Ask the experts

[jm2e]

I have a shimano shifter, chain and derailleur but a sram freehub/cassette. It's always shifted shitty but I just recently noticed the fuck up. There is probably someone out there with my wheel wondering why thier bike shifts shitty.

That XD cassette and freehub are probably more expensive than all the other parts. I’d say flip the Shimano stuff and just get a SRAM shifter/RD on there.


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[sfotex]

I have a 2022 Fox 34 Factory with a Fit4 damper and I hate it. I've messed with spacers, pressure, etc. and it still feels harsh to me. Do I get a new fork, get a Fractive tuning kit. or buy a new Grip damper for it?

I'm not a super picky fork person usually, but I legitimately hate this fork. I have a MRP Ribbon, DVO, Rock Shock, and a Manitou I like, this is the first newer Fox fork I've tried in awhile and I'm not impressed....

[ASmileyFace]

I have a 2022 Fox 34 Factory with a Fit4 damper and I hate it. I've messed with spacers, pressure, etc. and it still feels harsh to me. Do I get a new fork, get a Fractive tuning kit. or buy a new Grip damper for it?

I'm not a super picky fork person usually, but I legitimately hate this fork. I have a MRP Ribbon, DVO, Rock Shock, and a Manitou I like, this is the first newer Fox fork I've tried in awhile and I'm not impressed....

I feel like someone in here mentioned that Fox seems to have a ton of variability in their tolerances out of the factory which sometimes leads to them feeling shitty. Might be worth burnishing them if someone locally has the tool or you want to go down that rabbit hole?

EDIT: Looks like this was discussed last year here.

[Dromond]

I feel like someone in here mentioned that Fox seems to have a ton of variability in their tolerances out of the factory which sometimes leads to them feeling shitty. Might be worth burnishing them if someone locally has the tool or you want to go down that rabbit hole?

EDIT: Looks like this was discussed last year here.

I mentioned it. My 2020 36 Elite felt like shit due to tight bushings until I sent it back to Fox warranty to fix. It’s been really good since then. No damper can overcome how bad tight bushings feels.

https://www.mtbr.com/threads/tight-b...hness.1129699/

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

I'm running 1x11 sram on my gravel bike. It has a 40T chainring. I run out of high gear constantly. I ride like 50/50 paved and gravel. Even just zipping along on flat gravel I am in the highest gear pretty much all the time. I probably use the smallest 4 or 5 cogs in the cassette. Idk if I have ever used the granny. Would putting a 44T chainring on make that much of a difference?

[sfotex]

I'm running 1x11 sram on my gravel bike. It has a 40T chainring. I run out of high gear constantly. I ride like 50/50 paved and gravel. Even just zipping along on flat gravel I am in the highest gear pretty much all the time. I probably use the smallest 4 or 5 cogs in the cassette. Idk if I have ever used the granny. Would putting a 44T chainring on make that much of a difference?

Getting a smaller cog, if possible, on the cassette is going to make the biggest difference.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

I think my cassette is an 11-42. How much smaller is really available?

I think the answer is a 2x drivetrain which means new left/front brifter and adding a front der etc etc....

[J. Barron DeJong]

I think my cassette is an 11-42. How much smaller is really available?

I think the answer is a 2x drivetrain which means new left/front brifter and adding a front der etc etc....

I don’t think SRAM offers an 11sp cassette with a 10T small cog (?).

Going from 40T to 44T chainring let’s you go 10% faster, about the equivalent of one more gear.

[sfotex]

e13 has a 9 tooth 11speed cassette - https://www.ethirteen.com/collection...29694741348455
I think there's one other out there too. Not cheap, but cheaper then a 2x drivetrain...

[Robik]

Garbaruk makes a 10-46 11 speed XD cassette.

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[toast2266]

I don’t think SRAM offers an 11sp cassette with a 10T small cog (?).

They do (did?). I'm not seeing it on Sram's site, but they're still get-able.

[Tailwind]

I would just stick with 1x. The cost of going 2x won’t be worth it. Get a 10-42 cassette and a 44 tooth chainring. That’s almost like “two extra shifts” from a gear ratios perspective.

I spin out at around 37-38 mph on a 44x11. If you did 44x10 that gets you to 41-42 mph. Not enough for truly massive alpine descents but honestly pretty darn fast. It’s also a higher gear ratio than a GRX double crank which has a 48x11 gearing. A compact double (50x11) is a little higher than 44x10 but it’s like quarter gear more.

If you’re worried about low end, 44x42 is still about 1-1 which is as low as most 2x systems.

I think my cassette is an 11-42. How much smaller is really available?

I think the answer is a 2x drivetrain which means new left/front brifter and adding a front der etc etc....

[Skistack]

I’d try a 44t chainring first since its the cheapest option, but I’m a cheap bastard.


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[jm2e]

https://sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html
This is what you’re looking for.
Pro tip: when using the gear ratio calculator to consider two or three different chainring sizes, just put each option in as if you’re doing a 2x or 3x setup. Then it’ll show you side by side differences between each option using the same cassette.

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[Iowagriz]

I was going to add the Sheldon calculator as well. So, as above stated in 3x mode (using single front ring #s). Play around with output in mph at a certain rpm, that will give you an idea of differences in real world #s that are easier to understand.

[Duffman]

The SLX 7100 series lever blade is: Y2S798010 (right) or Y2S798020 (Left)
The XT 8100 series is: Y2RR98010 (R.H.) Y2RR98020 (L.H.)
The XTR 9120 series is: Y1XK98010 (must use the spring from your 7100 lever)
XTR 9100 Race lever will not work.

(Photos are back the way I can easily do them on my desktop)
Attachment 493055

Use a pick to remove the little rubber plug (4) on the lever axle fixing screw (4). That fixing screw hold the lever axle (2) in place, and you can push the lever axle (2) out once the fixing screw is backed out (or removed).
The little return spring is Left or Right specific, so if you buy an opposite side lever blade (or a 9120 lever) you'll need to remove that spring from your old broken lever blade.

Put the lever axle back in between the lever body and half way though the lever blade, slide the spring in front of the lever body, and line up the spring hole with the axle, push the axle home, put the fixing screw back in to secure the lever axle, put the rubber plug back over the fixing screw, go ride.

This YouTube video shows how to do it, not the best video, but you'll get the point. Skipped to 3:30 to avoid the fluff.

Help! I've got the grub screw out but for some reason no matter how hard I push the axle isn't moving. What could I possibly be doing wrong here?

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[rideit]

I just did this, it was super duper easy. (Thanks, Dee). I used a flat bottom drift punch. Maybe the pin isn’t aligned?

[Duffman]

I just did this, it was super duper easy. (Thanks, Dee). I used a flat bottom drift punch. Maybe the pin isn’t aligned?

Yeah something has to be wrong w the pin. I had a punch and a mallet and wacked on it and it didn't even move a mm

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[VTskibum]

Bikeyoke revive max (34.9 is a bit different maybe?) cartridge rebuild, any ideas on how to get the cartridge out of the upper tube?!? BikeYoke video shows the lower seal head having a slot for 10mm, but mine is completely round!! So nothing to apply force to unthread it.

At ~1min mark, the video shows a 10mm to remove the "lower seal head" mine is completely round.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP3oPvRRomQ&t=17s

Edit - Emailed BikeYoke around same time I threw this up, they got back to me pretty quickly and provided good feedback that got me moving forward.

[jm2e]

I was going to say; probably the most responsive customer service in the industry. Bike Yoke FTMFW.


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[Meconium]

What helmets have similar fit to Smith? Need asap replacement for the kid and trying to narrow down shops to visit. Giro fit, good for me skinny brain but not so good for the round smart brain of child.

[Andeh]

I also have a long skinny brain, and know that POC / Leatt don't fit me well. Maybe try those? Smith, Giro, Fox, TLD all seem to fit my oval head pretty well.

[toast2266]

What helmets have similar fit to Smith? Need asap replacement for the kid and trying to narrow down shops to visit. Giro fit, good for me skinny brain but not so good for the round smart brain of child.

Round head = bell

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[beaterdit]

^^^Came here to say this.

[Meconium]

Thanks, 55cm is also tricky, max out or crank with a medium.