All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

I had a shop build me a set. Picked the hubs and rims, spikes, colors, etc... came out to a really good deal. I have a boost front axle and non boost rear axle so it is impossible to find wheel sets with that configuration. I did not want to get different front and rear. I got DT Swiss 350 front and rear, race face arc30 offset with upgraded spokes and alloy nipples, taped and it even came with valves. I think it was like $540 shipped to my door. I maintain everything on my bike myself, but I just won’t do wheels. Way too much time to learn it and not used frequently enough. I’d rather pay someone to do them for me.

 

Hell yeah. I came back to MTB and got on a 29er (Spesh enduro) which blew me away. Then I went to 27.5 when they were new and flashy (Devinci Spartan, Giant Trance, Devinci Troy). Stayed on that for a few years until this fall (Devinci Spartan 29). And again, I was blown away. That thing feels so dialed.
There is one downside. People like me who are shorter, or have short inseams, get the ass buzz. Sometimes worse.
I can’t ride without chamois anymore, cause a good enough buzz can definitely leave you with a burnt anoose.

I think suspension refinement, kinematics work, materials refinement in regards to flex are all areas that can improve.
Getting kinematics to the point where we continue to reduce pedaling influence, add small bump compliance, mid stroke support, and fine tune ramp up and wheel path without relying on dampers as much is the way forward.
Forks and shocks definitely need some work too. The difference between something from top tier manufacturers and most OE is silly. Eventually the OE stuff should get as good as aftermarket, and the aftermarket stuff get better. Reducing stiction and friction is key, as well as better oil flow without complex shimming.

And fine tuning flex and material composition is just really starting out. Carbon, aluminum, and Dyneema can be tuned to flex in certain directions and places. Figuring out what, where, and how we want flex in components and frames will make riding more comfortable, increase grip, and fine tune performance characteristics.
For example, I went from carbon sixC bars to Renthal carbon bars. They feel so different. Renthal are so much more comfortable because they were designed with some level of vertical flex. Huge difference in rock gardens and bigger repeated hits.

I’m actually a fan of 27.5+ on short travel rigs. The Marshal is 120mm on 2.8” tires and rides fantastic. Pressures are finicky though.
What I found to work well is higher tire pressures to combat rollover (16/18), and running coil on the rear and higher negative chamber pressures in the fork to dial in that compliance and grip. That also keeps pinch flats to a minimum.

 

Honestly it may seem intimidating but once you get the hang of it wheel building is a breeze and if you mess up you can always bring it in to the pros no harm no foul. It's an acquired skill and the sense of accomplishment is second to none. A great resource for for this wheel building is https://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html he has some of the best advice for reliably building wheels. Of course your first attempt isn't going to be perfect but you will consistently get better and you will have a really great base of knowledge for when you go to true your wheels. Best of luck with whatever you decide. PM me if you have any questions I'm a massive nerd lol

 

What’s the best way to calculate spoke length?

 

my favorite calculator is https://bikeschool.com/index.php/resources/spoke-calculator , the specs on your hubs and rims should be findable on the manufacturer website. It should all be self explanatory especially if you read Sheldon browns page.

 

been loving my Capra, actually feels good to climb again after coming from a DH bike

 

Assuming you meant carbon or al, its an aluminum frame. Ide rather not spend the extra $1000's on carbon, the bike is super fun im very happy with it

 

Interesting. Saved for future in case I get brave. I’ll eventually have to throw in a boost rear hub

 

I bought this PDF book and it's been invaluable for tuning. Haven't built a set of wheels from it yet but it lays everything out so well that I'm certain I could with few issues.

https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php

 

I need help and this seems the thread to ask for it. I recently sold my 03 Tundra and purchased a 19 TRD OR longbed and am looking for an in bed rack capable of carrying my tri and mountain bikes. Needs to have locks as people are savages around here.

It seems like all the racks out there need either a rail on the front of the bed, which my truck doesn't have, or require drilling into the bed itself, which I don't really want to/know how to properly do.

Any suggestions roe racks that attach to the side rails but keep the bikes facing forward? The wide downtube on the time trial bike mean I cant have it sideways. And I apologize if I missed it somewhere in the thread. Sorting through 450 pages is tough.

Grateful for any suggestions.

 

I don't know if this helps you at all, but the front rail you mentioned is sold separately as Part #PT278-35100-BH. It attaches directly to the existing holes+hardware in your bed, so there's no drilling required:
https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-truck-bed-accy-header-rail-pt27835100bh

There are all kinds of DIY crossbar solutions that you can build if you're competent with light fabrication, but you're probably going to have to spend a decent amount of money to purchase rail-mountable crossbars and bike trays with decent (read: worthwhile) locking capabilities. Good luck in your search!

 

I made some brackets to put a rack over the bedside. I used an old thule bigmouth rack as a proof of concept. Plan on replacing it with a 1upUSA rack to put in its place.

 

Have any of you guys ridden the Itusi trails at Lake Norman State Park, NC? I’m gonna be 7 minutes from there next weekend and hoping I can get a ride or two in while I’m there

 

BINGO! That's exactly what I needed. Thank you

 

I've done a few 6 and 3 hour races at Lake Norman and they are FUN, very fast trails (Averaged 13.4mph in my last 3 hour race on a single speed). Flat-ish, moderately bermed, a few rooty descents, but still very fun trails.

 

Sweet, I like fast. Prefer technical but fast will do haha. I’ll definitely bring my bike then.

 

Glad to see the internetz cant hold you down brother.

 

Especially that advanced glass group buy Im trying to get my buddy to cave into.

 

I want glass...but I have a white truck, so I can't be all cool and rock the panda look.

 

Originally it was just me harassing him, glad that others have naturally started to talk him into it.

There is still time to win this battle.