MarcBurger

What my kit is looking like so far: Yep. Still no wheels yet. A bit indecisive still.

Just brakes and wheels and I'm done with the shopping part of my 120 build. Anyone know where I can find a good deal on Sram Guide R or RS? With available stock obviously. They seem to be a mysteriously rare breed. The best I can find is RS's for 3.2k, which is a bit over my budget. Else X0 or XT (or even SLX) it will be. I would prefer to match with my X0 shifters, but not crucial.

Sounds like a seriously awesome kitout. I have no clue about the Formula brakes though, I haven't heard anything new on them for 2015. I'm also shopping for brakes on mine. prob SLX, if budget allows XT/X0/Guide RS. I'm also a Conti fan. Last forever. Pics or it didn't happen.

Just got my hands on a beautiful 120 (thanks Trailhead), now in the process of part shopping. Would like some confirmation/advice. Seeing that I'm going from a full 80mm xc bike, I'm looking at a building a trail capable yet stage race-happy bike. Semi weight concious, but not crucial. Not blowing the bank, but not looking for sacrilegious junk. So far the idea is: Frame: Pyga OneTwenty 650b (obviously) Fork: RS Revelation RL Groupset: Mix XT/SLX Crank: SLX or XT Brakes: SLX (unless a great XT deal comes along, or Sram guide R/RS if I can find some inexpensively) Bars+Stem: no clue, probably Spank Seatpost: also no clue, will get dropper one day $$ Wheels: Either... Easton Vice XLT (look hot, know nothing about them other than they're similar to Havens, 1750g)WTB Frequency i23 on Hope Hubs (Trailhead suggestion. bomb-proof, not too heavy. look meh)ZTR Arch EX on Hope Hubs (light, look decent, not sure on rim durability and tubeless hassle)American Classic Wide Lightning (Look great, Super light, not sure on durability and I read that the freebody isn't amazing)Any opinion/advice/better option ideas would be appreciated

Definitely a dangerous thing throwing this among the die-hard FS enduro crowd: Has anyone given the Pyga Zero650c a bash? I'm amped on getting my hands on a trail ripper but also xc happy Pyga (and the idea of a HT scares me a bit).Just taking all the option into consideration.

Would you say a trance is too trail for multistage events such as Sani2C? Would love a more capable bike, but also don't want to be swearing at it all the way up a long climb. The trance sounds like the perfect budget bomber.

Neither and all. My Mr Miyagi advice would be to get a bike that you absolutely love, whether it be looks, feel or simple bragging rights ( +10pts for extra pimp factor). Sure you can read a review or 20, but a "good" bike won't make you want to go and ride.. your personally-loved and chosen beast of a mtb will. My bike is a 10yr old frankenstein of sorts that that people blink twice at then look at me going "wow that's a... er... classic bike". Just makes it doubly satisfying when I bomb past them. I love it (might have muttered and given it a "good bike" pat from time to time) If my heart-filled rant wont sway any decision. Just go try them all out. Done.

/resisting the urge to go all sciencey... 180 rotors, check pads/change pad type (lightly sand down with fine paper if they are full of junk), bleed as last resort. SLX brakes should be able to stop you with plenty strength left.

Best comparison of the 2 I've ever read. Less "It's just better" and more straight logical results, that humans can understand. <gives my 10-year old 26er a hug>

TLDR 26er: Accelerates faster (good) + Slows down faster (bad*) 29er: Accelerates slower (bad) + slows down slower (good**) *Bad when slower is bad. Not so bad when slow is good (braking before cliffs etc) **Good for keeping up momentum to overcome small obstacle resistance (force vectors and inertia stuff), bad for cliffs. [edit]Have to add: 26er good for wallet (no science needed)

I wanted to start a thread (sorry if there is one) highlighting some new tech and toys being released for the 2015 season. What to buy, what to wait for, what to ignore and brush aside as money making schemes... or what to just dream about. My first love of the 2015 range: http://www.sicklines.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2015-mavic-crossmax-sl-rear-550x1024.jpg http://www.mavic.com/mavic-live/mavic-introduces-crossmax-sl#.U_2fRPmSxlw

I'd like to say thank you to the riders who stopped and helped my brother who dislocated his shoulder on the second big downhill. Especially lucky to have some with phones with GPS so the paramedics could find you. Was a crazy place to get to. Luckily after x-rays, nothing is broken although he is in serious pain. He is recovering at home. Thanks again to the paramedics and organizers, but especially to those who sacrificed their time to assist. Anyway. Great race, see you all in 2 weeks!

Why drink from 1 bottle at a time, when you can from both?

Got my race pack delivered yesterday. Boy that T-shirt fits like a glove and is comfy (It's the little satisfactions in life ) Looking forward to complaining that my legs don't work. Must be because of mysterious external forces at play. It's the only logical answer. Super amped! see you all there.

I'm very happy with Cyclesure. I haven't claimed yet but they are very professional. The one thing that made me go with them is that they are bike specific and not just insuring another "thing". They also have a field in the form that insures your particular wheels (I have a bit of an old bike with new pricey SLRs)

I know their site is down, and I was missing a race or 2 before it went down. It's possible the system update is screwing around with peoples data.

Unless they end up completely abusing the extra power as a right of way bullying move, I really don't think it'll matter or negatively affect trails. It'll just be funnier when they fall

So true. (Flipping well written Blondy) It's a heck of lot cheaper to loose a kg on my belly than it is on my bike (for me I have many cheap kg's), however nothing beats some bike "pimp-factor" to get the brain excited about riding. I liked my old bike, and I liked riding quite a bit. Now I love my current bike and equally love riding it. Of course there are some necessities that either provide comfort or function (saddle/grippy tyres) that are worth throwing a bit of money at, but nothing beats that one of a kind bling/sexy part unique to your bike that makes you think "that's my beast".

Was lots of fun, in a "It's Monday and I'm still sore" kind of way. Definitely in for the next one. The full trails were great. Amazing views and super scenic routes. I do wish there were more overtaking spots during the ride, especially around the top of the hill and during some of the switchback parts that followed. Some people are fine and fast on the climbs, then go ultra-granny on descent (which I was looking forward to that entire climb) Also, wasn't a huge fan of the distance-soaking switchbacks on the grassy hill. The burmed pump track was entertaining but that's about it. (Rant over) In sort: Loved it. Will do it again. Will do them all.

A great pearl of wisdom I learned (at the cost of a few peoples bicycles+garage doors) If you do use a roof rack. When your bike is on top of your car, put your garage door remote in the cubby-hole (or "glove compartment" for some refined folk). Get home. "Where's my damn remote" , "Oh, bike on roof". "Thanks random Hubber guy"

Yarp. Going to be interesting considering that I don't run. Going to definitely try do them all

Great short and sweet article: http://iwillbebacksoon.com/2014/01/giant-trance-27-5-vs-anthem-27-5-test-ride.html Basically 1 for up, 1 for down.

Love it. Keep it up!

WRT those "weird creaking noises", Does not mean it's failing. try clean and grease your pedal threads first. XT's are usually bullet proof in that sense, been riding with the same set for 4 years.

+1