27.5" AM/Enduro frames

[shirk]

https://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain.../sight-carbon/

I raced a borrowed 2014 version of this at the Crankworx EWS. It was pretty damn rad.

I would have liked something with more juice like the Range for Crankzilla, but for any other non EWS level enduro the Sight is just right.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

If my blur was just a year newer it would be 12x142. I really hate the regular qr rear. It just feels flimsy.

My bike is just shy of 27 pounds right now. Shit maybe I should just upgrade to the 2013 Blur LTc frame, move over all the components, and upgrade the suspension and wheels over the next several months.

[shirk]

What are the angles on a 2013 Blur LTc?

The jist of what a few of us are saying is that perhaps a Bronson is the better choice over a Nomad. Or the Sight over the Range. Process 134 over the 156.

There isn't a whole lot of weight to be saved going below the 140mm -150mm class of bike, but they are usually more efficient pedalling bikes vs the 150-160mm bikes.

Not much use in getting a Revelation/32 sized fork when it's only a smidge more weight to a Pike/34/Auron.

Just don't end up on a 65ha wallowy suspension energy sapper mini DH unless the courses around you really really need it and I'd be willing to get they don't.

[jm2e]

I'm loving the shit out of my Knolly Chilcotin. But I don't race. If I did, and the courses felt all cross country and shit, I'd be fucking pissed because my impression of enduro is that you pedal slow on the way up and get timed on the way down.
Fun fucking bike though. Even in the rolley flatso Central NC zone.

[creaky fossil]

If my blur was just a year newer it would be 12x142. I really hate the regular qr rear. It just feels flimsy.

what rear hub? some allow conversion to solid/more solid bigger dia axles 10mm or 12mm. Kings Hadleys Hopes DTSwiss I9 swappable. probably others too. my rear Hadley is 135 x 10mm bolt on and it's snugged up the rear frame on several bikes I've owned. since 142 basically adds collars it's not stiffer at the hub, so a 135x10mm axle should help just as much as a newer 142 std axle if you're getting sway at the QR.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

what rear hub? some allow conversion to solid/more solid bigger dia axles 10mm or 12mm. Kings Hadleys Hopes DTSwiss I9 swappable. probably others too. my rear Hadley is 135 x 10mm bolt on and it's snugged up the rear frame on several bikes I've owned. since 142 basically adds collars it's not stiffer at the hub, so a 135x10mm axle should help just as much as a newer 142 std axle if you're getting sway at the QR.

Stan's 3.30

[creaky fossil]

Stan's 3.30

I can't tell from their website, does this mean if you have whatever is Type I, you can't use a bolt-on?

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

I can't tell from their website, does this mean if you have whatever is Type I, you can't use a bolt-on?

Almost positive mine is type II since it is newer. Assuming I can change out the end caps, then I can just use a 10mm through axel with my existing qr dropouts?

[creaky fossil]

Almost positive mine is type II since it is newer. Assuming I can change out the end caps, then I can just use a 10mm through axel with my existing qr dropouts?

Those caps should let you run an axle like this, which will fit the slots in your frame dropouts.

[Catch22]

Those caps should let you run an axle like this, which will fit the slots in your frame dropouts.

Or the DT RWS thru axle, they've got a 135x10 option as well:
http://www.dtswiss.com/Components/RWS/RWS-Thru-bolt-en

I think it's been said but if the bottom bracket height is at a place where you like it with the 27.5 wheels I'd stick with the frame and upgrade suspension. Something like a Pike or MRP Stage up front and a decent rear shock will change how you feel about that bike. The older Fox CTD stuff is absolute garbage. Even the RP23 that you liked better was a shock that I hated even after a custom Push tune.

[creaky fossil]

Something like a Pike or MRP Stage up front....

You rode the MRP much? It was good?

[Catch22]

You rode the MRP much? It was good?

Yeah, I picked one up a few months ago and have been really impressed, I love the way the thing rides. I was running a Lyrik RC2DH coil and wanted something a bit lighter that would futureproof me for 27.5 as well so I was hunting around for options for most of the year. I know one of the marketing/product testing folks over there and he was raving about the prototypes he had been riding but I was a bit hesitant to try one because a White Bros Loop I had on a few demo rides several years ago left a bit to be desired and I hadn't ridden anything from them since then. Then a review on mtbr of all places caught my eye from a source I would actually trust on there. A bike shop owner and solid rider had given one a go and loved it, the adjustments that I thought sounded good on paper were legit, and he said he would straight up recommend it to his customers over a Pike. I'll admit I like to try out products that are a bit different or new and hearing a really good review was enough to convince me to give one a shot. I've got EP pricing available on any brand fork so it was a fairly low risk proposition and if I hated it I could sell it off for something else. I've been on this Lyrik for about 4 years (with a variety of internals and a couple sets of lowers) and really want something I can set and forget about other than standard service for several more years. I really love the fork and am actually trying to clear up some funds to get another one set at 140 for my Instigator. The current one is set at 170 and feels just as robust as the Lyrik with its 20mm thru axle and slightly larger stantions and axle to crown is almost identical as well. The adjustments that are there aren't overly done but the ones that are there really work. You can feel the difference in a click or two of rebound and compression and the ramp up is a really cool option. Fork feels super plush and smooth off the top but rides nice and high in its travel and resists diving really well. I really haven't found anything to complain about on it yet. I also liked the piece of mind that the thing has been hand assembled and dyno tested before they send them out (included a signed off card from testing) so you don't have to worry about pulling them apart out of the box to make sure some assembly line worker didn't skip putting fluid in the lowers. I definitely wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.

[grinch]

^^verly inderdasting. thanks for that. been on the lookout for feedback on those

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Got Stan's end caps for 10mm TA as well as an American Classic 10mm TA ordered this AM. Very interested in the MRP Stage fork.

I really do love this bike. It pedals like a fucking monster and with new suspension it should be killer. Its not like I will be taking many drops with it or anything. Plus I am pretty small and light (maybe 160#).

[Catch22]

One other note on the Stage that for me was a big selling point. Travel is internally adjustable in 10mm increments via a simple spacer swap. You do need to drop the lowers but I'm plenty comfortable with that. No need for buying and replacing air shafts or spring assemblies or any of that stuff. I was guessing a bit on 160 vs 170 travel on mine and it's possible it may go on a 27.5 frame at 150 eventually. It was comforting knowing I could do that without having to dump more money into it each time I wanted to change travel.

If anyone wants a look at the thread that sold me on trying one here it is, complete with my gushing review upon returning from a trip to Moab.http://forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspen...rk-918470.html

[creaky fossil]

If anyone wants a look at the thread that sold me on trying one here it is, complete with my gushing review upon returning from a trip to Moab.http://forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspen...rk-918470.html

what / where was "trailbildr" riding near Anne Arundel Co that tests 160mm travel?

[Catch22]

what / where was "trailbildr" riding near Anne Arundel Co that tests 160mm travel?

Ha, I don't blame you for thinking that at all as one of my first thoughts was what kind of stuff was the guy riding the fork on. I'll admit to e-stalking my way through several hundred of his posts via the 'latest forum post' search on there. What I saw was enough to paint a picture of a guy with a pretty long history working with suspension, offering solid advice, some experience with longer travel forks, and he gave some specific recommendations to some tech trails in their area and I even went and watched some YouTube video of the system mentioned. It was legit and stuff I would actually really enjoy riding. Not much in the way of big hits or jump trails but that stuff isn't really my bag either. Just found one of the vids in my YouTube viewed history: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE14M-xxFeQ

[ghosthop]

what / where was "trailbildr" riding near Anne Arundel Co that tests 160mm travel?

looks like he gets up to Mountain Creek and out to Snowshoe from his posts, but I would imagine that he rides the Frederick Watershed as well

there are a couple off the grid gravity trails in the patapsco parks

[creaky fossil]

Annapolis is not where I'd live for MTB just like I wouldn't live in Grafton UT for sailing

though I did my first XC race next door in PG County/Bowie MD, it had massive elevation changes -- I swear, maybe 35 feet of climbing.

Frederick is rocky but flat, Patapsco's valleys create possible testing areas. Possible. Maybe. Like, might test a 4" travel bike. I rode a shit-ton in Patapsco between '92 and '98. On one of these. While it was "technical" to a modestly skilled person on a fully rigid, I still don't think it's where I'd find 160 needed, or even helpful.

I had a WB Fluid 135 29" fork in 07. It was okay. Better than a few forks I'd ridden previously, not as good as some I've ridden since, in any case it worked for me.

[Roxtar]

.

Bronson
Believe the hype

[shirk]

New Mojo looks good. Not super slack endurobro geo but still capable.

[Esses]

You gotta get rid or that Fox CTD, stuff. It's total crap. I had the same setup on my Mojo and swapped it out for an X Fusion Vengeance and Vector air and it's like a whole different bike.

[Roxtar]

You gotta get rid or that Fox CTD, stuff. It's total crap. I had the same setup on my Mojo and swapped it out for an X Fusion Vengeance and Vector air and it's like a whole different bike.

The Float X was a revelation; basically what CTD was meant to do in the first place.
I loved the Vengeance. The Vector? Meh

[JeffreyJim]

New Mojo would be tits for NA Enduro racing. Its light and the wheelbase/geo will likely work better for the "pedal pedal turn" enduros of the Western US.

The Bronson I'd put near the back of the list. One of the worst leverage ratio curves I can think of...

Its snowing. I'd type more but just don't care right now

[Roxtar]

The Bronson I'd put near the back of the list. One of the worst leverage ratio curves I can think of...

Yea, those things are horrible. Ask anyone.

For those saying short travel 29ers, all I can say is, what courses are you racing?
I can't imagine a 120mm 29er being a decent option on any enduro course I've been on.