No issues here in nelson BC. Spend some time on the shock (like always) and you'll be rewarded. I'm consistently faster on my sentinel than I was on my patrol. Big wheels, great geo, and kinematics. My only advice would be to look at carbon if you worry about weight for the climb. I was able to swap over some parts from another build on a used frame (wr1 wheels to a gen 1 carbon sentinel). Climbs better than my patrol did. No regrets at all!
Thanks man. Yeah I will likely have to throw in a relatively large volume spacer and I'll play with the compression and rebound a lot. I did order the alloy version as it was quite a bit cheaper with a nice spec - not too worried about the weight even though she's a heavy one.
Anyone run upgraded shock besides dpx2 on their bikes? How is it if so?
I just did my first ride on a Fox Float X2, it isn't dialed in yet. The swap to the X2 has made a world of difference in the grip and descending. The Float X2 doesn't pedal as efficiently (used climb switch), but has way more grip for me while pedaling up technical climbs. with the DPX2 the fork outperformed the rear and know it's the opposite.
I struggled with harshness on the DPX2 when I had enough support for chassis stability.
have you tried the DPX2 without the token? it made a HUGE difference in traction and plushness.
Hi everyone i have a 2019 carbon gx i love the bike but I'm getting an annoying knocking/feeling coming from the what feels like the shock or back end. I'm an experienced mountain biker and it feels just like a worn shock bushing or shagged bearing. Cassette, mech hanger, headset wheels seat cranks etc are all torqued properly and tight. I thought at first it was my bottle in its cage banging about so i took it off and its not that. I ride with a group of 8 experienced riders one a bike mechanic they've all had a go and can come up with no resolve.
The only things it could be is cables rattling about but thats quite a distinct tappy noise or the shock itself making a knock on its return stroke a bit like stiction. Apologies for the wordy post but any thoughts on this will be greatly recieved.
Same issue with mine. Best I can tell is that its the chain. Let me guess at this, you feel this while at high speed when in a high gear on terrain that has lots of small bumps but no real big hits. I rode sections of trail which produced this both in a high and a low gear. While in low gear (chain much further away from CS) I don't know that I noticed it. But in high gear it's profound. With the baby sized ring on the front the chain practically runs on the CS in you 10t cog, which I often am in. I'm thinking of bumping up to a 32 or 34 because of this and because I don't need such a crazy low climbing gear.
Yeah the chain does run really close ive often thought it was that ive put some Sugru moldable rubber stuff on mine so the chain cant slap at all still gives the sensation of a knock though.
Hi everyone i have a 2019 carbon gx i love the bike but I'm getting an annoying knocking/feeling coming from the what feels like the shock or back end. I'm an experienced mountain biker and it feels just like a worn shock bushing or shagged bearing. Cassette, mech hanger, headset wheels seat cranks etc are all torqued properly and tight. I thought at first it was my bottle in its cage banging about so i took it off and its not that. I ride with a group of 8 experienced riders one a bike mechanic they've all had a go and can come up with no resolve.
The only things it could be is cables rattling about but thats quite a distinct tappy noise or the shock itself making a knock on its return stroke a bit like stiction. Apologies for the wordy post but any thoughts on this will be greatly recieved.
Put your fingers over one end of the shock, then unweight and release the bike a few times. If you feel a wiggle, that's the source. Repeat for the other end of the shock and each pivot.
Yeah the chain does run really close ive often thought it was that ive put some Sugru moldable rubber stuff on mine so the chain cant slap at all still gives the sensation of a knock though.
I added a small strip of adhesive velcro (loop not hook) on the seatstay above where I think the chain is hitting and also wrapped an old tube around the integrated chainstay guard. Doesn't look horrible and quieted the bike down substantially. I'm big on a quiet ride as well.
One thing I noticed was the rear axle system requires tightening from both sides. It kept coming loose no matter how much I tightened the non drive side. It wasn't till I checked the drive side that I realized it was a loose nut. Tight ever since.
So I’m looking for some feedback on a alloy sentinel. I was really hoping to get a carbon gx 2019 but I’m coming up a little short on the financial side. The Carbons about $600 more than the alloy gx Eagle for me. I love the spec of the alloy but the 2.5 plus pounds of frame weight make me cringe a little bit. Granted I’m on a 33-34 pound Knolly right now so it’s probably close to the same weight. I’ve just heard from some people that the carbon is easier to throw around downhills. I also remember how sluggish the carbon gx I demoed felt climbing the gravel fire roads. For reference I’m 6’2” roughly 200 pounds kitted up and would be buying a XL.
Any real work opinions or back to back testing from others?
So I'm about the same size & weight as you and have demoed both the gx alu (1x) and gx carbon (2x) models (and on real trails) and the XL fits great.
The Sentinel is still on my finalist list for next bike (I've demoed many) but need to wait until next year now.
Anyway, IMO it's worth getting into the carbon version. That 2.5 difference was very noticeable and the bike was just better up and down with the carbon frame. Plus you'd come in a little lighter than your current bike so it would feel even more awesome. Even then the carbon is still ~1lb heavier than alot of the competition's frames (which I'm fine with).
Have you considered the NX carbon version then component swap over time? Last I checked it had a charger-damper equipped Yari which is actually a nice fork for the pricepoint, though you'd have to settle on a non piggyback reach shock, amongst other things.
If I were you I'd keep an eye out for sale and used gx carbons in the buy/sell (some shops will sell there new discounted if it's been on the floor long enough, or demo models). You're on the right track. Just an awesome bike. Good luck!
So I’m looking for some feedback on a alloy sentinel. I was really hoping to get a carbon gx 2019 but I’m coming up a little short on the financial side. The Carbons about $600 more than the alloy gx Eagle for me. I love the spec of the alloy but the 2.5 plus pounds of frame weight make me cringe a little bit. Granted I’m on a 33-34 pound Knolly right now so it’s probably close to the same weight. I’ve just heard from some people that the carbon is easier to throw around downhills. I also remember how sluggish the carbon gx I demoed felt climbing the gravel fire roads. For reference I’m 6’2” roughly 200 pounds kitted up and would be buying a XL.
Any real work opinions or back to back testing from others?
I was in your shoes about a year ago. Coming from a pre-SBG Patrol (which is an awesome bike) I was really attracted by the Sentinel for all the obvious reasons. I test rode an aluminum set up with aluminum wheels and generally a burly not light build. I think it was around 36 lbs. It was a bit of a pig on the climbs to be honest. Stable but just sluggish. I waited until I could find a used carbon frame and slowly collected 29er parts. Now I have a gen 1 carbon frame with WR1 wheels and pretty average spec all around. Lyrik, DPX2, XT etc. I don't know the weight but would guess around 30-32 lbs. Doesn't sound like a big difference but it is significantly nicer on the climbs. There is nothing this bike can't do on dirt. I'm glad I waited for a good carbon frame because this has become my best bike to date. The standover is really good and I'm going to be installing a OneUp 210 dropper in it soon. I really can't find anything to complain about with transitions. The only reason I might change it up is if this one breaks.
Anyone run upgraded shock besides dpx2 on their bikes? How is it if so?
I just did my first ride on a Fox Float X2, it isn't dialed in yet. The swap to the X2 has made a world of difference in the grip and descending. The Float X2 doesn't pedal as efficiently (used climb switch), but has way more grip for me while pedaling up technical climbs. with the DPX2 the fork outperformed the rear and know it's the opposite.
I struggled with harshness on the DPX2 when I had enough support for chassis stability.
have you tried the DPX2 without the token? it made a HUGE difference in traction and plushness.
So far have been getting the rear suspension more dialed in on the the Float X2. It has changed the bike. I am running max volume spacers and have to be careful on bottoming on one section of a trail that is a 3' to flat landing. Otherwise at speed the improved damper really makes a difference in tuning. I am around 200lbs rider weight and run between 212-215 PSI. Depending on how fast you ride/ hit hings and weigh you can balance your bottom out support on the damper through or the spring, it is a balancing act to get it right so you keep your small bump sensitivity and the support deep in the travel. With my set up I haven't noticed and harsh bottom outs at speed, only larger inputs/drops. I would imagine if I over clear stuff and land to flat or do HUCKS to flat I would want something more progressive.
I am curious to try a DHX2 with a progressive spring from MRP, has anyone?