Ask the experts

[Tailwind]

I think it would be worth the extra money to get the 120mm fork. I have a Mach 4 and it’s a fantastic bike. It can handle much bigger trails than I think it should be able to but pedals great.

I’d also look at the Revel Ranger. They’re running a great sale. Less racey but a bit more forgiving. Still fast.

Agree that anything will feel fantastic in comparison. I just missed out on the Epic EVO by Smoeken (sp?), I procrastinated too much on pulling the trigger. You are correct, big xc rides, Missoula/Whitefish xc type terrain, so not much for extended challenging terrain. No bike park or lift rides, I'll rent if I step into that.

I don't think the Fox 32 is able to be expanded to 120, right? If that is the case, I'd buy the 100/100 Pivot and increase the front travel if I need it later.

[t.odd]

At a weird tweener weight right now I don't expect to be at for too much longer after getting some health stuff sorted, my 34 fox pants are just a little too big but not worth swapping for some 32. Sadly neither have belt loops just ratchets. Can anyone's recc a good pair of add on sport suspenders that work with snow/bike pant type material pants? Ones that are not previously designed for suspenders obviously.

Thx

https://arcadebelts.com/collections/stretch-suspenders have no idea how this might work, but love their belts...

[meepmoop24]

I'm considering upgrading the fork on my Sentinel V2 to a 38mm option for more stability and curious about what folks would recommend. I'm mainly looking at a Zeb Ultimate or Fox 38 Factory/Performance Elite.

In reading forums I hear mixed reviews about both the Charger 3 damper in the Zeb Ultimate and the Grip2 Damper in the 38. Reading reviews, it's pretty evenly split as far as I can tell. The themes I'm reading are that it seems like the chassis of the Zeb is stiffer and it's easier to set up, while the 38 offers more tunability.

Current Bike Setup:
I ride a Sentinel V2 with a Cascade Link and EXT E-Storia and am running the stock 2021 Lyrik Ultimate RC2 (Charger 2.1 damper). Running 85 psi in the fork, no tokens, middle of the range on HSC, fully open LSC, middle of the range rebound.

Honestly the fork is pretty much perfect but I'm just looking for something a bit beefier since I am often riding pretty rowdy trails on this bike. Since I've added a Stumpjumper as my trail bike I don't need this bike to be as much of a do it all bike.

About Me:
- 5' 11", 190 pounds in riding gear
- Ride primarily in Reno Tahoe area, so fairly chunky and technical
- Also do a handful of bike park days throughout the year at Northstar
- Also make it down to Santa Cruz a couple times a year (steep dirt trails and some bigger hits)

[Dantheman]

You should at least consider the 37 mm option, too.

[Andeh]

If you like some HSC damping, I'd lean more to the Zeb. The 38 HSC damping does very little. Fox's whole paradigm seems to be more along the lines of generating support & control through the air spring, with the damper almost as an afterthought. EXT kind of goes in the opposite direction, relying on the damper so much that they suggest lower spring rates often. The newer Rockshox stuff definitely leans on the damper more, but not to the extent that EXT does. So I feel like you'll be able to balance a RS fork against an EXT shock a little bit easier than Fox/EXT.

[toast2266]

As the owner of a Sentinel V2 as well as a 38 (on a different bike), I'd argue a big fork is overkill for a Sentinel. If you're hitting gnar at sufficient speeds that a 38 is legitimately beneficial, you're into a territory where a longer travel, more capable frame would be a better upgrade. Since you already have the Stumpy trail bike, sell the Sentinel and get some sort of Enduro sled. Spire / Enduro / whatever looks sexy at the moment.

That said, I like the 38 better than the Zeb. The Zeb's damper is a bit more tunable, but the 38's air spring is way better, and that wins out in my book. No experience with the 37mm option, but I hear it's nice.

[Roxtar]

You should at least consider the 37 mm option, too.

x2

the 37mm option, but I hear it's nice.

Very nice.
Stiffer that 36 or Lyric, lighter than 38 or Jeb, plusher than any of them, and easy to tune.
What's not to love?

[meepmoop24]

You should at least consider the 37 mm option, too.

Definitely open to the Mezzer Pro as well, I just haven't had much experience with Manitou and there weren't as many reviews.

If you like some HSC damping, I'd lean more to the Zeb. The 38 HSC damping does very little. Fox's whole paradigm seems to be more along the lines of generating support & control through the air spring, with the damper almost as an afterthought. EXT kind of goes in the opposite direction, relying on the damper so much that they suggest lower spring rates often. The newer Rockshox stuff definitely leans on the damper more, but not to the extent that EXT does. So I feel like you'll be able to balance a RS fork against an EXT shock a little bit easier than Fox/EXT.

This is great insight and news to me. I definitely like a bit of HSC because on my Lyrik it enabled me to dial in performance on big hits without making it overly harsh on smaller trail chatter.

How does Manitou's approach with the IRT volume adjust and MC2 damper compare?

As the owner of a Sentinel V2 as well as a 38 (on a different bike), I'd argue a big fork is overkill for a Sentinel. If you're hitting gnar at sufficient speeds that a 38 is legitimately beneficial, you're into a territory where a longer travel, more capable frame would be a better upgrade. Since you already have the Stumpy trail bike, sell the Sentinel and get some sort of Enduro sled. Spire / Enduro / whatever looks sexy at the moment.

That said, I like the 38 better than the Zeb. The Zeb's damper is a bit more tunable, but the 38's air spring is way better, and that wins out in my book. No experience with the 37mm option, but I hear it's nice.

If I could do it over again I definitely would have gone with the Spire off the bat. At that time I didn't have plans for a second trail bike so I wanted something a bit more well rounded and chose the Sentinel.

However, with the EXT coil and Cascade Link the Sentinel's travel is ~165mm now so it's not far off from a Spire and I think a burlier fork would work well.

[Boissal]

Definitely open to the Mezzer Pro as well, I just haven't had much experience with Manitou and there weren't as many reviews.[...]
How does Manitou's approach with the IRT volume adjust and MC2 damper compare?

There are a few reviews on here, most very positive, mine included. Ran Mezzers on 2 bikes, trail and enduro, loved it on both. Even more now that I'm back on a Pike for the trail bike.
I personally LOVE the IRT compared to fucking around with spacers. I'm not super finnicky in general but I can feel 1-2psi changes in the IRT, meaning I'm banging my head on the wall when the Pike feels way too progressive with 2 volume spacers and linear as all fuck with 1 only. I feel that I need increments of 0.2 spacers to get the same level of sensitivity.
Regarding the MC2 damper, I think it's great, possibly overdamped a touch since I tend to run HSC wide opened. I like a fast fork though and run rebound fully opened as well so take that with a grain of salt. The LSC adjuster does the job, wide range which I actually use a lot depending on steepness of terrain. I do the same shit on the Pike and it feels mostly psychological.

Of note, modifying the shim stack on the Mezzer is very doable at home if you don't like the level of baseline damping.

[dcpnz]

And the Black Friday pricing on the Mezzer was killer. I almost grabbed one even though I have no need for it..

[dcpnz]

And the Black Friday pricing on the Mezzer was killer. I almost grabbed one even though I have no need for it..

[Boissal]

And the Black Friday pricing on the Mezzer was killer. I almost grabbed one even though I have no need for it..

Shameless plug, I have a brand new one in the box and no bike to install it on. If anyone missed out the sale hit me up, I'll send it over for whatever price it was going for during the sale.

[meepmoop24]

Shameless plug, I have a brand new one in the box and no bike to install it on. If anyone missed out the sale hit me up, I'll send it over for whatever price it was going for during the sale.

Definitely interested if it's a 29" 44mm offset, depending on what the BF price was of course.

[NuMexJoe]

Shameless plug, I have a brand new one in the box and no bike to install it on. If anyone missed out the sale hit me up, I'll send it over for whatever price it was going for during the sale.

Pro or Expert (the fork, that is)?

[dcpnz]

...depending on what the BF price was of course.

Mezzer Pro was $659.99 direct from Hayes website

Edit: still showing that price but only config that appears to still be in stock is 27.5, 180 travel .

[jackstraw]

Cleaned and greased my DT350 and this jumped out at me. It still works but seems compromised? The engagement side is intact.

[joetron]

Definitely compromised. Replacement recommended.
Check the axle for damage.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[beaterdit]

Huh. That’s a new one to me. Strong work!

[jackstraw]

No axle damage. I filed a warranty with DT to see what they come back with. These upgraded ratchets are overpriced imo, so I'm hoping they replace it for n/c. I will say that the engagement is pretty awesome and I will replace it myself if I have to.

[Boissal]

Pro or Expert (the fork, that is)?

Mezzer Pro, the 29 version in 44 offset, currently set at 180.

[volklpowdermaniac]

Been doing a lot of bike maintenance and building over the last few weeks, just now cleaning up in earnest, found this:
- what is it?



stanchion travel ring for sizing


#doglife
This missing from something important? I could also believe it's from my bike stand or non bike related in which case IDGAF to be honest

[dannynoonan]

Chainring spacer?

Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk

[volklpowdermaniac]

Chainring spacer?

Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk

Hmmmmm I have been working with both cassettes and cranks.... hmmm but I'm trying to picture from where,

[rideit]

Fox foot nut crush washer, I believe.

[volklpowdermaniac]

Fox foot nut crush washer, I believe.

Hmmm could track for sure. Are they sometimes metal? I thought they were all black plastic?