Mountain Biking

[Begbie]

Holy mother of want!

Yes indeed, it's all too tempting! Also still kicking myself for not getting a Capra when I bought a hardtail, for an extra £200 and better speced!

I'm not quite sure I understand the whole carbon thing, what advantages does it bring over aly apart from it being lighter?

 

[BaJ]

What's the Xfusion shock like on those lower spec Meta AM's?

There doesn't seem any difference between the Origin and Origin Plus ?!

 

[Begbie]

http://www.commencal-store.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=14495036

http://www.commencal-store.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=14495036

Can only see different brakes?

 

[oulton]

http://www.commencal-store.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=14495036

http://www.commencal-store.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=14495036

Can only see different brakes?

Thats the same link twice Begbie. Are you comparing the Origin against the Essential?

So how do I feel about my Meta (race) now that I have had it a while?

I can only say that this bike is awesome, big ups to SuperCow for telling me to buy one!

I have found a great spot not far away with 6 or 7 great downhill runs with lots of berms, jumps and drop offs. So I have been able to push myself to the limits, and also really test the bike.

It is a proper mini downhill bike and it just wants to rip down the runs, getting quicker and quicker with each hit. Just feels so stable and planted. Its like you go through a rock garden at snails pace on the first run, and by the third run you are ripping through with a mad grin on your face!

I am running both tokens in my pikes, and man they feel amazing.

My monarch plus is a decent sock, very capable, but I imagine I would be bottoming it out soon if I grow a big enough sack to attempt some of the bigger drop offs . I might try to add oil to it (same as putting tokens in the pikes apparently?) otherwise is there a beefier shock that would fit my frame? I would even try a coil.

Cheers!

 

[Supercow]

I'm not quite sure I understand the whole carbon thing, what advantages does it bring over aly apart from it being lighter?

Supposed to be stronger (if built right), but coupled with suspension , it's *supposed* to provide a stiffer, yet more damped / quality of feel.

Personally think thats all theoretical and I'd emplore anyone to notice the difference in FRAME (wheels on the other hand there's a night and day difference ... but that's a whole different story) during a blind test between bikes of equal spec, but different material.

Glad you're still digign the Commy Oulton!

What's the Xfusion shock like on those lower spec Meta AM's?

Xfusion is a very underrated brand, and reviews of their suspension confirm that they produce brilliant stuff. I believe that the Xfusion designers, are actually ex Fox empoloyees.

Their new internals... is basically identical to a FIT damper
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/x-fusions-roughcut-damper-taipei-show-2015.html

 

[Begbie]

Yeah this is the other link - http://www.commencal-store.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=15147430

Can't see the difference myself.


Hmm, it makes me wonder if there is any point in the extra cash for the weight saving...

 

[Juggy1985]

Next bikes gonna be a canyon again, gotta get this mega to earn its keep for a few more years though!

 

[neil_g]

anyone used any of superstars bearing removal/fitting tools?

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/bearing-removal-fitting-tool.htm

edit: looks like the same as this:

 

[neil_g]

Path Finder Premiere
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/path-finder-official-online-premiere-2015.html

 

[Guest2]

I am running both tokens in my pikes, and man they feel amazing.

What does this mean?

I have been looking at the Capra bikes and they do look awesome - http://www.yt-industries.com/en/products/bikes/

Looking at the Canyon bikes they are nice but no-where near the spec of On-one for the price. I was looking at the Grand Canyon AL SLX 7.9 https://www.canyon.com/en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3645

Is a lot of the cost in the frame / geometry of the frame and how the parts are 'put together' (not the build but the in-between bits) if that makes sense

Looks nice and has good reviews but the forks alone are £280 cheaper than the same priced bike

 

[neil_g]

What does this mean?

 

[neil_g]

and a bit more technical info:

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/a...kshox-pike-air-spring-adjustment-video-39570/

 

[Guest2]

Thanks. Even more to learn. I have a feeling this is going to cost me big in the coming months / years. Just buying the tools needed I expect will be expensive

All these different types of mountain bikes that are available, XC, Trails, Enduro, All mountain, Downhill, freeride, dirt... I thought it was just 'a mountain bike' before I started looking.

Surely someone 50 or 60 years ago or even hundreds of years ago hit some of the hardest mountains on boneshakers. Its still my thinking that its more about the rider and less about the bike

 

[Begbie]

Have you ever watched 90s DH races?

It's the same with any speed orientated sport, you get quicker with technology improvements. More faster - more fun.


Theres a reason why their crashing so much

 

[SpudMaster]

Yeah this is the other link - http://www.commencal-store.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=15147430

Can't see the difference myself.


Hmm, it makes me wonder if there is any point in the extra cash for the weight saving...

The more expensive bike that 350cr forks compared to the 350r on the cheaper model

 

[oulton]

Thanks. Even more to learn. I have a feeling this is going to cost me big in the coming months / years. Just buying the tools needed I expect will be expensive

All these different types of mountain bikes that are available, XC, Trails, Enduro, All mountain, Downhill, freeride, dirt... I thought it was just 'a mountain bike' before I started looking.

Surely someone 50 or 60 years ago or even hundreds of years ago hit some of the hardest mountains on boneshakers. Its still my thinking that its more about the rider and less about the bike

Tokens make the ramp up steeper at the end of the stroke so big/aggressive riders don't bottom out as easily

 

[steve45]

Have you ever watched 90s DH races?

It's the same with any speed orientated sport, you get quicker with technology improvements. More faster - more fun.


Theres a reason why their crashing so much

We've come a long long way in over 2 decades
its embarrassing to watch but understandable at the same time when you consider the equipment they had at the time.

 

[Guest2]

Go try a 29"/650b/26" before buying.

But the two bikes are different, I know Head angle is a poor measurement tool but the canyon has a 70degree HA and the On-One 66(iirc, maybe 67) But that is a big difference. Making one more of a XC and the other more of a trail/all mountain hardtail.

It all depends what you're riding, or what you want to ride.

Their both going to be great regardless though.

I'm not sure if I replied to this but I did try sitting on a 26" bike, a 27.5 and a 29, I didnt try them out properly though. The 29 to me felt big and far too peculiar. It almost felt like I was riding on top of the wheel! The 27.5 felt better but stuck with the 26.

Re head angle, the On-one head angle is 65.7, does this mean it is more 'slack' and have quicker steering than something say of 70 degrees that will go in a straighter line? The top tube is 603mm and seat angle 71.2 degrees. I have heard these numbers also play a big part.

Either way, I will find out soon as its in the build queue

 

[Deleted member 66701]

Went to take the bike out for a ride last week but the front forks were locked solid (RockShox Rebas). Did some online reading and likely candidate was the motions control damper rod o-rings had failed causing the oil from the motion control to leak into the lower leg causing hydraulic lock.

Thought this time I'd have a go at servicing them myself (I can do anything else on a bike and have all the tools - just never tackled forks before) so I downloaded the service manual, ordered a motion control service kit (£15 ebay) and some 5wt oil.

Everything arrived this morning so proceeded to strip the forks. Glad to say the service guide was really easy to follow and everything came apart exactly as it should and sure enough, loads of oil in the motion side lower leg and none left in the motion control damper! Upon inspecting the inner and outer o-rings on the motion control damper rod, the inner one was flat and very hard, not like the nice supple new one in the kit. Swapped all the relevant o-rings, even the ones that looked ok - because why not - and re-assembled and put the right amount of oil in.

Forks are lovely and plush again Wished I'd taken some photos. Very glad I'd decided to tackle the job myself - £55 service cost saved!

 

[Deleted member 66701]

We've come a long long way in over 2 decades
its embarrassing to watch but understandable at the same time when you consider the equipment they had at the time.

I used to race downhill on one of these :-

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/download/file.php?id=218863

Bent the handle bars on the first race and fitted RockShiox Mag21's for the second race! Still have the Mag's in the garage somewhere!

EDIT:-

There we go, found the Mag21's. And my first full suspension frame - URT for the win! Bought on impulse when I worked at bike shop and the Fred Salmon van came round!