When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Recall someone here being a Fox Engineer? Loving my 2021 FUEL EX 9.9 but the thru shaft shock feels harsh. My old 2018 reactiv NON thru shaft was better. Everyone rants and raves about the DPX2 being a huge upgrade. Anyone here have experience with it, or the new thru shaft shocks for comparison? mine is a 210x55, PFA of course
I can't help with your questions about the different shocks, but I can give a free bump. I can also make a suggestion to try adjusting your sag point (pressure) to suit your riding style. It can make a huge change to start your travel in different points along the stroke and ignore the suggested sag. I find that my Fox X2 gets harsh if I add a little too much pressure (~5%). I also had a giant that would blow into the mid travel on climbs if the pressure was set to the factory suggestion. Good luck!
As a side note, who can keep up with all of these custom style/tuned shocks for each big bike brand-model-year? With how badly the last year + has impacted bike company supply chains, I wonder if we will see a move to streamline some of this stuff. Anyone else waiting for Shimano road disc brake pads (L03a) to come into stock again?
My frame actually came with the shock through warranty and even custom painted only took 4 weeks. I think most of the delay is with drivetrains wheels tires etc. i seem to have no trouble finding forks and shocks when I window shop online
Good point. I was thinking a slightly different context. I was thinking in the next 5 years, what does lifecycle management look like for all of the custom parts (some of which are unnecessary from a design point of view)? I have a Domane SLR disc 2021 that was a warranty replacement for a Madone SLR disc 2020, and I am amazed at the number of custom pieces that are required and have to work together. Little plastic tabs, interference fits, custom bolts, custom headsets, etc. and they were part of the reason I had to do a warranty replacement on a new bike. It is the same across all of the big manufacturers.
I think it may actually be the margins on frames that are allowing for over-engineering at the individual year-frame level. A number of years ago I managed to get sent an internal invoice for a pro's frameset from one of the largest bike companies in the world. It was for $250, landed cost. The retail price is $4k. Before anyone gets defensive of capitalism, I set this up as how the engineering budgets allow for developing complex BOMs. I don't know if the margin will trickle down to supply chain management and sustaining engineering, which is what is required to maintain 10 years of support.
I don’t have concerns with parts availability for TREK down the road as they are a large brand. However I’m aware nothing is forever, and parts for a 10 year old TREK now are hard to find but not impossible. Then again they aren’t the only company using proprietary parts, especially on the new integrated aero bikes, so I’m sure the increase in proprietary parts will also lead to more of those parts being available. My Emonda uses that seat mast but so do many other TREK bikes. Something like individual components for a certain version of front Iso-Speed may be a bit trickier
I need a new gravel bike. Riding midwest/appalachia gravel(home base) and norcal all-road(required employer home office visits)
Ive been making a CX frame(~2018 Fuji Cross) with handmedown and used parts work for a few years with narrow alloy wheels and 40mm tires. I broke a couple rear spokes on a bikepacking trip and upgraded to 24mm internal carbon wheels and can't fit 40s anymore. I ran 35s for a while, but cracked the front carbon rim on a descent in norcal and am now running heavy 38mm Pathfinder Pros on the crash replacement front/original rear carbon wheels. I need frame clearance for 700x45+ due to expansion of 40-42mm tires on 24mm internal wheels. I've also had repeated issues with the headset losing its "set", even with a brand new replacement FSA expander plug and top cap assembly. I'm hard on my gravel bike and need something burlier with similar low end gearing.
The drivetrain is currently a super frankenstein that no longer shifts well under power and requires a double shift to get it off the big rear cog. I had it tuned up by my LBS and they did the rear der install. It was GREAT for about 200 miles, but was turrible in a recent gravel race in NE ohio. (Rival 1x shifter, GX mtb derailleur with Rival 1x cable arm thing to correct pull ratio, shimano XT 11-46 cassette, shimano ultegra crankset, stages left side arm, absolute black 38t oval ring)
I basically justified a $5k Canyon Grizl SLX 8 Di2, which is a budget reach, but the cheapest way into a warrantied carbon Di2 bike(i think) https://www.canyon.com/en-us/gravel-...nfarbe=VT%2FBK
I've also long lusted the carbon monocoque Fuji Jari, but their highest end 1.1 model is essentially unavailable and even on ebay is $3.7k for mechanical GRX and would require parts to reach my gearing targets. ebay.com/itm/54cm-Carbon-Fuji-Jari-1-1-Gravel-Bike-Bicycle/165117562715
I need a ~.86 low ratio in OH and Norcal and would either replicate that with a 1x36/11-42 for smaller gaps and better shift quality than my current 11-46 frank setup, or would gladly go 2x 46/30 11-36 with GRX, GRX di2 or Rival AXS.
I want fork mounts and downtube mounts with 700x45 minimum clearance and an oem or single-part-achievable ~.85 low gear.
I'll be transferring over my fancy carbon wheels, saddle and 27.2 seatpost it it also fits.
Worthy mentions:
Grizl (many) Specialized Diverge Expert or higher Trek Domane SL 6/SLR 6 or higher Cervelo Caledonia
3T Exploro Team
Lauf Anywhere
Vaast A1 (local Dayton Ohio based magnesium alloy frame, 42mm max)
Salsa Warbird
Late/recent Stigmata (havent narrowed down model years for 45mm clearance yet)
Allied Able/Open UP are both essentially out of budget, the grizl slx 8 is also a big stretch.
Don't know what your budget is but it sounds like you want to be into this thing for well under 5k.
2022 Checkpoint SL6 etap. 40x44 low gear, 1x12. 45c clearance. 25mm internal, 1750g alloy wheels. No front Iso but with 45's, who cares. Has the same frame storage as my Domane. You're basically paying for the frame and group,. The rest of the stuff you can slowly upgrade over time. $4100 SRP. SL5 is 2x GRX600/800 mix for $3200
The SL5 is just a Wolftooth roadlink and XT 11-40 cassette away from mtb gearing. That's how I have my Domane set up. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...-etap/p/35170/
I have no useful input on your fancy new bike shenanigans... I'm just out here having a blast, "racing" in cat C on my steel frame bike that's old enough to buy booze...
I was temporarily laid off due to Covid and as a result spent the season working in the service department of the bike shop where I'd been a mechanic as a student 20 years ago. Was an interesting experience with the bike and part shortages and crazy demand that the pandemic has brought. Lots has changed in bikes in the 15 years that I was out of the loop. Some of it is great (ubiquity of cheap, reliable disc brakes, more efficient rear suspension designs, dropper posts, stiffer axle interfaces), others I'm less sure about (1 by drivetrains and 29" wheels on mountain bikes, lack of standardization in BB interfaces).
Aside from a Remedy 8 I bought used and had stolen before I really used it off road, basically all my biking - from road to downhilling - was done on a 1997 XC bike that I put beefier wheels and a long travel fork on. I'm excited to see how I'll like this thing:
Too bad I have to wait until October 2022 before I get it!
The 22 Checkpoint and just announced 22 Revolt are both more my speed. No front sus for weight or complexity, less proprietary bits. Revolt is getting flip chips and all the rack mounts for 22 as well.
I kicked the can down the road this week and had the LBS switch back to the Rival rear derailleur and XT 11-42 for this weekend's Appalachian Mountaineer 65 in Virginia. Course peaks at 14% so I should be ok with 38-42. None of the crazy 20-22% pitches I set up the GX mullet 11-46 for.
I've also been bidding on some used Force22 shifters/mini groups. If I can snag one of those, i'll build a 46/30 11-36 on somebody's 2022 frameset.
What about the Fezzari Shafer? Seems like an awesome value. Rival AXS XPLR build with Zipp 303 upgrade for $4200.
I did my first gravel race last weekend. Was an absolute slop fest. I think I'm hooked on gravel racing though, it was a blast! I'm currently running a Monstercross setup with a chinese carbon 29er hardtail frame, Niner fork, Teravail Sparwood 29x2.2 tires (which big tires actually came in handy for that race), Rival 1x11 drivetrain. I'm looking to build up a Carbonda CFR707 over winter. CFR707 - Gravel - Carbonda Sports Equipment Co., Ltd.
Shiny object syndrome caused me to snag some too-cheap, used Industry Nine "Ultralite TRA 235" 650b and 650b x 45 Kenda Flintridge Pro GCT.
Splurged on some lightly used DA rotors for bling and also bought a new long cage rear derailleur to refit my XT 11-46.
Hopefully i've bought myself some time to recoup some fun-money after the KPower splurge before I buy a 2022/3 model 2x AXS/GRX bike with a 46/30 11-36 that will also fit 700x50.
Repair turned upgrade "forced" me into a left side Sram Rival eTap AXS shifter. So naturally, as one should, I immediately went scouring for the matching right side that is on intergalactic backorder. So on the bike is currently a left AXS brake lever and a right Rival1 11spd shifter running the 1x.
Also, 650b rock. They're certainly more party than pace, but they're a super fun change up when I feel like adding the MTB trail or driving out to the Ohio/WV mountains for state forest roads.
Also also, gravel and cyclocross bikes rule so much that I bought yet another 700c wheelset for it.
DT Swiss E1800Spline, centerlock DT hubs, XDR driver. They got set up with Ultegra 140mm rotors and 700x32c Conti GP5000 TLs.
This wheelset gets me a cheap XDR driver for when I pick which AXS derailleur(s) I pair with the Rival AXS XPLR shifters and build up my future replacement gravel bike.
I've been riding a lot out west on work trips too...
In MTB news, I finally bit the bullet and replaced the no-longer-supported Shimano/Fox iCD damper in my fork.
A new Fit4 damper(vs the older electronic Fit damper), new manual lockout and a pair of new 2.35 Vittoria Barzo/Mezcal has it ready for 2022, by ~2015 tech standards.
Headed to Belgium in a few days to ride a fondo the day before the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour de Flanders).. "de Ronde". Doing the full distance 159 miles, 7,500'. For those that aren't familiar, Flanders is probably the most prized single day classic in all of cycling, outside of maybe Paris-Roubaix.
It is the biggest sporting event in Belgium and practically a national celebration. Hero's born there. A bucket list for bike racers and fans.
Course is flat to rolling terrain through central Belgium, punctuated every 5-10 miles by a short steep cobbled climb. Like 5-10% with a few spots at 20%. We ride it Saturday on closed roads, fully supported. The pros race Sunday. I'll stick around to watch on the Paterberg (last climb). I'll mostly certainly be 3 beers in by the time the leaders roll through. Rooting for WvA because he deserves one.
Route card. For bike racers, those names are like naming famous racetracks to a driver.
The Flanders rig. My 2020 Domane SLR that's my Gravel bike. Debated on taking my Cervelo S5 with 28's stuffed in but decided I wanted 32's.
Pirelli Velo TLR 32 tubeless, very puncture resistant. Mounted on the 46mm wheels off the S5. 46/30 Absolute Black rings x 11-40 XTR cassette. Bar bag is Route Werks, which I love.
They'll have aid stations with food but I want to carry my own stuff.
I stumbled across a used 2020(first year of current gen/geo) Lynskey GR300(titanium) on fb marketplace that also happened to have a Rodeo Labs Spork 3 on it. I jumped on it quick. Its got over 800 miles on it already, one Black Fork Gravel Grinder race and a big week long trip out to SF/SJ, Marin, etc with Sonny.
Its an M/L frame, so I have the stem slammed and seat kinda forward, but its super duper stable and has all the mounts I wanted, and fits a 27.5 x 2.2/700x50.
700x44 Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass
EIE ARG35TC30H carbon wheelset on Novatec hubs. Hookless 24mm internal.
Sram Rival/GX AXS mullet
Sram NX 11-50 cassette
absoluteblack 42t 1x
80mm Kalloy Uno stem
Stages left arm and handlbar came over from my Fuji
Tired a RedShift suspension stem and didn't love it, so the Kalloy is on it now. Most recent pic last.
09-23-2021, 01:27 PM
0
