New Bike Day!

Soooo.... what are your thoughts on this bike? I am staring at the Transitions really hard, but for me its between the sentinel and patrol.. why'd they push you to the smuggler?
Love it. I went smuggler as it felt a lot quicker at slower speeds. I'm not shredding much but I can play around on small stuff on routes like FLOOP and still have a blast. I tested the patrol which was fun in its own right but it felt like i had to change how i was accustomed to riding. It could rip hard but i got into a little trouble because of it.

As i keep riding more and id consider buying the patrol as a second bike. Especially since I'm more of a 27.5 guy.
 
So I'm going to put a little Santa Cruz back into this thread!

Long-time coming... this was one of the Backcountry blow out deals a few months ago... 35% off, then another 10% with Active Junkey and my 2% CC rebate, it came close to 50% off retail! And now it's mostly built! I need to cut the steerer, run the dropper line, and trim the brake cables. Then play around with the suspension set up. I bought some orange pedals, but they're just too much. Trying some blue ones now, which sort of match the writing on it, but not much. Maybe just back in black.

47407707452_964ea14349_b.jpg

Really happy to get this going... hoping it will really work for me. Might eventually drop the hard tail, will have to see how it plays out!
 
So I'm going to put a little Santa Cruz back into this thread!

Long-time coming... this was one of the Backcountry blow out deals a few months ago... 35% off, then another 10% with Active Junkey and my 2% CC rebate, it came close to 50% off retail! And now it's mostly built! I need to cut the steerer, run the dropper line, and trim the brake cables. Then play around with the suspension set up. I bought some orange pedals, but they're just too much. Trying some blue ones now, which sort of match the writing on it, but not much. Maybe just back in black.

View attachment 50987

Really happy to get this going... hoping it will really work for me. Might eventually drop the hard tail, will have to see how it plays out!

Looking good... :thumbsup:

But get rid of the hardtail? Does not compute. :confused: :p
 
So I'm going to put a little Santa Cruz back into this thread!

Long-time coming... this was one of the Backcountry blow out deals a few months ago... 35% off, then another 10% with Active Junkey and my 2% CC rebate, it came close to 50% off retail! And now it's mostly built! I need to cut the steerer, run the dropper line, and trim the brake cables. Then play around with the suspension set up. I bought some orange pedals, but they're just too much. Trying some blue ones now, which sort of match the writing on it, but not much. Maybe just back in black.

View attachment 50987

Really happy to get this going... hoping it will really work for me. Might eventually drop the hard tail, will have to see how it plays out!
Supah Congrats!!!!!!!!
I think you are going to love it. I found that I get to hit the dirt harder because you get to go so much faster! :eek:;)
 
Looking good... :thumbsup:

But get rid of the hardtail? Does not compute. :confused: :p

I figure I'll just save it for you when the inevitable happens! But then SC keeps on giving you replacements! IF I like this as much as I think I will, and I have my monstercross for everything else, the hardtail is a bit redundant. No hurry though!

Supah Congrats!!!!!!!!
I think you are going to love it. I found that I get to hit the dirt harder because you get to go so much faster! :eek:;)
I seem to be able to do that plenty fine on a hardtail!!!

A quick spin out the driveway and back was fun! I need to figure out the suspension settings... it was pretty wallowy. That's a new skillset to learn.

Anyone have the link to that good video about suspension setup? It was going around here last year or so.
 
So I'm going to put a little Santa Cruz back into this thread!

Long-time coming... this was one of the Backcountry blow out deals a few months ago... 35% off, then another 10% with Active Junkey and my 2% CC rebate, it came close to 50% off retail! And now it's mostly built! I need to cut the steerer, run the dropper line, and trim the brake cables. Then play around with the suspension set up. I bought some orange pedals, but they're just too much. Trying some blue ones now, which sort of match the writing on it, but not much. Maybe just back in black.

View attachment 50987

Really happy to get this going... hoping it will really work for me. Might eventually drop the hard tail, will have to see how it plays out!

You will dig it once you get it out in the dirt.

Yeah, orange pedals would have been over the top.

Suspension....unfortunately on that shock and fork, not a lot of adjustments....Rear is mostly just Air Pressure and Rebound then you can play with the Climb/Trail/Descend lever. Same goes for the front...except for the Volume Spacers in the air spring. You will get used to it....VPP bikes have a different feel, especially when you have spend so many years on a hardtail.
 
Anyone have the link to that good video about suspension setup? It was going around here last year or so.
Some think my method is lame, I don't even consider "sag"... but I would firm up and keep letting air out until I hit bottom on the big hits, then I may add a little back. I like to use all of my suspension. I like Butter in the Chudder! Typically the specs make the ride too harsh, so I would start there and deflate to comfy. Remember who is giving this advice! I call my bike.... Fluffy. :whistling::thumbsup:
 
Last edited:
You will dig it once you get it out in the dirt.

Yeah, orange pedals would have been over the top.

Suspension....unfortunately on that shock and fork, not a lot of adjustments....Rear is mostly just Air Pressure and Rebound then you can play with the Climb/Trail/Descend lever. Same goes for the front...except for the Volume Spacers in the air spring. You will get used to it....VPP bikes have a different feel, especially when you have spend so many years on a hardtail.

I have an extra spacer on my Chameleon's fork, that helped out nicely. But planning on running this pretty much as is to see what it's like. I have about 30% sag in the back, and will start there!

Some think my method is lame, I don't even consider "sag"... but I would firm up and keep letting air out until I hit bottom on the big hits, then I may add a little back. I like to use all of my suspension. I like Butter in the Chudder! Typically the specs make the ride too harsh, so I would start there and deflate to comfy. Remember who is giving this advice! I call my bike.... Fluffy. :whistling::thumbsup:

I'm planning on keeping it plush... I mean that's whole idea of having full suspension!!! Otherwise I'll just ride a hard tail!
 
I have an extra spacer on my Chameleon's fork, that helped out nicely. But planning on running this pretty much as is to see what it's like. I have about 30% sag in the back, and will start there!



I'm planning on keeping it plush... I mean that's whole idea of having full suspension!!! Otherwise I'll just ride a hard tail!
As well, if you find your chudder utopia, but find you are still bottoming out on the bigger hits, you can throw in a fork biscuit to help the fork ramp up faster.
 
Some think my method is lame, I don't even consider "sag"... but I would firm up and keep letting air out until I hit bottom on the big hits, then I may add a little back. I like to use all of my suspension. I like Butter in the Chudder! Typically the specs make the ride too harsh, so I would start there and deflate to comfy. Remember who is giving this advice! I call my bike.... Fluffy. :whistling::thumbsup:
You and me, bro. Use that suspension. I never understood the guys that ride down the toughest trial they are going to ride on their 6" travel forks and use half the travel. What's the point? Use it all - it feels better.
 
Thanks!

I'm lazy about getting the dropper run... instead chose to ride a bike today rather than fiddle on one in the garage! But did cut down the steerer to a manageable length. May cut it down a bit more, or just leave it. I need to trim down the brake lines as well... otherwise good to go!!!

View attachment 51021
Yeah... you don't wanna take THAT to the chest! :geek::eek::thumbsup:
 
smashv2.jpg



BAFB!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not quite there, but had to get a jump on the build. Wheels/tires/fork are temporary. That little extra frame length feels...just like I hoped it would. :sneaky::inlove:

Thanks for keeping me stoked all winter, guys and gals. Thanks for the stem, Jason. Thanks for the ring, Erik.



AYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
Last edited:
Back
Top