Mountain Biking

[Drew888]

Thanks all, I'll do just that and just get out more and see where it goes. At this point I can't even comment on the type of riding I do so this may be a bit premature. All is good on it. I just replaced the tires and brake pads and the only thing it needs is a fork that isn't impossible to get support for. The Noleen MegaAir is very light and had great reviews...back then but.

Keep your eyes out for me for a decent v-brake suspension fork 80-100mm. I think I'll stop there.

[Drew888]

I need a history lesson. What opinion do you have on any of these? I can't find a year anywhere but suspect the below is circa 2005 ish.

 

F80 RLT

F80 RLC

SID SL

Durin SL

Judy SL

 

How bad is the XC32? or being that it's much newer is it the way to go?

Edited November 22, 2015 by Drew888

[MTBwrench]

The XC32 is gonna be lightyears better than anything else listed there. While the other few were really good in their day, they're dated now, and most importantly, much harder to service now due to lack of parts availability. Rockshox has/is going to stop supplying service outta for those forks. And most of them I see come in are so beat up in the stanctions they're not even worth it. The Fox forks are probably still serviceable, but that service will come at a costly premium, and Fox forks have a much shorter service interval, so unless it's perfectly maintained I would skip it.

 

Get the XC32. The soloair damper is perfect for re-entry into biking, the Motion control damper is well dialed for XC use, and most importantly: In a season or two when it needs a rebuild you can easily service it, by yourself!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Drew888]

I appreciate your help.

 

Last question, which would you get if you were updating an old XC bike and...forced to ride it, the same way you ride your current bike, for a few months? I word it like this because I know that once 20lbs comes off that I'll not run out to buy another but beat on my current bike much more before I spend the $.

 

Rock Shox 30 Silver TK

 

Or

 

Manitou Match Comp

 

Just located this Fox 32 Float RLC, circa 2009-2010 Is it worth $100 more?

 

Thanks!

Edited November 24, 2015 by Drew888

[MTBwrench]

It's a toss up for me, RS fork had more adjustability, but 30mm stanctions, the Manitou has a less fantastic damper, but 32mm stanctions... If you're a heavier guy then the manitou may be the answer.

 

...but that all depends on whether coil kits are available for the manitou, because if you're over 215lb, they'll both probably be undersprung for aggressive riding.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[xt2005bonbon]

Hey MTBwrench, are you a bike mechanic? Just wondering...

 

If yes, do you know how readily available are Marzocchi parts? I have a 2007 66 ETA RC2, which has served me so well, and I LOVE it. But I've never serviced it . I think it'd be time to do an oil change at the very least... I have a feeling though that Marzocchi is slowly dying. I hope I am wrong.

[baconbits]

They're virtually out of business... parts are going to become scarce.

 

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/marzocchi-tenneco-for-sale.html

[xt2005bonbon]

They're virtually out of business... parts are going to become scarce.

 

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/marzocchi-tenneco-for-sale.html

 

:nono:

 

 

This seriously sucks. I love my 66. It is a beast, so plush, and inspires so much confidence. I better buy spare parts before it is too late then..

[MTBwrench]

Hey MTBwrench, are you a bike mechanic? Just wondering...

 

If yes, do you know how readily available are Marzocchi parts? I have a 2007 66 ETA RC2, which has served me so well, and I LOVE it. But I've never serviced it . I think it'd be time to do an oil change at the very least... I have a feeling though that Marzocchi is slowly dying. I hope I am wrong.

 

 

You would be correct, ten years in the making. I've worked in a few shops here and there...

 

Get the Marzocci parts while you can, as soon as news hit that Tenneco was going under all my distributors sold out of a lot of things quick... Sad to see them go, they made some amazing stuff, and had by far the most adjustable and tunable dampers I've ever seen. Sad to see them go, but it's not the first time they've been in plunder... After their last financial explosion a lot of companies stopped supporting them because of their instability, and their customer market was reduced to nostalgic older riders, a small OEM market, and their uber high end World Cup teams. (BTW their suspension tuning specialists are probably the most skilled people you'll ever see, I've never seen someone adjust various shim stacks with such diligence, from simply watching the fork as a rider blew by)

 

However, the days of small production, uber high end suspension are returning in the form of DVO and BOS's offerings. Still not as cool as Marzocci was though

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[xt2005bonbon]

^ I hate reading stuff like this . I am not even sure if I'll be able to source parts. Big sigh..

 

Thanks for the info though.

[Rhitter]

That's not good news. I have a basically unused marzocchi 44 ti.I guess I should look for a rebuild kit in case I ever need it.

[Drew888]

MTBWrench, check out post #304 . I just located an interesting option.

[MTBwrench]

MTBWrench, check out post #304 . I just located an interesting option.

 

Just saw this! The 32 Float?

 

For $299 that's not too horrid, but you can find a newer Rockshox Reba for less. My brand spanking new Dual-Air Reba RLT (2012) cost me $325 from Jenson, purchased in 2013. The only thing that scares me about that Fox is the "no maintenance history".. AKA it could have 7 seasons on it and never have been rebuilt and yeah it holds air and oil great but its packed up, the damper is f*cked, etc... Basically, its a gamble. If it's actually maintained, it'll be a fantastic fork. If not... you may have a $300 paperweight. OR... you can get it rebuild, at least a $100 cost, at which point you can buy a new Reba RL. I'm gonna do some fork searching for you.

 

Edit: Take a gander at these:

 

1) Reba RL http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Take-Off-29-Rock-Shox-Reba-RL-100mm-Solo-Air-Mountain-Bike-Suspension-Fork-/252184745661?hash=item3ab761d6bd:g:E4oAAOSwt6ZWVOqe

*Nevermind, we're looking for 26" aren't we? Those will be more expensive in the used market because they're rare.*

 

2) Can you use a tapered steerer? If you can, this i sa great option. Just buy a $30 rebuild kit, service it, and you're golden. The older dual-air springs were significantly better than the new solo-air stuff, IMO. http://www.ebay.com/itm/RockShox-Reba-RLT-Mountain-Bike-Fork-26-9mm-QR-Tapered-100mm-Disc-Dual-Air-/401029154657?hash=item5d5f334761:g:IHIAAOSwI-BWQnYw

 

3) Also tapered, but a screaming deal! http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROCK-SHOX-REBA-RL-26-Tapered-QR-Dual-Air-MTB-Bike-Suspension-Fork-Remote-NEW-/381470602236?hash=item58d16b73fc:g:guMAAOSwIwhWTTKn

 

Edit#2: Wow... it's near impossible to find a 26" straight steerer air fork...

Edited November 25, 2015 by MTBwrench

[MTBwrench]

Drew888, did you ever find a fork? Just curious!

 

I just picked up a sweet new steed; Surly Instigator 2.0. Got rid of the road bike and decided a low slung, long travel hardtail was what I needed. So far I'm absolutely amazed! I really missed the 26" wheel size and 26x3" (basically a downhill tire) on 50mm rims, all combined with a steel 140mm travel hardtail is a feeling you just have to experience to believe. It came with a full SLX group, but I've since upgraded to a Saint M820 shifter, XT Cassette, XTR chain, and added Truvativ AKA post and Boobar 740mm bars. Next on the list is the new generation Fox 34 150mm... or a Pike(SRAM will sell me the pike WAY cheaper) The 32 isn't bad but for what this will see I could probably use the rigidity. I also ordered a zero setback post by accident... so I need to fix that too.

 

[baconbits]

I've had my Kona Explosif on the trainer for the last month or two... my basement is awfully boring.

 

Steel hardtails ftw. I love the stiffness of the Dedacciai chromoly but DAMN there's a lot of frame flex in the BB/chainstay/downtube area while on the trainer.

 

I just queue up some paintball videos on my phone and try not to watch the BB moving side to side.

[Rhitter]

I want to get this steel frame to try it out and build. Everything on my current aluminum hardtail will transfer over so $213 isn't too much.

 

Get's good reviews at MTBR.

 

http://www.planet-x-usa.com/i/q/FROO456E2/on-one-456-evo2-frame

[MTBwrench]

 

Steel hardtails ftw. I love the stiffness of the Dedacciai chromoly but DAMN there's a lot of frame flex in the BB/chainstay/downtube area while on the trainer.

 

 

Yeah, that's always been my complaint about steel frames. My other bike is one of the stiffest/lightest alloy frames out there; an M5 Stumpjumper with an 80mm fork... So anything feels "wiggly" to me at this point! My favorite test of fortitude is holding the bike and pushing the BB sideways with your foot. The surly's BB flexes a good bit, the Stumpjumper just remains rigid and starts flexing the wheels

 

BUT, the Surly is definitely 100 times more fun. Slower and less efficient, but a slack 140mm hardtail is just an awesome experience.

 

I want to get this steel frame to try it out and build. Everything on my current aluminum hardtail will transfer over so $213 isn't too much.

 

Get's good reviews at MTBR.

 

http://www.planet-x-usa.com/i/q/FROO456E2/on-one-456-evo2-frame

 

 

I was looking at this for the longest time... I was also looking at offerings from Chromag, Production Privee, Ragley, and Transition. The On One wins by a Kentucky mile with that price tag, but the one thing that struck me was the long-ish chainstays and head tube angle. The region I live in has a lot of tight and twisty singletrack, so a 65.5° head angle just isn't practical. The Surly has stays that are 20mm shorter, and a 67.5° head angle, which helps tight turning etc. I do love the short head tubes on the 456 Evo frames though! They help make it nice and snappy.

 

If you have the cash, try it!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MTBwrench]

Oh, and another suggestion(although it pains me to recommend a product from CRC, because they price gouge the sh*t out of US shops): The Vitus Sentier VR

 

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/vitus-bikes-sentier-vr-hardtail-frame-2015/rp-prod125552?utm_source=pinkbike_monthly_deals&utm_medium=product&utm_campaign=prod125552

[Rhitter]

Looks like a good option. But tapered steerer tube. One of the nice things about the 456 is it will fit my fork with no modifications.

 

I guess reducer headsets are probably a thing.

[mdennett99]

This years ride

 

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160324/4e817589e2fe54d9e66218a263526ff6.jpg

[MTBwrench]

This years ride

 

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160324/4e817589e2fe54d9e66218a263526ff6.jpg

 

 

I can dig all of that, except the fork! SR will forever be blemished in my book after filing dozens of warranty claims on their stuff every year. You need a Fox 36

 

 

I'm currently torn between getting Goodridge SS lines for the wagon or buying a set of MT7 racelines for the AM hardtail. I just recently switched to Jagwire SS housing for all my shifty bits and I'm not a big fan of Shimano servo wavey stuff. I also got to ride the new SRAM eagle 1x12 last week... and gentleman, let me tell you it's some good sh*t!

 

Future plans for the instigator are Chris King 40th anniversary olive hubs/BB/inSet, Eagle 1x12, DVO Sapphire, and dropper post. Time to start pestering my suppliers to give me first dibs!

[xt2005bonbon]

I can dig all of that, except the fork! SR will forever be blemished in my book after filing dozens of warranty claims on their stuff every year. You need a Fox 36

 

Or a Marzocchi 66 RC2 ETA. Oh wait, no longer made right?

Edited March 28, 2016 by xt2005bonbon

[mdennett99]

I can dig all of that, except the fork! SR will forever be blemished in my book after filing dozens of warranty claims on their stuff every year. You need a Fox 36

 

I have some time on a Pike. And with performance for price, I'll take the Auron all day long. It sucks that you have had issues with SR. They have been nothing but helpful, but slow to respond. If I could get a 36 for a reasonable price I would definitely give it a go.

 

On another note. I too also ordered my dropper this week after being on the waiting list for 5 weeks. And I'm on the fence about ordering a carbon wheelset.

[baconbits]

Here I am on 1x9 and now there's 1x12?

 

Talked to a local at a paintball tournament the other day and he said he tried out 2x11 for the first time recently at his LBS and immediately bought it. I'm thinking about it but keeping my 1x front ring.

[MTBwrench]

Or a Marzocchi 66 RC2 ETA. Oh wait, no longer made right?

 

I'm curious to see what FOX does with their new acquisition of them...

 

I have some time on a Pike. And with performance for price, I'll take the Auron all day long. It sucks that you have had issues with SR. They have been nothing but helpful, but slow to respond. If I could get a 36 for a reasonable price I would definitely give it a go.

 

On another note. I too also ordered my dropper this week after being on the waiting list for 5 weeks. And I'm on the fence about ordering a carbon wheelset.

 

Taking MSRP into account, the Auron may be a better bang for the buck, but my concern is what will still be serviceable and functioning properly five years later. SR likes to stop selling replacement parts(or at least they've done it in the past) and screw their customers.

 

Congrats on the dropper post though! You'll never want to ride a rigid post again. Screw the carbon... there are better ways to blow your money. Get the best hubset you can afford, and get regular alloy rims, and have a set hand built, it'll be 100x better than anything you can buy off the shelf.

 

Here I am on 1x9 and now there's 1x12?

 

Talked to a local at a paintball tournament the other day and he said he tried out 2x11 for the first time recently at his LBS and immediately bought it. I'm thinking about it but keeping my 1x front ring.

 

Everyone we've showed the new 11s stuff too (particularly Shimano) has just fallen in love. I thing the 2x11 is a little bit crazy unless you have a LOT of elevation change going on, but I can really appreciate that it exists. It would be great for touring. Get an M8000 1x11 group, you won't regret it a bit. (make sure you have a 10s freehub body though)

 

 

An update to my earlier post, after a few calls to Magura I have a set of those crazy yellow MT7 Racelines on the way. Can you say #waytoomuchbrakingpower?