Just use a solid 183 hope rotor? No warping issues with mine and it has got very, very hot.

I’d imagine you’d struggle to buy a bad handlebar from one of the major online retailers, so just pick the one you like the look of/fits your price range. You’ll want to consider the rise of the handlebar, perhaps going for something similar to what you have if your otherwise happy with the bike. I’d go for something towards the wide end of the spectrum, 780-800mm. That way you can do a few rides with various grip positions and work out what feels the best for you. Good luck!

The pre-2014 lowers (which have the Syntace axle) will not readily clear a 650b wheel at all

Yup, mine have the syntace axle.

I had a set of Sants since November, 26″ with 26″ wheels and a Magic Mary on the front. In the alps enough mud got between the tyre and the arch to lock the wheel. On that basis I’d say running a 650b wheel would be a no no.

More canter, less gallop

Thanks, got some bits ordered that had been at in my basket for a while :)

Dmr defy and sect stem have a pretty low stack height.

I’m also 6’2″ with a 33 inch inseam. My bike has a 23.75″ top tube and an 18 inch seat tube. My post is pretty long for climbing but I regularly crank out long rides and and use the bike for all the types of riding you describe. HTH. The meta looks great. My Alpine:

My dialled alpines now has a hans dampf on the front a rock razor on the rear. Brilliant combo. Super Gravity on the back for sure.

Nice bike. Nah just keep running it and enjoy the cheaper parts.

Seems to me that some one could do a good bit of business making aftermarket mech cages and knocking them out a reasonable price.

This worries me. I got a Zee because it looked tougher than XT / SLX… What happened?

It a thin bit of aluminium, if you bash it with a rock it will bend/break. I don’t think the cage on my zee is any weaken than my slx cage.

^what he said^

Rims

Do you buy a bike to hide your weaknesses or to show off your strengths?

I bought a bike to show off other peoples weaknesses :wink: (Dialled Alpine)

I loved my Elixirs while they worked but I’d still say save yourself the trouble and just buy something else!

? I totally agree with what he says in principle but unless you’re sucker for punishment I stand by the above. I didn’t give up easily but would have saved a lot of money and headache if I had! If you decide to persevere then good luck to you! ?

Even if it does fit in the rear triangle, it’ll more than likely flex enough to rub as it won’t be well supported by that rim.

Ha this is STW!

Speeder, they can weigh twice as much and can roll a lot slower so I’d have to say yes.

Thanks Chief, you have confirmed my suspicions. Come to think of it I would agree with your point on tall vs shorts knobs. I’m still stuggling to decide whether to stick with Schwalbes and get a Hans Dampf super gravity for the rear or swap over to maxis, put up with the weight penalty and enjoy the robustness of full on dual ply. 1st world problems.

IMO the profile is too light-bulby, in particular I was concerned re tubeless burps so I took them off.

^^^ This.

Tyre squirm ensues below about 30 psi. Flow EX work much better.

Thanks for all of the responses so far. I will definitely not be using my current snakeskin’s/protection tyre. Like Northwind I’d be using something with stronger, stiffer sidewalls all the time if I didn’t have to pedal.

I’d still really appreciate some info whether Schwalbe’s “super-gravuty” tyres are on par with a full on dual ply in terms of pinch protection? :)

if you’re a careful sort, and can’t remember the last puncture you had

I’d say I’m pretty careful within the bounds of how careful it’s possible to be when riding a rocky descent like jaccobs ladder at speed. I have quite frequently pinch punctured my snakeskin schwalbes despite them being tubeless.

What I really would like to know though is are the “super-gravuty” tyres on par with a full on dual ply in terms of pinch protection?

Anyone running one of these with a hope hub had there cassette off after running the t-rex for a while? Just wondering how the free hub body is coping?

But me, my bike, all my clothes, and kit still don’t weigh 93kg…

:lol:

Hmm, mixed responses so far! Tomaso, are you referring to the super gravity version or just the snakeskin version of the rock razor?

Portes du Soleil. i’m 93 kgs before I kit up. You guys that have gone with the supergravity(esque) casings, was that on a hardtail?

Yup, I am awesumz. I have witnesses too.

I completely agree with Enduro mags comments:

The X-Fusion Sweep is set up for a comfortable ride, making it suitable above all for beginners who ride on less technical trails and have a less aggressive style. This type of rider will be enthusiastic about the super-sensitive responsiveness, low weight, and excellent price to performance ratio. Faster riders will miss more accurate feedback from the trail and a stiffer suspension character.

I’ll be looking to change oil or adjust shims to give some more compression damping on my Slants. When I can be bothered.

@Stripe – You might want to take a look at the end of this thread before ordering the one up 16t:

http://forums.mtbr.com/drivetrain-shifters-derailleurs-cranks/11-42t-conversion-oneup-vs-wolf-tooth-897313-40.html

Seems as though the shimano one from Rose may be the best bet.

Good to hear we shouldn’t really encounter any problems then. Getting excited already, it’s my first time in biking in the alps :D

Simple.
(Orange + Dialled) x Alpine = :D

Just saw your build kamikaze, I see you’re taking all white to the next level! Look forward to seeing it when it done and hearing how you like the pikes.

Perhaps on that basis a biker on the equivalent harley forum is recounting the tale of some guy he knew getting a stern grimace from some STWers in a pub in Hebden.

Harley week you say? Someone I ride with occasionally got beaten up by some bikers in a bar in Morzine last year. Hadn’t heard of Harley week until now.

So essentially we could ride the entire route if we felt so inclined, provided we took our own supplies?

I don’t know about better but I have a hope on mine. You need a hope type 2 top cup and type H bottom cup.

10 kg slower

Hold a lighter to the end of the tube for a few seconds to shrink it around the nipple and get a nice air tight fit.

I’d want a 16″ for sure if I were 5″ shorter but if it’s 2nd hand why not build it up and try it for yourself?

For the record, I think the Evo2 is a really good frame, but it’s the kind of bike you need to really thrash to get the most out of. It’s a lot slacker than your core, 65.7 vs 71 degrees and so not likely to feel “lively” until pointed downhill at speed.