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It's questions i don't know the answer to yet. My boss who bought my G170 still has the bomber, so even though it's a longer shock i can use it for some testing, but hes' away this weekend.
Surely 'd just run the piggyback at the top ?
It's very much a first world problem this one and i'm not actually giving it that much thought but it's just a Mmmmm maybe it'll work and be lovely.
Marz do indeed run Fox springs.
Surely ‘d just run the piggyback at the top ?
Still a problem on my sentinel despite a kink in the downtube too. The standard piggyback float x (running with piggy at the top) had about 5mm clearance at best when at full compression. Tighter than I expected!
good info/thinking.... Thanks 🙂
It might not be an issue on yours but it’s got a similar vertical shock / top rocker. Sentinel medium and small frames have this clearance issue - large and above have a bit more room apparently. Guessing your Trek is a large as you’re a bit taller than me.
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/QMktj7g2/DDC5FA84-09DD-4260-BD7D-7DBE3FBDE6F6.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/QMktj7g2/DDC5FA84-09DD-4260-BD7D-7DBE3FBDE6F6.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/HLkDBw4R/990BF837-655E-4CBD-BC50-33C2DC0A2D41.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/HLkDBw4R/990BF837-655E-4CBD-BC50-33C2DC0A2D41.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Ah right, mine mounts way higher and more vertical I'd say
Maybe mine is a bit less vertical / has a bit less clearance to the downtube. This is uncompressed
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/SNZmCydt/EFBD1E91-1545-4CE2-89B8-C57150250761.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/SNZmCydt/EFBD1E91-1545-4CE2-89B8-C57150250761.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
It's an interesting one for sure matey.
Don't know.
But it's beer time now anyway.
I’m feeling I’m done with work for the week but just finishing something off. Damaged something in my back on Sunday : Monday and back spasms causing me some pain from time to time so thinking it’s time for a nice cocktail of ibuprofen / co codamol / spiced rum and Coke and a soak in the hot tub in the sun 😝
Hot tub, damn. Need one here.
What are you actually hoping to achieve with all the constant chopping and changing bikes/components? Not having a dig, just genuinely curious as these are all pretty capable bikes in stock trim, capable of things way beyond what most of us can ever hope to achieve!
Or do you just like to tinker?
I just ride my bikes as they come, get the sag somewhere near, normally add a couple of tokens as I like my suspension firm (ex motocross background) and just ride.
Modern bikes are so capable these days, I have a fox 36 performance elite and fox dpx2 on one of my bikes and when I ride other bikes with lower spec components I'm just as fast. Which all comes down to commitment
The rider is the main limiting factor, I consider myself pretty quick, used to race downhill and motocross, will hit most stuff blind, which doesn't always pay off!
As said above its all about commitment, the equipment is secondary to that.
There is no perfect suspension setup, its always a bit of a compromise.
This post could save you money and time 😀
I guess the simple answer is, I enjoy both the riding and the fiddling.
With the MTB I like my bikes to feel soft, compliant, squidgy. It's not about speed, it's about pleasure I guess.
I don't have too much money, but I have plenty of time compared to most, so I like to play. Sometimes that's outside, sometimes it's with spanners.
Some may say "why don't you ride instead", well I rode at 5.30am. I'm riding tomorrow. I just enjoy playing
It may transpire that things I do don't help, or make things worse, or costs me money, but that's ok, my choice my mistakes. I'll live with it.
I won't win races, I won't do 30' gaps, but I'll enjoy it.
Same, enjoy the arsing about, upgrading and plotting what to do with the spare bits in the shed, buying, selling, justifying upgrades.. keeps me busy and away from all the far worse stuff I'd be up to otherwise
Did a 50km jaunt around Berks on Sat, bit on the hilly side which really showed up my fitness, or lack of it. Well, more my overweight aspect rather than fitness.
Anyway, I bought the Bomber CR. Along with the pretty expensive mounting kits from tftuned. The shock is 210*52.5 so will keep the same geometry etc. It's got a 700 spring which according to Marz website is correct for me.
Should have it fitted by weds assuming it all arrives and ready for testing later in the week. Then maybe a decent test Sat and Surrey hills on Sunday.
Shock is about 450gr heavier than standard, but recent rides have shown it's me who needs work on weight rather than the very light Trek lol
Hopes are that it'll feel a bit more plush for tricky stuff and Morzine
Out today and playing in the woods... it's a bit of a schelp over, but i didn't go nuts and it was quite nice.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52162909563_dae1ea32d3_5k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52162909563_dae1ea32d3_5k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2ntsxFH ]2022-06-21_03-38-17[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
One thing the ride did show me is that on Saturday i probably went in too deep. It wasn't flat chat, but it was pretty hard intensity for a decent chunk of the ride, as i didn't stop at the main feed station i think to an extent i had a small bonk, which affected me as much mentally as physically, but sort of just killed any fun. Today was about 75% of that effort and all round it just felt a lot lot... well, nicer.
I did notice 2 minor issues...
1. My saddle is shot... it's creaky and horrible... it's now off
2. My shock is a bit slurpy in the intial part of the travel.
Something i'm struggling with here in terms of knowledge.
So this is a standard Trek reactive/Thru-shaft shock in what's a 210*52.5
When you compare the mounting to a 'standard' shock, it's clearly quite different. Now i can get a mount kit from TFT which is an upper and lower spacer/shaft and a pair of mounting bolts etc. However, looking at the length/height of the lower shock mount on this, surely a standard 210*52.5 shock is going to sit a lot lower ? Even though the 210 is obviously eye-eye length, on the Trek that's extended by the mounting kit ? So it would sit lower ? Or am i missing something glaringly obvious ?
As long as you've measured the Trek shock and know the eye to eye and the stroke, you should just need to match it and it should work.
Perhaps the Trek shock has a shorter air can to allow the stanchion part to sit higher up due to the extended lower mounting point.
Given the mix of shock lengths/strokes, there must be room in a lot of them to be shorter than they actually are.
Perhaps the Trek shock has a shorter air can to allow the stanchion part to sit higher up due to the extended lower mounting point.
That's a very good point,.... never actually thought of that 😀
I've not actually taken it off yet as i'm still discussing plans and options in my head. But according to Treks blurb it's a 210*52.5 (although a 210*55 will fit and increases the travel a bit to 138mm on the back).
My current options are
1. Leave it for now and get serviced in winter at Sprung.
2. See if Trek will warranty it (not sure how likely that is)
3. Go Bomber CR coil in 210*52.5
4. Get a cheap RS Deluxe for £50 and the fitting kit from TFT (£96)
Even though the 210 is obviously eye-eye length, on the Trek that’s extended by the mounting kit ?
Or am i missing something glaringly obvious ?
The eye to eye length on the funky Trek shock is still the distance between the two eyelets.. which sit at the ends of both shocks regardless of the mounting gubbins. The 'normal' shock will just have a longer overall body / piston.
You're absolutely correct guys yes.
I measured it up and then made a spacer.
https://flic.kr/p/2ntCMYo
The standard shock is now on it's way to Silverfish/Fox who'll decide if it's warranty or not. I'll be happy if it is, but I'll understand if they say it needs a service and to bugger off.
As a backup plan I've ordered a 210*52.5 RS deluxe RT3 from Brink which is a take-off from new bike and fitting kit from TFT. Both due to arrive tomorrow so I'll still get out for weekend and play.
Well that was interesting.... I've been babysitting this
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52182389438_c1d8aacef1_5k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52182389438_c1d8aacef1_5k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nvbonC ]2022-06-29_08-00-29[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Anyway.... I took it out to test it, needed to make sure everything works well etc... and it's absolutely ace..
I'd even argue potentially the ML suits me better than my L. It's a bit nicer in a jumping context too.
It's prompted me to move my saddle slightly forward along with rotating my bars back a little bit too, i think they were too far forward.
I'm off to Rogate on Sat morning with the small ones, so will be good to see how mine feels and if there's any change. But for sure it's interesting that the ML felt just a little more nimble etc.
Maybe you just like a shorter bike 🤷♂️
When we quickly swapped over g170/Sentinel at FOD they didn’t feel a hugely different length and your handlebars felt narrow - yet you’re taller than me
joebristol
Full MemberMaybe you just like a shorter bike 🤷♂️
This was agreed back in the G160 days iirc
Maybe you just like a shorter bike
I didn't think the Trek (EX9.8) was particularly long in honesty...
I'll be interested to see what turning the bars back a bit makes on it...I think they were a little forwards.
Bar width on both bikes is the same, as is bar-rise. Stem/Spacers are configured the same.
Measuring from back of seatpost-clamp to the center bolt of stem on both bikes, the Alu M/L is 22mm shorter than mine. You wouldn't think 22mm would feel much different would you... but arguably it does yes.
Don't get me wrong here... it's not like i don't really really like the 9.8, because i really do, i'm enjoying it lots and lots... but today was quite interesting.
Bar width on both bikes is the same, as is bar-rise. Stem/Spacers are configured the same.
remember that the size m/l almost certainly (i havent looked at geo tables for this specific bike, but pretty much each frame size from every manufacturer has a different length headtube) has a shorter headtube than your size L frame, so if you have the same amounnt of spacers under the bar on both bikes, then the handlebars on the m/l version will be lower.
You wouldn’t think 22mm would feel much different would you… but arguably it does yes.
Its funny with feel when some things are changed but not with others. The moment I sat on my new bike I could immediately feel the 2 degree steeper seat tube angle, but the 20mm reach increase and 1.5 degree slacker h/a didn’t really register.
The ML has a 15mm shorter reach / 15mm shorter ett according to geometry geeks. Same length head tube and same stack. So apart from the length and seat tube they’re actually very similar it seems. So the ML should feel similar but just a little bit more nimble perhaps.
Sums it up really 🙂
Been out in the close playing after turning bars back and i think it's deffo better... but then the monsoons came, so i'm about to Zwift race instead now 😀
Weather in biblical here this afternoon - so much rain. Luckily 😳 I’ve obliterated my back so I can’t ride my bike anyway.....
As usual, today i thought "Hmmm i wonder".... and i then ended up fitting the 40mm length stem, the standard one on the Trek EX9.8 is 50mm.
This is a different diameter too of 31.8mm diameter bars..
The only slight downside to this test is that my spare 31.8 bars are 740mm in width which isn't exactly on-trend. But will be interesting tomorrow to give it a whirl for a few runs and then swap back to the other setup at lunchtime and try again.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52186519054_ab421235ed_5k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52186519054_ab421235ed_5k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nvxxXU ]2022-07-01_02-49-51[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52185247767_79afb844c8_5k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52185247767_79afb844c8_5k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nvr34a ]2022-07-01_02-49-42[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Enduro
NAME HEIGHT (CM) BAR WIDTH (MM) RATIO
Sam Hill 175 750 2.33
Florian Nicolai 183 780 2.35
Kevin Miquel 190 780 2.44
Richie Rude 182 750 2.43
Jesse Melamed 170 740 2.30
Eddie Masters 185 770 2.40
Adrien Dailly 172 780 2.21
I think bar width is down to personal preference as much as anything.
Shoulder width can be used as a rough guide but I don’t think it’s foolproof.
I’m 175cm tall and use a 780mm bar. 800 feels too wide to me (plus narrow gaps between trees on a lot of trails) but 760mm feels a bit narrow. I like a lot of up and back sweep on my bars that lots of other people don’t seem to like that much when they have a go on my bike.
Funnily my lad runs 800 on both. We've tried narrower and he dislikes it.
My big question for tomorrow will be whether I stick with the ALU bars in 31.8 or trim the carbon 35s down.
Down at Rogate yesterday i spent the morning on the 31.8@750mm bars followed by the afternoon on the 790mm@35s.
The difference isn't as great as you'd honestly think at times, you could notice some difference, but not massively. I settled on the 35s though and carbon, which is the standard bike setup. I may whip 10mm off them, but doesn't need anything too drastic.
I was concentrating yesterday on riding things a little outside of my comfort zone, so spent a tonne of time riding biking bottom and split richard trails. Bikini bottom was because of the 3 gaps at the bottom, they're what i've been working on a bit lately. Sadly for me, in the video one of the lads took, it looks WAY less spectacular than i hoped it would ! But i was clearing all of them nicely onto the downside yesterday and that made me massively happy.
The world did get complex at one stage of the morning as my lads new Hope rear wouldn't hold pressure and was leaking... I think it's likely to be a taping issue rather than a wheel or tyre issue. We threw a tube in there and that sorted it for the day.
In the afternoon one of the lads killed his rear wheel, pranging it on landing and bending out an edge... That took a little more and a little less delicate work to resolve and was taken care of with brute force and a hard bit of hammering, but i got it 99% straight and it now holds air, he was soon back out on it 😀
The Fuel9.8 was again faultless though, it's a lovely lovely thing. Well, i say faultless, it's got a proper waggly dropper and lots and lots of play in it. Apparently there's 2 bushes and 2 keyways that need sorting. So i've ordered a Brand X dropper for today from CRC and then i can get working on making that one better or i can simply swap for the Brand X. The dropper on the Fuel9.8 really does get slated in reviews and makes me think i may as well just throw the Brand X on and forget it, rather than chase my tail with the Bontrager one.
That all assumes i can actually move today, which it seems is quite hard !!!!
I was sort of nearly doing this pair today.
But I crashed 4 times, well, almost 5. Out of 10.
I didn't actually fully complete it. On the left of the 2nd one there's a bit ledge, I kept landing left and catching it.
Weirdly, jump 2 is 2' shorter than jump1 which I was landing, but I do seem to jump left every time.
After 4 crashes, plenty of bruises to come and shredding my left shin of skin, I called it a day.
Disappointed as I actually made the distance on jump 2 twice, but crashed
Brand X dropper fitted in 5 minutes, the Brand X has no play/wiggle and certainly no horrible noise of clunk when it's flapping about
The Bontrager will stay in the spares box after the service kit arrives and it's made nicer.
but I do seem to jump left every time
I’m not a good jumper but I find I veer slightly off to one side when I try pulling up on the bars to jump, rather then pushing away from the ramp to get the air
I often wonder if i have any technique at all when jumping, but on the wider jumps like at Rogate it's OK as there's no downside... but i don't think i was jumping left there. If you look on the right there's a sharp fall off in terrain, so i wonder if i was sub-consciously trying to jump away from that. I guess the problem is that both of these are outside of my comfort zone so i was having to think and try rather than just pop and enjoy.
I was going to go back today, but i am battered and bruised lol.
I was going to go back today, but i am battered and bruised lol.
I wish I was just like that - my back is in a bit of a bad way. Hoping it improves over the next few weeks - think I’m off the mtb for a while sadly. Just doing gentle zone 2 on the turbo / swimming and following physio exercises for now. Hoping a sports massage this week frees things up 😞
GUtted for you mate as i know how much you love the riding. It's hard as heck when you're off the bike. I'm trying to be semi-sensible as it's 4 weeks today until we're on the way to Morzine... but that really irritated me last night, espeically as i feel i had the length, just not the line.
GWS fella.
Cheers - keeping fingers crossed it improves over the next few weeks if I do as I’m told m.
Yeah stay well in the run up to Morzine - you don’t want to mash yourself before a trip like that - should be epic!
I know the Trek doesn't get much in the way of posting/love by me... but it's still a cracking bike.
One thing i would like though is a bit slacker... So with that in mind i looked into the options and they were, limited... Due to the Trek knock-block system which stops the forks hitting the frame in an accident.
This however is a solution that enables you to either/both get a little bit slacker and if you wished, get rid of the upper knockblock as it increases clearance.
https://www.bikester.co.uk/reverse-angle-spacer-for-tapered-forks-M791918.html
[img] 
?forceSize=true&forceAspectRatio=true&useTrim=true&size=613x613[/img]
It's only 0.5deg... but hey, it's 0.5 deg... so we'll give it a whirl.
So with the weird and wonderful world the Trek is still here and the 0.5 spacer finally arrives from Bikester today after a little bit of shipping/DHL delay. So i'm going to chuck it in before heading out for some local woods stuff with the lad today and then Rogate tomorrow.
There's another few bits of bike changes coming up in the near future, but that's a whole different discussion and can't really go into details at the moment 🙂
There’s another few bits of bike changes coming up in the near future, but that’s a whole different discussion and can’t really go into details at the moment 🙂
please do, its a slow day in the office for me.
please do, its a slow day in the office for me.
Check your private messages 😀
Daft question time... surely the headset spacer thing is directional ? It doesn't have anything on it to show direction
Or am i being totally daft ?