Ask the experts

[zion zig zag]

A float x will do better than a dps, especially on longer descents. But if you're gonna spend money on a rear shock, I wouldn't bother with a performance level shock. Performance elite or factory offer actual functional improvements that, imo, are worth it.

This would be a take off from a new Smuggler, so it being within 100 bucks of a service of my current shock makes it attractive. If I have to spring for retail for an elite/factory I probably wouldn’t make the upgrade.

[Benneke10]

Are these Raceface Next cranks a good deal at $172? Looking to drop some weight https://www.jensonusa.com/Race-Face-...8aAncHEALw_wcB

There is a review about the pedal threads coming off the carbon, I imagine that's a one off issue or is it a real problem to worry about?

[Andeh]

Are these Raceface Next cranks a good deal at $172? Looking to drop some weight https://www.jensonusa.com/Race-Face-...8aAncHEALw_wcB

There is a review about the pedal threads coming off the carbon, I imagine that's a one off issue or is it a real problem to worry about?

No, run away from those as fast as you can. Real issue, everyone I know who's owned them has had it happen.

[Roxtar]

No, run away from those as fast as you can. Real issue, everyone I know who's owned them has had it happen.

Yup, you really want these:
https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...?highlight=ERA

[toast2266]

Are these Raceface Next cranks a good deal at $172? Looking to drop some weight https://www.jensonusa.com/Race-Face-...8aAncHEALw_wcB

There is a review about the pedal threads coming off the carbon, I imagine that's a one off issue or is it a real problem to worry about?

I have those. Pedal insert came loose, RF warrantied them, they've been fine since. So I've gotten ~5 years out of 2 sets of them. Plenty of hard landings and rock strikes.

There are certainly better, more durable cranks. But that's pretty cheap.

[g_man80]

This would be a take off from a new Smuggler, so it being within 100 bucks of a service of my current shock makes it attractive. If I have to spring for retail for an elite/factory I probably wouldn’t make the upgrade.

You can get the LSC knob kit for the Float X about $25. That’s the only difference between the Performance and Performance Elite. Part number 808-17-470-KIT.

[rideit]

Are these Raceface Next cranks a good deal at $172? Looking to drop some weight https://www.jensonusa.com/Race-Face-...8aAncHEALw_wcB

There is a review about the pedal threads coming off the carbon, I imagine that's a one off issue or is it a real problem to worry about?

Besides, do you really want 175’s?

[zion zig zag]

You can get the LSC knob kit for the Float X about $25. That’s the only difference between the Performance and Performance Elite. Part number 808-17-470-KIT.

Oooh, maybe I’m back in. Thanks.

[grskier]

New Mezzer next year?

https://hayesbicycle.com/collections...32139567693869

They are pretty marked down right now

[JaytaeMoney]

My granny gear is skipping all over the place even under light torque, the rest of the gears work fine. I have already cleaned and lubed the drive train. Is there anything else that I, as a bike mechanically inept person, can try before taking it into the LBS?

[North]

If it's an Eagle drivetrain, the 2 things I always check first are the rear der mounting bolt, then b tension. Both loosen up regularly IME.

[grskier]

Is it skipping across the teeth or jumping down to the next gear? If the latter then a 1/4 to 1/2 turn on the barrel could set it straight.

Any chance the bike was laid down on the derailleur side and the hanger got a little tweaked?

[MCS5280]

Any time my cassette starts skipping I pull out the derailleur alignment gauge and 95% of the time its tweaked. Worthy investment.

[XXX-er]

yeah ^^ if you don't have the tool get down behind 4 ft back of the der and site down the drive train alot of the time i can tweak the der back and not even have to adj the cable

[JaytaeMoney]

Thanks all, I'll check it out when I get home.

[MegaStoke]

Going back to mtb shoes, I’m still searching for shoes that actually fit my flipper shaped feet properly. Wide forefoot(especially at fifth met head) but low volume, low instep, and narrow heel. Anything that doesn’t crush my 5th met head is always insecure around the rest of the foot. I almost always wind up putting shims under my footbeds to reduce the vertical volume, and a lot of shoes simply don’t work for me at all because of too much vertical volume and/or a sloppy heel fit.

Flat or clipless, I’m interested in any recommendations that might fit me well. Hike-a-bike capabilities are mandatory.

[XXX-er]

Kind of the same foot but with a high instep, I would check out Specialized

I've had 3 pair and they all worked for me

[GeorgiaSnow]

Remind me what tweaks I should make to my suspension for bike park flow trails? Headed to trestle this weekend and like my current setup but mostly ride chunky tech where I am. Been a while since I’ve touched it. Have a dhx2 coil and lyrik ultimate fork.


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[BigHerm]

More LSC.

[Falcon3]

Going back to mtb shoes, I’m still searching for shoes that actually fit my flipper shaped feet properly. Wide forefoot(especially at fifth met head) but low volume, low instep, and narrow heel. Anything that doesn’t crush my 5th met head is always insecure around the rest of the foot. I almost always wind up putting shims under my footbeds to reduce the vertical volume, and a lot of shoes simply don’t work for me at all because of too much vertical volume and/or a sloppy heel fit.

Flat or clipless, I’m interested in any recommendations that might fit me well. Hike-a-bike capabilities are mandatory.

I have flipper feet as well. Not sure how long your toes are but my 4th and 5th toes always get cut off by shoes tapering in from the met heads too quickly. I haven't found any flat shoes including Ride Concepts, 5.10, Specialized that are nearly wide enough. My 6th toe always feels crushed and my little toes get crunched up too.

However, you can still find FiveTen Impact VXI on ebay for under $100 and these are the best shoes for flipper feet I've ever found, plus they're just amazing shoes. For SPD, the Bontrager Rally shoe is the only one I've found that fits my mets.

[climberevan]

Lake. How it still flies under the radar is a mystery to me, as it's pretty much the only brand that makes cycling shoes that are shaped like people's feet. The regular ones are like 5mm wider across the forefoot, and the wide ones are made for full on duck feet.

Ofc they are for riding, not walking... If you're doing a ton of HAB, maybe use hiking shoes?

Maybe this new model would work though.

[MegaStoke]

Lake. How it still flies under the radar is a mystery to me, as it's pretty much the only brand that makes cycling shoes that are shaped like people's feet. The regular ones are like 5mm wider across the forefoot, and the wide ones are made for full on duck feet.

Ofc they are for riding, not walking... If you're doing a ton of HAB, maybe use hiking shoes?

Maybe this new model would work though.

I tried the MX 242 and they were way too high volume vertically, and the heel was super loose. They were so sloppy I think I’d actually prefer a smashed forefoot!

[Canada1]

Go to a shop and try on specialized. If they work, go order them off of the web for their current sales.

On a related note, I had three pairs of shimano shoes spread through myself and kids and they all had the cleat plate delam from the sole. They all had alot of life left in them but for that.

[climberevan]

Wild. Were you using good insoles? You need solid support for cycling, and the good ones take up a bunch of space. Did you try molding the heel?

I have 2 pairs of MX 238 and a pair of CX238 and they are perfect for my super low volume, narrow heel, wideish forefoot. I've walked a bunch in the ones I use for MTB, and while a full carbon sole isn't great for it, they do as well as good be hoped for. Plus they look pretty good after a LOT of abuse. I expect to get at least 5 years out of them, and way more from the road and gravel pairs.

[MegaStoke]

Yep and that was with semi-custom insoles, and multiple attempts at molding the heel. The 242s were particularly cavernous compared to most shoes I’ve tried, like not even close.