New Bike Day!

mtnbikej said:
No, you can use a razor blade.....just make sure not to smash the end of the hose down. You'll need to be able to get the hose barb in.
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When you add the new anodized barrel do all you can to back fill it with brake fluid and there may be the chance you won't have to bleed it. I shortened the hydraulic dropper and did not have to bleed it... yay!
 
Cyclotourist said:
Thanks to the both of you!!!

Yes, pretty much everything there, ready to go!




Mikie's spot on... front is okay, but rear is really long. Do I really need the special SRAM cutting tool to shorten them???

Current state, with brakes and rear derailer set up (brake cable runs too long still). Needs a chain, pedals, and most importantly, I need to set up the dropper. Hopefully tomorrow if that pesky employment thing doesn't interfere!!!
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Why do the bikes’ asses still feel long when you’re sitting between the BB and rear hub?
 
Mikie said:
When you add the new anodized barrel do all you can to back fill it with brake fluid and there may be the chance you won't have to bleed it. I shortened the hydraulic dropper and did not have to bleed it... yay!
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SRAM brakes are a bit more finicky when it comes to air in the system than your Reverb. Every SRAM brake line I have shortened had to be bled.

Then again, so did Suz's Reverb when she got her Tallboy.
 
DangerDirtyD said:
Why do the bikes’ asses still feel long when you’re sitting between the BB and rear hub?
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The post is about 3cm too high in that pic... I had it there to give me somewhere to grab on the stand. Bars are still a bit lower than I'm used to.

@mtnbikej @ @Mikie Cool, thanks. I watched the SRAM how-to video, and they had the special cutter which is $73. Would rather not have to get it if I don't need it. I saw this hand-unit which ain't so bad: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EZOVWU/?tag=imtbtrails-20
But if a sharp razor blade and a steady hand will do it, I'm okay with that!

So the good news is that I got it all together in a semblance of a working bike and rode it around the block!!! Shifting needs to be dialed in, dropper run needs to be tweaked (that was the hardest job so far!), above mentioned brake lines to be shortened, front axle won't go as tight as I want it to (first thru-axle, learning curve there) and fork to be dialed in. But the quick spin was a blast. Love those tires!!! They measure 2.8" at the knobs, so a touch below the advertised 3.0." Really stoked about this lizard!

Edit to add this video, it's the most casual version of shortening hoses that I found:
In the comments was this really good tip: "best way i found to cut a shimano hydraulic hose(much better than what is shown in the video)...get box knife that has the short double tip replaceble blades and is foldable.....take the brake hose,mark the spot for the cut,hold it flat on the handle part where the blade goes and push it closed....perfect cuts with minimal effort....also works with a regular razor blade and a piece of wood and still makes nicer cuts than any pliers."

I have one of those exact knives (a road-side find!) so might try that. No hurry on shortening them, that's the least of my worries!!!
 
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Faust29 said:
Double check the tire rotation and the crank tightness!

My tires came backwards, and the crank was hand tight! o_O
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Crank bolt is good, rear tire was backwards. Might have some quality assurance issues, unless it is intentional.
SnakeCharmer said:
@Cyclotourist,

WOW, how cool is that that the wheels come set up for tubeless?! :thumbsup:

What hubs are included in that wheel set and it that a boost fork? Looks wider at the axle.
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Yes, I am Boosted and tubeless! Used some CO2 to pop them on, as my floor pump wouldn't do it.
Hubs are SRAM MTH 746/716... will see how those hold up!
 
Cyclotourist said:
Crank bolt is good, rear tire was backwards. Might have some quality assurance issues, unless it is intentional.

Yes, I am Boosted and tubeless! Used some CO2 to pop them on, as my floor pump wouldn't do it.
Hubs are SRAM MTH 746/716... will see how those hold up!
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Double-check that the dropouts are tight and locktite has been applied, I saw a post on MTBR that had a guy that didnt check them and eventually cracked his frame.

And I found the best cutters for brake lines, small-pet nail clippers. They dont smash the lines and leaves almost a straight cut. https://www.chewy.com/kaytee-small-animal-pro-nail-trimmer/dp/129033
 
riiz said:
Double-check that the dropouts are tight and locktite has been applied, I saw a post on MTBR that had a guy that didnt check them and eventually cracked his frame.

And I found the best cutters for brake lines, small-pet nail clippers. They dont smash the lines and leaves almost a straight cut. https://www.chewy.com/kaytee-small-animal-pro-nail-trimmer/dp/129033
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Cracking the frame would definitely suck. I'll go over those! If they can't put the tires on the right way, maybe I can't expect them to tighten the bolts either! :-(

Cool lead on those clippers, thanks! That rear hose in particular is really flapping in the breeze. But I can deal with it for a minute while I get everything else dialed in!

Maybe I could get some purple hoses!!! :-)
 
mike said:
First ride, Sisters/Dedisse circuit.

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I already raved about the Smash demo I rode 2x, so anything I say about the bike would be mostly redundant. It’s as advertised – a smasher that can be pedaled all over. Crazy fun on rough terrain, minimal penalty on climbs.

I tweaked the cockpit from the demo setup, and it felt pretty nice. I might try the stem in the highest position and see if it adversely affects climbing. The demo dropper had offset; this one doesn't, remedied by adjusting the SDG saddle rearward.

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The coil shock felt planted and supple while climbing, which I’d hoped would be the case. Traction on rough climbs is impressive. It neutralized everything from small bumps to drops and square-edge hits going down. It did not feel particularly like it wants to pop features, but like my former VPP trail bike, it feels serious about going fast and smashing. I’d call the .9 lbs for the coil over air worth it. It just makes sense for this bike. I ran everything open all over, 30% shock sag, and rarely felt energy suck. All this in the Plush linkage setting – I will try the Crush setting next ride.

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How can you not appreciate that design and craft? @Voodoo Tom, I think you might more than some.

The drive performed nicely, with familiar soft shifting of other SRAM systems I’ve owned. I didn’t look up the hub engagement, but can tell it's 72 from my previous two DTS sets. The wheels are good enough to not ever think of upgrading them, short of a lottery win. KS Lev 150mm dropper has really nice action, and a paddle trigger that works fantastically. XT brakes/180s F/R as expected, adequate. Minions are Minions...DHR 2.3 and DHF 2.5WT, 3C EXO.

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31 lbs without pedals, and as much fun as you can believe, if not more. Gets through tight spots, feels super confident and comfortable in slow, trials-like stuff and of course at any speed. Man, I cannot wait to get it back to SoCal and rip some UHJ, Joplin, Chiquito and anything not smooth. Reasonable local substitutes until then...


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Steve, Dave, Tom, Jason, David, Ed, Chris, Jim and all you helpless bikeheads: Thanks for the bike stoke! Ride em, pardners. :thumbsup:
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THAT! Is a beauty of a machine my good comrade! Supah congrats mi amigo! <-- I felt so international just now.
 
Jenson USA called me today and said they had a box for me to pick up in Corona. It was fortunate that I was riding to Modjeska Peak - I was halfway there already. :cool:


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It didn't actually have a complete bike inside. But when I'm done, I'll never get thirsty on a ride again!!!!:thumbsup::thumbsup::cool::geek:

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I picked it to be my all-rounder. I don't know how many times I've been on a road ride and did the whole Squirrel!!! thing on a dirt something-or-other off to the side. This will do both. :thumbsup:

In fact, I'm throwing the orange-ish/red Giant Defy up for sale. I like it, but won't need it any more. o_O
 
Runs with Scissors said:
I picked it to be my all-rounder. I don't know how many times I've been on a road ride and did the whole Squirrel!!! thing on a dirt something-or-other off to the side. This will do both. :thumbsup:

In fact, I'm throwing the orange-ish/red Giant Defy up for sale. I like it, but won't need it any more. o_O
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Nice, I've been doing the same thing on the new Niner. I've actually found new dirt in my hood that I never knew about. :thumbsup:
 
Runs with Scissors said:
Jenson USA called me today and said they had a box for me to pick up in Corona. It was fortunate that I was riding to Modjesak Peak - I was halfway there already. :cool:


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It didn't actually have a complete bike inside. But when I'm done, I'll never get thirsty on a ride again!!!!:thumbsup::thumbsup::cool::geek:

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Nice! One of those turned my head the other day at the Path! Very nice looking bike... :thumbsup:

I think your Black Star time just dropped by 5 minutes...
 
The story unfolds...

Stole the wheels off the Defy; installed a Cane Creek 10 headset; installed a 73mm threaded Race Face bottom bracket; grabbed a cheap takeoff seatpost for now; had a Fizik saddle lying around (that will get changed out) and put on the 1.8" Kenda Slant Six tires I already had.

Now to decide on Shimano or Sram for RD and shifters. Ordering Cowchipper bars tonight. :thumbsup:

Edit: Yeah, I know the rear tire is on backward...dammit. :oops:

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Runs with Scissors said:
The story unfolds...

Stole the wheels off the Defy; installed a Cane Creek 10 headset; installed a 73mm threaded Race Face bottom bracket; grabbed a cheap takeoff seatpost for now; had a Fizik saddle lying around (that will get changed out) and put on the 1.8" Kenda Slant Six tires I already had.

Now to decide on Shimano or Sram for RD and shifters. Ordering Cowchipper bars tonight. :thumbsup:

Edit: Yeah, I know the rear tire is on backward...dammit. :oops:

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Looks like some good times shaping up – congrats!!!! :thumbsup:
 
Runs with Scissors said:
The story unfolds...

Stole the wheels off the Defy; installed a Cane Creek 10 headset; installed a 73mm threaded Race Face bottom bracket; grabbed a cheap takeoff seatpost for now; had a Fizik saddle lying around (that will get changed out) and put on the 1.8" Kenda Slant Six tires I already had.

Now to decide on Shimano or Sram for RD and shifters. Ordering Cowchipper bars tonight. :thumbsup:

Edit: Yeah, I know the rear tire is on backward...dammit. :oops:

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Depends on whether you want Shimano or SRAM Disc Brakes
 
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