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

Pretty displeased with my decision to buy a bike with only a partial XO1 groupset. Yes it was cheaper but I'm having an issue with my race face cinch front chainring. Long story short, the cinch ring became loose....Of course I do not have the tool to tighten it (BB-22). Now there appears to be a some front and back play where the chainring mates with the cranks. If I could tighten the cinch ring I could definitively say that the play is normal or not. I'm guessing its not normal and I'm out $50 to replace the chainring thats not actually worn on the teeth.

 

That's pretty gnarly, but gotta work with the space you have. Is it all one climb and a down, or intermittent?

High Star is 1300ft of grunty switchbacks in almost 4 miles exactly, but makes Radke on the way down SO tasty!

Radke is also once of those trails where all the pictures on Trailforks are sandbagged and makes it look super easy, then you get to it, and you're like "THIS wasn't in the pictures!"

 

I ride HSR all the time (in-laws second home in Woodland) on a 1245+ mm WB bike (XL YT Jeffsy w/160mm fork). You figure it out and it becomes a non issue vs the benefits of the longer bike. If you really want pain on a long bike go climb “Stairway to Heaving” and “Skyline” behind Red Butte on BST.

Also, 11/6 on progressive frame is pure magic. Best descending AND climbing shock I’ve ever owned. Plus it can be reconfigured for other bikes if you sell your frame/bike. It’s an investment. Got it on sale in Nov. 2019 (delivered in Jan 2020) when they were almost 50% off. Would bang again even at full price knowing what I know now.

 

Damn good looking bike! That is some serious matching! Go team yeti.

 

That thing is a beast!

 

Oh, I'm def not "complaining" about the wheelbase because you're right, so good pointed down. Just a minor annoyance that gets chalked up to "gotta pay to play"

 

I've been on both, on the same frame. The CC is better suited to climbing and all-around riding. The DHX2 is more suited to grunt up, blast down. The climb switch on the CC is way better, and you can easily tune it to be poppy like an air shock.

That's one thing that I think most people hear, accept, and repeat; "Coil shocks aren't as poppy and playful as air." That's a load. On a progressive leverage frame you can run a coil and tune it to be just as lively, or tune it to be more magic-carpet like. You can even tune it to be a little of both.
90% of riders won't take the time to tune their shit. They think slapping some shock or fork will transform their bike. It may, but a highly tunable fork or shock that allows you to tune the high and low speed rebound and compression, as well as a tunable spring and bottom out, will allow you to dial in the ride you're looking for.
You just have to take the time. Ride a familiar trail with as many features that represent your preferred riding. Start with recommended settings, get used to it. Change one setting at a time, starting at each extreme and moving that dial until it gets to where you like it. Repeat for all dials/settings. Know that changing one thing will change another since the system is connected. Take TONS of notes for each change.

Then, you'll end up tinkering along the way, but with a solid understanding of what your changes will produce.

At the end of the day coil vs air comes down to two things... weight and preference. Coil definitely has a smoother feel, and some prefer more chatter and "feel" for the trail.

 

For you Thule T2 classic owners, whats the best way to stop rubbing on the fork? Ive been wedging a rag in, but am thinking about applying some foam.

 

This is exactly the info I needed. My gut said go with the CC, I think I am going to get that. Thanks!

 

My earlier statement regarding a bogo deal still stands....

 

"pulling" the trigger on the specialized rockhopper comp (29" wheels) and raceface chester pedals. Im not super into the mountain biking scene so IDK much about it but it should be a good general set up for trail riding with kiddos and going on some more intricate trails with friends that do mtb often.

 

Is this a question or a statement?

 

Buy a dropper post.

 

If you end up down in the dirty T (Tucson) I'm always looking for people to shuttle Mt. Lemmon with. Awesome riding in a super unique spot. Gonna have to make your way a biiit further south than Sedona though.

 

. . . your choice.

 

no idea what that is haha

Ill have to look it up.

 

Imagine a seatpost that at the press of a button/lever, can be raised or lowered on the fly.

 

yea, name definitely makes sense...so solid there.

and thats prob too fancy for my needs; im a simpleton.

 

For the uses you specified. Ride the bike as is. Put any extra money towards good helmets for you and the kids. Enjoy it!

 

Idk. As soon as he tries to do any thing down hill or jumpy he’s going to wish he had it lol

edit: I get super irritated when I’m pedaling flattish trails and a jump or feature comes outta nowhere and my seat is up and ruins my movement.