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

Wild card would the Pivot Shadowcat. A few reasons it’s not completely on/off the list.

 

We have a bunch at the LBS, they arent very popular even though they look like a good/fun bike.

 

Right on. Maybe if it creeps on my list I’ll give you a shout. 27.5 seems to be falling out of a few brands catalogues. Or they’re moving them to mullets.

I’ve never been on Pivot so I’m less inclined to buy a bike with out a demo or that I don’t have any experience with it’s suspension feel. Demos of all the others are pretty much nonexistent. But I have ridden bikes with the same suspension platform from each brand. The only Ibis I road was a previous gen Ripley. So there’s that

 

haven't been any any of those exact bikes. but i have been on an evil and i can tell you....it's amazing.

That said, almost all those bikes, you can't go wrong with.

 

^ Agree with that. I prefer the feel of a DW link over a Horst link, personally. I ride neither, lol. Would love to experience a Yeti.

 

Yes. Yes it is. Couldn’t agree more. I absolutely love my Following and the Calling was my original obvious choice. Being a discontinued model though, the availability in my size is rather limited.

 

You might be able to find a good deal on 27.5 bikes from a demand stand point.

 

I'm hopeful that with some coming models changes/updates that there will be more available options on the used market at better pricing than current. Or possibly even some better discounts on any lingering old stock.

Normally I move from bike to bike every 1-2 years, which allows some decent money towards the next one. This proposed purchase being more of a 'tester' since I'd like to keep my Following, I'm also keeping resale value of whatever I purchase in mind.

 

oh yeah. forgot you have a following. haha. that suspension is something else. Calling should be great if it's anythign like the v3 following.

 

I'm really holding on to 27.5, I like the smaller wheels but there aren't a ton of offerings. Seems hard to find a decent spec 27.5 bike compared to 29ers and I've made up my mind that I don't want a mullet. No experience with any of those, I'll be rocking my current bike for a bit longer before I can think about upgrading.

 

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3429770/

anyone here want a convertible full face? size large. doesn't fit my head and i can't return it. never used. Literally put it on my head, and decided it didnt' fit and put it back in the box.

 

A Calling would honestly check all the boxes I’m looking to achieve. Part of me is hoping Evil will revamp that bike and bring it back, but I’ll not holding my breathe.

 

Wife has ridden the shadowcat and owns a SB140. She felt the Pivot was a more efficient climber and noticeably stiffer on the descents (in a bad way). The yeti is more playful and nimbler and the suspension felt like it smoothed things out in the rough stuff more. The differences were pretty minor between the two though.

For reference, she's 5'3" and on a small frame. She races XC and Enduro on the SB140. Her trail riding style is also like you'd expect from an Enduro racer (very efficient and fast!!!)

 

I'd just like to expound on how much better 29" wheels are than 27.5" wheels. Hahahaha.

Of that list, I've only ridden the Ibis Mojo 4. It's lively, pops off the ground REALLY easily, and I think it is an excellent example of why a lot of folks love 27.5" wheels. It feels nimble, is playful, yet it isn't twitchy when the trail points down steeply. I may also be a bit biased, since my garage also has a Ripmo and a Ripley.

 

Thanks all for the replies on tire life. I figure I have some life left in my rear tire, the front seems to be in good condition. I guess the type of trails I ride most here in Albuquerque allow for a bit longer on tire life. But, I am going to purchase the tires this weekend since they are on sale. Save a bit of money so I can spend it elsewhere on the bike!


Next service question for you all - how often do you service your front/rear shocks? I have a Fox Float DPS and Fox Float 34 on the Stumpy - reading up, I see a recommended 50 hour service and then a 200 hour service. I’m way past the 50 hour, and probably closer to the 200 hour. Everything seems fine, no issues but just getting these serviced, what do you all go with?

This basic 50 hour service on the front fork shock seems pretty easy to do based on the videos I watched on the tube, but thought I’d ask your thoughts.

Thanks again for the help.

 

I was contemplating this too, for me it's mostly since i got my ripley AF used and who knows what it's been through. especially since @aturk got his shock back in like a week from fox

 

Again, I think this depends on use and care. Some people really abuse their stuff, some people are meticulous. What does the 50 hour call for? I think yearly is good if you are doing ~1000 miles per year or never clean and lube your stanchions. I do way less and only worry about it once every few years, but I keep my stuff very clean.

 

@TenBeers thanks for the reply. I like what you mention, being once a year or so. I don’t ride crazy trails being that i’ve really only been on an MTB for a year. I’m at 800 miles on the bike, but I do keep it clean with a wipe down after every ride and then wash every few weeks. It’s dusty here, so try to keep all that from getting in to places it shouldn’t be. But I realize it’s all relative to the rider as well.

The service includes replacing the o-rings, seals, dust wipers, pretty basic. It’s an hourly charge on this plus parts, but I guess if I do this now it’ll last a few years.

I really need to find some people to ride with around here that now how to wrench on bikes and learn to do some of this. I can do some basic things, but….need to learn more!

 

I got sick Thursday night and my work went on hold, but I did get back on the bicycle yesterday.

These are the handlebars from the Huffy Sea Star 12” French princess bicycle (found in someone’s junk pile.)

It’s Grinder Time.

Tubing cutter keeps it square.

These should “handle” the sissy bar.

But more gussetry is needed before welding!

A bit of metal from a broken wood lathe and a cardboard pattern.



It’s gonna look very laid-back. I don’t know how it will ride yet.

 

I do not adhere to the 50 hr service, more like 100 hr or so with not issue. On a Fox 32, I went waaaay past 100 hr and wound up breaking part of the dampening mechanism inside. Not sure if it was my style of riding or the past due maintenance or both