Ask the experts

[Eluder]

Can you share what dropper and frame you’re dealing with?

My guess is a Sentinel

[snoboy]

My guess is a Sentinel

yup

[jm2e]

Can you share what dropper and frame you’re dealing with?

My guess is OneUp


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[g_man80]

Yep, the OneUp dropper on my buddy’s Sentinel slipped the first couple rides. I’m not sure if it’s still giving him trouble.

Sorry I can’t offer additional suggestions beyond what’s been mentioned. Other than I’ve had good luck with Finishline Fiber Grip paste.

[snoboy]

I didn't want to throw anyone under the bus, as Transition have been great to deal with in trying to sort this issue out, but you guys have both nailed it.

I'm not sure if it's maybe the new frame somehow settling in, but my ride today was all good. Still not convinced that it's fixed, but hopeful.

I am using the Finish Line paste, but I was actually going to ask if anyone has had particularly good or bad experiences with particular brands?

[Falcon3]

I'm in a similar boat at the moment. Found a great deal on a new Rock Shox Super Deluxe coil and am wondering if my savings will be eaten up by getting it tuned to the bike.

I'm also a set it and forget it type of person. I'd prefer to get this right from the outset. Is investing in a bike specific tune worth it straight away?

The new RS SD Coil (the one with Hydraulic Bottom Out) is actually quite adjustable, and RS only makes a couple tunes for them, so likely you'd be able to make it work without much trouble.

[XXX-er]

I am using the Finish Line paste, but I was actually going to ask if anyone has had particularly good or bad experiences with particular brands?

the makers of carbon products usually include an little 1 application pack of carbon assembly paste, so I got some packs from an lbs and then a big tube from park, i think its all pretty similar

I tried ever thing on my brand new creaking carbon Yeti 5.5 and we had 2 that were doing the same creak. I tried plumbers tape, lithium grease, squirt chain wax, nothing stopped the creak. Carbon paste completely stopped the creak, I had to re-apply the next year, I even use carbon paste on non carbon bike parts

just be careful not to get any on the designated slidey bits

[J. Barron DeJong]

I didn't want to throw anyone under the bus, as Transition have been great to deal with in trying to sort this issue out, but you guys have both nailed it.

I'm not sure if it's maybe the new frame somehow settling in, but my ride today was all good. Still not convinced that it's fixed, but hopeful.

I am using the Finish Line paste, but I was actually going to ask if anyone has had particularly good or bad experiences with particular brands?

I was getting some seatpost creaking with my new road bike which I’d used Finish Line carbon paste to assemble.

Ended up getting some Park Tools Supergrip after reading some.

It does seem to be a bit more tenacious than the Finish Line paste, so I’d say it’s worth a shot if nothing else has worked.

[Canada1]

Garburuk Cassettes. My You Tube has been inundated with reviews talking about their being lighter than XTR and half the cost. One guy had the aluminum 52 bend. Any of you tried them and how did they work?

[kinkilla]

Garburuk Cassettes. My You Tube has been inundated with reviews talking about their being lighter than XTR and half the cost. One guy had the aluminum 52 bend. Any of you tried them and how did they work?

I've had one on my Trail Pistol for about a year now. They seem to be a little more finicky than the GX cassette that I replaced with tuning the shifting. Also, make sure to use a threadlocker (purple I think?) when installing on an XD freehub (no idea about MS) since I neglected that step initially. The cassette was loosening every third ride or so when I didn't have the threadlocker on. My neglect caused some of the aluminum teeth on the 52 to wear a bit sharp but it still works fine. I've got a replacement cog in my spare parts if that starts to get rougher but no need yet. After that and spending the time to get the shifting dialed in I've loved it. I also love how the second biggest cog is a better step to the 52 than the SRAM 42, at 45 teeth.

[Andeh]

My brother in law put one on the frame I gave him because the local shop talked about how light & cheap it was. Shifting quality is definitely rougher than normal Eagle. He said he wouldn't buy it again.

[jdadour]

My brother in law put one on the frame I gave him because the local shop talked about how light & cheap it was. Shifting quality is definitely rougher than normal Eagle. He said he wouldn't buy it again.

Same experience here. Shifted slightly worse, but my biggest issue was it pedaled rough when climbing in the biggest cog. Switched back to a GX cassette, and everything went back to normal.

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk

[evdog]

Cool, thanks. And those are preferable to the steripen type things?

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Another vote for BeFree here. Have been using for 4-5 yrs now. Only issue is occasionally the flow slows inexplicably and no amount of shaking or swishing will restore it. Not as easy to replace when you're on the road as they aren't sold everywhere like sawyers. But even the reduced flow is similar to Sawyer micro squeeze. And when they are flowing at full rate they are awesome. So fast. Even when just filtering a little it's much nicer. And I'm more likely to drink more because of that.

I used a micro squeeze earlier and eventually moved up to regular size Sawyer squeeze as it had better flow rate for maybe 1 oz extra weight. I found the sawyers had to be back flushed regularly even in clear water. And the bag they come with sucks to fill unless there are small waterfalls or strong flow, so I got a third party bag with wider opening. That's one reason I like the BeFree better, much easier to fill.

I used a Steripen for awhile and never had issues but I hate relying on battery powered devices if possible. And even in clear water you get some floaties in your bottle. So I prefer an actual filter to UV.

I'll keep using BeFree but wouldn't hesitate to use Sawyer squeeze again, just need a smart water bottle or other dirty water sack.

[wendigo]

Ok, someone talk me out of this:
https://outlet.wheelandsprocket.com/...edparentoutlet

Before I do something stupid.

Thanks for the link, my wife is jazzed on her new Felt VR Advanced 105, screaming deal. Told her imma steal the wheels.

[North]

Another "what rain jacket are you wearing?" I replaced a well worn Patagonia Torrentshell this season with a fancy Patagonia Granite Crest and it has been utter dog shit. Wets out in 5 min and turns into a cold wet bag. I've never returned a piece of outerwear before for poor performance, but might try with this one. Any recs? I tend to prefer mtb gear that is patterned for riding (drop tail etc.), but it's not a requirement.

[Andeh]

I got a Specialized Neoshell jacket through a buddy's EP, and it's been great for the most part. Only complaint is that while the hood fits over a helmet, it is huge when not wearing one (i.e. doing trail work) and doesn't like to stay in place then. I was specifically looking for Neoshell because of my good experiences with it back when I used to be able to ski tour. Good material for biking for the same reason - high exertion so need to let heat and vapor out while keeping moisture out too.

[Falcon3]

Another "what rain jacket are you wearing?" I replaced a well worn Patagonia Torrentshell this season with a fancy Patagonia Granite Crest and it has been utter dog shit. Wets out in 5 min and turns into a cold wet bag. I've never returned a piece of outerwear before for poor performance, but might try with this one. Any recs? I tend to prefer mtb gear that is patterned for riding (drop set etc.), but it's not a requirement.

I wear a Patagonia Houdini Air and it’s awesome. If you’re pedaling in the rain (anything less than a steady rain), your interior moisture is probably higher than exterior anyway, so having good DWR but super breathable is more important IMO than actual waterproofness. I regularly do 3 hour rides in ~50 degree temps while it’s drizzling (not often riding in long heavy rain). I’m damp when I get back but not cold and not completely soaked.

Plus it packs up to about the size of an apple so it’s really easy to throw in the fanny pack when there’s a chance of rain.

I also wear the Houdini Air most of the time ski touring. It’s good to single digits with a wool base layer including days it’s dumping and you’re sweating.

[jamal]

My pearl izumi neoshell stuff is pretty good. Actually waterproof and really breathable. Can pedal around with the jacket on and zipped up and not be drenched from sweat. I'll even wear it as an outer layer in cold and dry conditions sometimes although it's not really ideal for that. Mainly it's what I bring when I think I have a good chance of getting rained on for awhile. I have the tight fitting road jacket plus the mtb one that works really well as a casual rain coat and even have worn it touring on warmer days. Downside is they're real expensive if you don't have a good discount somewhere but PI is on expertvoice and stuff. It's also not as packable as a super light jacket like a houdini or the thin roadie stuff. And yes it has a huge hood.

[evdog]

I tried a few lightweight "waterproof" jackets like marmot precip but eventually went back to goretex as the others always wetted out too soon in real rain. You're kind of damned if you do damned if you don't in rain due to sweat but real goretex still is the answer for me .

[bamboocoreONLY]

Have had nothing but good experiences in my flylow rain jacket, big pit zips are nice.

[frorider]

Another vote for BeFree here. Have been using for 4-5 yrs now. Only issue is occasionally the flow slows inexplicably and no amount of shaking or swishing will restore it. Not as easy to replace when you're on the road as they aren't sold everywhere like sawyers. But even the reduced flow is similar to Sawyer micro squeeze. And when they are flowing at full rate they are awesome. So fast. Even when just filtering a little it's much nicer. And I'm more likely to drink more because of that.

I used a micro squeeze earlier and eventually moved up to regular size Sawyer squeeze as it had better flow rate for maybe 1 oz extra weight. I found the sawyers had to be back flushed regularly even in clear water. And the bag they come with sucks to fill unless there are small waterfalls or strong flow, so I got a third party bag with wider opening. That's one reason I like the BeFree better, much easier to fill.

I used a Steripen for awhile and never had issues but I hate relying on battery powered devices if possible. And even in clear water you get some floaties in your bottle. So I prefer an actual filter to UV.

I'll keep using BeFree but wouldn't hesitate to use Sawyer squeeze again, just need a smart water bottle or other dirty water sack.

We’ve been power users of Sawyer minis for years — generally have to back flush every 4 days of use. We prefer the mini because it can stay in a pocket & allow all day rides w/o a pack. The key to filter nirvana for me was discovering the CNOC bags on a bikepacking discussion—makes grabbing 2 liters of water at a bug infested shallow stream super quick.

I’d like try BeFree sometime, especially since your review carries a lot of weight given the rides you do regularly

[toast2266]

Another vote for BeFree here. Have been using for 4-5 yrs now. Only issue is occasionally the flow slows inexplicably and no amount of shaking or swishing will restore it. Not as easy to replace when you're on the road as they aren't sold everywhere like sawyers. But even the reduced flow is similar to Sawyer micro squeeze. And when they are flowing at full rate they are awesome. So fast. Even when just filtering a little it's much nicer. And I'm more likely to drink more because of that.

I used a micro squeeze earlier and eventually moved up to regular size Sawyer squeeze as it had better flow rate for maybe 1 oz extra weight. I found the sawyers had to be back flushed regularly even in clear water. And the bag they come with sucks to fill unless there are small waterfalls or strong flow, so I got a third party bag with wider opening. That's one reason I like the BeFree better, much easier to fill.

I used a Steripen for awhile and never had issues but I hate relying on battery powered devices if possible. And even in clear water you get some floaties in your bottle. So I prefer an actual filter to UV.

I'll keep using BeFree but wouldn't hesitate to use Sawyer squeeze again, just need a smart water bottle or other dirty water sack.

We’ve been power users of Sawyer minis for years — generally have to back flush every 4 days of use. We prefer the mini because it can stay in a pocket & allow all day rides w/o a pack. The key to filter nirvana for me was discovering the CNOC bags on a bikepacking discussion—makes grabbing 2 liters of water at a bug infested shallow stream super quick.

I’d like try BeFree sometime, especially since your review carries a lot of weight given the rides you do regularly

Awesome, thanks for the intel! The "all day rides w/o a pack" are definitely what I'm after, and it sounds like either the Sawyer mini or the BeFree will probably accomplish that.

[XtrPickels]

My pearl izumi neoshell stuff is pretty good. Actually waterproof and really breathable. Can pedal around with the jacket on and zipped up and not be drenched from sweat. I'll even wear it as an outer layer in cold and dry conditions sometimes although it's not really ideal for that. Mainly it's what I bring when I think I have a good chance of getting rained on for awhile. I have the tight fitting road jacket plus the mtb one that works really well as a casual rain coat and even have worn it touring on warmer days. Downside is they're real expensive if you don't have a good discount somewhere but PI is on expertvoice and stuff. It's also not as packable as a super light jacket like a houdini or the thin roadie stuff. And yes it has a huge hood.

I think these were just on sale last week!

I was a big push for the use of Neoshell - There's no other material that allows moisture vapor transfer at the same rates. It's not the best for low-output activity in torrential rain... it will eventually wet from the outside in, but for anything active it's the best.

To know this, I did this testing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_42U...t=LL&index=109
Across multiple different branded and proprietary fabrics / membranes

[Boissal]

WeThe key to filter nirvana for me was discovering the CNOC bags on a bikepacking discussion—makes grabbing 2 liters of water at a bug infested shallow stream super quick.

Oooooh that's the bag I have, couldn't remember the brand but it works great! This spring I used mine to collect water from a melting snowpatch running down a dirt road. Barely any flow, I excavated a small hole, mashed the bag in there, got it filled up with silty water, ran it through the Sawyer mini straight into the bladder of the hip pack. So convenient.

[wkd-rdr]

Ok, expert question:

If I accidentally let about 2ml worth of fluid out of my FloatX, is it still rideable? (thought it was a pinch bolt , as I was adding a bigger spacer)