I thought it was the most basic fact that suspension provides ‘at the extremes’ either control or comfort.

You seem to be quite confused about how suspension works. Probably best to stick to rigid bikes.

Ahem.

<b>Suspension</b> is the system of tires, tire air, springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels and allows relative motion between the two Suspension systems must support both roadholding/handling and ride quality, which are at odds with each other.

Although that is from wiki, it’s what you’ll find in any mechanics/engineering text book on the matter, or when discussing suspension in rally car driving, tanks (if you’re so inclined) etc.

To: Nobeerinthefridge

The OP never states he has never had a full sus? Just that he has a hankering for one? I have owned: 3 hardtails mtb’s (XC, current plus/trail and a stanton slackline), and 4 full sus (Giant 100mm 2012, canfield Balance 2015 2016, Orange patriot 2015 180mm and a cannondale prophet).

Alas, this hardly seems relevant to the OP?

Just to qualify my position on suspension – I thought it was the most basic fact that suspension provides ‘at the extremes’ either control or comfort. It is that way in every single application of suspension. Obviously there is a happy middle-ground most people aim for. Nonetheless, if you wish to continue this discussion – drop me a PM. Hardly seems right to take up the OP’s thread.

Take a look at the variety of replies in this thread? Choose one and justify it how you will!

Consider both sides of the compromise – full susser’s are faster on your standard mtb terrain, but often you end up running tougher tyres to survive the rocky speed, these often come with a rolling resistance penalty on the way to the trails. So now you have a drag on the way to the trails – with 15km of track to the ‘trails’ that is too much of a negative compromise for my kind of riding, YMMV as it should.

For those that spoke about my opinion on my type of riding – what crackers are you on fellas? My climbs are ultra steep trail type climbs, little pedaling, more hopping. Hardtail (rigid front + plus tyres) wins, for me. (do I need to put that last word in caps for emphasis? 😆 )

Had any luck with that? Presume it was the fork from bike-components.de – looking at it myself!

In the same position!

Ask yourself why you want the full sus. You’ll loose that direct ground feeling you get with a hardtail. Set-up for efficiency the full-sus wont grant you any extra comfort, just speed. Set up for comfort- they’re a pain to get up steep technical climbs.

The weight: whats your current hardtail? Odds are there isnt much in it.

Also, consider the alternatives: Is your fork of high quality? Swapping from a s/h solo air jobby to a Marzocchi NCR 350 ti made my old hardtail go from ‘aight’ to ‘Holy shit lets win the Enduro series’.

Just some thoughts!

On the off chance Steve isnt interested – I should be!

I highly recommend *what I have* – ha!

BBSHD Bafang 1000, it’s a add on mid-drive (fits any screw on BB standard), easily capable of pushing along several people (have tried!). I’ve paired it with a 1500w 52A battery for epic distances (so far managed 120km in scottish borders on one charge).

Have a look at Em3ev.

Regen braking is cool, but if you’re travelling up and down hills and aiming for distance, a DD Hub gear motor is not what you want. Heavy, poor efficiency when off and inefficient (it’s wound for either hills or flats, not both).

Feel free to drop me a PM/email if you’d like a longer chat.

For anyone thinking of buying one – I’ve been using mine for the last year in the Scottish Muck sans problems. This is a ‘problem thread’ rather than a representation of the average experience..

i only felt the need to post this as I burned through a list of other droppers, before trying the e thirteen – which for me is reliable. I wouldn’t won’t anyone to be discouraged from trying it!

I’m running 30mm internal rear for a 2.8 tyre, and 35mm internal front for a 3.0 tyre. Both feel great for me… they’re the same tyres, and there is a noticable difference in tyre profile between the rims.

Very happy with mine, and the weights of the rims keep the combo feeling gooood without spending silly money/sacrificing durability.

YMMV

EDIT: pinkbike article on the whole sha-bang is a good read (cant find link, sorry)

I highly recommend the Voodoo Bizango – similiar spec, good geo, dropper ready. Fantastic bikes – about £500 with the BC discount code!! Got one for both my brother and my ex. Nothing to be gained by going higher imho.

I have one!!

Ragely piglet (2017) with appropriate length rigid forks (identiti xct 15X110). Also run single speed. Plus size tyres. HA 65.5 and I went with a short trail fork after reading around Chris Porters article..

I thoroughly enjoy it! There is one caveat – the riding style is different on the medium tech (lmao) –
— bimbling along and hills, its absolutely fine as before (xc bike) fitness is more important, the plus size tyres drag a bit on the road.

— Uber steep (my personal favourite avg. gradient about 50/60%) absolutely brilliant, at those angles you can easily weight the front end while absorbing rocks without pitching into the abyss.

— Standard riding, blacks/reds trail centers, 20-40% it feels a bit sluggish unless its going fast (perhaps sluggish is incorrect, it’s very stable.. ergo not a very exciting ride – exciting synomonous with butt clenching). This is okay, but I find it a bit tiring always having to ride in a super aggressive way (lots of accelerating, pumping etc).

YMMV

As for the offset/jones discussion – surely it doing the inverse cannot produce the same result. It might result in the same steering feel at the handlebar, however crucially the vector forces transmitted into your hands will be considerably different..

Tis true, ice abound but not really a problem considering the trail surface.. YMMV

Isnt it better to judge by your own usage/expectations – do you see bearing replacement as maintenance or a failure of the product? If these were loose ball bearings would you feel differently?

Most reliable pedals for me – small platform touring pedals, large ball bearings – regreased every 1000 miles or so

Close second – shimano 105 pedals – 15 000 miles, havent touched them

New pedals – superstar nano x – best flat pedal (for the price) I have tried, am expecting to replace the bearings – but I see that as maintenance rather than a pedal replacement (I would grease the bearings if I could like pedals of old)

frame only? Can heartily recommend the ragley piglet 27.5/27.5+

Subbing to this – a source of stainless chain rings – huzzah!

Had some issues,

It’s because they are in the process of moving warehouses. They’re very apologetic if you give them a call..

Thanks TJ and retrodirect! Email replied to, and bike shop trip booked!

Hi Tj,

That’d be great! When are you available? Cant see an email in your profile, so drop me a line on mine – cheers!

Any word on tyre clearance for Exotic/Carbon cycles rigid forks? Havent got very helpful answers contacting them directly..

Recently gone 650B+ (rigid 29 before) and this stuff is grin inducing!! Tyre pressure is an art though, had a few wipe outs already..

When is the next one?! Was also in hospital…

What is the silver one Tazzy? *begins to drool*

I’m trying to get exactly the same at the moment! (admittedly for 650B+) – the best thing I’ve found is the Ragley piglet – perfect! Otherwise the singular. 🙂

Thank you! I’m away for a month, but will jump in on that once I’m back.

Failing that, I’ll take the lead from Northwind, and just take the credit 😆

Having just moved nearby, I’ve only started exploring the official routes. Is there anyway to join in with the trail faeries, used to the Sheffield peak scene, where – due to the cheeky nature of the tracks – helping out was more sneaking by. Would be grand to do some official building!

Also based in the peaks – Sheffield side. Would be very happy to go for a ride, just drop an email.
Otherwise good luck with the clubs – also trying some out at the moment!

Sounds like a stunning choice!
I’ve got a 180mm orange patriot, and I adore the extra suspension. If you’re ever near sheffield/the peaks and fancy something rocky to test the new bike on, feel free to drop an email!

got a second hand topeak dx for sale if you want one?

This sounds excellent – also looking for people to ride with, but know my way around the peaks – more than happy to do a sociable loop.

Thanks for the support!
Yeah – sadly it wasnt even a mistake, the thieving bastards broke the patio doors to get in!

The frame is pretty special, but the wheelset is unique, just hoping someone spots it if it does go up for sale.

Going to keep bikes chained even in doors from now, an upsetting development.

Is it legal to clobber someone if you spot them with your stuff? Probably not 😆

woah – can we have a link for the gaint seatpost? Thanks! Why the lev over the giant, considering the price difference?

Wow. Fast and overwhelmingly positive. Sounds good, here goes! Would love the ti – but just cant stretch.. next time!

A quick extra piece of info if you please, how lardy is everyone? (genuine kitted guess)- I’d read on another forum that someone found it really flexy.

Hmmm.. I’m not a huge fan of that reply, I’ve ridden some excellent hardtail bikes at 140mm that haven’t felt out of place at all. Although their frame, their logic.

I’m actually not sure about the length, keeping it compact keeps the bike really flickable – its a different riding style to FS, the latter style is currently what (I feel) is being replicated with the longer top tube.

IMHO I think this changes again if you’re SS – the balance for steep climbs is not based on someone sitting down, but standing up. Then the weight balance focus is for flat/gradual inclines.

It’s strange it does cost that much compared to say a cotic soul in 853, but this dropouts/geometry..

That is indeed good, but this year they’re releasing 27.5 specific models and have updated the 29. I’d be interested to know if you can put a larger tyre (finally) in there!

Thanks all for the advice! It seems a new monarch plus debonair is in order!

As for the info not previously given: Currently got a Cane Creed DB air CS, it recommends a full rebuild every 100 hours of riding. As a student and a year round rider in the peak district, it gets used lots and in every conditions. (not to mention monthly uplifts, occasional racing and cheeky holidays) This is my first time with a full sus, and for the cost/benefit I’d rather stick to keeping it tidy. 😀

Soon for sale: CC DB Air CS 200x57mm – basically new

I’m considering the hardtail option! Not at all: a one off payment of saved money is very different to 100 odd quid every couple of months.

Thanks, will look at both of those!
Is it the air dhx?

Second this. Top quality!

For what its worth, I bought one of the first pairs of Derby rims. Been running them in the peak district, wales/scotland uplifts for Dh and they’ve been totally solid. Multiple rock scratches now, but no gauges. Plus (and this is in fact utterly stupid) the first ride I had forgotten to properly tension the wheels (ma first build), to the point several spikes unscrewed themselves.. The wheels held straight. No matter what happens, Dervy has earned my unswerving loyalty for carbon mtv rims..

(I weigh in at 14.5 stone, plus kit)

Any word since? Been on the mailing list for a good 6 months and still no word.. Desperately waiting (the 170mm option for me!). Has it developed play/problems etc?

Robdob – pm sent about the maguras

Edit – for what its worth, I did some trials riding for about 2 years and the switch from old xt to new xt made a huge difference (several generations gap, both setup by me)

^ yep. Definitely. As for gears, depends how well you want to do (hear me out) go for the compact for safety, always being in the right cadence and for definitely and enjoyable ride. Stick with your current normal if you’re happy in the knowledge you might have to tough it out, resulting in more suffering/bonking. Equally, that could not happen at all considering your described level of fitness, just depends how confident you feel 😆