Ditch the sram pads and get uberbike sintered and get them bedded in proper. Sorted out my noise issues no probs.

Fork offset doesn’t affect the head angle in any way.

A larger offset basically results in quicker steering by reducing the trail. This may result in a twitchier front end tho so I’d check with santacruz to find out what they recommend as some frame designs work better with specific fork offset. ie Ibis Ripley recommend 51mm offset.

Unless you are going to be racing ‘ndooro, I wouldn’t be fussed with a 160mm bike.

I’d snap up a white 130 or transition scout.

I demo’d a 5010 last month and, having owned a 160mm monster, can say you’ll have more fun on the shorter travel bike. They are incredibly capable even with ‘less’ travel, the geo is spot on for just about any kind of riding.

The way i see it, you’ll be a little slower on the descents when they are a bit gnarly, but on the flip side, you’ll be descending for longer :)

Hope it’s gonna be better than Whinlatters “fresh cut” effort last year. That was a shocker.

Well when I say “fresh cut” it was more a case of taping the course and the riders will make the trail. 8O

This is the reason SRAM introduced boost 148, a little extra space for the cassette :D

Doubt you need it tuned.

Too much rebound damping may be the culprit for it feeling harsh on bumps. Not returning quick enough.

You also may need to change the volume spacers if you ain’t getting full travel.

2.5 Minion DHF in 3C compound.

+1 no excuse for lack of grip. A little heavy tho

It will slow it down a bit. If you get a fork with 51mm offset, that will help things a bit. I run a 120 sid and 140 pike on my 29er, no probs.

May feel like it wanders more on climbs but should be more stable on the downs.

Just watched it on demand.

He truly is a money grabbing, egotistical cockwomble but the scariest thing is the supporters he has who seam to be mainly paranoid racists.

If he becomes president (doubtful) we are doomed as a species.

What kind of riding do you do?

It’s quite a serious bike, you may be better looking at a trance if you’re not smashing downhills/enduroing.

Bring mud tires.

I’ve ridden the 5 29er and it’s very different, way more lively, probably due to mega short chainstays for a 29.

I ditched the CCDBinle for a monarch plus pretty quickly. Much improved.

Why don’t you try some of the modern slack short travel (140ish) 650b bikes like the transition scout, 5010. I demo’d a 5010 recently it was amazing.

I have an enduro expert 29er with some Light Bike wheels so not an exact comparison but a few of my thoughts.

Super capable bike that is surprising nimble for what it is. I race mine. It was fantastic at the EWS last year. All that travel on big hops allows you to get away with bad line choices. It rails corners.

It’s a bike that suits a powerful rider that can push on to get the most out of it. I’m certainly not powerful so I feel that I’m a little overbiked (hate that phrase).

But, if I wasn’t racing or doing uplift days, I wouldn’t own one. I’d have something with similar geometry but less travel, like an Evil following or transition smuggler.

It may be up for sale this year if you are interested!! Large.

+1 for spesh enduro 29.

I’ve ridden both and they are very different in terms of ride characteristic.

E29 shouldn’t be as nimble and fun when you look at the figures. Spesh has done a great job.

I thought the orange was a hoot in a straight line, corners, not so much.

ride an Orange Five 29, long travel (*) and clownwheels but it’s full of snap and pop.

LOL :)

I have, it wasn’t.

I reckon that if you are not racing then you’d have more fun on a shorter travel bike. It will be more lively/poppy.

Long travel bikes are great if speed is an important factor (racing) and you need to smash through stuff.

I’m in the process of looking at a shorter travel bike after demoing a 5010 at the weekend and having a blast on it.

I have an enduro 29er for racing and it’s an incredible bike for going fast on, but for shits and giggles, shorter travel bikes are a blast.

Rickon is right about geometry (and fit) being the number one factor.

Owning an Enduro 29er, I wouldn’t have one for the type of riding you stated.

It’s and amazing bike but something like a stumpy 29er would be more fun/poppy. E29 great for racing tho.

Maybe also consider Ripley LS or Evil Following.

I’d have the Patrol if I was racing ‘nduro to the max, the Scout if I wasn’t.

The Patrol if I was after a good time, the Scout if I was after good times.

Both have similar power, guides have far superior modulation.

Have ditched my XT’s on my bikes now :)

If you are going to go for a 29er of any sort, I’d recommend getting some carbon rims. Big hoops flex a fair bit.

I’ve had my E29 for about 8 months now and love it. It’s a big bruiser of a bike and needs to be pushed hard to make the most out of it. Pretty nimble tho which always amazes me.

If I didn’t race ‘nduro, I’d have something like a stumpy TBH.

For 29ers, I’d say definately.

Just pick your spoke guage carefully. I have two sets, one with heavy guage spokes and the produce quite a harsh ride.

My other set have sapim lazers and ride really nicely, just a little bit of flex.

I had guides come on a new bike.

Bought another pair and ditched my xt’s on my other bike.

Superior modulation and similar power to xt’s.

Have a go on an enduro 29er also if you can.

Coil performance over air is pretty minimal now-a-days. RS vivids being run by many a DH rider. You’re gonna add weight. Ohlins damping maybe amazeballs but the monarch is great for it’s simplicity, set and forget.

Even if its amazeballs, I may feel like a tool.

– YES :)

Get the monarch fixed and give it another go. You know that the FSR is a good peddler but not amazing/balls (like DW links) so a climb/lockout is essential I reckon.

Nope. Mines is buttery smooth :)

Looks like his mole was removed.

Another E29 :)

Because 650b is the fashion and sell.

I can see them stop making the 29er enduro TBH. The days of long travel 29ers are limited I think. Shame.

The 29’er version is a real beast of a bike that eats up all that is put in front of it, (almost to the point of sacrificing a bit of fun,IMO) and has outsold the 650B because of its reputation, However the 650B is still a great bike.

If times on descents are important to you then the Enduro 29er (and no doubt 650b) is a weapon and it’s a giggle but in more of a “I’m totally smashing through this shit” kinda way.

If giggles are your thing, I’d go for shorter travel.

Get it sent off to J-tech for a full service and custom tune to your weight/riding style. Had mine done for my 29er and it is mint.

Yup. Last race of the year. I will mainly be doing skidz and wheelies :) MM + DHR

If Hope weren’t made in England no one here would buy them. They’re heavy, slow and make a horrible racket.

Not quite sure how a hub can be slow but hey, every day is a school day.

Don’t think I’d want to go back to the Hope noise after the silent DT.

Awww, the nasty hope hubs hurt my delicate iccle ears……….:(

Hopes on 3 bikes, easy to maintain and have been mega reliable.

Analyse your carb/sugar intake then reduce it lots. Boom, weight loss.

Carbon 29er wheels are a great upgrade, much stiffer than ally ones, but can feel a little harsh at times.

I’ve been running 2 sets of LD wheels for over a year now. Awesome.

I’m thinking 26″ carbon wheels must be pretty harsh. 8O

Reckon he was just riding slow for the camera.

Enduro 29er the best bike I’ve ever owned in 30 years. Shines on steep and tight stuff.

Yes, you heard me, tight stuff.

I was quite excited about it until I saw a pic of the mud shelf lower link. That just aint’ gonna work up here in scotlandshire.

Rode it last year, to my big surprise, 2nd vet :)

Pace yourself well. First tarmac climb goes on for a fair bit then it kinda undulates until the first timed descent.

Make sure you have good tire pressure for the first timed descent as there are drainage bars on it and loads of people puncture. Big road climb after this so pace it well.

There’s a good chance you might cramp up on the hike-a-bike so watch your hydration/electolites.

Enjoy, it’s a great event and rewards the allrounder.