Education We Like to Ride Bicycles

Pink Cheesecake !

 

When you say flex, are you meaning as you land and progress through the travel the fork flexes forwards from the base of steerer?

 

Nope, the 36 has twisting flex. Backward and forward flex is fine and is associated with headset quality and fit etc. So regarding twisting flex, its not much but when you come off a jump and straight in to some tram lines the 36 has made me feel uneasy. I gave a go on a Zeb with 170 travel on a mates bike, sent that (much to his dismay) and it felt loads stiffer.

So the way forward is 38 stanchions as I weigh as much as an average rider with an e-bike so over all weight is there. My theory is, if I run more Sag on the 190 travel it wont change up the geo. it also means I wont have quite as a hard and unforgiving feedback from the fork as I can run it softer unlike the fox 36 that needs some extra PSI in it to counter the side of pork.

 

I'm afraid that's beyond me. I've never really understood suspension beyond the basics.

I've always been amazed how Greg Minnar could come down a hill and notice the difference between 6 and 7 clicks on compression.

 

Well if I run more sag I have a softer front end and it stays within the same geo boundaries so I am hoping it wont feel too different in that respect but offer more in the way of smash smash when I need it.

I can tell the difference between 0 clicks and 4 and then again when I get to 8.. I thought that was rather average but now I feel mediocre at best

 

But then will it also not extend more when your rebound kicks in and upset your geometry as it extends?

 

Only if I set the rebound to fast, which I really dislike. So if I slow the rebound down to which I would prefer but can’t on the fox as it runs out of available travel too quick, I’ll be sat in the mid to mid top of the travel on a decent anyway given my rolling sag will be around 30-35%. Worst case, if I don’t get on with it, when I get the new 3.1 damper for it to make the latest 2025 model fork, I’ll also drop to 180mm.

Due to the build of the zeb, the base of the stem to the centre of the axle is 21mm longer on the 190mm travel fork than a fox 36 160mm apparently . So with this in mind a happy middle ground might be to change out to 180 over the winter when I work on the bike and tuck it away until spring.

This is why the enduro bikes rocking a fox 36 160mm sit slightly higher than a lyrik with the same travel length and about the same as a lyrik with 170mm of travel apparently. Learn something new every very day!

 

Jesus. I just hope and wonder if I've put the right size tyres on.

 

I masked up the seat clamp face and after sanding off some terrible touch up repainted it black. It needs clear next.



Polished the bolt out too. The decals are on the way.

 

The Status boost monster lives…

Yes I went and purchased the Zeb and yes it’s installed and yes, it’s WILD!

IMG_2777 by andrew8200m posted 19 Jul 2024 at 22:11

 

This colour way especially with that brake on that green is absolute fire! I love these “going out raving with my ankle warmers and cycling shorts” colours.

Memories…

 

If I didn't explain it properly before... It is supposed to be a water melon. If you look at the pink parts of the stickers you can see the pips.



And yeah, we need to see more of it. Sunday bikes are all flat colours now or black. The stem I got for free arrived too. I was expecting this one (later)



But what he sent was much harder to find. An original old logo one.





I will work on that when I return in a couple of weeks, and then paint it pink also.

 

Quick burn to Mumbles Pier. (15 mile round trip)

IMG_20240723_093244037 by SuperHans123 posted 23 Jul 2024 at 10:33

IMG_20240723_092258275 by SuperHans123 posted 23 Jul 2024 at 10:33

IMG_20240723_092255855_HDR by SuperHans123 posted 23 Jul 2024 at 10:33

 

Nice! I've not been to the South Wales coast in 15+ years. 15 miles on a Cruiser BMX though, thats dedication!

 

Or stupidity???

 

Masochism?

 

Cheers
It's not quite a cruiser BMX, it's a Cannondale Treadwell (9 speed) with an extended stem.
It bombs along beautifully on the coast path.
Off work this week so a trip to Penclawdd is planned for Thursday. (25 mile trip)

 

So, I’ve been looking in to new wheels for my bike too, 1 so that I can keep the set I have as a spare and 2 so that I have something a bit more robust.

Anyway, I narrowed it down to DT Swiss H1900 and the Specialized Roval Traverse 350.

The engagement angle is 15 vs 10 degrees in favour of the Roval. The spokes are the same. The hubs are DT Swiss 370 and 350 respectively with negligible difference and then there are the rims. Both the same width, similar depth but 2.2mm wall thickness on the Roval be 2mm on the H1900 leading to a near 10% stronger wheel set. Pricing wise, the DT Swiss can be picked up as a set for circa £400, the Rovals are £760 but half price at the moment coming in at £380. Needless to say, they aren’t Hunt wheels which I’ve been reliably informed a good at folding and I’m happy with the purchase price at sub £400.

Time to get the muc off valves in, the tyres on and the second cassette fitted. I might buy some second discs too but that will have to wait as I’m not made of money..

IMG_2855 by andrew8200m posted 23 Jul 2024 at 16:53

edit.

Well I’ve got it all fitted and installed now. It’s looking clean, the new tyres feel very draggy but the over all weight even with slightly heavier tyres is actually ever so slightly less. Go figure!

Unfussy, none shouty wheels with one very stealth branding which I love just like the frame with its lack of “Specialized” stamped down it.

Running tubeless again with mucoff valves and Juicy Nipples caps.

The bikes finished now, no need to change anything else, it feels just right for me.

IMG_2858 by andrew8200m posted 23 Jul 2024 at 23:05

IMG_2859 by andrew8200m posted 23 Jul 2024 at 23:05

 

What earth did you just say there? I need to learn more. I don't have long left.