JXV Posted June 29, 2015 Posted June 29, 2015 On 6/29/2015 at 5:15 PM, isetech said: Didnt get to spend as much time on the bike as i was hoping this weekend However i did get to do the blue route for the first time..it was a long climb to the top with switchbacks ( not my favorite parts)...I managed to get through the majority of them...however i did chicken out of a few and rather walked around the corner...practice practice practice. I did try different settings on the shock but I need to become a more experienced rider to worry about fine tuning...I spent most of the time riding in trail mode...with the open mode adjust set on 3...then moved it to 2 half way through the ride...didnt really take note of any change...was more concerned about holding on while flying down the hill and generally focusing on the track. The brakes were the biggest challenge on the ride...because the front brake is on the left and back brake on right i battle to ride the bike with confidence especially when flying down the single tracks and steep drop offs...I did set the front brake lever very loose to make sure i didnt lock it up in a panic situation...but i still kept making the mistake of using it too much...I am use to riding motor bikes with the front brake on the right and my Revel also had the front brake on the right...will be changing it over soon...One thing i am enjoying about the SLX brake lever is the adjustment on the lever. I am really enjoying the weight of the bike...it is very light in comparison to what i am use to. After riding a hard tail it is gona take a while for me to get use to the dual suspension...it certainly is a much more comfortable ride and I noticed a huge confidence boost in the rocky sections...I also found myself riding over the roots just because. I must say even though the gear selection on the anthem is smoother the the Revel it isnt a big wow like i was expecting (maybe as the bike wears in...it might improve)...I had spent some time with the Revel making sure the bike was setup and functioning properly...always making sure the cables were well maintained and derailer cleaned and lubricated.If you have 2013 to 2015 CTD suspension then the black (trail adjust) dial acts only on the Trail Mode. The 2016 Fox suspension has dropped CTD and now calls it Firm, Medium, Open. The black dial (slow speed compression adjust) now acts on the Open mode only.
eccc whippet Posted June 29, 2015 Author Posted June 29, 2015 Monarch...A kid with a new toy and many questions. [emoji12].800 km a month off road[emoji15] one day when I grow younger.
eccc whippet Posted June 30, 2015 Author Posted June 30, 2015 When you watch the giant suspension setup....they indicate the pressure should be set 100 and 110 % of your body weight...in my case it should be around 243...first "setup" it was set to 180....returned and requested it be checked because when I sat on the bike the o ring moves to the middle...50% sag and the after a ride the o ring was right at the bottom of the shock...I was told it should be about 210...which resulted in around 25 % sag...the o ring still goes right to the bottom after a ride...the fox video indicates you should strive to get max travel to get full benefit. So my next question is what is the big deal....why should we even bother setting it up correctly...does it really matter...it's just a bicycle...If the pressure is too low you just gona experience a soft marshmallow bouncy feeling and the shock will bottom out every time you hit a bump...and if it is too hard you gona bounce down the road like a kangaroo...but the most important question....will it damage the shock and will the supplier repair or replace the shock...I have never heard of anyone having to repair or replace a shock...so maybe I shouldn't be concerned about it....or just a bigger shock with a spring to carry my weight [emoji12]
nickelass Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 The shock is designed to bottom out occasionally,and will not be damaged. I found the best method to get your suspension to what you like, is to only use the manufactures recommendations as a starting point. Then go on a ride at giba with a shock pump,and adjust your fork and shock to what feels good for you,pick section of trail and repeating it to you get the correct settings.
nickelass Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 If you do not yet have a shock pump, (about R400), I would be happy to meet you at giba ,and could help you out, suspension, to me is more about what feels right for you,and the fine tune can only really be set right when you are riding, over roots and drops.
eccc whippet Posted June 30, 2015 Author Posted June 30, 2015 Thanks for the offer nickelass...at this point in time...my only concern is damaging the shock when it bottoms out because I am a fat oke. I can get a pump if I need one...I want to take the bike back to get the brakes swopped over...will ask them to check the pressure one last time while it is there...the guys at cyclesphere cycles are sharp...in and out in less than hour and really helpful...they have really come to the party with the setup of the bike...I am glad I purchased the bike from them...as you can see by this thread...I like things to be done "right"...they have stuck to their side of the bargain so far.
Steven Knoetze (sk27) Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Giant does a contact pump which does both tyres and shocks. Really well worth the money, fits in a hydration bag so thats convenient too.
eccc whippet Posted July 1, 2015 Author Posted July 1, 2015 Once again quick in and out...brakes done...back brake now on the left...now i have no excuses [emoji12] ...just have to be careful of getting toooo vin gat...watched a mate go down in front of me on Sunday...he already has a broken collar bone from the route we did on Saturday ...there are serious accidents at giba. the mechanic who did the brake noticed the back was a bit loose...checked and tightened everything....[emoji106]????
Stumpmeister Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 This is my Anthem after I broke two Anthem frames I got this same day frame replacement. Amazing bike.
eccc whippet Posted August 4, 2015 Author Posted August 4, 2015 Did my first 40 km ride (illovo eston mtb challenge ) this weekend...improved my time from over 3 hours on the revel...down to 2.23 on the anthem...with less time spent in the saddle prior to the ride...due to work commitments. What a difference...my confidence level was way better...dont even slow down for the rocky sections. Set the shock on trail and left it there...i did move the fork to downhill at one one stage...because the track was a bit hectic...what a pleasure. Gear selection...very smooth...i change gear a lot while riding...especially up the hills...i prefer spinning up the hills to powering up in a harder gear. Did make a few mistakes...which cost me a few minutes...apparently i did cut someone off just before the wooden bridge...my apologies...thought i was clear...just heard someone say he almost rode into my back wheel...there are a lot of considerate riders...but there are also the chops. Looking forward to the next 40km...very happy with the anthem.
eccc whippet Posted August 21, 2015 Author Posted August 21, 2015 Took the marshmallow for a mid week test just to make sure it is ready for Saturday tour da kranz. Washed the bike...click clack....gone [emoji15] did notice as some people mention...the seat post does make a click sound...on occassion...but i am not surprised the poor thing must be thinking not that fat ass again...lighten up [emoji13] I believe the shock needs to be setup properly...i have never owned or ridden a dual suspension bike before the anthem so i am not sure what it is suppose to feel like...for all i know it could be right. As i am getting fitter i spend more time standing and pedaling up hills. This is how i see it...please correct me if i am wrong...when you move the CTD to climb on the fork...it moves a little but you can feel it is solid...if you move the fork to trail...you can feel the fork travels further and has a soft motion...which is what i expect...if i ride through some bumpy terrain...the rubber moves about 3 quarters down...if i move it to decent and go stupid down a hill and jump etc the rubber goes almost to the bottom...thats what i expect from the fork. However...i have a kashima shock...with too many adjustment [emoji12]...push the rubber to the top...7 clicks on the rebound...and 3 on the red lever...climb...what i would expect to happen is the shock moves a little because of my weight...but locks out or geat really hard...when i ride the rubber should only move a little maybe 30 % max...if you bounce up and down as with the fork it should move a little but lock out or feel solid as with fork...not feel like you in trail mode...this could have something to do with the pressure being too little for my weight...when collected the bike it was pumped to 180...i returned to the lbs...gave them my weight 110 kg again and it was then pumped to 210...and that were it is at the moment...havent checked it recently. When i move the lever to trail and go down the single track at giba...the rubber goes right at the bottom. When you watch the fox setup video...it indicates it should travel the full length to achieve max benefit. Time to start tinkering to get this right. I assume back tyre pressure too low could also affect the bouncing feeling...i am riding at 2.8 -3 bar
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted August 21, 2015 Posted August 21, 2015 2.8 - 3 bar!? Bloody Hell that's high.
JXV Posted August 21, 2015 Posted August 21, 2015 Back tyre may be a little too hard...depends on width. For your weight, 2 to 2.5 bar should be ok on a 2.3 tyre. First thing to set on the suspension is sag. This is how much it sags when you just on it in riding position. You set the sag in Descend mode . Sag should be 20% to 25% on fork and shock for Fox CTD ( as a starting point) and then change from there if you need to. There are some differences between bikes due to differences in linkage design so these are starting points. For comparison I am 86kg and pump my shock to about 170 psi on a Tallboy LT. If ur shock is blowing through its travel in Trail mode on normal trail obstaclss then it might need more pressure. Good luck
KarlvN Posted August 21, 2015 Posted August 21, 2015 On 7/1/2015 at 5:32 PM, BB Giant said: This is my Anthem after I broke two Anthem frames I got this same day frame replacement. Amazing bike. Ek is nou so Dors..
eccc whippet Posted August 22, 2015 Author Posted August 22, 2015 managed to finish the tour de kranz today...in a sad time of 3 1/2 hours...not the bikes fault...slow lazy rider error...one of the most challenging 45 km i have ever ridden...but WOW what an awesome view from the top...lucky when you ride as slow as i do you get to enjoy the view The marshmallow did well...had no problems with it...did start the click clack 10 km into the ride...but at least i know it is not a major problem...chances are by the time the bike dries after the wash...the sound will be gone again. Two things that i am loving about this bike is changing gears and the suspension...set the shock on trail and had the fork set to downhill because of the terrain and soft sand (dont know if it the right thing to do in soft sand...but it worked) and just left it there for the entire ride...gear selection is such a pleasure even on the hills... Today i found out what it feels like to cramp in your legs...3 km before the end both my legs locked up...i couldnt stand up straight or move...in fact i blocked the path and had to ask people to go around because i couldnt move...i nearly cried it was so painful...the worse part was that i only had 3 km to the finish...eventually i managed to climb back on the bike and tried to ride it out...I have never had this happen to me since i started riding...when my mates tell me they are cramping...my reaction was get over it...it cant be that bad...from now on i will have a little more compassion for them. by the way I did reduce the back tyre pressure to just over 2.5 today and it was fine.
Guest Posted August 22, 2015 Posted August 22, 2015 On 8/22/2015 at 3:40 PM, isetech said: managed to finish the tour de kranz today...in a sad time of 3 1/2 hours...not the bikes fault...slow lazy rider error...one of the most challenging 45 km i have ever ridden...but WOW what an awesome view from the top...lucky when you ride as slow as i do you get to enjoy the view The marshmallow did well...had no problems with it...did start the click clack 10 km into the ride...but at least i know it is not a major problem...chances are by the time the bike dries after the wash...the sound will be gone again. Two things that i am loving about this bike is changing gears and the suspension...set the shock on trail and had the fork set to downhill because of the terrain and soft sand (dont know if it the right thing to do in soft sand...but it worked) and just left it there for the entire ride...gear selection is such a pleasure even on the hills... Today i found out what it feels like to cramp in your legs...3 km before the end both my legs locked up...i couldnt stand up straight or move...in fact i blocked the path and had to ask people to go around because i couldnt move...i nearly cried it was so painful...the worse part was that i only had 3 km to the finish...eventually i managed to climb back on the bike and tried to ride it out...I have never had this happen to me since i started riding...when my mates tell me they are cramping...my reaction was get over it...it cant be that bad...from now on i will have a little more compassion for them. by the way I did reduce the back tyre pressure to just over 2.5 today and it was fine.Hey isetech dont feel bad. I live down the road from the krantz route and know it well. It is a really hard ride in my experience. Good to hear you coming on well with your cycling. Give us a shout if you in the area and want to ride the Krantz again.
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