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

When I started riding motorcycles in the early 1970’s the Japanese brands like Bridgestone and Yokohama were derided as “rim protectors”. And the Taiwanese brands like IRC and Cheng Shin were even lower down the totem pole. At some point Cheng Shin rebrands as Maxxis and now their mountain bike tires cost $100+. I pay the price and I’m happy with them, but I’m tempted to replace the rear Dissector on my Ripley with an Eliminator when the rainy season hits. It’s already a little loose on the September dry stuff here in Santa Cruz. Though it actually rained today.

 

I was all set to pull the trigger in the Butcher / Eliminators, then realized, for another $20 (total), I could try the new, 2025 updated versions of them.... but they don't offer the Eliminator in 2.6 now.

 

Give em a try! FWIW the Butcher was designed by the same engineer as the Maxxis DHF, after Spec hired him from Maxxis. That may explain why they look kind of similar. I avoid Spec products on principle. You can ride Maxxis with a clean conscience : )

 

130mm

 

I’ve enjoyed the butcher , actually think it rides moab like terrain very well. Always chose maxxis but they came on a bike I got from a buddy. Still going strong after several seasons lol bought some for my daughters bike to get away from the skinny’s that come on kids bikes.

what do you mean by clean lol?

 

I’m all about good prices. I’m rocking e*thirteen tires on my rear right now and I’ve been pretty happy. I’m about to start putting some miles on them so I’ll let you know how that goes.

 

Shucks, I had a buyer if it was 140.

 

Used to run the standard Maxxis DHF and Aggressor on my bikes. Other than the weeping of Stans through the sidewalls, the DHF had terrible grip on rocks which is basically all we have in New England (in my experience at least). Washed out on a rock that should of had zero traction concerns and ended up with stitches in my leg from the fall. Now I run the Butcher/Eliminator combo and the tires don't last as long (compound definitely seems softer), but the grip on rocky/rooty terrain is exponentially better for me. If I have to replace the tires every season than to me that is a good trade off for confidence while riding.

 

I had no idea that Cheng Shin became Maxxis. That is nuts. Back in the 80s and 90s those tires were known in my circle as "Cheng Shit."

 

Awhile ago I asked about audiobooks. There were a few recommendations and I finished a couple.

The comfort crisis was a great listen. TLDR, get uncomfortable. being bored isn't bad.

Fahrenheit-182 was also very good. I'm a blink fan and loved it. My wife works in radio and is a big music fan, she liked it as well. would be interesting to hear tom's and travis' point of view on everything.

Be brave, be strong is next on the list to listen to. i think this is a recollection of biking the cdt.

 

I’ve had the comfort crisis on my list for a while. I should try it!

I’m also curious about Travis and Tom’s point of view. I’ve watched some stuff and Tom seems a little out there now so I feel like Mark’s pov was fairly center haha haha

 

Feeler at this point… I’m considering parting ways with my hard tail. We ride a lot of rocks and roots. As I’m aware I’m getting older, the hard tail has a way of forcibly reminding me with a day or 2 of back pain after a ride. So, I’m considering parting ways and replacing it with a short travel bike.

Commencal Meta HT, V2. Frame up build, Size L
Lyrik Ultimate 150mm fork
I9 Torch wheels with eThirteen hoops wrapped in Specialized Butcher 29x2.6 tires
PNW Loam dropper and lever
PNW grips and pedals
Ergon saddle
SLX drivetrain
TRP Slate Evo brakes
Currently has the WAO Da Bar setup, I’ll likely swap the One Up stem and Race Face bars

 

Yea, bowheads start in the $20k plus range. I just found out he's actually on the bowhead team apparently. He's up at their factory now picking up a new bike.

I know it's hard and frustrating at times for my buddy but it's also one of the few things that keeps him in a positive mental state.

 

That's one good looking hardtail!

 

I rode a steel Ragley for a bit, but my knees and back were not happy. Even tried to go plus tires on it.
Went to short travel and was instantly happier.
I just hit 50, and now that short travel morphed into a trail bike....

My wife has no patience for my complaining though. She reminds me that I could "just slow down" and my body wouldn't hurt. Sure.. Sure..

 

I feel you. I had a Transition Transam that just beat the hell out of me. I swapped all the parts to a Smuggler frame and couldn't be happier.

You've got a sweet build with the Meta...most of that stuff should swap over to a short-travel frame. The only thing that wouldn't fit for me was the the dropper (different diameters). Good luck!

 

slowing down typically means wearing through your brake pads faster and costs more money though.

 

Thanks! I absolutely love it, just not the best for my local trails. I don’t ride enough groomed stuff for my back to be happy with it.

Haha, same! I made a comment to my wife and she said ‘I don’t even want to hear any of it’

That’s the dilemma, strip it and swap parts or sell complete and buy complete…. The frame itself isn’t worth a lot, but I might lose less in the overall deal if I strip and swap. The components I bought are pretty good quality with lots of life left.

 

I saw a steel AM hardtail frame I sold like 8 years ago pop up for sale again the other day. Part of me kinda wanted to give it another go, then I remembered why I sold it.