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

modern day bikes definitely large. Older bikes; even like 4+ years old, large or XL. Newer bikes have gotten longer and basically old XLs are today’s Larges

 

This isn't Vitus' fault. Everything that failed is components, and that's what can happen on lower end components. I'm also not sure I understand what you mean by "front shock blew." Forks need maintenance, but blowing a damper or air piston is rare. What kind of fork was it?
Drivetrain not shifting is a simple tuning issue. Curious about the hub too, most hubs are pretty durable nowadays.
Mind telling us what Vitus this was? I'm not being critical, just sounds like a very different experience than what 90% of owners have.

Post a pic please. Sounds like ramping on low budget cassettes. If you can post a short vid of the skipping that would also be helpful. Of course, you can always take it in for service (if any shops are open near you) and ask to watch and learn.

Commencal now have US centers. I've chatted with them a couple of times, they're good people and really care about the product. I'd be surprised if they don't stand behind their bikes.
Other D2C companies have had issues for sure. But most US based ones (or have US based operations) are as good as any other brand. This problem is that people are comparing the in-shop buying experience with D2C. Buy the bike at a shop, and the shop will go to bat for you for warranty issues. Otherwise its' just you and the company. It makes sense too. If you were a bike co, and Joe-Shmo calls you and tells you the "bike is broken" you reply with skepticism. When the shop calls you and gives you a specific reason, based on knowledge and experience, that the bike or part needs to be replaced, you respond with a warranty claim. Trust goes a long way, and shops have earned it. Whereas I've seen some absolutely ludicrous reasons people think their bikes should be warrantied.

That announcements sent chills down the spines of everyone who loves their small brands. Worried for companies like Canfield, MRP, Oneup, WeareOne, etc. who are small enough to be very vulnerable to the same pressures Trust was. Supply chain issues, lower sales, small inventory, small business model...

 

Well they were in that niche space. But when you are a relative startup, you dont have the cash on hand to survive if you dont have consistent sales. Plus anyone who is buying a fork right now is probably looking at the big 2 and maybe MRP or DVO. They probably arent looking for an odd shock they admit isn't for everyone's taste, has a curious look to it, and is 6-800 bucks over a fox factory 36.

 

This is the kind of deal I would like to find locally. Unfortunately I have not found it yet. I am also in the boat of needing a size large.

 

In fairness, I heard these gripes before they set up their US footprint. I agree on the warranty claims as well. Used to hang around one of my local shops shootin the breeze with the staff that I was friends with. SO MANY "I was just riding along..." and blew out the headtube and taco'd the back rim, or snapped a crank, etc. that was clearly freeride user error.

Makes me a little more glad I didnt go for WeAreOne carbon hoops on this build, but also fearful these great brands cant survive. MRP bought up part of Elka, so they should hopefully have some extra sales they didnt already have coming in, but then again they also have extra cost base now. My real biggest fear is that Fox or SRAM swoop in and buy up all of Trust's IP then either put out a substandard product, or shelve it to the realms of history.

 

No doubt that is a risk of starting a company in an industry so heavily affected by market swings. It is easy to be bullish in a strong economy but truthfully industrys like this are the first to be affected on downturns

 

Yep. One of the biggest reasons I didnt take a job offer with Black Diamond was it offered very little upward mobility, but also, the minute the market falters, your revenue plummets.

How many companies in the outdoor space do you see running 30% off campaigns right now just to bring in scraps?

 

I’m waiting to see the 30% off bikes.

 

few brands are starting up sales, mostly on 2019 models though

 

With so many states on lockdown, some of the future prices and sales might come from the manufacturers pushing then down to the shop level to get sales once stuff reopens. I have been fortunate enough to get dang near employee level pricing on my last few bikes so I see what shops pay, and all the local business owners including the bike shops are going to need some help.

 

Unfortunately there may shops selling off inventory when this is all done. Really crappy situation for small businesses.

 

The shop assembled it for him. Shock seals might not have been seated properly, it was the bomber forks. Vitus Mythique

 

Hey All, thought I would throw out a couple of questions I've been racking my brain over to get some other thoughts and ideas.

• Currently riding a 2012 Specialized Epic in Nebraska, and will be moving to Asheville, NC, later this year. Actually had to cancel my trip (a couple weeks ago) to look for apartments this weekend. Just curious for those of you that have rode out there more frequently how much travel you would recommend? I'm spending more and more time on the jump lines and few fast down hills we have locally, and that will be my focus in Asheville. I was leaning towards somewhere in the 140-160 range. Specifically looking at the Ibis Ripmo (AF or V2 depending on what my budget lands on) and the Santa Cruz Hightower. Would like something that could manage a ride at Baileys occasionally.
• I have a 2017 Off-Road and picked up a Bakflip MX4 over the holidays. Love the cover, and it looks great. Unfortunately, this won't work with a tailgate pad without lifting the third fold and covering the rear window... Hide sight is 20/20 but I should have considered the Revolver to keep that functionality. I am planning to install a bed rack over the MX4 so am debating between doing a roof rack style mount on those cross bars or doing a hitch tray rack. Just interested in thoughts from users of either.

Thanks guys.

 

Yes 140-160 is good for Asheville area trails.
@Bannerman is from AVL area I think

 

Last trip I made to Asheville I demo'd a Hightower LT, and it was the perfect amount of bike for me. I like the specs on the Ibis a little more, but I'd buy either in a heartbeat.

 

I live out in Fletcher -- I ride Pisgah all the time.. 140-160 range will be good.. I'd consider 120-150(max) in the rear. Something like the Megatower I think would be too much in the rear (160mm) as there is a good deal of climbing for our trails here

I rode a Yeti SB150 (170F/150R) up here for over a year and sold it and went to a SB130 (150F/130R) and I've been enjoying the lesser travel tbh. Both the Ripmo and the Hightower are great bikes for around here as well.

 

@vsyntax Nailed it, 120-140 rear with a little more up front is perfect for WNC. I also ride a SB130 (with the spacer removed) so 150mm front/136 rear. You really want a bike that puts you in a good position to climb.

As far a rack, I have a 1Up USA hitch rack and roof trays and wouldn't consider another brand at this point.

 

Nice I’ve been so curious about lunch riding my rear shock. I upgraded my fit4 to a grip2 and it’s much better. I’d prefer to keep 150 up front and clip the spacer in the rear shock. What difference have you noticed?

 

No difference except a little bit more travel, I didn't really change my sag so it rides about the same, just 6mm more before I bottom out. There are no disadvantages, do it today, takes 10 min. I am thinking about getting a coil once Cane Creek opens back up.