Deary me. 🙄
Yes I admit I've been a dick.
It was nice of poplarkin to bring the bike down and it was a very nice bike.
However .... I couldn't get the dropper low enough in the seat tube to get it at a comfortable height for me to pedal and as such I felt like I was stretching my legs too much and also rocking my hips when riding it.
I priced it up slightly more than what pop sold it for purely down to the fact people always haggle and also to cover postage etc. I was willing to sell at what I bought it for bit had no interest so decided to split it.
However I do admit I was being a bit greedy.
I've explained to pops that I feel a bit of a dick about it.
Slightly more? Quick add up says £1400 for all the parts £400 more....sorry Renton that's very unfortunate.
I liked the Whyte 901 i tried but was disappointed when they told me no frame options.
Hope you keep amd enjoy this one.
Oh sorry you think it sold at the prices advertised....
Edit.. I had the full bike up for sale at £1100 ono including postage.
Anyway as it stands I've so far upgraded the drivetrain to the NX 11 speed stuff and bought a dropper post and also a set of wheels.
As the buyer of the PopLarkins' Renton's lovechild, I'm having the last word with the bike split.
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So this is how the bike stands at the moment.
So far I've done the following...
Swapped to the 1 x 11 drivetrain
Fitted a stealth giant dropper
Fitted a shorter stem and wider bars
Fitted ergon grips
New charge saddle
Fitted hope/wtb wheels (waiting for rear one to be rebuilt)
Pic..
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Hopefully have the wheel back this week so can get some miles on it to bed the forks in and give them a chance before i decide their fate.
So this is how it looks as if this morning.
Fitted the new Xt brakes and got my rear wheel back .......
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Opinions as always welcome
Noice.
Just need to swap the forks and the rotors 😛
I have only just realised, how much more expensive better rotors look.
Ah yes forgot about them. I have a pair of Xt ice tech coming Monday
Slight thread hijack here but I'm thinking about going for a 529 as it looks to be an ideal starting point for the type of hardtail I ultimately want. With an an eye on future upgrading I noticed the standard rims on the 529 are 21mm wide compared to 23mm on the 629 which runs 1 x 11. They both run 29" x 2.25" tyres so am I right in thinking I'll be OK running rims up to 23mm on the 529 even with a 2 x set-up? The plan is to go full SLX 2 x 11 groupset, SLX brakes with some trail ready rims built around Chris King or ST Swiss Hubs.
I've swapped to wtb i23 rims on mine mate no problems.
I see you've gone to 1 x 11 set up. I'm concerned about chain clearance with the wider rim, is it close? It might not be an issue given as the 529 and 629 both come with 2.25" tyres despite having different width rims.
Hi mate. There is acres of room between the chainring, chain and tyre.
Thanks Renton. I know you got the bike from someone on here, where's the shop?
Hi mate.
Speak to Mboy from on here. He has a shop in Droitwich.
Mboy, a.k.a.- Mark of Missing Link Cycles, Droitwich.
Great chap and very knowledgeable.
I am thinking of getting one myself on the bike2work scheme. On the off chance, has anybody ridden the previous years' version as a direct comparison for riding position / geometry? They have a 2016 629 at my LBS but haven't seen or sat on this years frame version to compare.
I believe Mboy has and he really rates it to be honest.
Super looking bike.
Anyone know maximum rubber size one can fit?
Nice bike but the garage door frame requires attention.
Nice bike but the garage door frame requires attention
Blame the MOD for that mate.
Regards the tyre clearance fitted on mine is a 2.25 rear tyre and there is room to go a bit bigger.
175mm GX cranks fitted....
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Initial thoughts are that it feels much better. Amazing what 5mm can do 
I'm swapping the stem and bars out as I'm finding the 40mm stem much to short for my liking so going to try the 60mm version it came with. Also found some nice Chromag bars.
Dude- have you actually ridden it properly yet? That's an awful lot of upgrades on what is a pretty good bike already
you'll be swopping the frame for something else soon too then ? 🙂 is it the only original bit left ?
Nah forks are original too.
It was always my intentions to swap most stuff out.
I could of bought the 629 which is much better specced out of the box but I just really like this colour.
I have ridden it yes. Not far bit enough to know that the stem is to short.
So I've gone back to the original 60mm stem as I was hitting my knees on the 40mm one.
Also swapped to a set of Chromag bars that instantly feel great ....
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Feels much better. I'm off for a decent ride either tonight of tomorrow so if interested will let you all know how it goes.
Glad you're enjoying it
It's a big shame they didn't make the 629 a more exciting colour isn't it, as our the box the spec is well worth the price difference.
To whoever was asking about the 2016 models, there's a few subtle differences, but they were still a great bike. I ran one for 18 months until just recently, and systematically upgraded almost all the parts on it over time myself too.
Forks next (well in a few months!!) Mboy !
So how are you enjoying the bike Renton? I'm split between buying a 529 and an 801, their suitability for upgrade is as important a factor in me making a purchase as to how each rides. What rear axle is on the bike?
Hmmm, I threw my leg over a 629 yesterday and was impressed. I even like the colour. Why do people rave about the frame though? 6061 Al is not particularly special...or is it a geometry thing?
So how are you enjoying the bike Renton? I'm split between buying a 529 and an 801, their suitability for upgrade is as important a factor in me making a purchase as to how each rides. What rear axle is on the bike?
Its going well thank you.
Ive just received a pair of 140mm RS Sektors to try on it although Im sure they will end up @ 130mm eventually. These are a stop gap until I can fund a nice set of Pikes or other stiff 29er forks.
The rear axle on this is 135mm q/r.
To be honest I never really looked at the 801 however the spec looks to be very similar to the 529 doesn't it.
tough choice to be fair between the two.
It is a bit of a tough choice although I'm sure I won't go wrong with either judging by the geometry of each. Much like yourself I'm just looking for a good starting point although I'm going to wait to start the upgrades until next winter.
Funnily enough the 529 wasn't on my radar but I thought about the type of riding I do the most and concluded a 29er wouldn't be a bad choice.
It's a nice bike mate.
Anyway here it is fitted with the Sektor forks......
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It feels much better already and I've not put it through a decent ride with them fitted yet. I'm going to see how they are at 140mm bit to be honest will more than likely drop them to 130mm eventually.
So I took the bike on its maiden proper ride yesterday to Swinley forest.
Have to say that first off the bike flattered my level of unfitness.
I think I'm going to stick with the fork at 140mm for the moment as it seemed pretty good and the axle to crown wasn't massively different to the Suntour that came with the bike.
Climbing was better than I expected and I had no noticeable wheel flop despite initial worries.
It didn't really like the slow tight switchbacks and just felt let it needed to be going faster.
On the downs it is so confidence inspiring. The slack head angle makes it nice and stable. It was ripping the berms on the red runs down one section.
It was my first proper ride on 1x11 too and the only time I had to get off and push was one quite short but steep section on the red trails but that was probably down to my fitness more than gearing.
I'm going to change the tyres I think. The rear felt to hard to start with so I let a bit of air out and then it was squirming around to much. Also the front tyre washed out a couple of times.
I'm looking for at a Specialized combo of butcher front and slaughter rear running tubeless.
Got to love dry and dusty trails though....
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Glad you made it to Swinley. Good loop for a shakedown. What did you end up riding? Blue-Red?
Interesting that you like the 140mm forks.
Mines 120mm and the front just feels too high. I've only got a 5mm spacer below the stem and limited on how to drop it more. Possibly riser stem flipped and some flat bars.
1x11- what front chainring size are you running? Looks like a 34t?
On my 29er I run 32t and find it spot on for the local riding here.
Tyres; Butcher front and slaughter rear is quite a meaty setup. Is your main aim to have some beefier carcass to prevent squirming at low pressures?
I'm going to change the tyres I think. The rear felt to hard to start with so I let a bit of air out and then it was squirming around to much. Also the front tyre washed out a couple of times.
Stick with them, I promise. Or if you really do find you need a bit more bite, move the Ardent to the rear, and put a Minion DHF 2.3 on the front. Spesh tyres are IMO a waste of time, sub par compared to Maxxis and usually more flimsy too.
It didn't really like the slow tight switchbacks
Issue more likely to be you than the bike tbh, given you say you've not been riding much, when yer blowing out yer arse technique is the first to go.
Also, the rear was too hard cos you had too much air, then squishy cos you let too much out, I wouldn't buy new tyres based on that, get the pressures right, those tyres are ideal for Swinley.
Glad you made it to Swinley. Good loop for a shakedown. What did you end up riding? Blue-Red?
Ended up doing Blue/Red/Blue and found it hard going to be honest as I was blowing out of my arse. It is very pedally though.
Interesting that you like the 140mm forks.
Mines 120mm and the front just feels too high. I've only got a 5mm spacer below the stem and limited on how to drop it more. Possibly riser stem flipped and some flat bars.
I think mine were running a bit soft as I was using full travel even on some of the blue stuff which probably means I needed a bit more pressure in them.
I put them side by side to the suntours before fitting and honestly there wasn't much in it at all, certainly not 2 cm worth.
I dont know about yours cokie but my bike came with a slightly negative rise stem as standard.
I prefer a more upright position compared to other I think purely due to having no core strength (working on it)
However, when the bike is unweighted the bars are just about level with the saddle.
32t mate.1x11- what front chainring size are you running? Looks like a 34t?
Tyres; Butcher front and slaughter rear is quite a meaty setup. Is your main aim to have some beefier carcass to prevent squirming at low pressures?Stick with them, I promise. Or if you really do find you need a bit more bite, move the Ardent to the rear, and put a Minion DHF 2.3 on the front. Spesh tyres are IMO a waste of time, sub par compared to Maxxis and usually more flimsy too.
Also, the rear was too hard cos you had too much air, then squishy cos you let too much out, I wouldn't buy new tyres based on that, get the pressures right, those tyres are ideal for Swinley.
What I was finding is the front was "squeaking" and slipping on the stones that they have in the man made stuff. leant over through some bends it washed out once or twice which Ive never had happen before.
The rear tyre thing was weird. on a local loop i had running around 35psi which was too hard so before swinley I dropped some out but not sure how much. at normal speed it felt ok but pushing on I could feel it squirming. there is section on the red I think it is where they have a "new trail feature" of two drops on a run down a hill and it flexed loads and nearly rolled off the rim.
I know its a crude way of doing it but the doing the pinch test on the tyre and it doesn't feel under inflated.
It didn't really like the slow tight switchbacks
Issue more likely to be you than the bike tbh, given you say you've not been riding much, when yer blowing out yer arse technique is the first to go.
I have no doubt it was a fitness thing, I was getting cramp in my foot at one point which was nice !
I have no doubt it was a fitness thing, I was getting cramp in my foot at one point which was nice !
Don't go making any changes til your fitter then, as you'll only be disappointed that spending money doesn't work.
I try to give a new bike a good while before changing any components, unless they're obviously cheap shite.
Don't go making any changes til your fitter then, as you'll only be disappointed that spending money doesn't work.I try to give a new bike a good while before changing any components, unless they're obviously cheap shite.
I'd agree with that. You've got a great spec bike now (inc. tyres).
I'd focus on getting the miles in and adjusting contact points, tyre pressure and fork settings. You'll start understanding how 5mm here or 5 psi there will make a big difference.
Aye its not getting touched now until Ive ridden it quite a bit more.
Quick question about bedding in forks....
I've set my sag @ 25% but I am still getting maximum travel really easily ??
So I've added another 20psi and now have about 10% sag but still get maximum travel fairly often ?
Would stiction in the seals be holding the fork up when I try and set the sag ?
Fork is a Sektor RL gold that has done about 20 miles.
Do they need bedding in a bit ??
