Cycling/Mountain Biking
Upstatemax
Posts: 2,679
Based off of a suggestion in the “post a picture” thread, I’m starting a new cycling thread.
Also mentioned in that thread, I have a tendency to order parts/upgrades over the winter and then get to stare at them for months before riding them.
Well, in my typical fashion, I completely forgot I ordered PNW’s new carbon bar and come home today with this sitting on my front porch:
Oops.
Hopefully the weather turns for the better and I can at least get a ride or two on them while the OneUp bars on the bike now are somewhat fresh in my mind.
Also mentioned in that thread, I have a tendency to order parts/upgrades over the winter and then get to stare at them for months before riding them.
Well, in my typical fashion, I completely forgot I ordered PNW’s new carbon bar and come home today with this sitting on my front porch:
Oops.
Hopefully the weather turns for the better and I can at least get a ride or two on them while the OneUp bars on the bike now are somewhat fresh in my mind.
Comments
-
Current bikes:
2022 Specialized Stumpjumper EVO LDT custom build:
RSD RS-291 custom build:
Niner RLT 9 RDO custom build, for gravel duty:
Disclaimer* absolutely none of the bikes above may actually still be the same builds as pictured. I have a problem.
-
Nice rides, but they are missing the motors.Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
-
I have the one up carbon bars on mine. I'll snap some pics tomorrow of the bikes and many upgrades
-
Nice rides, but they are missing the motors.
My motor is my legs!
Disclaimer* those are NOT my legs. 😆
-
I have the one up carbon bars on mine. I'll snap some pics tomorrow of the bikes and many upgrades
Yeah, I need to think about what’s changed on the bikes since those pics.
The Stumpjumper I think is identical.
But the RSD and the RLT 9 have both been through some changes since those pics. Especially the RLT… -
Since getting the bike in 2020, I have ergon grips and seat, Hunt Endurowide wheels, Vee Attack HPL tires, Oneup carbon bars and pedals, Fox Performance 36 Fork, DPX2, Race face Aefect R cranks, PNW loam Dropper and lever. I think that's it that has been upgraded so far, oh wait a Works Component 2degree angleset oh and a Nukeproof Horizon stem.
-
-
Current builds on the bikes:
Stumpjumper Evo: Alloy frame in the LTD color, Cane Creek Helm MKII Air fork, Cane Creek Kitsuma Air shock, full X01 AXS drivetrain except for a RaceFace Turbine crankset with a Wolf Tooth chainring, I9 stem, OneUp carbon bars, XT 8120 brakes (with aftermarket ceramic pads), Ergon grips and saddle, Wolf Tooth LA dropper lever and OneUp dropper, I9 Hydra Enduro S Carbon wheels, Specialized Butcher T9 front tire and Eliminator T7 rear.
RS-291: steel frame in "misconduct" color, DVO Diamond D1 fork set at 140mm, "Sramano" GX AXS setup (GX AXS derailleur and controller with Shimano XT cassette and chain), RaceFace Turbine crankset with Wolftooth chainring, I9 stem and OneUp carbon bar (soon to be PNW stem and carbon bar), XT 8120 brakes (same ceramic pads as the Evo), Ergon grips and saddle, Wolf Tooth LA dropper lever and OneUp dropper, I9 Hydra Enduro 305 Alloy system wheels, Specialized Butcher T9 front tire and Eliminator T7 rear, Wolf Tooth geoshift headset in the +1 degree position.
RLT 9 RDO: 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO carbon frame, Enve G Series carbon fork, Niner RDO seatpost, Sram Force XPLR AXS groupset, Easton EA90 stem, Zipp SL70 Ergo alloy bar, Ergon saddle, Roval Terra CL carbon wheelset, Conti Terra Speed 35mm tires.
In the picture above, the RS-291 was at its stock geo, so no angle adjust headset and the fork set at 150mm. It was a blast on steep and fast terrain, but I wanted it to handle flatter terrain better so I installed the +1 degree headset and also dropped the fork to 140mm to keep the seat tube angle and BB drop essentially identical to what it was stock as I really liked where those were.
There is also a really good chance that the I9 carbon wheelset is going to be taken off the Evo and put on the RS-291 full time. The more compliant ride from them is much nicer and noticeable on a hardtail.
-
This past year year I've been using 165mm cranks and I'm very happy with them. I really don't know why bikes come pretty standard with 175. I'll be looking to get my son some shorter ones. My son's 2023 small siskiu came with with 175 as did my 2020 Trance. I thought about getting a new bike but I'll wait to pass it down to my son once he's tall enough.
-
-
175mm cranks offer better torque out of the starting gate. I ran 180's on my BMX bikes for racing.
So I guess if you have 72 gears it doesn't matter as much. I had one and it was 44/16 -
175mm cranks offer better torque out of the starting gate. I ran 180's on my BMX bikes for racing.
So I guess if you have 72 gears it doesn't matter as much. I had one and it was 44/16
BMX/single speed bikes, might be slightly more important. However, many studies have shown essentially zero actual power difference between crank lengths, unless you go silly short/long.
I've also been on 165's for the last 2 seasons and I'm much, much happier with them. Not just for clearance reasons, the shorter cranks are much nicer to my right knee that has damage from an old injury. -
I could see that length being helpful in xc and trail, we've gotten the bike park bug. Looking at less pedal strikes and keeping your feet closer to each other boat.
-
I could see that length being helpful in xc and trail, we've gotten the bike park bug. Looking at less pedal strikes and keeping your feet closer to each other boat.
I've never ridden lift service stuff. 99% of the time I need to put in the work climbing so that I can descend.
I've done exactly 2 shuttle trails in my life, both in Pisgah where we riding with folks from Florida, so they really didn't want to climb.
I will say, shuttling is a nice break. It's pretty cool to toss a leg over your bike and be able to descend without already being tired.
As far as crank length for XC and trail, I would still say shorter is better. Shorter cranks allow you to keep spinning your cranks and maintain momentum when handling technical sections. Really, really important on technical climbs. Longer cranks, you either can't pedal at all, or you need to ratchet a ton. -
My son and I went to one trail head and oh my goodness climbing was deadly. It was such hard work. Once we tried park, we were hooked. I'll be buying seasons passes to at least one if not 2 of the parks around. They are 40mins away but gives he and I time to chat on the drive up and back. I'll admit it's tough for my son to load his bike on the lift, this past summer he was 89lbs lifting a 35lb bike to set it in the track. He does competitive trampoline so he has strong legs but upper body not so much. We'll be working on that this winter.
I've been considering indoor trainers but they aren't cheap. -
Yeah, trainers can get expensive.
My Tacx Neo 2T has been great. I think I’ve had it for 2 or 3 winters.
They seem to be on sale right now:
https://www.jensonusa.com/Garmin-Tacx-Neo-2T-Smart-Trainer?loc=usa&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpcOgwaCLgwMVZVxHAR0etw89EAQYBCABEgJ3zPD_BwE
-
-
175mm cranks offer better torque out of the starting gate. I ran 180's on my BMX bikes for racing.
So I guess if you have 72 gears it doesn't matter as much. I had one and it was 44/16
I ran that same crank size and gear ratio most of the time when I raced BMX. There was one track in Elkhart Indiana that I ran a 52/16 gear ratio, I was last out of the gate but first at the finish line, it was a smooth track with some decently long straight aways. -
Nice rides, but they are missing the motors.
Yes it's got to have a motor on it. When I bought a paddleboat a couple years ago the first thing I did was chop the pedals out of it and mount a trolling motor. I had quickly found It's a lot of work pedaling one of those contraptions -
Messing around in the basement shop tonight, set the trainer bike back up with a 2x drivetrain.
I like 1x for real world riding, but training, I notice gearing gaps.
Always depressing when you come to the realization that’s its trainer season again.
-
What size bars are you using? 31.8 or 35? My son and I use both 35. I'll probably play around with cutting his down as I passed down my RF bars and Funduro stem.
For his bike he has some Chester pedals and some RF grips he'll be getting for his bday along with some goggles to go with his full face. -
What size bars are you using? 31.8 or 35? My son and I use both 35. I'll probably play around with cutting his down as I passed down my RF bars and Funduro stem.
For his bike he has some Chester pedals and some RF grips he'll be getting for his bday along with some goggles to go with his full face.
I run 35mm bars.
For kids, I do think 31.8's are probably better as they ride softer. Personally, the OneUp carbon bars are my standard for top performing bars. I'm also considered a heavy rider (by cycling standards) as a 200lb rider.
I am going to give the PNW carbon bars a shot though as I really like them as a company and I prefer to support them. -
I think I'll throw up his oem fork and shock up for sale. I'll never use them again. He went from ROCKSHOX RECON RL BOOST 15X110MM, 150MM to Fox Rhythm 34, 150mm and ROCKSHOX DELUXE PLUS SELECT Fox DPS. Next summer I might install the Runt by Diaz I have lying around too. He didn't weigh enough at the time to properly set Sag.
-
I think I'll throw up his oem fork and shock up for sale. I'll never use them again. He went from ROCKSHOX RECON RL BOOST 15X110MM, 150MM to Fox Rhythm 34, 150mm and ROCKSHOX DELUXE PLUS SELECT Fox DPS. Next summer I might install the Runt by Diaz I have lying around too. He didn't weigh enough at the time to properly set Sag.
With how rough the market is right now, I wouldn't expect much back on them.
Honestly might be better off keeping them on a shelf as backup suspension, like if you have to send something off for service.
Suspension companies are literally giving stuff away right now. Seen more than a few "buy a fork, get a free shock" type sales. -
I saw a fox 36 elite new for 499.... Geez like you said dvo is buy the fork get a free shock. I will most likely stash them away in the parts bin. I've got so many items in there that when I'd sell my bikes I'd throw in some spare parts.
-
Sorry it was a Fox 36 Float Factory
-
Time to suffer a bit before I eat and drink all the stuff I’m not supposed to, for days…
-
I need to get one that I can just hook my MTB to. Not where I must buy a new tire. Sadly zwift doesn't ship to Canada
-
Where in Canada?
If you’re within earshot of New York, and willing to make a drive, I know a Wahoo Kickr Core that I’m pretty sure someone will let go for pretty reasonable. -
First off, Merry Christmas. I'm in our nation's capital. We are about 1.5 hrs from Syracuse.
