2.5 DHF EXO+ but the picture show's a 2.6. I'm digging the DHR2 2.6 for the chunk in the EXO+. It seems there is this stigmata about bigger tires, possibly a backlash over the Plus push a few years ago. I run what works.

I guess they are getting old. Or lazy?

WTB spec's their bead diameter on the old UST standard so they are tight on a lot of rims regardless of rim-strip. Mounted on Stan's rim they can reduce the spoke tension to almost zero and I've had to cut one off of a Derby carbon rim.

"Technology is a good thing as it keeps us riding for more years than what we thought when we got into this game."

Really? How old are you? Been riding for close to 40 years ,coming up on my 67th birthday and have not felt the need for a moped. Most of my rides are 3-4 hours and 4-6 thousand feet of climbing. I see a lot of young guys with e-bikes, personally, I'd feel like a slacker.

At 172 cm with an average inseam there are times when I have to manual off a drop while going down a steep incline that I get a serious buzz that can be a bit distracting at a the wrong time. My bike has 435 CS, 455 reach with a slammed 50mm stem so a fairly balanced setup as far as centered,. My other bike is a modern XC bike with a low cockpit and weight forward is my normal stance so I know there are real advantages to having a smaller rear wheel.

Cam,you can argue all you want but I see it as as a moped.

Motor + pedal = moped, not that hard to understand.

Cam,your disappointed that someone disagrees with you?

Personally I'm a bit disappointed that that you're publishing e-moped (call it what you want) content and passing it off as something to keep you amused during this lock-down BS.

At least PB gave us a choice to filter out this crap.

It's not so much about flat prevention but ride quality .As dan_l said ,it feels like 10mm more suspension.On my 80mm XC bike it feels like 20 more with better side wall support too.

I've got a 18' Smuggler that is "overshocked",swapped the Fox 210x50 with a CCDBiL Coil 210x55 to get another 12mm of travel.Kind of a Mini-Sentinel with the fork bumped to 150.With the stock setup I was beating myself up, like Dave said "absolutely worked".Now the bike feels awesome and I don't think it feels "dead" at all.

I think a 50mm stroke coil shock would run out of travel before the spring rate can rise enough to prevent bottom outs without over-springing.I did install a big/soft bottom out bumper but it wasn't needed.

I've used both the regular and plus versions on a 2.6 w 35i rim and would say the plus is too big for your needs.I find the 'Pro" version fills out a 2.6 with plenty of support.

I recycle my roadie bib knickers to wear under my MTB shorts in cold weather. Also a Craft road windbreaker without a hood to go over my jersey w/pockets. 

Full disclosure, I am a closet XC geek so sausage gear is a way of life at times.

I'm on my second Helm coil. Had one on my 27.5 bike and loved it. When I got a new 29er it came with a Pike Ultimate that I put a Push ACS3 coil kit in to try to make it work better than the crappy air spring. But the damper (charger 2.1) wasn't near as supportive and the chassis was a lot flexier so I sold it and  got another Helm.

The difference between the MK1 and the MK2 are not that great. Better in the chatter but still holds up to the bigger hits. Most likely the reduced friction with the new SKF green seals on the damper and lower legs accounts for most of it but they did redesign the damper with a shim stack instead of a poppet valve. The spring side is changed slightly for easier maintenance and the top-out bumper is a little quieter but otherwise the same.

BTW. The Push Ind. springs come in 5# increment as opposed to the Cane Creek that are 10#  jumps so if you need something in between they will fit the Helm.

I've tried the Cushcore XC and think it is great with a 2.3 - 2.4 tire on a 25-28mm rim but any bigger and the sidewall support isn't there.

The Exo+ tires have a bit better sidewall support and better cut resistance in my experience but I still run a Cushcore in the rear.YMMV

The LR on my bike is progressive to linear in the last 10mm of travel and adding an offset bushing pushed the travel up 3mm by eliminating that last bit of linearity and gaining a bit more progression to the beginning of the stroke so it can effect the sag to a degree.