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Finally - tyres [warning! Preference statement alert. I do not purport this to be fact!]
I'm running the 2.5" Minnion EXO's front and rear. Tubeless rear for reliability and tubed front for feel. I just can't get on with tubeless on anything other than full on (read heavy) UST tyres. There just isn't enough stiffness in the sidewalls of even the EXO's to hold them up and low pressures. I run higher pressure in the rear and put up with the slightly splashy feel because I like the lower weight and reliability, but can't be doing with it on the front. The feel of the tubeless set up gives me the willies. Note I'm pretty heavy (90kg in riding gear) and YMMV.
OK, so that should make it fun on the way down and "surprisingly good" on the way up, which sounds ideal. But it's still heavy and [obvious_troll] built around a soon to be obsolete wheel size (if you believe the hype) [/obvious_troll]. So, can it really be that
I know you said it was an obvious troll but I think you're asking a valid question on wheel size.
26" wheels are as likely to become obsolete as hard tails and vinyl. Demand may reduce but people will always still ride them. I feel more than fast enough in a 26" bike that going faster on a 29er just doesn't hold any appeal, not least as I sit here and try typing with 1.5 arms nursing the umpteenth broken bone in six years. I need to be going slower not faster.
On the issue of weight I think it's important and the Rocket is relatively heavy on like for like basis but so many people have pointed out that it doesn't ride like a heavy bike. I ride a relatively heavy bike also, about the same weight as the rocket, but with strong stiff and light wheels even the heaviest lump can feel sprightly. Wheels make far more difference I think in terms of how weight can impact ride quality.
OP a few other suggestions. Don't buy a fork just because it's cheap. I think the advantages of going to a tapered steerer are worth spending a little more money on especially if you're going for a 32mm chassis. Like Jon Edwards I found both the Revs and Fox 32mm forks too flexy. It's worth spending a bit more to get the right fork for the future.
Wheels - think about getting high quality hand built units. There are a few very respected wheel building specialists out there like Strada (based bear Worthing) and Harry Rowland. They can build you bespoke; Strada recommend Sapim CX Ray spokes (equivalent to DT bladed) which shave valuable weight from the total build and this will make a difference.
Other than that have fun with it.
Minion DHF EXO 2.5 with the reinforced sidewalls works great tubeless on Flows and is a brilliant front tyre - it's more like a very large 2.35 than a genuine 2.5. Nice paired with a 2.25 Ardent EXO run tubeless on the back - it's more like a small 2.35 than a 2.25, especially on a Flow, which tends to maximise tyre volume. Pretty grippy, reasonably fast.
Run the same tyre combination on my nomad for riding in the lakes but on ghetto'd dt 5.1's. Very happy with them.
At the risk of turning this into a wheel size debate, I think for the next few years the whole wheel size point is moot. I thought we'd decimate sales of the Soul when the Solaris turned up. Just hasn't happened. Lots of people like 26", appreciate it and have lots of nice 26" stuff. It'll be the same with 650b. It'll just become another option, not the replacement or the be all and end all.
Also ran 2.5 Minion EXO (tubes) on Arch EX on my Soul in the Alps this summer with no bother at all, and i'm a bit heavier that Cy! So i'd prob just swap them over if i get a rocket next year.
Since most people seem to be loving the Arch's with wide tyres I thought I'd give you the reason behind my previous comment:
I have the Arch's on my Soul but for a rocket I'd go for the full on width of the Flow EX. The weight difference is not that great (90g?) and I think the extra width would help support some 2.4's well
I run Conti MKII 2.4 Protections front and rear on Arch EX's with tubes. I love the comfort of having all that volume but they don't inspire much confidence for me. I have to run the pressure quite low to get decent grip, especially on off camber sections when you really asking the side of the tyre to do the work. At this sort of pressure it feels like the tyres are trying to roll off the rim, quite disconcerting.
Twice now I've done a 180 endo and the tyre has rolled completely under the rim and then, amazingly, popped back on. Something is not right!
Tempted to try them tubeless but I don't think it will help as the sidewalls of the tyre just aren't stiff enough. cy's comment above has put me off just trying it.
Sorry for the thread hijack - Let the Rocket love continue!
Cy - pick the phone up! I want to buy a bike.....
I assume this means you need a conventional down swing (high mount) mech with top pull (think most are dual pull these days?), rather than a top swing (low mount) mech?
Its a bottom pull (cable routed under the bottom bracket). but other wise yes. Yes usually dual pull mechs these days (had to hack off the bottom pull arm to fit on the Solaris....)
Ah so it is. Funnily enough, just spotted pics of it on a German forum, mainly because someone seems to have the guide thingy under the BB on the wrong way.
Just to resurrect the tyre part of this thread. Is everyone running the 60a versions of the Maxxis rubber? I shall try them with a tube to get me going and convert to Tubeless when I'm seriously starved of entertainment one evening 😉
60a is what you want for trail riding really. I've run 42d super tackys before and they grip amazingly well but man do they drag on anything other than a DH! You can feel the rubber being laid down on the trail!
Ta 🙂
Can anyone recommend a decent knowledgeable north west based wheel supplier?
Alex - I took the plunge.
Good Man. That'll be Paul packing up two on Thursday then!
That'll be Paul packing up two on Thursday then!
So, that means pictures by the end of the weekend, right?
Can anyone recommend a decent knowledgeable north west based wheel supplier?
I've had a few wheels from Merlin & never been disappointed by any of them 🙂
Merln look like the boys. The right options and the moneys right - stonking sale on!
Can anyone recommend a decent knowledgeable north west based wheel supplier?
North West Mountain Bikes are the best!
Alex - MemberJust to resurrect the tyre part of this thread. Is everyone running the 60a versions of the Maxxis rubber?
I'd say 60A on the back but I've not yet found a maxxpro that works how I like on the front. Not so much about grip, as what they do when they run out!
Frame arrives Friday. Forks are here. All the bits might arrive this week depending on wheel builds. Monday we go on Holiday for a week. My timing couldn't be better. Still something to look forward to when I get back. There might be pics of a frame and loads of packages in a 'do you know what it is yet' kind of game 😉
Game on ALex! Im just ordering bits now......
Excellent. I went with the Float RL in the end after speaking to Paul and being honest about my riding ability 😉
My stuff should be here today, frame tomorrow, build saturday, ride in the rain sunday. Go on holiday. This is shaping up to be quite a goof weekend.
I've also take the sage advice of the STW tyre brains trust and gone with a mighty Minion DHF and LUST Ardent. Might have forgotten to buy any tape/tubeless valves. Am I going to be in some kind of thumb breaking hell sticking a tube and a LUST tyre on those ARCH EX Rims?
What I am missing here is [url= http://ow.ly/i/12iNp ]a bike fame[/url] And a couple of other things which I reckon I can steal from my friends come build day...
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Due to a lack of time, and a massive hangover I've passed this into the competent arms of the LBS. That way there is a) a good chance i can get to ride it tomorrow before hols for a week and b) it won't be ruined by me rushing it and taking a hammer to expensive bits.
Frame is lovely. A good weight, great paint and finish and lots of clever detail.
Ha, just remembered I built mine with a massive hangover... it took all day instead of just the morning.
Happy days 😀
You're lucky the lbs can squeeze you in at such short notice!
He knew he had it coming 😉 There was a groundswell of opinion from my riding pals that really I shouldn't be allowed near the spanners, even if sober. I have built a few bikes, I just don't really enjoy it. Especially Cables and Front Mechs. Spawn of the devil!
Ha, well the cable routing on the Rocket needs to be thought out first, that's for sure.
It's too expensive to throw together, it's better it get put together with care. 
Ok. Frame arrived. Bits arrived. The wheels were bourn unto me on a cloud gilt with silver......
After drawing blood on three seperate fingers and (I think) getting it mostly right. Shes done. Built.
Kudos to Paul and Cy at Cotic - very helpful.....
Now the painful and nerve jangling bit. Getting her muddy....... The Peninnes I think......
^ Meaningless without photos! ^
Photos are coming...... It was over cast in Cheshire...... My babe needs the light to be right....