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

I understand the feeling - I definitely feel like I am going faster on the hardtail, however Strava says different. Most likely a mental component in dealing with the chatter; when the bike is bouncing around it feels like a more wild ride and I must be hauling ass for that to be the case. However when really getting into it, all my PR's on both climbs and descents are on the full suspension. As said by @Pugga, I think the rear suspension keeps the tire planted and when you really start grinding up a climb, the tire is always connected and there is no wasted power.

On a smooth climb with no tech, the hardtail zips right up. Was hoping it would be faster at the end of the day, but my hardtail and my FS bike are very similar in weight so there is no gain there. I do love riding the hardtail and it makes for a more lively ride (also helps train a lot more of the out of the saddle grinding), and I treat it as more of a beater bike and perfect loaner.

One day when my body decides it's done with the grundle punches, I am going to look at a 120/115 XC bike to replace the hardtail with.

 

Was gonna say exactly this! I love my hardtail but it is not faster in any way compared to even my overbuilt Offering. The only situation where it may be faster is on the smoothest of road climbs and that probably has more to do with the tires than anything else. I think modern FS bikes are just so efficient these days that the only disadvantage is weight.

 

The Evo really needs a link, especially if you're over like 160lb. Stock is only like 19% which ain't gonna cut it for most. For me the sweet spot is 25-29% , supportive but not too much boing.

 

You mean like the cascade link? I'm at 200 lbs without my gear. That was supposed to be one of the selling points with the DVO, the range and ease of adjustment for that Topaz made for a more supportive pedaling platform than the original Fox shock. I'm at about 25% sag and use most of the travel on my rides but don't recall ever bottoming it out (I'm also not real sendy either).

 

Yea a bunch of my buddies on them either have packed the shock with tokens or done the links but yea they all send pretty hard. Curious to see the new one, I read a rumor that the regular Stump and Evo are now one bike.

 

Unless thats brand new, thats not the case. You used to be able to long travel an older Stumpy, but the Stumpy and Evo have different frames, at least for my '23 and based on my research. I was considering down traveling my Evo and it didn't seem as simple as just swapping a link.

 

I'm talking 2025, should make an appearance this month.

 

looks like it's gonna be variable but still good! went onto gorbanzo today and it was great to hit lemon peel.

 

Yeah this month or early July. I'm pretty happy with my budget Evo at the moment.

I have been pretty happy with the Float-X too, what issues are you guys having or benefitting from a linkage?

 

Lack of progression from the stock linkage for big hitters. The FloatX is the best shock fox has put out in years. Both my DHX2 and FloatX2 were blown out of the box. They did update them to 2024s pretty quickly no questions asked though.

 

While on tangent- Anyone cop for a new Fox fork yet? I opted to send my 36 Grip2 damper to Fluid Focus for a tune. Gotta say they nailed it. Definitely way easier on the hands, and now has an actually usable high speed adjustment range. I haven't even felt the need to change their recommend settings. I still will probably snag a Grip X2 for my 38 just to try the new new for comparison sake, but I'm very happy with the Fluid focus tune and it was half the money.

 

this is pretty interesting
https://www.oneupcomponents.com/products/hub-bundle

 

Look like a solid option. I still prefer the Pro5, but they are a lot heavier than these. 100+g is significant at the rear hub, but I’m curious if I’d actually notice it. Interesting that they went with the ratchet instead of traditional pawls.
The Pro5 just spin insanely smooth, that labyrinth seal is something else. And Hope reliability and parts availability are legendary…

 

But does it sound like a swarm of angry bees from 100 yards away?

 

The only nice hubs I've ridden are White Industries and i9s so don't really have a great comparison, I think price and colors will be the main driver for these hubs haha

probably not but tbh my i9s aren't that loud...maybe I am losing my hearing haha

 

I’ll get back on the bike one of these days…

meanwhile Monte Sano is getting some crazy good new trails.

not my video.

https://youtu.be/f1K_tGgaeEQ?si=fWw5Wuy1KrUvr3tw

 

Good to see some more sanity in the hub market.

 

First Wasatch Crest ride of the season is always cause for celebration.

 

It’s too hot, you aren’t missing anything

 

For sure. 103* when I left work today. Think I’ve ridden twice in the last two months. This past Saturday being one. It was borderline unwise to be out exerting oneself in that heat/humidity.