Guerrilla Gravity, Denver CO
- Thread starter mike
- Start date
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
Has anyone mentioned what a good looking bike that is?
Faust29
Moderator
I'd make it my wallpaper, but that would be kinda creepy.
mike
iMTB Hooligan
Matt, I'm ~160 without trail stuff.
mike
iMTB Hooligan
The black has grown on me big time, especially with the stealthy decals. It's so heavy metal. Raw will always have a place in my heart, tho...I thought the raw finish on Smash #1 was about the best looking bike around... I'm not so sure now with the black.
herzalot
iMTB Hooligan
Why? I have you in that salmon shirt as my wallpap.... ohhh, ummm I see now.
knucklebuster
Well-Known Member
Good lookin' bike Mike! Glad you're liking the ride too
mtnbikej
J-Zilla
Maiden ride on Smash v2 in the bag. Let me get this out of the way: Totally badass. An incredible ride.
Since I was so dialed with my previous medium, it was easy to note the changes on the extra-medium (a longer-reach medium) frame and upgrades.
The extra length felt reeely good. Slightly harder to wheelie and manual as expected, but a very balanced feeling. No excessive cramping by a 790 mm bar in tight switchies. As with my original Smash after shorter previous bikes, I realize a shorter bike is not necessarily easier to get around tight switchbacks. A comfortable, uncramped position that allows carrying a little momentum often works best. I think the added frame length could justify more fork travel, and I’ll explore bumping it up from 140 going forward. Probably 150 is what the bike needs. The 50 mm stem stabilized everything perfectly.
The wheels: I went from a econo wheelset to the best set I could dream up, so if the improvement was not dramatic, there would be something wrong. The improvement is dramatic.Not every bike benefits from every carbon hoop, but I assumed the Derbys would work on the bike since GG offers modern CF options. The damping with this hoop with a 3-cross pattern is incredible. It’s like rolling on carpet without the drag. Precision start/stops and insane composure through the roughest jagged outcrops. Tracking as good as you’d expect. The 2.5 Minion in front felt familiarly confident, but even more so. My first outing with an Aggressor on back, the 2.3 met all expectations and seemed a solid choice.
I'm really looking forward to getting my money's worth out of this incredible sled this season and beyond. Another satisfied customer.
GG 2018 Smash, size extra-medium/Cane Creek Forty headset, Raceface BB
Rockshox Super Deluxe Coil RCT, 450# spring
Pike RC 140, 51 mm offset
Derby AM 35i 29”/Sapim CX-Ray/brass nips/DT Swiss 240s straight-pull/36-tooth ratchet upgrade
Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5WT MaxxTerra EXO/Aggressor 2.3 EXO
Raceface Next R crank/28t/Point One Podium pedals
XT 11-sp drive/e13 9-46 cassette
XT brakes/rotors
Lev 150 dropper/SDG saddle
50 mm x 35 mm Raceface stem/Next R carbon bar 790 mm/Oury lock-on
View attachment 51295
buggravy
iMTB Addict
Update on my inbound Trail Pistol from GG: "We have a frame with your name on it that will be getting decaled tomorrow. If all goes to plan, we should have it shipped no later than the middle of next week."
"According to plan" has been a moving target, but this sounds like light at the end of the tunnel (and I don't begrudge their high demand).
"According to plan" has been a moving target, but this sounds like light at the end of the tunnel (and I don't begrudge their high demand).
Danimal
iMTB Addict
Great!
Sounds like it's finally coming together.
The size 2 production had been delayed until end of this month .
So.... When I get one who knows .
Sassyquatch
Well-Known Member
It saddens me immensely that they don’t have a size 5
. I think the 4 is a bit smaller than the prior XL
buggravy
iMTB Addict
Another delay with my bike build, but self imposed this time. Maybe too much time, and too much thinking, but it will be distinctly MINE when it finally gets here. Decided to try an I9 wheel set just to do something different than the DT Swiss on my Smash. I like what I've read, and that they're based where I done grow'd up (mountains of NC). Frame is decaled, and final assembly and shipment was due to happen end of this week, or early next, but with the last minute change and doing a custom color on the wheels looks like it's going to be another 3 weeks or so. I also made the change last week to go with the Pistola treatment, though it only changes rear travel from 120 to 125 in the Revved TP.
Derkderkall
iMTB Rockstah
What's involved in the pistola treatment? Is it included in the original cost, or considered extra?
buggravy
iMTB Addict
It just increases the stroke of the rear shock from 120mm to 125. In the alloy version I think it went to 130, so it basically served as a hack for those that wanted something right in the middle of a TP and Smash. With the revved bikes it seems to be a more subtle change. Some increase the fork as well, but I wasn't interested in the complexities of the forks I'd have to choose from in order to go from 130 to 140, as GG doesn't offer a 140 Pike. The change is rear shock is not an additional cost. At least not in keeping the same shock, just with a different stroke, as I did.
Danimal
iMTB Addict
I was wondering about a pistola version.
Nice to know it's an option, even if subtle.
Was also thinking if the pike was available in 140. But on the fence for dork travel, but take want the new pike.
It's taking long enough where I'm having second thoughts on a new bike, and might it it off. Especially seeing as I now need a new A/C unit.
However, when I mention to the wife I'm going to put off the bike she gets very forceful and insists I buy it.
buggravy
iMTB Addict
My very limited understanding is that there is a 140 Pike, but the particulars of GG's relationship with SRAM means they only get the 130 version to supply as an OEM option on their complete bikes.I was wondering about a pistola version.
Nice to know it's an option, even if subtle.
Was also thinking if the pike was available in 140. But on the fence for dork travel, but take want the new pike.
It's taking long enough where I'm having second thoughts on a new bike, and might it it off. Especially seeing as I now need a new A/C unit.
However, when I mention to the wife I'm going to put off the bike she gets very forceful and insists I buy it.
Bummer to hear that you're reconsidering. But I can definitely identify with the mental gymnastics that take place in large space between placing an order and receiving a bike. Sorry to hear about the AC unit.
mike
iMTB Hooligan
@buggravy, it's cool that you'll be able to enjoy that nice wheelset on either one of your bikes.
I reckon GG now has the fork-travel void between their long- and short-stay bikes at 140. I understand why. I also understand that, where/how I've been riding, 140 is one extremely useful 29er fork on a FS or even a HT.
I reckon GG now has the fork-travel void between their long- and short-stay bikes at 140. I understand why. I also understand that, where/how I've been riding, 140 is one extremely useful 29er fork on a FS or even a HT.
buggravy
iMTB Addict
Just so I’m not painting the wrong picture, you can get a 140 fork from GG on the trail Pistol. Just not the Pike. From memory I think the MRP Ribbon and Cane Creek Helm are available in 140. I just wasn’t interested in all the adjustments they offer, and presumably the fiddling they might require. I think simplicity is probably a greater friend to me than travel at this point.
mike
iMTB Hooligan
Got ya, Matt. A Pistola C with a 140...sounds totally dreamy to me. If I was set on Pike I'd consider getting the air shaft and having it installed during its first regular service. Motivation to put some hours on it, hehe. But I would not hesitate on a Ribbon. I'm really hoping to build up something like that for my lass when the time comes.
herzalot
iMTB Hooligan
Smart wife!It's taking long enough where I'm having second thoughts on a new bike, and might put it off. Especially seeing as I now need a new A/C unit.
However, when I mention to the wife I'm going to put off the bike she gets very forceful and insists I buy it.
(Tell her I forgot all about the wedding dress tag).
Danimal
iMTB Addict
Well poking around on the Rockshox website to see if the 130 can be changed to the 140, it says in their service manual page 27 that changing the air spring with the appropriate length air shaft.
https://www.sram.com/sites/default/...l_2019-2020_pike_revelation_english_rev_a.pdf
buggravy
iMTB Addict
Thanks for that. I actually ended up going a different direction, and switched to a DPX2 (Pistola stroke) and 36 fork. This bike needs to get here fast so I stop throwing money at it.Well poking around on the Rockshox website to see if the 130 can be changed to the 140, it says in their service manual page 27 that changing the air spring with the appropriate length air shaft.
https://www.sram.com/sites/default/...l_2019-2020_pike_revelation_english_rev_a.pdf
DangerDirtyD
iMTB Hooligan
How do you Smash? @mike @Sassyquatch @littlewave @knucklebuster: help me count the ways. To plush or to crush? That is the question...
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
Considering what you did to the rear wheel on your new bike's maiden voyage and from what others say about you, you'll want to CRUSH.
Yep, you have a "reputation"...
mike
iMTB Hooligan
Plush for everything, all day. Very little bob climbing, unreal traction on steppy climbs. Obvious benefits DH.
I tried Crush, just a little too firm with my spring and weight, and the terrain here. I think where you are with your spring/weight is key to how effective the chip will be in either position. And obviously what feels good. The alum Smash demos were set up in Plush. I lost weight since specing the spring, I can tell by my shock sag, so firming it up is the opposite of what I need. Check out both settings and see, easy on the trail with your 6mm hex key.
littlewave
Well-Known Member
DangerDirtyD
iMTB Hooligan
Plush for everything, all day. Very little bob climbing, unreal traction on steppy climbs. Obvious benefits DH.
I tried Crush, just a little too firm with my spring and weight, and the terrain here. I think where you are with your spring/weight is key to how effective the chip will be in either position. And obviously what feels good. The alum Smash demos were set up in Plush. I lost weight since specing the spring, I can tell by my shock sag, so firming it up is the opposite of what I need. Check out both settings and see, easy on the trail with your 6mm hex key.
Thank you gentlemen for your input. A GG rep steered me toward a 600- to 650-pound spring and actually recommended an air shock with volume spacers for my weight. As much as I’d like to lose a few pounds, I like to drink beer and eat tacos. The solution: pedal a heavier bike to make the limited ride time count. I installed a 600-pound spring and will loop a local trail in both modes to dial her in. Sound advice @mike on the torque.Considering what you did to the rear wheel on your new bike's maiden voyage and from what others say about you, you'll want to CRUSH.
Yep, you have a "reputation"...
littlewave
Well-Known Member
I
Im using a 500 I think and weigh same as you. It’s spot on so far, but maybe I don’t ride fast enough. I have an air shock too but haven’t tried it yet.