I know the old eyelet thing causes disagreement but I’ve had them on all builds since the ubiquitous Mavic M231 BITD and just for whatever reason prefer the set up. My eyeletted EX 521 has been on the front of numerous bikes for 15 ? years and still perfect. The only time I went non-eyeletted I split a hole, that was 30 years ago though… :D

For just 40g a rim (M502 over XM481) it’s not a huge penalty.

So the PHR washer is an internal washer or just a thicker ‘moulded’ ring?

Thanks all.

Hope indicated that the lighter 30mm rims won’t appear until the end of the year.

Cheers.

Thanks. Ben – so, I just need to make sure it’s Charger RC? Will the serial number inputted into the SRAM website confirm this?

Looked at these on eBay and presumed they’d be dreadful. Bought a wolf tooth, hoping for ball of flame horror stories to show I didntt waste my money

Are they one and the same (Chinese production line) but different logo? Nit sure unless someone has both to compare.

The Brand X Maxxle Stealth clones are great for the money.

Arrived today. Cannot complain, light, smooth, nice machined look and as ‘trick’as you could want for £15.

Yes, has to be a phone to run Blevo.

@joemmo

Sub £100 new?!

I think this one? (dual comp, silkworm)

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Maxxis-Minion-SS-Folding-Exo-TR-SW-SilkWorm-Tubeless-Ready-27-5-650B-MTB-Off-Road-Tyre_95647.htm

Cheers Chief and Gary – seems the 2.3 then. Need to stop thinking and try them I guess. Just wanted to get some tips before wasting money – as we know used tyres are worth peanuts.

Any idea which exact compound (ie specific model) to look for then – all retailers seem to list a muddle of names.

http://www.reifenbreiten-datenbank.de/reifen-Maxxis-Minion%20SS-27.5×2.30.html

Cheers guys – just cannot help thinking that the Minion SS (not owned one but going by that German site comes up at 2.2) is going to be lacking on the back of the Levo. It’s narrower than the 2.35 Small Block 8 I’ve run for years on my HT.

I did check out some discussions on here from the last year mentioning the DHR II 2.4 being much more aggressive (and draggy?) than the 2.3. I know these are all 0.1 inch here and there but often it amounts to far more than a fraction as the design changes too.

Another consideration was the Kenda Helldiver?

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/kenda-helldiver-pro-dh-tire-review-2017.html

I think the Minion SS is just a bit too narrow – comes up more like a 2.2 I think.

I know a DHR II will be a bit more draggy but considering this one:

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Maxxis-Minion-DHR-II-Folding-EXO-TR-WT-WideTrail-MTB-Mountain-Bike-27-5-650B-Tyre_95530.htm

Or the High Roller II??

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Maxxis-High-Roller-II-FLD-3C-Exo-TR-Folding-Tubeless-Ready-27-5-650B-MTB-Off-Road-tyre_82361.htm

As ever confused by Maxxis models – is this the 3C or the ‘one’ to have?

Big squidgy grips?

Oh man, just the thought of the lack of feeling and control – urgghhh

Do you wear gloves like this?

The seller in HK is having that Friday feeling right now…

“6 sold in 24 hours”

Used Brompton circa £500. Far more than the sum of its parts. Love mine and I never commute. Nippy, fantastic design and just plain fun. Buy second hand and you won’t lose money. Plenty around just be patient for one that hasn’t been shagged. Any other cheaper folder (ie £400/500 new Aldi or Decathlon) will lose a packet in comparison so will work out costing you much more in real terms.

Flat bar 2 speed with mudguards is the purists choice.

Try to find one with the front bag included.

Well, took the plunge – waiting on our Hong Kong friends now…

There are loads of listings for them on eBay – varying prices from about £14. Just search ‘ztto dropper lever’. The Wolftooth ones look way overpriced in comparison? Not sure if they are one and the same and it’s the usual story of the Chinese wholesaler selling direct…

Here: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F392269260028

Cheers. Good to know.

Best fooking week’s weather all year and I put my back out Monday morning. Took me ten minutes just to get up the stairs – it sucks getting old so much. Fnnnrrgghhhurrr..

Cheers guys – sticking with the Revs is the plan I think.

How about the back? Not sure how capable the stock RS Delux RT inline is. I know lots are going to coil but overkill for me.

Any benefit in up-speccing to the RS RT3 or Fox DPS Performance?

Yes, I would not want to go down that route as it would cost more than a Fox 36 upgrade (?) – I think from what I’ve read on ‘the web’ if anyone complains about the std 2019 Rev it’s much heavier/harder riders pushing it more than I would.

The bike tart in me likes the look of the Fox but we all know that’s not really important (much)…

for what it’s worth TFTuned did rate the revs when I spoke to them but also mentioned OEM’s can be a bit hit and miss with bushing fit.

It has the latest Rev damper on these 2019 models AFAIK – Rev Charger RC (not RC2) – you can upgrade to RC2 but not cheap.

That’s really odd – the rotor position is obviously an ISO standard so the Forks should have enough clearance regardless??

What bolts are you using? There is a big difference with the heads – hex can be 4mm or so, regular Torx button head more like 3mm or you can get very low profile Torx heads more like 2mm or less. That should sort it.

Thanks all, lots to consider there.

Ha! Use it in the business/vehicles/kids bikes etc. At £1.99 a tin its a no brainier. That is a few years worth. :)

Thanks – I need to look out for some – if anyone bought a pair and wants to sell on let me know. :)

They use the ‘E’ bike specific Rhythm on the £6k Levo but the 34mm version. As we all know the spec on the Levos is p*** poor. I’d rather have the regular 36mm non Rhythm I think.

Thanks for that – much appreciated.

I think in conclusion that the main thing I need to do then is to avoid the basic Rhythm and look for the best deal I can find on a Performance in the correct spec. Is 18/19 model year irrelevant for my (getting older and slower now!) expected trail use use?

@chestrockwell – like these?:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOX-Racing-Shox-Fork-36-29-034-Float-P-SE-160-3-Pos-FIT4-Performance-Elite-2019-/303116783042?hash=item46932b0dc2%3Ag%3AFK0AAOSwgIRcpen6&nma=true&si=8CmjsLf16CivklerNO5RHD3h5EM%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Thanks guys – two slightly different answers but combining both if someone can :) ie does ‘Performance’ mean you get GRIP or FIT or whatever, is Rhythm cr@p?!

I don’t need the Factory for sure and regular 36 will be more than good enough in stifness.

I asked a question on here about widest tyre on the current 23mm Hopes and Hope said 2.5/2.6 a definite no no.

I’m hoping the 26mm will be OK maybe with these then as ny choice of tyre would always be between 2.4 to 2.6 – as above the 30mm downhill/HD Fortus is overkill and the 35mm too wide for me.

I have always had eyelets too which is a bonus with the Hope – ever since the M231 days (!) and I know many say not needed but just like them, illogical as it may be.

Agreed. I messaged them today as I wanted to know if they would supply a 27.5 R with 29 F. Answer definite no as they buy them in pairs only from Taiwan.

Just spoke to Hope and they confirmed the new Fortus range will be out in two weeks.

Increasing the 23mm Enduro to 26mm and a new 35mm coming too but shame the potentially best trail size 30mm only comes in the heavyweight reinforced DH version…

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/hope-redesigns-rim-range-core-bike-2019.html

Understood – just not sure how a typical 2.4 fared on the 27.5 rim vs 29er given that (IIRC) plus tyres had a higher profile (ie taller as well as wider) and not sure if the newer 2.6ish (plus-lite??) were affected too?

As noted only thing is to try it but just aiming to get an idea.

Thanks very much for that.

If I went say 29er with either 2.4 or 2.6 tyres to 27.5 with 2.4 or 2.6 tyres (not + size) can you give me the likely height change?

I guess also if trying to see how going to a mix, ie: 29er/27.5 F/R would change things it depends on the wheelbase, chainstay length etc?

What a fooking idiot…what was I thinking 60.7 was anyway? inches I think?!

Note to self: don’t look at bike tyre size calculators in a bleary eyed sleepless night state.

Thanks. :)