Fitness is a funny one though - you can think you’re absolutely flying, then someone firmly puts you back in your box.
Virtually everytime I go out with a certain mate I can guarantee he leaves me for dead on the first meaningful hill. I’m fit enough now that on short sharp things I can stay with him and on certain long shallow climbs I can generally out spin him up then (he’s the kind of guy who is in his happy place stood up cranking on the pedals), but everything else he’s gone unless it’s really tech abs standing up cranking messes up traction.
I’m at my fittest in a while and back down to almost bang on 76kgs but I’m still giving away about 10kgs to him I expect. Wet paper bags are built sturdier.
I think power>weight is a massive factor for these small ones. They're knocking on sub 60kg even at 5'11 and their power is awesome. My lad can sprint at 13+ w/kg according to a Zwift race in his 15s power. So when he pins it, well, i'd have to be putting out an insane amount of watts.
TBH i don't mind though, i know my place in the world and at 52 (tomorrow) i'm a long way from being a spring chicken. So i get my wins every now and again... Yesterday i led into a section and i think they were slightly impressed by my lack of incompetence from their heckling from behind 😀 😀 I didn't manage to gap em, but i kept them somewhat honest 🙂
Anyway, back to the bike... i'm thinking of whipping the shock out this week and throwing in a volume spacer or two. It's running a Fox DPX2 which i'm happy with, but even at 225psi i'm getting to the bottom of the travel on many many times in a ride, so would like to be able to keep the pressure around/less than that and get a bit less through the travel at times. Admittedly, i don't know how many volume spacers may or may not be in there.
But i've also got the bolt i needed so i can fit the standard Trek Performance Float EVOL to give that a testing while the DPX2 is out..
i’m thinking of whipping the shock out this week and throwing in a volume spacer or two. It’s running a Fox DPX2 which i’m happy with, but even at 225psi i’m getting to the bottom of the travel on many many times in a ride, so would like to be able to keep the pressure around/less than that and get a bit less through the travel at times.
Vol spacer installed and set to 210psi this time...
See how it goes. I’ve got 240psi in my float x and that seemed ok on the weekend. It wasn’t difficult terrain with just a few little drops and stuff but I still had maybe 10-15mm stroke left on the shock. <br /><br />
Dare I ask why you have 2 shocks already - did they both come with the bike or did you have one spare from your last Fuel?
Both came with the bike. the Float EVOL is the thru-shaft which was standard on the bike. The DPX2 is aftermarket (Which arguably COULD be the wrong tune for the bike).
I like a DPX but they do seem to sit low in the sag, but generally feel really plush with it.. I'm not suffering massively from pedal strikes.
If the dpx is sitting low why not just stick more pressure in it rather than more tokens?
If the dpx is sitting low why not just stick more pressure in it rather than more tokens?
I don't think the DPX's acutually sit low... they just feel like they do. It's something i've felt on them for years and different bikes...
I'm currently getting used to a similar Fuel EX with a Fox Re:activ shock, so I'll be interested in your comparisons if you swap out the DPX for the stock unit for Science; some way down the line I may upgrade to the DPX, although the original shock seems more than right enough; it initially felt a bit bogged down until I corrected both the shock and tyre pressures, and it now feels quite perky.
I've used the Re:activ before and had no issues on my previous EX9.8
This one though i tried this morning and lets just say, it's horrible, it's squelshy and clunky... so clearly not working 'correctly'
I'd like it working though so i'm wondering whether to try a mail to Fox service center or just send to @tftuned and get the team there to fix/service it.
But i certainly don't recall the previous one having an issues or problems for me.
Where about are you Ben ?
There was a long debate on the old bike about the fitting/mounting kits needed to get a standard eyelet shock fitted, which ended up in me buying a spacer from TFTuned for the bottom end and a kit that mounts in as a trunion from Basecamp Suspension
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52169377376_60676ca8a6_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52169377376_60676ca8a6_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nu2GkJ ]0184AD2B-949B-46DD-8B0E-6D22FAA3543B[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52169855145_653bae977c_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52169855145_653bae977c_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nu59n8 ]4585A6B6-85D6-4A9A-97DE-2C5F4B146D90[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
As you can see, it goes into the standard eyelet and gives you a Trunion mount.
If you're near Berks you're welcome to meet up and borrow my DPX2 and play with it a bit.
Yep, it seems pretty good to me so far once I had it set up OK, but I was curious as to whether the DPX made a noticeable difference in your opinion.
I'm in the Surrey Hills, so not a million miles away - that's very kind of you to offer. But let me get a few more miles on this one first, though. I've borrowed a Shockwiz from a friend so will be using that a bit.
I've always liked DPX2 shocks so likely to be happy with mine. But I didn't try back to back with the standard one sorry.
We'll be hitting SH in the not too distant future I expect and could hook up and swap shocks over for testing etc matey.
I'm throwing the Shockwiz on at weekend actually as boy is away.
If changing out for a new shock and you want it to be fox then the Float X is probably where I’d be looking for a trail bike (new version of the dpx2).
That said the 2023 Super Deluxe Rockshox Air shock is said to be very good - that would be my preference if buying an air shock now - without going silly money like a Cane Creek Kitsuma air.
The boy has a 22 super deluxe air and likes it. But not as much as his X2.
For me, I don't think it matters at my skill level
X2 is more of a heavily damped DH shock. The float x and super deluxe are more trail type shocks I think.
RS equivalent of the X2 is the Vivid
Checked. His is RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate DH
@bentudder My re:active gets here today from Fox/Silverfish. I filled in the website as a 'please warranty' and a description, fully expecting them to come back to me with a "sod off, you're paying for it" and i'd have accepted that. But it looks like they are going to do under warranty as UPS are dropping it off shortly and no-one has asked foe any money for it 🙂
I'm not sure how useful testing will be at the moment with the conditions being horrific, but i'll have a go and let you know compared to the DPX2
Make sure you change those tyres as well as a new shock....
😉
Make sure you change those tyres as well as a new shock….
Don't talk to me about tyres... i've been having a world of nightmares.
I wanted to try something else, so whipped off the XR5 from the front and tried to fit a Hillbilly... Snapped 3 tyre levers... Put the XR5 back on using finger and thumbs only. Next day i thought "i'll take the Magic Mary off his spare 141 wheels" .... Snapped 2 more levers.. FFS. Put the XR5 back on with fingers...
Then chatting to @mboy and my LBS at Rotec, both commented that the Bontrager internal rim strips are the issue, "get that off, tape it up and away you go"... I was slightly dubious it would resolve things, but heck, worth a try..
What do you know.. Taped it last night, then fitted the same Hillbilly with just my hands, no levers... So i've now got a Hillbilly on the front for testing this weekend.
Sticky rim tape? We had that with the Specialized we had....It caused all sorts of issues getting beads to move - enough friction to just stop them seating.
It's more a rubber insert than a tape, single piece moulded thing... Works exceptionally well in terms of keeping it sealed and inflated, looks pretty too... but DAMN it makes tyres almost impossible. I recall back to my previous FuelEX and it was also a nightmare, but i managed it somehow with that bike... this one though, nah. I've not snapped a lever in 15-20 years... until this week and i've done 4-5 of them i think 😀
It’s more a rubber insert than a tape, single piece moulded thing… Works exceptionally well in terms of keeping it sealed and inflated, looks pretty too… but DAMN it makes tyres almost impossible.
I'm guessing that this may be down to the fact that to get one bead off, you generally need the other bead to be in the middle of the rim, rather than to the edge - is the 'tape/insert' stopping you doing this?
I’m guessing that this may be down to the fact that to get one bead off, you generally need the other bead to be in the middle of the rim, rather than to the edge – is the ‘tape/insert’ stopping you doing this?
PRetty much yeah as there's no 'middle' or dip in that context, it's pretty much flat,
^ yep. Add in a 'sticky' surface and it just does not slide across - even when soaped up with washing up liquid...
Hillbilly should be good if it’s somewhere muddy you’re going.
I don’t know - if you went somewhere like Cwmcarn there wouldn’t be sloppy mud - best place near here for terrible conditions
Did the rear at lunchtime today, again, makes getting the tyres fitted real easy. I was only putting on another XR5 which was the one i took off the front last night as it has a lot sharper profile/edges. But mostly just wanted to get it done in case i'm ever out on the trails or somewhere and need a tyre swapping as i've killed one... The only way it would fly is if i made sure this was done. 🙂
Fitted and tested the Trek thru-shaft type shock that came back from Fox... It feels pretty good and quite happy with it... I set it to 220psi which ended up being a bit stiff, so i've dropped it to 210psi now which should be a little squishier.
Sadly the ride was cut-short as i had a bit of a tyre/valvecore issue, after all the swapping the other night one of the valve cores wasn't holding fully, so i sort of fixed it and then for the first time in many many years used a pump outside !!!! Luckily with the Trek having in-frame storage i had one with me, although it would have only been a 25 mins walk back (or get the wife to drive 2 miles in the van)
It does remind me that i need to order up some new valve-cores
Valve cores are a funny one - my rear tyre doesn’t currently have a rimpact in but have a rimpact valve. Once you put the air in pushing the valve isn’t letting air back out again. Not sure if the valve core is clogged or the holes in the valve body. Need to have a look at that this weekend. Boring bike job!
Those Trek run strips are notorious for that.
Back on the Trek today..
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53316115805_dfebe823ae_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53316115805_dfebe823ae_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pen2HX ]IMG_20231107_101946[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Debating on the shock though, i do prefer the feel of the Fox DPX2 over the standard shock... So i think that'll go back on this afternoon after work. Also going to steal a 27.5 rear wheel off a mate for some testing of mullet vs 29/29.
Lastly, i've rotated the bars back a fraction too.
Well that looks a little funky/weird 😀
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53328662477_411e03790d_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53328662477_411e03790d_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pftkpT ]IMG_20231113_153429[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
It's the Reverse Components 0.5 deg headset spacer/adjuster. Just makes it a little slacker. Didn't really notice the looks on previous frame, but on this black(ish) one, it looks slightly weird to me. But it's the function i wanted, rather than the looks.
Had the bike out on techy trails on the weekend. Riding Dowies and Shuttcastle near/at FoD. The bike performed perfectly though, was happy with the Hillbilly T9 on the front, the rear i don't really mind what i run, so the standard Bontrager is fine.
I've also gone from 1>2 Fox volume spacers on the forks today. The standard setup on my forks is 2 spacers, mine only had one (yeah i know [smention u=250]mboy[/smention] ) but thought i'd have a play and go to standard of 2 and drop a couple (5 actually) psi from the forks.
Yeah basically it's a 10mm spacer that replaces the crown race. Which yes must add 10mm to the stack height, which in turn is where the 0.5 angle comes from.
Ones inside headset are more complicated because of the knock block headset setup
Can’t you just fit a regular angleset
Can’t you just fit a regular angleset
I don't think so due to knock block. But I have removed than now as I was struggling with the looks too much
May I be so bold to ask, in all honesty, hand on heart, can you actually distinguish .5 deg either way on the head angle? I’m always staggered that such discrete differences can actually be felt in practice, if you did a blind test, back to back. Or do you tell yourself it must be better, cos it’s slacker, so I must be faster? I’ve got a 2017 trail bike and it’s never ever crossed my mind to start faffing with head angles. I just ride it, lots, and get used to its handling traits, and live with them.
You do seem to love to tinker with your bikes, very much along the Greg Minnar school of faffing, albeit he’s a little quicker I think? 🤔
Well, I struggled to notice on the Slayer even going 1.5deg using their 4 way chip. But I'd bought it and thought I'd fit it, right up until I looked and thought ewww and removed.
Yes I like fiddling with bikes, not arguing that. It's all part of the ownership for me.
Fwiw on the weekend I was riding and never felt the bike was in any way stopping me hitting a feature. I hit most and the 2 I didn't hit, I wouldn't hit on any bike, they were too big for me.
Never once have I professed to be fast, but I do ride a fair bit.
Can’t disagree with how that spacer looked. Terrible execution of a design solution. Does also make me wonder if would invalidate a frame as it does, to all intents a purposes, result in a “virtual” longer fork and greater bending forces at the actual lower headset cup in the frame.
Out today for a play, well, more of a slog really as I'm not exactly on flying form. But it was miles in the legs.
Must admit, as superb as this is, I may chop it for something a bit slacker on the front end.
The SlackR headset would slacken the bike out a bit. <br /><br />
What I’ve been telling you all along is you need a Transition Sentinel…..
I've got a SlackR that I ran on my Trek Rail for a few rides before I sold the bike.
it was a medium Rail so if that’s the same headtube on yours I’d sell it with a Hope bottom bearing and race, if you want to try that route.
cheers, James
How slack do you want to go? Between the 2° slackR and say 10mm more extra fork travel.
I reckon the gen 5 fuel Ex Weeksy has is either M or ML so will have either a 100 or 105mm head tube. Looks like the SlackR will do 1.4 degrees slacker on that.
Should take it to 64.6 degrees which isn’t bad. Add a slightly longer fork travel as well for good measure and that’s pretty decent for steep stuff
Mine is an L.
It's running a 150mm fork.
Same 105mm headtube as the ml - so 1.4 degrees looks possible to slacken by
Just get a Specialized Status weeksy
All depends if anyone buys the Fuel. It's a weird market currently, but if they do, the Status would deffo be on the list. I'm not holding my breath though
I know you like to do whole bike swaps but with your build kit you could just pickup another frame and swap that in. Then sell your fuel Ex frame. Loads of stuff on pink bike frame wise that’s interesting.
What Joe says. Loads of decent frame deals, you'd probably not spend much swapping as trek frame would go for alright money. And you love tinkering. Selling complete (relatively) expensive bikes are very difficult this time of year and in this market
Yeah not a daft idea. I'll have a look see.
I may even buy his 🤣🤣🤣
As always with bikes it's a question of where you want to compromise, the Trek does many many things brilliantly.
Lol - welcome to buy my sentinel but it’s a lot heavier than your fuel Ex carbon frame. Although probably not a huge amount different to a Status 160 frame 🤔
The Sentinel pedals well enough for a 4 bar bike, it’s just a bit chubby in the alloy version. Although on the flip side it’s pretty unshakeable once you plough through stuff. I’d say the carbon one is slightly more easily knocked off line.
Well that was interesting.
I've felt both the Orbea and Liv feel way better on front than the Fuel, despite all 3 bikes having fox 36 with the same damper
So checked the Orbea and rebound was 13 clicks, the Fuel was 21. So 8 clicks slower. I've just set the Fuel to the same but won't get a chance until weekend to test fully
I was looking a bit more at the geometry and thought more..
The Trek is 66.5deg but that's in HIGH, when put in LO it's 66deg... Now that i'm running the Trek allowed fork of 150mm that should put me into 65.5deg. I could even use that spacer to put it to 65deg if i wished i guess, that would also increase the stack height from 613mm to i guess 623mm. When you consider some of my thoughts/options like say the Santa Cruz Megatower, that being 64.7deg and stack of 627mm, well we're really taking very much tiny tiny increments here aren't we. All of this is making the Trek seem a much more viable proposition really isn't it.
All of this is making the Trek seem a much more viable proposition really isn’t it.
Given you already own the Trek, I concur 😉
(way too boring for an @weeksy thread though 🤣)
All of this is making the Trek seem a much more viable proposition really isn’t it.
I think politely, you are probably (definitely) overthinking it.
Suggest you measure the actual on the bike also, newer Treks are notoriously out on their geometry also, read some reviews where they measure the actual, rather than the manufacturers charts.
For example, I have a ‘23 Top Fuel which, ironically on paper, near enough mirrors the older Fuel EX you have.
In reality, it’s a 64.5 degree HA & the wheelbase is 3cm longer than Trek claim. I am running a 130mm fork, but 10mm does not make anything like that kind of difference to the numbers.
The new Fuel EX follows a similar pattern.
I bet if you back to back tested & ran control wheels/tyres there would be virtually no difference in actual times through sections between that bike & say the Megatower you are referencing.
The problem is not the bike. Same for nearly everyone.
The problem is not the bike.
LOL excellent post... but... i don't think i've said that 😀
I will go measure it though using my phone.
2 different apps measure it at 67deg, which doesn't seem right at all.
I've not seen them side by side to compare properly, but looking at my mates Megatower and what I've seen of the Fuel, they are completely different bikes for slightly different purposes, it's not just the HA and I'd guess getting on them back to back, they would feel quite different
Have you still got that god awful bonty tyre on the front ?
No, i've got a Conti Argotal on the front, i've got the Bonty on the back though, but considering swapping for tomorrow/Sat at FoD/Dyfi. But i've not honestly noticed much issue with them. The Argotal is great though i'll admit.
I think what you should do is randomly buy a completely different frame that makes no sense at all - and drive 4 hours across the country to get it. It’s the only true Weeksy way!
There is still that Forbidden Dreadnought on eBay in size medium - 465mm reach so bigger than your last bike but slightly shorter than your current bike. Whack a 160-170mm fork on it and it’ll basically ride over anything
Genuine question. Do you ever test ride any of these bikes before or just purchase on impulse.
Ie must be loads of available bikes within your group of friends you could try before you stump up cash on a bike you don't get on with.
Just feels like a bit finger In the wind when buying bikes
I previously owned the exact same bike as this. It was a 2020 compared to 2022, but there was no difference.
I like/liked it and get on well with it... but that doesn't necesarily mean i don't fancy something different 🙂
I didn't spend any cash on this it was a swap for the Slayer and i'd argue is worth more than the Slayer was.
I think what you should do is randomly buy a completely different frame that makes no sense at all – and drive 4 hours across the country to get it. It’s the only true Weeksy way!
I like the plan... it's got merit.... but i can't be bothered doing a frame swap. So currently it's off to FoD and Dyfi and we'll see what the next weeks bring.
Probably seeking more validation from a random set of middle aged blokes on the internet instead of making an informed adult decision?
Don't be silly now.
Maybe just talking bikes on a bike forum because I find bikes and chat interesting?
👌🏻
Please respect Weeksy.
Before you communicate, ask yourself - is this about bikes?
If it's related to bikes, that's not about bikes.
It needs to be about bikes.
If it’s related to bikes, that’s not about bikes.
It needs to be about bikes.
English?
Basically he's calling me a dick for taking the piss out of you as my comment wasn't about bikes
He wants to be your protector mate
He wants to be your protector mate
When you say protector, does it involve lube 😭😭😭
If it does I'm sure you'll put that choice to the stw masses also 😘
weeksyFull Member
I think what you should do is randomly buy a completely different frame that makes no sense at all – and drive 4 hours across the country to get it. It’s the only true Weeksy way!
I like the plan… it’s got merit…. but i can’t be bothered doing a frame swap. So currently it’s off to FoD and Dyfi and we’ll see what the next weeks bring.
it doesn’t take that long to do a bike frame swap - certainly less time than driving miles and back to do a whole bike swap. Opens up your options too….I think you should buy that Dreadnought from eBay - that’ll be slack and crush everything in its way. If I had enough spare cash I’d buy it as an uplift / scary riding days - but I’d probably only use it 5 times a year at best.
Buy a frame and drop it in with your current Trek on the way past Bristol to Wales and I’ll build it for ya - I like building bikes up!
Lol thanks mate, but I'm happy swapping stuff too. I enjoy it. But I can promise you, it wouldn't be a Dreadnought, they're ugly as sin.
I did see a gold Sentinel at Dyfi which was cool as heck.
The Trek though lapped up everything I asked of it both at FoD and Dyfi. Although sadly I think the DPX2 needs a look at due to a pedal knock.
The front end felt great with faster rebound.
As always, I was the one holding it back, not it holding me back.
Doesn't mean I'm any further on with decisions though, but I've not had any swap offers currently anyway, so no rush to decide