If you weren’t following the Grim Donut, pt 2 has just been released. For those noodling about why bike manufacturers keep making tiny adjustments to a known end game, well, the Grim Donut applied the changes in geometry from the last ten years again in one step.
Entertaining, worth watching, and a pro racer went really, really fast. In two parts, with your evening bourbon.
If you weren’t following the Grim Donut, pt 2 has just been released. For those noodling about why bike manufacturers keep making tiny adjustments to a known end game, well, the Grim Donut applied the changes in geometry from the last ten years again in one step.
Entertaining, worth watching, and a pro racer went really, really fast. In two parts, with your evening bourbon.
Interesting, but “Would I ride this bike every day? Absolutely not,'' said Yoann after his run on the Grim Donut. ''The way it is right now, the geometry isn't pleasant. When you pedal, you're going to hit them on the ground. And it doesn't corner properly, but it works when you go super fast.''
I guess I'm a xc-ish trail rider at heart, even if my preference is chunky trails.
Every time I ride a more modern bike that is (too) slack and fit with a steep STA, I come away unimpressed.
Fast downhill, but kind of boring everywhere else in the steering department.
Great when slogging up super-steep pitches at a 60 cadence, but poor pedaling power everywhere else.
It also points out that manufacturers are giving us mini steps so we buy a lot of bikes along the way. Half degree here, few millimeters there.
I don't think it's that. I think it's because they know that if they go crazy they will end up with a bunch of unsold "ahead of their times" bikes. How many Pole bikes do you see on the trails. I can't necessarily think of one now, but there have for sure been "too slack" bikes that nobody bought which would seem "too steep" today.
I put my new Fox SLS 600 in/lb coil (up from 550) on with the new Cascade link that increased rear travel from 150 to 160mm. Spent last weekend ripping around Hartman Rocks with my sons and others from the Western mtb team.
Came back and dropped 5 seconds off my fastest time on the short tech trail Nachos at Ute Valley. That’s a ton. Bike is still whip fast, all upside optimization.
One answer we seem to know for certain is that bikes were too small, since all of them are a lot bigger (longer). Now what?
So, on my next bike, I guess should resist sizing down because these new bikes feel so big? At five-ten and a half, it seems like I'm between an M and an L in a lot of bikes.
Okay, IMO, from your postings about your continuing progression:
2 seconds coil shock, 2 seconds YOU, and 1 second more travel.
So, on my next bike, I guess should resist sizing down because these new bikes feel so big? At five-ten and a half, it seems like I'm between an M and an L in a lot of bikes.
The reach/stack (rider area distance) is generally pretty important. A small today is yesterday’s medium, so you actually want to be careful. I’m 6’2” and on what would be XL on my Evo (the S3), and low stack and 495mm reach with 50mm stem I developed a really bad left shoulder knot and some kneck pain.
I reduced stem to 40mm and slightly altered backsweep on my bars and all is perfect. So buy the size you need, which may very well be medium, bearing in mimd that you can keep a longer frame with stem and handlebar adjustment to adjust RAD.
Thanks. I'll demo for sure.You would definitely be a L in a Santa Cruz but a M in a Yeti SB130 for example. I would generally look at size L bikes. Here in Colorado we got very long and rocky descents. The shorter bikes feel MUCH sketchier in that terrain.
Thanks. I'll demo for sure.
We are also lucky to be in the land of many great local bike shops. My surefire plan to get the right size for my last couple of bikes has been to just go to Wheat Ridge, calling ahead to make an appointment with one of their fit guys who also sell bikes and buy a fit along with the bike. Best money ever spent, especially if you keep your bikes forever.
So, is the normal $250 bike fit I've done enough? Or, does anyone know if the Retul magic machine is worth the extra $100?
Bike Fitting Services
www.wheatridgecyclery.com
New bike day...The new Fox 36 Performance has the Grip damper (not the grip2 obviously) and it is simple but feels noticeably plusher off the top compared to my 2018 Performance Elite with the Fit4.
The usual photo op looking towards Breck. Late, smoky light hides the area well.
Or, does anyone know if the Retul magic machine is worth the extra $100?