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

I'm 50lb overweight, the maybe 0.75 lb I'd save on a CF frame is not going to be the difference.

 

saw one of the goats this past weekend. This is a SUPER tricky left hand into a blind rock drop that if you short, you huck to flat. then it's a fast rocky ride to an off camber right hander with moondust the entire way. I got CAKED by the moondust by the end. showering like 2 times to get it off and still was covered.

Monster energy series pro DH race at Solitude's new bike park and new track.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMl_hUbRwc6/
here's a video from the race from the series. One of the biggest crowds at the races, I hear!

 

The US race scene is so good these days. Between the pro downhill, Downhill south east, eastern states cup and other series it’s an exciting time here on the east coast. I’ve been wondering how the west is when it comes to racing.

either way seeing all these people show up to race and spectate makes me excited for the future of the sport

 

I can confirm that you are correct! The Smuggler is a very fun and versatile bike. You can bump up the travel by 10mm with no issues. Stock travel is 140 front 130 rear. I removed one of the spacers/limiters in the rear shock for 135mm travel. I put a Fox 36 fork with 150 travel on the front. It feels great and I am comfortable riding the local NICA race course (XC) and most of the downhill stuff at Park City resort (UT) on the Smuggler. Definitely give it a try!

 

2 questions:

-how dumb is it to use the same rotors when switching brakes? The rotors have like 100 miles on them, worth swapping? I guess I just need front since I already have a new rear.

-are caliper spacers brand specific? I have code bronze on the bike, want to put my hayes dominion on, assuming same size rotors is it okay to use the same spacers?

 

-same rotors: realistically, you're probably okay especially if you're using the same types of pads (organic, metallic, etc). if you're going to different pad material, you're gonna RIP apart the pads and get some weird bedding.

-calipers: not necessarily. so long as the caliper shape doesn't interfere with the spacer, you're probably good. i'm using a shimano 20mm spacer under my code rsc's, for example. fits fine. but if you want the sleeeeek look, should use the brand specific spacer because they're designed to look certain ways. for example, the sram spacer has the same shape as the caliper so it would look cleaner. whereas the shimano spacer is flat.

 

Good point on pad material. I’ll have to check. But I think it would be metallic to metallic.

I’m not pressed on the aesthetic for that part haha. Unless it’s ridiculous looking. I may just see how it looks if I have time. May also need a bleed kit so we will see

 

i should mention that some brake manufacturers reallllly prefer you use THEIR rotors. both for performance and warranty. but...that's arguable, i think.

 

When I picked up my Dominions the SRAM spacers/mounts wouldn’t fit. Hayes of course was out of stock. Found the Hope mounts will work with Hayes if you can’t find the Hayes part. Parts availability is the only downside I have with the Dominions.

 

1. call me Lucky or Irish, but all of my bikes after my initial have been carbon with the predominant majority used, you can tell by finding a reputable seller, difficult in today’s market, but not impossible, the Biking community seems to be pretty stand-up people at least you can tell pretty quick after a couple messages. Especially if you were buying from a reputable company like transition that supports secondhand buyers worst thing you’re looking at is a crash replacement but you have to weigh total investment with potential risk and cost saving, etc.

 

yeah, i think it's only getting better. definitely think the organizers saw the excitement and level of support. Gwin even said, "man, going through that section felt like the world cup"

 

NBD





I did a coin toss whether I did an overhaul of my Giant Contend 3 w/ a 105 groupset (rim brakes), CF fork, etc - or buy a new bike. New bikes w/ 105 are super $$$, and then I remembered a big recommendation for Polygon from @mach1man001 in the MTB world. Looked 'em up and their road bike options were fantastic. Cable routing is a little funny but this thing's awesome. Coming up from a Giant Contend 3 on Claris groupset to this.

Built it up and bedded the brakes last night when it was 107 degrees out, went out for a ride this morning before work, thing rips! Haven't done a good hill climb yet but I want to, I went up a small hill in my neighborhood bedding in last night and this thing just ate it up compared to my "old" giant.




Yes the L/R stickers are still on the cranks, they're those stupid stickers that don't come off easy and I was annoyed so I just left them

 

Very nice!

 

It’s fine. Wipe clean with alcohol, lightly sand if you’re wanting to make sure.
Though rotors aren’t expensive, like $100 for the set. And new ones guarantee a good bed in, so it might be worth it.
The Magura rotors aren’t expensive like $35 and they’re great.