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

The 2021 (I think also 2020) knock block is so much better. You can run with or without the knock block and not worry about the fork hitting the downtube since they finally decided that having a straight downtube is overrated and doesn't add that much more stiffness or whatever.
I just leave it in because you can pretty much turn 90deg before it engages anyways.

But yea I would be tempted to run without it too. Almost like they expected people to take it out since there's that protection there.

 

Analog tire gauges are great. You ever see a pro race team (cars/trucks) use a digital gauge?

Glad you like it.

 

Finally have a set of Code RSC's coming.

I'm on a 2018 Yeti SB5+ and I'm about 220lbs with gear.

Factory Guide R's were OK locally (Charlotte, NC) with a 200/180 combo, but as I've gotten faster and faster on the bike they've really let me down in the mountains.

Wanted to stick with SRAM as I have all the tools and knowledge for them right now. Plus they were the only things I could reasonably get my hands on without a huge wait.

Downside: I blew out a rear hub during covid, and went from DT Swiss 370's to 350's - only option my dealer could get were hubs with centerlock rotors at the time, so I don't get to use the latest SRAM rotors.

 

After thinking a lot about getting a new bike, I've decided there isn't anything that looks more appealing to me than my Rallon (thanks @levie125 for sharing the VitalMTB video).

INSTEAD...I'm gonna look at some upgrades! I'm considering some carbon bars, longer dropper, and a coil shock (looking at the Ohlins TTX22M). I certainly wanna do the coil shock upgrade most but I'm concerned that it's quite expensive and bike specific, whereas the other stuff could likely be moved to a new frame when the time comes.

 

the dropper may not go to your new frame either since there's 3 different sizes it could be.

 

3 diameters and 4ish lengths. The good news is 31.6 and 150/180 seems to be pretty safe options these days for the frame market.

 

Might not be ideal but you can always shim for a smaller diameter post.

 

Can someone help me spec a the right oval chainring for my cranks?

Shimano XT M8120 175mm cranks w/ 55mm chainline. Comes with 30t ring and looking to get a 32t oval Oneup components ring. Just not sure which one to get.
I think this one?
https://www.oneupcomponents.com/col...-m8000-traction-chainrings?variant=5119443265

 

The 81** series is the 12spd cranks. Not sure the one you linked is gonna work.

 

Yep, shims are just fine. Two of my bikes have them with no problems at all. I have 2 AXS post and they only come in 30.9 and both bikes are 31.6, very, very thin shim...

 

Ah ok. I didn't know if M8000 also would include M8100 or anything higher like that.

 

Yea, but dropper is mostly 31.6 these days it seems. Dropper is also much cheaper than a coil shock, so it's less money wasted if I can't transfer it to a new home.

 

I've been thinking of getting a coil and I can snag one fairly "cheap" used on pinkbike, but I can also fit two different sizes on my bike.

 

Plus your resale potential is much higher since everyone is looking for droppers, very few are looking for coil rears.

 

I'm really curious to try it out. I also feel like this will change the feel of the bike much more than any other upgrade. Could make the bike feel new again in a way.

 

My bike is real poppy so I'm not sure if I want one. Might be more beneficial on a bigger bike than my current 140mm (can get 150mm) rear setup.

 

Yea, that's one of the things I'm torn about. I like that the Rallon is fairly poppy for a big bike (160mm) but I also find myself wanting to smooth out the chatter on some of the fast desert stuff I frequently ride.

I've read that the Ohlins coil still keeps a lot of mid-stroke support somehow and thus allows for some playfulness, but it's a lot of money to drop to find out if I like it...

 

Anyone else headed to Kansas in June? I've been deferring since 2020. Like and idiot I only did 145miles 2019. Just registered for 2022

Can't wait to get down and finish this damn thing.

 

Coils can be poppy and plush…