Show off your Mountain Bike!!!

If I was building another hardtail (went with a salsa el Mariachi last time) I would seriously look at a KONA Honzo. Check out their st frame.

 

You probably already bought one, but I would go Roscoe 8 before I went Fuel EX5. Not a great spec on that level of Fuel, 2x10 gearing, low end fork. It's not terrible, but not great, lowest spec I would go with is EX7. I have a 2017 Fuel EX8 27.5+ that I am about to put on the market, about 600 miles on it, never crashed. It's a great bike, but I have a Stache and a Remedy so don't really need it. If you really want a Fuel, I can give you a better deal on it than a EX5. If you don't think you'll use the suspension, stick with the Roscoe.

 

They are 2.35. I used to solely ride Ignitor's. But, I am going to change to something else in the spring. They spin out alot when climbing. Not sure what I am going to get, but need to start looking. Also going to try and go a little wider than 2.35.

 

Another new guy here. Just thought I'd seek opinions on a couple Commencal bikes. Looking at either the Meta HT TR or the AM. They're in my price range and seem to have fairly good specs for a new rider. I don't live near any overly technical trails so it'd mainly be for moderate trail riding and to see if I enjoy the sport really. My uneducated guess is that the TR would be best for where I live, but the AM might be worth the couple hundred dollars more. I like the look of the Commencal bikes and other than a handful of people complaining about their customer service, it sounds like they make a decent bike. Open to other suggestions as well. I've been browsing this thread and doing some googling as well. Here are both bikes.

https://www.commencalusa.com/meta-ht-trail-ride-650b-orange-2017-c2x21027615

https://www.commencalusa.com/meta-ht-am-essential-650b-black-2017-c2x21027584

Appears that the "essential" is out of stock, but if worth the wait for restock I may do that. Plus I prefer the black anyway.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I've used an Ignitor on the rear of my other bike for a while but it was only a 2.1 width. It slipped a lot as well so I wasn't sure if with was the tire tread or that fact that it was so narrow. On my newer SS, I am now running an Ikon in the front and an Ardent race in the rear, both 2.35" wide. That definitely grips better on the steeper mashing climbs. I've seen some guys run my same set up with the tires switched as well using the Ikon in the rear. I may try that later on to see if there is any noticeable difference.

 

i used to run ignitors. they are the only tires i've ever blown off the rim trying to run tubeless. i had them running on a converted set of wtb laser discs. i decided to buy some stans flow ex ztr rims and just move the tires over. seemed like an easy task. i got the tires over and the beads in the channel. i started pumping them up with my floor pump to seat the bead. the first one blew off the rim and sounded like a gunshot. i got covered in stans. i figured i had messed that one up and like a dumbass i did the other wheel. it too blew off the rim, sounding like a gunshot. my neighbor 2 houses down walked to my house to figure out wtf i was doing.

 

LOL. That was a funny story.

 

do you know how long it took me to trust any tires on those stan's rims? i attributed the ignitors blowing off the rims to them being stretched out from running ghetto tubeless. stan's rims have a different type of beat seat. they don't have hooks or lips like traditional rims. they are just slightly larger or something. i probably will never buy stan's rims or ignitors again. i ran those wheels for 3 or 4 years until i sold my trance and let the wheels go with it.

i'm loving these minion dhf and dhr2s that came on my bronson. i'll rebuy these for sure.

 

I didn't have any issues seating and sealing the Ignitors on my Stan's Flow MK3's. I have a small air compressor that I use to seat my tires. I install the tire and pull the valve core. On my compressor, I use one of those attachments that have a rubber end and a trigger. I press the rubber end to the empty valve stem and blast air into the tire till you hear the tire pop into place. Then, you move the air compressor and the air drains out. Check the seating of the tire. If it isn't all seated, then I repeat.

After the tire is completed seated, I use one of the small sealant bottles to put the right amount of sealant in the tire. Then, I reinstall the core and use a hand pump to pressure. Been doing this for years without fail.

At least if the tire blows off of the rim during seating of the tire, the sealant won't explode everywhere.

 

yep. i use the same method, but this time i was using my floor pump with the valve cores removed. definitely less pressure going than any air compressor. i dont think i even got the tires above 30 psi before they blew off the rim. the only reason there was sealant in them is because they were used and coming off of another wheel. they just happened to have enough sealant in them that i didn't really want to waste.

 

Just finishing up some kraziness and ready to get it out on some trails..................

and for a twist.......ssx2 oval 34t x 16t or 13t . 32t round may not make it on the bike - we'll see how gearing is on trails. this is also 26x2.25 rr/27.5x2.35 fr



KMC superlite black ss chain on the way and origin8 110mm stem replaced the 120mm and origin8 seatpost clamp with weather seal............

 

Drop bars on a mountain bike?Can you say face plant?

 

I've heard of some issues with the new XT and XTR brakes, but so far I've had pretty good luck with my XTR M9020's. Between the power and that smoky chrome finish they're awesome!

 

Nah, I have other bikes for that can you say altering skillsets adapting and surviving? Just less intense than double backflips over 100ft gaps or riding on 2x4s up in the trees. Challenging myself. I'll wear my full face DH helmet just in case. I ride my Fuji tread drop bar gravel bike with 700x37s in rocky hill country stuff in Austin area so this will just be easier stepover frame, more appropriate tire sizes for offroad with flared drops which I like a lot already. Got 19 other bikes for more serious or more casual stuff. This bike is a niche curiosity wtf bike to fun around on. Thanks for the concern tho........

 

It's a Large, or 19.5" in Trek sizes. I'd do $1750 and can ship via BikeFlights. I upgraded the brakes to XT (it had Deore level stock) and the shifter/derailleur to X1 (it came with GX), and it's setup tubeless. It's a great bike, so much fun, but I have a Stache and a Remedy and don't need something in between. If I was going to have one bike only, this would be it.

 

Its actaully not to bad once you get used to it.

 

How about a old Classic. Schwinn Rocket 88 Stage 2. I always wanted the "Straight 8" but they were way too much back in the day and a Downhill bike anyways. this is when Schwinn was Schwinn. Not Walmart!!
P.S. this is from my road riding craze last summer. So ignore all the bags and water bottle holders.

 

Here is some old school Tomac on his drop bar mtb at the 1990 WC in Durango. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxKki3eWg2M

 

Pretty rad