Guerilla Gravity

Thanks guys! Pulled the lowers off the fork last night to adjust the travel, it was set at 160 and removing an internal spacer gets it to the spec'd 170. Something went awry even though I followed the MRP video to a t. Maybe hydro lock and spitting fluid through the shrader valves. Of course some got on the brake rotor and contaminated the pads, hardly any brake power. After redo, the fork is better now, but need to either swap in my XTs or buy pads for the srams. I have a few sets of spare pads for XT but none for SRAM.. My XTs have the single mount for brake/shifter, so would have to swap shifter too, which I guess means rear derailer too. Ugh. No ride this morning I guess.
 
knucklebuster said:
N(to me)BD :) Stoked! It's in really nice shape, better than expected (bought sight unseen except pics), and was lightly used in Vail CO for 4-5 months. A little under 31lb as it sits w/pedals. This will be my first experience with SRAM brakes and drivetrain. Hoping to get out tomorrow for maiden voyage.
View attachment 50567

2018 Megatrail in LamborGG Gray w/ black decals
Rear Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe RC3
Front Fork: MRP Ribbon air 170mm
Brakes: Sram RS Guide (F200/R180)
Drivetrain: Sram x01 with e13 cassette 9-46
Seatpost: Bike Yoke revive 160mm
Wheels: DT Swiss M1700 30mm inner width
Bar/Stem: Raceface turbine/aeffect
Cranks: Raceface Turbine
Tires: Maxxis DHF 2.5 and DHRII 2.3
Click to expand...
Ahh yeah, awesome looking bike! Congrats! I really love the color. Enjoy.
 
knucklebuster said:
Thanks guys! Pulled the lowers off the fork last night to adjust the travel, it was set at 160 and removing an internal spacer gets it to the spec'd 170. Something went awry even though I followed the MRP video to a t. Maybe hydro lock and spitting fluid through the shrader valves. Of course some got on the brake rotor and contaminated the pads, hardly any brake power. After redo, the fork is better now, but need to either swap in my XTs or buy pads for the srams. I have a few sets of spare pads for XT but none for SRAM.. My XTs have the single mount for brake/shifter, so would have to swap shifter too, which I guess means rear derailer too. Ugh. No ride this morning I guess.
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You know as well as anyone that the time invested in getting it dialed will pay you back handsomely. Enjoy the process!!!!!!! :):thumbsup:
 
Faust29 said:
The regular XTs were awesome. The 4 piston XTs are life changing. :inlove:
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UPSed said:
Definitely XT. Jennifer got the 4 piston stoppers on her new build. I'm tempted to swap them out. Without her knowing of course. :whistling:
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That good? At twice the price? (Edit - Jenson has the 4-pots for a good price, hmmmm).

FWIW, I like the SRAMS fine except the rear turkey warble. It resonates and shakes the whole bike and is actually a bit dangerous.
 
Extra-medium, LambroGG:

IMG_5985.jpeg



@knucklebuster, you got me really psyched on the color. All business, minimal flash; next best thing to raw. :thumbsup:
 
mike said:
You know as well as anyone that the time invested in getting it dialed will pay you back handsomely. Enjoy the process!!!!!!! :):thumbsup:
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Yeah I was a little bummed at first that I didn't get to piece all the parts together, but now I've got a few things to mess with after the first ride today. Top of the list is a nasty creak when pedaling that comes and goes.

Re: Brakes.... After replacing the contaminated pads this morning on the SRAM Guides, they seemed to be pretty solid on the Luge. Of course just one ride and a shortish DH, so we'll see.
 
knucklebuster said:
N(to me)BD :) Stoked! It's in really nice shape, better than expected (bought sight unseen except pics), and was lightly used in Vail CO for 4-5 months. A little under 31lb as it sits w/pedals. This will be my first experience with SRAM brakes and drivetrain. Hoping to get out tomorrow for maiden voyage.
View attachment 50567

2018 Megatrail in LamborGG Gray w/ black decals
Rear Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe RC3
Front Fork: MRP Ribbon air 170mm
Brakes: Sram RS Guide (F200/R180)
Drivetrain: Sram x01 with e13 cassette 9-46
Seatpost: Bike Yoke revive 160mm
Wheels: DT Swiss M1700 30mm inner width
Bar/Stem: Raceface turbine/aeffect
Cranks: Raceface Turbine
Tires: Maxxis DHF 2.5 and DHRII 2.3
Click to expand...

Congratulations, Dave! Sweet, GG MT with MRP! Awesome frame color!
 
mike said:
Stoked to see you’re bonding with the Smash, and like to hear more impressions. Comparing the metal vs CF bike should be interesting. I think you can set them up differently enough to justify their similarities. You know that...sell the concept artfully. :sneaky:
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Comparing the two will be interesting for sure. I've only run the Smash in Crush mode so far. Will be interesting to ride the Smash in Plush with the Trail Pistol in Crush to see how they operate as a complimentary quiver, and then Smash in Crush/TP in Plush to see how the fair in a shootout as 1 do-it-all. Truthfully though, part of why I made the buyer's remorse comment is that the reality is that my current skill set isn't likely to allow me to judge the nuances of each bike. It's really just about getting on the bike, feeling good, and having at it. To that end, The Smash is currently crushing it, pun fully intended. I've hit a couple rides that I hit on the Trance 29 I was riding prior to being out of commission. That bike was undersized for me, but not glaringly so. I just remember it feeling really ponderous on climbs, never tracked like I wanted it to, and in general I just felt like more of a novice than I thought I would getting back on a bike after a long time off. One I just mentioned in the "I rode my bike" thread, but another was a particular downhill sections that I hit several different times on the Trance. It was the first legit semi steep rocky sketchy descent since my re-entry to MBT, and it gave me pause each time. I rode it each time, but it wasn't without apprehension, it wasn't pretty, and I was creeping. I hit it again a couple weeks ago on the Smash, but came at it from a different starting point, after tackling some more challenging descents before it. I just bombed down it, not even realizing until right after I'd gotten through it that it was THAT section. Anyway, my frame of reference with current bikes is pretty nonexistent, but jumping on this bike after my previous one has made a world of difference, and upped my enjoyment considerably. It goes where I want it to go, it makes me feel comfortable going fast, and I just feel very in tune with the bike, instead of battling it to go where I want.
 
buggravy said:
Comparing the two will be interesting for sure. I've only run the Smash in Crush mode so far. Will be interesting to ride the Smash in Plush with the Trail Pistol in Crush to see how they operate as a complimentary quiver, and then Smash in Crush/TP in Plush to see how the fair in a shootout as 1 do-it-all. Truthfully though, part of why I made the buyer's remorse comment is that the reality is that my current skill set isn't likely to allow me to judge the nuances of each bike. It's really just about getting on the bike, feeling good, and having at it. To that end, The Smash is currently crushing it, pun fully intended. I've hit a couple rides that I hit on the Trance 29 I was riding prior to being out of commission. That bike was undersized for me, but not glaringly so. I just remember it feeling really ponderous on climbs, never tracked like I wanted it to, and in general I just felt like more of a novice than I thought I would getting back on a bike after a long time off. One I just mentioned in the "I rode my bike" thread, but another was a particular downhill sections that I hit several different times on the Trance. It was the first legit semi steep rocky sketchy descent since my re-entry to MBT, and it gave me pause each time. I rode it each time, but it wasn't without apprehension, it wasn't pretty, and I was creeping. I hit it again a couple weeks ago on the Smash, but came at it from a different starting point, after tackling some more challenging descents before it. I just bombed down it, not even realizing until right after I'd gotten through it that it was THAT section. Anyway, my frame of reference with current bikes is pretty nonexistent, but jumping on this bike after my previous one has made a world of difference, and upped my enjoyment considerably. It goes where I want it to go, it makes me feel comfortable going fast, and I just feel very in tune with the bike, instead of battling it to go where I want.
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Way to go all in!
 
One week in on the Megatrail now. I've done a full ride in Trail mode (Maple-Motorway) and one in Gravity mode (Aliso 5 Oaks, Car Wreck and Lynx... climbing Cholla 2x) and one where I switched to Gravity mode for the down (Luge). I'm getting close on shock and fork tuning, used 90+% travel on 5 Oaks and Carwreck. I guess the thing suits me ok as I also got personal bests on those two downhills, without feeling like I was pushing it too hard. A testament to the bike, it really inspires confidence and feels solid as a rock, I'm just along for the ride!

It climbs really well in either mode... I'm used to a low BB from my old bike and this one pedals higher in the travel, so fewer pedal strikes even in Gravity mode at 13". In Gravity the front wants to wander a little on steep climbs, not too bad in Trail mode. Taking me some time to get used to being more on top of the pedals with the steep seat angle, using some muscles that I didn't before. It did fine on the little spots of "tech climbing" on Cholla, and was able to keep traction on the sandy rock outcrop near the top. My legs are the limiting factor for sure.

Still a bit giddy over it, first new-to-me bike in 5 years, wow things have come along since then! Enjoying learning some new components and sorting a few things out... the hub ratchet upgrade, fork seals and tuning, SRAM shifter/derailler and E13 cassette (awesome range, doesn't shift nearly as nice as XT). Looking forward to hitting LCWP and Moro Sunday :)
 
knucklebuster said:
One week in on the Megatrail now. I've done a full ride in Trail mode (Maple-Motorway) and one in Gravity mode (Aliso 5 Oaks, Car Wreck and Lynx... climbing Cholla 2x) and one where I switched to Gravity mode for the down (Luge). I'm getting close on shock and fork tuning, used 90+% travel on 5 Oaks and Carwreck. I guess the thing suits me ok as I also got personal bests on those two downhills, without feeling like I was pushing it too hard. A testament to the bike, it really inspires confidence and feels solid as a rock, I'm just along for the ride!

It climbs really well in either mode... I'm used to a low BB from my old bike and this one pedals higher in the travel, so fewer pedal strikes even in Gravity mode at 13". In Gravity the front wants to wander a little on steep climbs, not too bad in Trail mode. Taking me some time to get used to being more on top of the pedals with the steep seat angle, using some muscles that I didn't before. It did fine on the little spots of "tech climbing" on Cholla, and was able to keep traction on the sandy rock outcrop near the top. My legs are the limiting factor for sure.

Still a bit giddy over it, first new-to-me bike in 5 years, wow things have come along since then! Enjoying learning some new components and sorting a few things out... the hub ratchet upgrade, fork seals and tuning, SRAM shifter/derailler and E13 cassette (awesome range, doesn't shift nearly as nice as XT). Looking forward to hitting LCWP and Moro Sunday :)
Click to expand...

Next time you venture out to Motorway, send me a PM. I'd love to see that bike in person! :thumbsup:
 
knucklebuster said:
One week in on the Megatrail now. I've done a full ride in Trail mode (Maple-Motorway) and one in Gravity mode (Aliso 5 Oaks, Car Wreck and Lynx... climbing Cholla 2x) and one where I switched to Gravity mode for the down (Luge). I'm getting close on shock and fork tuning, used 90+% travel on 5 Oaks and Carwreck. I guess the thing suits me ok as I also got personal bests on those two downhills, without feeling like I was pushing it too hard. A testament to the bike, it really inspires confidence and feels solid as a rock, I'm just along for the ride!

It climbs really well in either mode... I'm used to a low BB from my old bike and this one pedals higher in the travel, so fewer pedal strikes even in Gravity mode at 13". In Gravity the front wants to wander a little on steep climbs, not too bad in Trail mode. Taking me some time to get used to being more on top of the pedals with the steep seat angle, using some muscles that I didn't before. It did fine on the little spots of "tech climbing" on Cholla, and was able to keep traction on the sandy rock outcrop near the top. My legs are the limiting factor for sure.

Still a bit giddy over it, first new-to-me bike in 5 years, wow things have come along since then! Enjoying learning some new components and sorting a few things out... the hub ratchet upgrade, fork seals and tuning, SRAM shifter/derailler and E13 cassette (awesome range, doesn't shift nearly as nice as XT). Looking forward to hitting LCWP and Moro Sunday :)
Click to expand...
:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
knucklebuster said:
One week in on the Megatrail now. I've done a full ride in Trail mode (Maple-Motorway) and one in Gravity mode (Aliso 5 Oaks, Car Wreck and Lynx... climbing Cholla 2x) and one where I switched to Gravity mode for the down (Luge). I'm getting close on shock and fork tuning, used 90+% travel on 5 Oaks and Carwreck. I guess the thing suits me ok as I also got personal bests on those two downhills, without feeling like I was pushing it too hard. A testament to the bike, it really inspires confidence and feels solid as a rock, I'm just along for the ride!

It climbs really well in either mode... I'm used to a low BB from my old bike and this one pedals higher in the travel, so fewer pedal strikes even in Gravity mode at 13". In Gravity the front wants to wander a little on steep climbs, not too bad in Trail mode. Taking me some time to get used to being more on top of the pedals with the steep seat angle, using some muscles that I didn't before. It did fine on the little spots of "tech climbing" on Cholla, and was able to keep traction on the sandy rock outcrop near the top. My legs are the limiting factor for sure.

Still a bit giddy over it, first new-to-me bike in 5 years, wow things have come along since then! Enjoying learning some new components and sorting a few things out... the hub ratchet upgrade, fork seals and tuning, SRAM shifter/derailler and E13 cassette (awesome range, doesn't shift nearly as nice as XT). Looking forward to hitting LCWP and Moro Sunday :)
Click to expand...
awesome! Stoked for ya!
 
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