I put QR15 lowers on my Fox Floats and the difference is amazing! Much stiffer, quicker steering to the point that I nearly put myself in a hedge on the first ride. Considering the stanchions were the same it can only be down to the QR15.
I think there's just more events,though there's more people participating there's a lot of pressure on finances and, certainly in my case time, I'd love to do more, but hey ho got to work!
I really fancy that Black mountain event, but timing is just plain incompatible.
I found that the remote lever on mine fouls the Charge spoon, however I reduced the lever by 5mm, with an accurate hacksaw, and it's fine.
No doubt the warranty is invalid now but at least it works 😆 and I love it. As a wise man at AQR said 'you don't have to drop your saddle, it's just more fun!'
Diagnosis sounds about right. I have had success, on delicate car bits in similar conditions, using a hairdryer or hot air gun to warm everything through. Just be careful of the paint.
I'm not familiar with the frame either, so no advice from personal experience, but I would first soak the bolt in WD40 or similar. GT85 is not similar and is, IMHO, inadequate as a penetrating oil.
Then support the other side of the frame/ bearing when you clout it, use a socket or piece of tube to allow the bolt to move.
My EX8 weighs about 29lbs, I try to get stuff that's going to put up with my flat out but clumsy riding style downhill and light enough that I can still ride up most things, though maybe a little slower/ more effort.
It's fun to ride, weight (bike or your own) is interesting not something to get hung up on though. 😆
I got a turkey basting syringe from Lakeland plastics, other kitchen shops are available, 😛 which has volume measurements on the side. Oil volume should be on the manufacturers website.
About 100ml to start and it's probably easier with a compressor to seat them on the rim, co2 is a bit costly. A little diluted washing up liquid around the bead will help it seat too.
Haven't tried the Mountain Kings, but loving the Queens, running tubeless at about 25psi they grip almost everything and still roll well. Only struggle in deep claggy mud, but what tyre doesn't?
The 2.2 is as big as I can fit in the back of the Trek.