Christmas upgrades

[Particle]

OK so the buying season has me thinking about actually getting some upgrades for my bikes I've been wanting a while, but I may only be able to get 1 of them for now. Which would you recommend (all around $2-300 investments):

1-new El Caminos for my ASX, then swap out the old Hayes hydros and replace the crappy mechs on my new IH hardtail.

2-brake therapy floating brake kit for the ASX

3-get a new 26" rear wheel built to replace the 24" on the ASX (not sure if this would help the bike or hurt its handling...cuz it's pretty good now but the only thing I don't like about the 24" is it seems to 'hang' on trail obstacles occasionally).

[mntlion]

door #1


borrow a 26 R wheel and try before you buy

[crashnburn'd]

2-brake therapy floating brake kit for the ASX

Do ASX's brake jack as bad as Bullits? If yes and you're riding dh with it a lot, I'd say go for this option.

The reason I say this is because I've ridden a couple Cannondale Gemini's (one without floating brake/one with) that friend have and the floating rear makes them really nice. Granted the Gemini DH's have a little different geometry too.

[bagtagley]

If you read the specs and reviews, El Cs technically aren't designed for DH. If I were looking at new brakes, I'd be more inclined to go w/ Juicy 5s or Hopes.

Given that the bike was designed around a 26 incher, that's a must fix (in my mind), but I agree mntlion about testing first.

You went from the 4-bar to the single pivot, so only you know if the floater is necessary. Personally, I've gotten used to the way they handle, and don't think the performance difference would warrant the cost...personally.

Brakes.

[Arty50]

Dear Santa,

Will you bring me a 888 RC2X? I swear, I've been really good this year.

Pleeeeeeease.

Sincerely and with love,
Arty

[crashnburn'd]

Dear Santa,

If Arty gets the 888 for Christmas, can you leave his address and a key to his house in my stocking. I know technically stealing is bad, but it would be one less house you'd have to stop at next year. I'm trying to do you a favor.

Thanks

crashnburnd

[gravitylover]

Ditto on the Juicy fives. Negatory on the Hayes.

[shirk]

I love my El C's for trail riding. Havn't used them for DH so can't comment. As trail brakes go they rock.

[Particle]

Regarding the El C's, the main reason I was considering is I can get a hookup on Hayes (broform)...so I could always go with new Mags. But the El C's just look cool...

crash - yep they do brake jack as bad as bullits...it is terrible. I got used to it thru the summer but it still bugs me. Definitely an upgrade I'd like to make. I think I'll keep the 24" for now, but yeah good idea mntlion. I'll have to steal bagtagley's rear wheel one of these days...

[crashnburn'd]

crash - yep they do brake jack as bad as bullits...it is terrible.

Like I said, that would be my first choice, but I ride a quasi iDrive/VP/multi pivoty bike/weirdo bike, so when I hop on a single pivot bike it sort of freaks me out at first.

El Camino's are marketed for XC/AM/FR and do look pretty tech. I would say go for them, unless you're planning on riding the bike strickly for DH. But that's mainly because I'm not a fan of HFX mag/9 brake levers.

[flowtron]

Build up a sick 26" r. wheel: nice, loud hub of your choice; Mavic 729( I think thats what they are calling it, the old 321).

Order new Hayes mags with BFL levers in the springtime.

Give the 24" to a small child.

Buy a full DH bike w/out brake issues (or pedal feedback for that matter)sometime in the future and make your ASX lighter and more "trail-y".

You gotta go 26", you'll be stoked. It could possibly make the braking a bit better since when the bike jacks (compresses) during braking the 26" will roll over stuff better. instead of hanging up. This is assuming the ASX doesn't stinkbug and extend....that would be bad.
Plus, you'll go faster everywhere, all the time.
If we were still in SLC you could talk to Nora about her thoughts on the 24" on her old Big Hit compared to the 26 on her Stinky...strong words, that there.

[Particle]

Build up a sick 26" r. wheel: nice, loud hub of your choice; Mavic 729( I think thats what they are calling it, the old 321).

Order new Hayes mags with BFL levers in the springtime.

Give the 24" to a small child.

Buy a full DH bike w/out brake issues (or pedal feedback for that matter)sometime in the future and make your ASX lighter and more "trail-y".

You gotta go 26", you'll be stoked. It could possibly make the braking a bit better since when the bike jacks (compresses) during braking the 26" will roll over stuff better. instead of hanging up. This is assuming the ASX doesn't stinkbug and extend....that would be bad.
Plus, you'll go faster everywhere, all the time.
If we were still in SLC you could talk to Nora about her thoughts on the 24" on her old Big Hit compared to the 26 on her Stinky...strong words, that there.

I like the way you think Flow. Thanks for the input...you've definitely got me leaning towards the 26er. I don't really ride much true DH on my AS-X these days...more shuttle runs, stunts, etc...at slower to moderately high speeds - definitely not race-pace. So the floating brake is less of a big deal for that vs. high speed braking.

Do the BFL brake levers make a big difference? I've seen them and they look sweet but have never used them...

[flowtron]

I had BFLs all season and they kicked ass. I didn't bend them once, yet I managed to bend my h-bar...and the little plastic bushings held up well too. They are stiff and have good feel to them IMO. I used to bend the old style hayes levers pretty regularly, then the bushings get munched...BFLs have solved that problem.

[CS]

I had BFLs all season and they kicked ass. I didn't bend them once, yet I managed to bend my h-bar...and the little plastic bushings held up well too. They are stiff and have good feel to them IMO. I used to bend the old style hayes levers pretty regularly, then the bushings get munched...BFLs have solved that problem.

What are BFLs? Ok, I assume they are levers but where do you find them. My Hayes are jacked and need replacing.

[biggins]

Dear Santa,

If Arty gets the 888 for Christmas, can you leave his address and a key to his house in my stocking. I know technically stealing is bad, but it would be one less house you'd have to stop at next year. I'm trying to do you a favor.

Thanks

crashnburnd

Dear Santa,

Next year, could you also leave a key/address for crashnburn'd. You see, he's got a "quasi iDrive/VP/multi pivoty bike/weirdo bike" that's altogether pretty dope- so I was thinking that as I am Jewish, and thus don't celebrate Xmas, this would somehow be culturally appropriate.

Thanks in advance, Good Yom'tov.

Biggins

[whatcomridaz]

Sit down and breathe and then forget about anything Hayes. They are decent brakes but they aren't downhillers. Then go to www.hopetech.com and order some mono6TI's or if you are a weight weenie the M4's.. The only problem with the hopes is you'll soon start trying to figure out how to put them on all of your other bikes. They are that awesome

[Particle]

Sit down and breathe and then forget about anything Hayes. They are decent brakes but they aren't downhillers. Then go to www.hopetech.com and order some mono6TI's or if you are a weight weenie the M4's.. The only problem with the hopes is you'll soon start trying to figure out how to put them on all of your other bikes. They are that awesome

Yeah but they are NOISY! I can hardly stand riding with Mr. Altagirl anymore cuz his brakes hurt my ears

[whatcomridaz]

Hmm, Did he break in his pads properly? I've go the 6Ti's and they make narry a sound unless there is mud or grit stuck in the pads.

[Particle]

Well Krispy just posted this over on MTBR...makes me want to keep my 24"! (oh and no Christmas upgrades just yet...heh). But damn now I want a 66 Light to replace the Shiver...

----

krispy@go-ride.com
mtbr member

Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 137

The 24 makes for perfect DH geometry on the ASX.

HA slacks out to 66 instead of the 67 standard. 67 is good for flatter corners,climbing,trail riding etc but 66 is where it's at for DH with a 7" fork. Most top DH riders use 65 with an 8" fork,or even slacker for the pros,so 66 is right in line when using the 7"er.

The BB drops to 14 instead of 14.5. MUCH better for corners and steeps.It's a little low for rocks but not bad really.The 303 is tunable from 14.25 to 15 and it has 230mm travel not 180 like the ASX. Turner DHR is 14.5 with 8.5". New Ventana El Cuervo is 14.5 with 9",the Sunday is scary low at 13.75 with 8"!!!

It makes for the ideal lite DH/terrain park fun bike for me. I go faster on a full DH bike but i feel faster and have more fun on the lighter,smaller bike.

Krispy
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http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=159491

[Particle]

OK I finally pulled the trigger on something! Stokered

Hayes Mag HD's (sorry couldn't afford Avids or Hopes and I know I still love my Mags, plus I've never had 8" Mags):


plus two of these:


Ahhh, that feels better. Itch scratched. A little bit.

[CS]

plus two of these:


Ahhh, that feels better. Itch scratched. A little bit.

you'll dig the 8 inchers.

And where'd you get those levers at? I'm in desperate need of replacing mine.

[Particle]

www.broform.com

maybe Go-Ride has them? I'd bet they could find you a pair if not...

[flowtron]

Yeah dawg. You will be stoked. Hopes feel great, but goood luck when something goes wrong, you can find Hayes stuff everywhere. Regarding Krispy's post...he is pretty darn short...following him down trails is soo sketchy, I about lost my head a couple times on Fireswamp...he takes crazy inside lines under branches and shit. I stand by my original post...26 on the ASX and evolve it into a trail bike. and ride faster everywhere until then..save up for a full on DH bike, then you'll get the angles you want. Don't sweat the difference between 67 and 66 deg HA, both of them are quite slack when it comes down to it.

[altagirl]

Yeah dawg. You will be stoked. Hopes feel great, but goood luck when something goes wrong, you can find Hayes stuff everywhere. Regarding Krispy's post...he is pretty darn short...following him down trails is soo sketchy, I about lost my head a couple times on Fireswamp...he takes crazy inside lines under branches and shit. I stand by my original post...26 on the ASX and evolve it into a trail bike. and ride faster everywhere until then..save up for a full on DH bike, then you'll get the angles you want. Don't sweat the difference between 67 and 66 deg HA, both of them are quite slack when it comes down to it.

I was going to say the same thing. Krispy is an awesome rider.... and he's also REALLY short. So I'd imagine an AS-X w/a 24 is great for him because it fits him better than most bikes. I think it's a great idea if you're looking for a bike for someone really small/short, but I think you'd be better off with the AS-X as a trail bike and an actual DH bike. (Which, if you'd like one cheap - I'll sell you my Giant DH Team for $1100.)

[Particle]

Altagirl that is one helluva deal...I can't say I'm not tempted... But then I'd have to sell my trail bike and make my AS-X my trail bike. You are eeevil

and flow, I definitely hear you guys - a 26" is definitely next on the list. any hub recommendations?