Ask the experts

[Falcon3]

I think I have Float X somewhere. I'll dig around tomorrow.

This would be awesome, thanks.

I have a 210x50 Mara Pro that isn’t currently being used.

If Eluder doesn't have one, I'd be interested in this.

I grabbed a shaft off pinkbike ....

I usually go to Craigslist for these kind of shenanigans.


@Dee Hubbs, if that box of shocks fit my bike I'd definitely be in! Unfortunately my kinematics design and aluminum welding skills aren't good enough to alter my bike to make it fit just yet.

[jono]

I had this problem recently working in a cold basement. Tried it again after riding it a couple times and after some warm weather and it worked. I think the cold was making the tire too stiff and it wasn't moving up onto the rim easily even with soapy water to lubricate. Might not have been the temp that was the problem but it sure didn't seem to help.

I think you're right about the temp. It's weird that we don't talk about warming tires up to make them easier to handle, it can make a huge difference. An extreme example is motorcycle tires: set em in the sun and a totally unmanageable tire goes on super easy.

[XXX-er]

On that note Maxxis at least come all folded up so wana let the casing relax and get the folds out in a warm environment maybe while turned inside out

[gramboh]

I've always taken Maxxis out of the packaging and let them sit in the sun (or at least room temp in the house) for a couple hours before I install them, seems to help a lot. On that note, current wheels are DT Swiss EX1700 (EX511 rim on 350s) and man they are by far the easiest rim I've had to setup tires on. Just hands for DD casing and a floor pump with core in and no struggling.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Spire? Firebird?

I really really didn't want to admit this......I'm not vibing that hard with the Gnarvana. IDK if it's just me but it makes a shitload of noise. Weird clunk in the rear when unweighted too. I've teared the bike apart, checked bearings, etc put it back together......noises and clunks. Shitty Zeb maybe not helping but I can push the front into corners very easily. IDK......maybe I'm just searching for something that doesn't need finding.

My thought is: If I'm not gonna get any sort of deal from any company or have any team affiliation I might as well just pay full boat for the raddest bike.

[toast2266]

Spire? Firebird?

I really really didn't want to admit this......I'm not vibing that hard with the Gnarvana. IDK if it's just me but it makes a shitload of noise. Weird clunk in the rear when unweighted too. I've teared the bike apart, checked bearings, etc put it back together......noises and clunks. Shitty Zeb maybe not helping but I can push the front into corners very easily. IDK......maybe I'm just searching for something that doesn't need finding.

My thought is: If I'm not gonna get any sort of deal from any company or have any team affiliation I might as well just pay full boat for the raddest bike.

You looking for a race bike? Or just a general do it all long travel pedal-able bike.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

You looking for a race bike? Or just a general do it all long travel pedal-able bike.

Race bike/park bike. I'll eventually get another short travel all day kinda bike.

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[east or bust]

Have you ridden an Enduro? If not you owe it to yourself to at least try to demo one.

I’m not in the market for a new whip but would be pretty interested to try out a RM Altitude
eta: Altitude is on sale right now
eta2: apparently so is the enduro in expert trim

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[g_man80]

SB160? If I recall correctly, you were mostly happy with your last Yeti. If you were happy with the fit and suspension kinematics, why not stick with what’s familiar?

[toast2266]

Race bike/park bike. I'll eventually get another short travel all day kinda bike.

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Spires are on sale right now. If availability and money weren't an issue, it's probably not the first bike I'd pick. But $5600 for the carbon spire with XT and a factory 38 seems like a pretty safe bet (although the float X2 will probably shit the bed).

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

The SB150 in size Med was a little one dimensional. It was really good at going straight through gnar, but it didn't turn as well as the Gnarvana does.

If I got a Carbon XT Spire with the X2 I would probably change out the shock ASAP. My last X2 blew up multiple times.

[Roxtar]

In the past nine years I've gone from Bronson to V3 Nomad to V4 Nomad to Ripmo to Evil Offering. The Evil is so damn good I can't imagine where I will go from here.
Weigel definitely saved his best design for himself because the Delta rear end is incredible.
Based on what you're looking for, I'd strongly recommend you try a Wreckoning before another purchase.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

So many choices and build compared to build the Spire Carbon XT is the best price going and very hard to ignore right now. Every other brand for a similar bike is like $1500-2500 more.

[toast2266]

So many choices and build compared to build the Spire Carbon XT is the best price going and very hard to ignore right now. Every other brand for a similar bike is like $1500-2500 more.

The Spire's cheap enough that you can buy it, ride it, and if you don't like it, sell it for $1k less than you bought it for. In which case you're still out less money than if you bought one of those other bikes.

[Andeh]

Good luck selling the Gnarvana. I only got $1k for my Megatrail frame (minus shock), before paying for shipping and Paypal fees. There's definitely something to be said from buying trendy bikes if you know you're going to be selling them again in a couple years. I'm certain if it was a Santa Cruz or Transition frame, I could have gotten at least $500-750 more.

[Jtlange]

In the past nine years I've gone from Bronson to V3 Nomad to V4 Nomad to Ripmo to Evil Offering. The Evil is so damn good I can't imagine where I will go from here.
Weigel definitely saved his best design for himself because the Delta rear end is incredible.
Based on what you're looking for, I'd strongly recommend you try a Wreckoning before another purchase.

Thats funny, I went from an Offering to a Ripmo v2 and I agree the suspension platform is amazing and I loved the bike, it just wasnt the fastest or most confident for me. Im dropping my fastest times ever on the Ripmo and feeling so good on it. Wondering if having a bigger fork (Zeb Ultimate 2023 vs a Fox 36) is the difference in that. Also can't wait for Yeti to start up its factory demo program, that SB160 looks sweet and is actually the bike I want the Ripmo to be.

[carlh]

While we are spending money on bikes in this category anyone want to talk me out of upgrading my 2018 lyric rc to a Mezzer pro? Bike is a 2018 sentinel. I put a runt in the lyric but the damper still sucks. Any leads on a cheap Mezzer? Is it worth the extra dollars for an Ohlins rfx38 or an ext era? There are some reasonably priced used eras on pink bike.

[NuclearNachos21]

While we are spending money on bikes in this category anyone want to talk me out of upgrading my 2018 lyric rc to a Mezzer pro? Bike is a 2018 sentinel. I put a runt in the lyric but the damper still sucks. Any leads on a cheap Mezzer? Is it worth the extra dollars for an Ohlins rfx38 or an ext era? There are some reasonably priced used eras on pink bike.

been eyeing up some mezzers for a while and pinkbike seems to have the best deals, can grab pros for 400-500 if you wait a little


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[toast2266]

Thats funny, I went from an Offering to a Ripmo v2 and I agree the suspension platform is amazing and I loved the bike, it just wasnt the fastest or most confident for me. Im dropping my fastest times ever on the Ripmo and feeling so good on it. Wondering if having a bigger fork (Zeb Ultimate 2023 vs a Fox 36) is the difference in that. Also can't wait for Yeti to start up its factory demo program, that SB160 looks sweet and is actually the bike I want the Ripmo to be.

The geo on the Evils is a little weird. I think they favor the "screw around and find side hits" kind of rider, as opposed to the "go fast and destroy things" kind of rider.

[Boissal]

While we are spending money on bikes in this category anyone want to talk me out of upgrading my 2018 lyric rc to a Mezzer pro? Bike is a 2018 sentinel. I put a runt in the lyric but the damper still sucks. Any leads on a cheap Mezzer? Is it worth the extra dollars for an Ohlins rfx38 or an ext era? There are some reasonably priced used eras on pink bike.

Mezzer Pros are in stock at Starbike (Germany), they go for $850, maybe $20ish to ship them?
https://www.starbike.com/en/manitou-...on-fork/#97174

I bought one last fall, I was planning on putting it on my Stumpy but the fucker is heavy enough as it is and I'm learning to get along with the Pike. If I put a Mezzer on it I'll get in trouble, the front of the bike will be writing checks that the poor shock (and the incompetent rider) can't cash. If you want it shoot me a PM, I'll get it to your door faster than Starbike. Not trying to make money on it, just recouping what I paid for.

Haven't ridden the Fox38 or the EXT but I can tell you that once you've tried a dual positive air chamber fork you will never go back to a token-based fork, that shit is whack. The EXT is the same design as the Mezzer with the EXT premium slapped to it. Bet it works great but I doubt it's a landslide improvement over a Mezzer.

been eyeing up some mezzers for a while and pinkbike seems to have the best deals, can grab pros for 400-500 if you wait a little

New forks for $500 CAD? No fucking way!
There are a few brand new ones in the US for $850, would have loved to find one of the el cheapo ones!

[Roxtar]

Thats funny, I went from an Offering to a Ripmo v2 and I agree the suspension platform is amazing and I loved the bike, it just wasnt the fastest or most confident for me. Im dropping my fastest times ever on the Ripmo and feeling so good on it. Wondering if having a bigger fork (Zeb Ultimate 2023 vs a Fox 36) is the difference in that. Also can't wait for Yeti to start up its factory demo program, that SB160 looks sweet and is actually the bike I want the Ripmo to be.

Depends on what kind of speed.
The Ripmo was a faster accelerating bike; perhaps the fastest non-XC bike I've ever ridden. Stomp the pedals and it just takes off. I over forked it with a 170mm Mezzer.

The new Offering rear end is different. It is the best compromise between cush and support I've ever ridden. I'm faster through jank and yet, higher/farther in the air on flow trails. It rules on tech, both up and down. While the Ripmo was a faster climber, the Offering just rolls up technical climbs, staying absolutely glued to the terrain. It kind of reminds me of driving a high articulation 4WD up a tech climb in 4LO - just kind of swallowing the obstacles as it rolls through.

Granted, this is with the Ohlins TTX2 Air shock. This shock takes a really really good rear suspension to another level.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

At the end of the day I can't REALLY afford a new bike. But I also don't want to keep throwing money at this bike (new fork......maybe what makes me think I don't really like this bike right now) if I will take a loss selling it. At this point I'm not too worried about selling the Gnarvana cheap because I had a substantial deal on it to begin with.

[Roxtar]

The geo on the Evils is a little weird. I think they favor the "screw around and find side hits" kind of rider, as opposed to the "go fast and destroy things" kind of rider.

I don't know. I just really works for me and my riding style has never been described as "refined".

[Roxtar]

anyone want to talk me out of upgrading my 2018 lyric rc to a Mezzer pro?

Only a truly hateful person would do that.

[toast2266]

At the end of the day I can't REALLY afford a new bike. But I also don't want to keep throwing money at this bike (new fork......maybe what makes me think I don't really like this bike right now) if I will take a loss selling it. At this point I'm not too worried about selling the Gnarvana cheap because I had a substantial deal on it to begin with.

Buy the Spire. Sell the fork, rear shock, seatstays, and maybe the wheels off the Gnarvana but keep the frame, drivetrain, cockpit, and brakes. Convert the Gnarvana to a trail pistol. For ~$7.5k total (less after you sell some stuff) you can have both a short travel ripper and a plow pig, and you've still spent less money than some of the gucci 170mm bikes.