Ask the experts

[XXX-er]

I've been a DD fanboi and they are usually pretty good at holding air but I always put in a few ounces of Stan's fluid so you can see the pinholes right away so did you use any ??

[hick]

[emoji638]][emoji640][emoji639]][emoji638][emoji637][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]][emoji639]]I'm not in love with the Code brakes that came on a bike I just bought (SC Hightower). They are [emoji638] piston calipers. Do I go up to [emoji638][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]]mm rotors first to see if that gets me the power I want, or replace them with [emoji640] piston first...

I had the same issue and didn’t want to replace the whole brake set. I went with [emoji638][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]] front hs[emoji638] rotors and gold mtx pads rear, red mtx pads front. I got along with them great after those changes.


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Fuckin emojis. Read, bigger rotors.

[Iowagriz]

Rival ASX, left crank arm power meter. Seems like a great deal for $300 or so. Any known problems? Yes, I'm aware of it being 1 side measuring.

[Dee Hubbs]

Rival ASX, left crank arm power meter. Seems like a great deal for $300 or so. Any known problems? Yes, I'm aware of it being 1 side measuring.

Good and reliable. They don’t need to be calibrated/zero set very often. You can set it and forget it
Battery life can seem short, but it’s an easy AAA swap out. Just use a good Li-ion battery.

My personal bikes are all Shimano so I have Stages, 4iii and even a lousy Shimano built in PM. But a bunch of my clients use the SRAM single sided crank/spindle option. No issues with any of them. No chain stay clearance issues with the electronics inside the spindle. AXS app is easy to see battery level and to zero offset, they connect/integrate with Garmin or Wahoo head units easily.
Would buy.

[Iowagriz]

Thanks Dee


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[Gerome]

Hey guys. I’m starting to think about upgrading my current mountain bike. I currently ride a Santa Cruz Nomad 2018 aluminum 4th series with base 1x11 drivetrain and 27.5 wheels. The thing is a blast downhill, but it is 37 lbs, and is a slog to ride uphill. I like the slack headtube, but the slack seat tube isn’t my style. I like to ride more forward on my bike. I’m thinking there must be a sporty 29er out there that feels faster uphill and is still fun downhill. What brands and models should I look at? Is around $4000 for a slightly used bike realistic? Thanks in advance!


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[rideit]

Altitude

I might have a very, very suitable bike for sale, in fact, I could customize it in a number of ways.
I have a near mint ‘22 Rocky Altitude frame (Med, fits ~5’7” to 5’10”, generally).
This is my third Altitude in the stable, and honestly, it was always the third wheel. I estimate this bike has been ridden possibly 10-12 times (Frame).
I have it set up with the Instinct shock mount, but with a slightly longer shock, so roughly 150mm rear
As it sits now: (29” x 29”) OR we could do it as an MX (27.5”rear)
NEW:
Cane Creek Helm 160
Cane Creek Kitsuma, 150mm (best they make)
Items with a few rides on it:
XT or XTR shifter (+$70)
XTR four pot brakes
XTR rear derailluer
XTR chain (near new)
XT cassette (10-52)
Fox Transfer seatpost (needs a bleed) (or new One-Up v2, 210mm, +$150)
Wheelset:
Currently DT 240s, Light Bike carbon rims, db DT spokes, (custom built)
Tires: your choice, I have options. (Generally Maxxis Assegai, Dissectors, Rekons)
XTR 170 OR 165 cranks, (well loved, but still 100% strong/etc) your choice of 28 or 30 Absolute Black chainrings
OR Brand New SRAM GX 165 cranks with brand new 32 chainrings (+$230)
OR Race Face Carbon 170mm cranks. (28, 30t chainring options)
New Shimano BB
2 or three saddles to choose from
A few stem lengths to choose from (35mm, 40mm, 45mm, IIRC)
Brand new grips, likely Race Face, some other options

I built this as my flagship Trail style bike, but I generally prefer my coil-over big bike, or ebike)
This thing is crazy light, strong, and customizable.
It can be convertible to 160 rear, (w/Fox X2 Air, + $130)
I can share pics via text.

Basically a bike addict’s ridiculous showpiece, but it’s time to sell a bike I just don’t use.
Range: $3800-$4200, depending on components/etc.

[toast2266]

Transition sentinel or spire would be my pick. Good geo, reasonably light, simple, no propriety crap, less expensive than the Gucci brands.

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[Gerome]

Rideit, that sounds great, but I would need a large frame though. I’m 6’1”.

Toast, I did a test ride on a Sentinel about 5 years ago and agree that does sound like a good option as the first thing I noticed was the more comfortable more upright seat tube angle.


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[rideit]

Additional notes:
Geo on the Altitude is hugely changeable, different chainstay lengths, travel, kinematics, etc.
Just weighed it, a hair over 30 lbs, with a DD Dissector rear, 203/180 rotors, etc.
This thing is amazing, I’m having second thoughts!
(With all of the different options, I realized that this could range from $3800-$4800, realistically.)
Where are you?
I travel a lot!

https://bikes.com/pages/ride-9-adjus...eT_qh0QEDAIO7A

[rideit]

Boo, you know we shrink as we get older, right? ;-)

Well, anyone else?

[toast2266]

Toast, I did a test ride on a Sentinel about 5 years ago and agree that does sound like a good option as the first thing I noticed was the more comfortable more upright seat tube angle.

And 5 years ago was probably a V1 sentinel. The newer ones are even better.

The V3 sentinel just got released this spring. Might be a good time to find a deal on a used V2. IMO, the V3 didn't make any "must have" changes compared to the 2.

At 6'1", you'd probably be happy on an XL (I'm 5'9" on a large, although I tend to like bigger bikes). Transition has V2 sentinels on closeout on their website for $4k (carbon frame, gx build) and it looks like they have some XL's left. Probably worth a look.

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[hick]

Rideit, that sounds great, but I would need a large frame though. I’m 6’1”.

Toast, I did a test ride on a Sentinel about 5 years ago and agree that does sound like a good option as the first thing I noticed was the more comfortable more upright seat tube angle.


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I did exactly as Toast suggested for you, but earlier this spring. I’m 6’1” and bought a new gen 2 Sentinel gx for $3800 shipped to my door. Too good to pass up. I haven’t ridden it a ton yet, but have enjoyed it so far. Seems like it will be a solid bike. Fits very similar to the Stumpy Evo s5 I sold (loved that bike!).


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[John_B]

Someone in this thread had posted a great list of the priority of bike tools to buy a few years ago. EWG maybe? I've dug around to try to find it but you know how the search function works around here.

I'm trying to help a friend get set up but am too lazy to think for myself right now.

[bamboocoreONLY]

Just want to throw it out there that everyone should try the radial tires from Schwalbe. Been running the magic mary/albert radial combo on my bigger bike and it's quite titties. Even at pressures closer to 30, it grips like it's low 20's. The side knob traction when laying it over is phenomenal too

[Gerome]

Rideit, I’m in Sacramento for the next month, then moving full time to Truckee. So close to you, maybe?


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[Gerome]

Hick, did you get the large or extra-large Sentinel frame? I prefer a frame to not feel too large


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[rideit]

I’ll keep my ears open, I work in two shops, and have good relations with pretty much all of theme here in JH.

[east or bust]

Anyone know if shock dimensions change with frame size? For instance, Transition specifies Medium on all their spec lists, but is that just for weight?

And to follow up, if a frame specs a 205x62.5 shock, wouldn’t a 205x60 work on there?


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[Dantheman]

Shock specs are almost universally consistent between frame sizes.205x60 will work in a frame designed for 205x62.5, but you'll lose a little travel and maybe some bottom-out resistance depending on how much progressivity there is in the linkage design. Also, you can almost surely mod the 205x60 to 205x62.5. There's usually just a spacer in there that limits the stroke. In some shocks this can be DIY'ed pretty easily, while others require a full service from a pro. If the latter just have it done the next time it's due for a rebuild.

[east or bust]

Sweet, good to know.

My buddy just got a Sentinel and I’m hoping I can finally offload the Mara Pro that has been collecting dust for a year and a half because it doesn’t fit my Enduro frame.


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[Dantheman]

Got it. Can't DIY the stroke change in a Mara Pro, but he'll only lose 6 mm of travel running 205x60 vs. 205x62.5. Mara Pro has great bottom out resistance so it will probably be unnoticeable. Going the other way sometimes works but the extra travel can cause problems on a frame-specific basis.

[skaredshtles]

Dammit - now I am thinking about buying a Mara Pro for my Trance, which is 185 x 52.5. Hayes has them on sale right now for $252.

[Roxtar]

Hey guys. I’m starting to think about upgrading my current mountain bike. I currently ride a Santa Cruz Nomad 2018 aluminum 4th series with base 1x11 drivetrain and 27.5 wheels. The thing is a blast downhill, but it is 37 lbs, and is a slog to ride uphill. I like the slack headtube, but the slack seat tube isn’t my style. I like to ride more forward on my bike. I’m thinking there must be a sporty 29er out there that feels faster uphill and is still fun downhill. What brands and models should I look at? Is around $4000 for a slightly used bike realistic? Thanks in advance! Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

What size? I am about to come out of a size Large 2 year old Evil Offering LS with a completely brand new component spec. It is the current model frame with XT drivetrain, Fox Factory 36 X2/Factory FloatX, DB8 brakes,DT 1900 wheels - All brand new $3800

[toast2266]

Anyone know if shock dimensions change with frame size? For instance, Transition specifies Medium on all their spec lists, but is that just for weight?

And to follow up, if a frame specs a 205x62.5 shock, wouldn’t a 205x60 work on there?


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Just to add, shock spec rarely changes with frame size, but shock clearance sometimes will. With transitions, you'd mostly just need to worry about large piggybacks running into the downtube on smaller sizes at full bottom out. I've heard of issues with certain shocks on the Spur. Don't recall hearing about issues on any other tranny frames, but they may exist.

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