"Da Blue bomber"

Voodoo Tom said:
Don’t even know where to start or how to describe what went on today. Sure we rode wrightwood last weekend but there were still a couple great trails we didn’t hit so back to back weekends were just fine. Today was “new to me” Yeti 5.5 bike day. Spent a good chunk of time late yesterday in my 1000 degree garage assembling and adjusting and cleaning the new steed so I could ride it today.

So here’s a picture of her as clean as she gets. Great looking bike from this distance but not totally perfect when up close. I’m fine with that cause I like to use my bikes.
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I knew this bike would be a learning experience. I was really thinking the climbs would kill me due to a combo of 1000+ gram Minion 2.5’s front and back and a taller than I’m used to gear combo. Turns out this wasn’t really an issue as the bike pedals pretty darn good. The Enve DH bars at 800mm wide just plain suck. A bit too wide which can be remedied but the big problem was they are just stupid stiff and I feel every damn bump in the trail. I’ll try trimming em to 780 ish and some ESI chunkies next ride.

This is where things get weird.
So first descent of the day was a trail we call “log jammer”. This trail is not for everyone but it’s just darn fun in my book. Before dropping log jammer we stopped for a breather and decided to snap a few pictures. Since @Mikie has a new Hightower coming soon we figured we should let the Yeti’s get to know each other. Theres this concrete post thing (maybe trail marker?) sticking up out of the ground maybe 6” diameter and a foot or so tall and basically seemed perfect to prop the bikes up against to snap some pics. So some pics we took and as my back was turned I hear @Mikie say oh-no oh-no. Apparently a small gust of wind had set both bikes to rolling. Nothing we could do cuz it happened real fast. Mikes bike took a tumble away from everything and it was basically ok with the exception of needing to straighten the bars. Then there was my day old to me 5.5 that tried to make love with that stupid concrete post thing. It landed on the only un-taped piece of frame and then apparently bounced a several times in the process before settling with that stupid concrete post wedged between both fork sanctions. I tried to be careful picking her back up but there was nothing I could do the dang bike was stuck on that stupid post. Lifted it up while hearing a horrible metal against rock type sound.

So she’s got some battle wounds now. Somehow I kept my composure perhaps grateful that it wasn’t a brand new $8000 bike. Mikie was beside himself and literally sick to his stomach seeing what happened.
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Anybody happen to know if this is fixable or am I buying a new fork???
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So probably not fair for me to pass judgement on the bike just yet. It was good but didn’t really set my world on fire. Fork was too stiff even at 55 psi but better at about 47. Need to see how many tokens are in it and remove at least one. DBair shock was pretty good considering the only thing I did was set air pressure to get 25-30% sag. Had bars rolled way to far back initially and just wasn’t handling at all but after rolling em forward it felt better. There’s definitely potential I just kind of expected more wow. Set lots of pr’s but have to say my 120/140 Ripley must be way more dialed to me cuz it feels just as comfy and stable. Time to tinker and unleash the beast.
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No need to replace the stanchions. It is expensive.....$250-275.

Sand/file down the burs with a very fine utensil. If they are deep enough, you can drop in some nail polish or epoxy, then sand.
Google it....you find a lot of options.

The pain sucks....but now you can ride it without worrying about scratching it. You can always get some touch up paint from Yeti.
 
mtnbikej said:
No need to replace the stanchions. It is expensive.....$250-275.

Sand/file down the burs with a very fine utensil. If they are deep enough, you can drop in some nail polish or epoxy, then sand.
Google it....you find a lot of options.

The pain sucks....but now you can ride it without worrying about scratching it. You can always get some touch up paint from Yeti.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, forgot about the nail polish hack. Luckily I didn't have to go that route when I fixed mine so no experience with it.
 
Sorry about that Voodoo. Better the bike than your bones, I suppose. +2 on Zilla's clear nail polish fill-in. Use super fine sand paper to smooth it out. Not sure about the down tube, though. Maybe have the frame checked wth Yeti for integrity? Be patient with dialing the blue bomber. It'll jive. Good luck!
 
Tom, I'm stoked you got the cosmetic damage out of the way so you can ride the damn thing like it was meant, without any subliminal reservation that will keep you from shredding your absolute hardest. Now what I'd like to see is additional cosmetic damage on that frame from too much goforit :sneaky: The other side looks too new!

I usually start right away with anything that looks or is new. Rossage will back me up on that :unsure::D Makes one think about raw aluminum? :geek:

Have fun unleashing yourself!!! :thumbsup:
 
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That's the worst Tom. Damage from your bike just falling over. As has been said if the nick is deep enough a drop of fingernail polish then smoothed out with emery cloth. Fortunately they make black nail polish so done properly you may be the only one who knows it happened. Worst case I believe there is a suspension place down the road from you. DVO or something like that? Good luck!
 
Almost good as new...
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Nice work there, Tom. :thumbsup:

Once you get requisite time on it, I'd love to hear your impressions of the bike. :geek:
 
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