Ask the experts

[John_B]

I pulled the lowers off my Mezszer a few weeks ago and cleaned the foam rings and put new oil in it. The fork feels good while riding it but feels like it has a bunch more stiction that usual on the first bounce after the bike sits for a while. Is there anything in particular I should check before I pull the lowers again this weekend?

[Roxtar]

I pulled the lowers off my Mezszer a few weeks ago and cleaned the foam rings and put new oil in it. The fork feels good while riding it but feels like it has a bunch more stiction that usual on the first bounce after the bike sits for a while. Is there anything in particular I should check before I pull the lowers again this weekend?

I would check to make sure one of the foam rings didn't get slightly displaced when you reinstalled the lowers and is binding up. It happens.
Also, make sure you gob plenty of Slikolium grease in the seals and bushings.
While you have the lowers off, I'd recommend going one step farther by pulling the airspring.
A Mezzer mod I've done has made a big difference in small bump sensitivity and initial breakaway.
Put about 10ml of lube (I like the Fox Float Fluid for this) on TOP of the airspring, in the positive chamber. This keeps the airspring o-ring seal lubed and makes initial breakaway much smoother. It also keeps things well lubed on long rides where heat can build up on that seal.
I do the same thing in the IRT chamber.

The caveat with this is that you have to point the fork up any time you attach the pump, keeping that lube away from the piston. The Mezzer pos/neg equalizing system opens a valve between the chambers, allowing this lube to run to the negative side if you don't.

Edit: BTW, if you don't want to pull the airspring (or don't have the tool for it), you can do this mod from the top. Just remove the top cap, pull the IRT piston out, and pour the lube in from there. Then you can add some lube on top of the IRT piston as you reinstall it.

Either way you do it, DON'T FORGET TO RELEASE THE AIR PRESSURE FIRST. I almost died from making that mistake once.
Seriously

[Andeh]

If you can, store your MTBs vertically so some oil pools around the dust wipers. That will help keep them lubricated and feel smooth as you start riding. If you can't store them vertically, before your ride you can pop your bike up on it's rear tire and bounce it a few times to get some of the oil to drain down and do the same thing.

But yeah, during service, you should be greasing the dust wipers and all seals, soaking the foam rings in oil prior to install, and the service manual should spell out how much oil to add to the positive and negative chambers. I'm not sure if they're available for the Mezzer, but I'm a big fan of the green SKF dual compound dust wipers. They definitely feel smoother / less sticky than the OEM RS/Fox ones.

[Roxtar]

I'm not sure if they're available for the Mezzer, but I'm a big fan of the green SKF dual compound dust wipers. They definitely feel smoother / less sticky than the OEM RS/Fox ones.

I've been hoping to see 37mm seals for the Mezzer come from SKF, Enduro, or PUSH.
Crickets.

[John_B]

Thanks guys. I think I spaced out putting Slickoleum on the seals when I had it apart.

And thanks for the extra reminder on the air spring!

[Canada1]

Does the police being called to the Scott headquarters have to do with integrated headsets?

[J. Barron DeJong]

Does the police being called to the Scott headquarters have to do with integrated headsets?

I’d guess it has something to do with the fired CEO claiming that he wasn’t fired.

[Andeh]

Does the police being called to the Scott headquarters have to do with integrated headsets?

I feel like a more appropriate response for integrated headsets would be drone strikes on the responsible parties.

[toast2266]

He seems so excited about hiding things (cables, shocks, etc.) Wonder if he'll be able to hide himself from the authorities.

[smmokan]

What's everyone rocking for clipless trail shoes? I'm looking for a relatively light shoe that is stiff enough, but can also suffice for various hike-a-bike duties when needed. My previous gold standard was the Mavic XA, but they've been disco'ed for a while and mine are finally calling it quits after 4 years of hard riding (and pushing). I have the Bontrager Rally shoes which are actually really nice, but the tread on the bottom does not lend itself to any sort of grip on loose terrain when I'm hiking uphill.

I'm going to check out some Specialized 2FO Roost shoes this weekend, but I was wondering if there's anything else out there I'm missing.

[beaterdit]

Still loving my Giro Chamber 2s. Very durable, walk well with good heel hold. Not the grippiest but fine on anything but slick mud. Also not the lightest but... Caveat is Giro fit, great for narrow feet, wide, not so much.

[carlh]

Pearl Izumi xalp summits are worth checking out. I have a set and they seem solid if a bit flexy but I find anything without a carbon sole a bit flexy. Wider fit in the toe box and boa with a decent sole. I end up riding flats 90% of the time so don’t have a lot to say on durability.

What's everyone rocking for clipless trail shoes? I'm looking for a relatively light shoe that is stiff enough, but can also suffice for various hike-a-bike duties when needed. My previous gold standard was the Mavic XA, but they've been disco'ed for a while and mine are finally calling it quits after 4 years of hard riding (and pushing). I have the Bontrager Rally shoes which are actually really nice, but the tread on the bottom does not lend itself to any sort of grip on loose terrain when I'm hiking uphill.

I'm going to check out some Specialized 2FO Roost shoes this weekend, but I was wondering if there's anything else out there I'm missing.

[toast2266]

Crankbrothers mallet: Not great heel hold for me. Medium width. Usually need to be snugged up mid-ride. Sole is ok for walking, but not great.

Ion Rascal Amp: Slightly narrower fit. I like these a lot, except I've snapped the soles on 2 pairs of them (each with about a season of riding on them). To be fair, it's rare that I get more than 2 seasons out of a shoe before I snap the sole, but the Ions died especially fast.

LeattDBX 5.0: Stiffer, and somewhat less comfortable than most other options, at least for me. I found the speed lace setup to be not particularly well executed.

Ride Concepts Transition: Burlier, more DH-ish shoe. Medium width. A bit stiffer - similar to the Leatts. Pretty comfy, but they're hot. I use them for lifts / shuttling, but I don't usually pedal much in them.

I haven't tried them yet, but the Ride Concepts Tallac and the Endura MT500 might be worth looking at.

[smmokan]

Still loving my Giro Chamber 2s. Very durable, walk well with good heel hold. Not the grippiest but fine on anything but slick mud. Also not the lightest but... Caveat is Giro fit, great for narrow feet, wide, not so much.

Unfortunately, the Chamber 2's are heavy as shit, and the cleat box (?) doesn't allow me to move them back/down as far as I want. But they were super comfortable. If anyone wants a pair of 10.5's, I'm giving them away in the "Beer and Shipping" thread.

Also to note: specifically not looking for a boa system. I've seen way too many of those break on our trips, and I much prefer old school laces and velcro if possible.

[zion zig zag]

Anything out there to combine an AXS pod and TRP Evo brake levers? If I get the brakes right where I want them then the AXS pod is either 1cm out of reach or too tight to my thumb. Currently going with the pod being just out of reach because too close means I feel like I have to move my thumb out from behind the shifter to use it.


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[Andeh]

I haven't tried them yet, but the Ride Concepts Tallac and the Endura MT500 might be worth looking at.

The flat version of the Tallac hiked great, and breathed super well. They do run a tad short though, maybe 1/4 size short. They make lace versions in addition to the BOA versions.

[zion zig zag]

Anything out there to combine an AXS pod and TRP Evo brake levers? If I get the brakes right where I want them then the AXS pod is either 1cm out of reach or too tight to my thumb. Currently going with the pod being just out of reach because too close means I feel like I have to move my thumb out from behind the shifter to use it.


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This it?:

https://trpcycling.com/products/inte...47741754016031

[snowaddict91]

The flat version of the Tallac hiked great, and breathed super well. They do run a tad short though, maybe 1/4 size short. They make lace versions in addition to the BOA versions.

After riding clips exclusively for 7 or 8 years I switched back to mostly riding flats halfway through last summer. Before switching back I ran the Tallac Clip (lace) for about a year and liked them. Durability seemed to be pretty good too. The foam midsole is delaminating a bit from the upper, but just around the edge and it hasn't gotten worse. I'd echo that the sizing is a bit small. I wear a 10 in 5.10s but sized up to the 10.5. ETA: lots of HAB around here, I'd say they perform better than average for walking in a stiff clips shoe.

[snowaddict91]

That's a fair point. After giving it some more thought I've written the NX build off for now as the wheelset isn't great and I'd rather step up from the performance fork/shock. A local shop might have a line on a GX build for me, if not I may just wait it out for a deal in the used market. I don't really "need" to buy a second bike right now.

Well this aged poorly. The local shop might be able to get me a little sweeter deal on the NX, and you guys were right, parts are f'n cheap these days.

[Norseman]

So... new Spur inbound?

Doo eeeet.

[snowaddict91]

So... new Spur inbound?

Doo eeeet.

Sounds like it, should know for sure tomorrow. Mrs. Snowaddict is pretty great to put up with me.

[XXX-er]

What's everyone rocking for clipless trail shoes? I'm looking for a relatively light shoe that is stiff enough, but can also suffice for various hike-a-bike duties when needed. My previous gold standard was the Mavic XA, but they've been disco'ed for a while and mine are finally calling it quits after 4 years of hard riding (and pushing). I have the Bontrager Rally shoes which are actually really nice, but the tread on the bottom does not lend itself to any sort of grip on loose terrain when I'm hiking uphill.

I'm going to check out some Specialized 2FO Roost shoes this weekend, but I was wondering if there's anything else out there I'm missing.

the bigger question is what fits your foot ? figure it out and just buy that shoe,

for me that is the Specialized product

[Norseman]

Sounds like it, should know for sure tomorrow. Mrs. Snowaddict is pretty great to put up with me.

Sick. No regertz

[Jtlange]

Unfortunately, the Chamber 2's are heavy as shit, and the cleat box (?) doesn't allow me to move them back/down as far as I want. But they were super comfortable. If anyone wants a pair of 10.5's, I'm giving them away in the "Beer and Shipping" thread.

Also to note: specifically not looking for a boa system. I've seen way too many of those break on our trips, and I much prefer old school laces and velcro if possible.

Shimano AM7 is all of the requests you have. If you can find them.

[mmmm...pow!]

Ride Concepts Transition: Burlier, more DH-ish shoe. Medium width. A bit stiffer - similar to the Leatts. Pretty comfy, but they're hot. I use them for lifts / shuttling, but I don't usually pedal much in them.

I bought a pair of these a few years ago (pretty sure summer 2020). Super comfy. They're my only shoe. Wear them all summer, several days a week, mostly pedal, don't notice weight or heat. Like them so much after wearing them a couple seasons, bought another pair on sale over the winter. That pair has been sitting in my closet for two years now, because the first pair shows almost no signs of wear. Like only some minor scuffs, tread is still almost new. Even the original laces look brand new. Occasional hike a bike, rubbing on volcanic rock while squeezing through some tight spots, nothing fazes those things. Between the comfort and durability, I'm definitely a RC fan.