Day One Randoms - Sea Otter 2019

 strange beasts in these waters...

 @brappjuice: we're off the edge of the map. Here, there be monsters

 well you don´t drive the Polaris up on the trail, but on a fire road mostly, also it is way more fun than riding the pregnant rhino you call an e-bike back down the trail

 Roads are for motors, multi use single track is not

 A bicycle on the back of a truck is still a bicycle. Shuttling is just what you do in certain places. We have some shuttles around here that Still involve a fair amount of pedaling as well. But nice false equivalence.

 I've heard that the new ISO standard for E-bike power figures is measured in 'Ninos'. "Bro, my new motor can give me an extra 1.25 Ninos in Boost mode!"

 @CGalbreath: One of the big differences between trails in the US and Germany/Austria is that, in Germany/Austria, the way up is 99% of the time a fire road. It is not single track, and trails are rarely ever loops. This is probably whý @Lasse2000 is puzzled in his comment because for him both are used on roads.

 @ka-brap:
A lot of climbing in the states and Canada is on fire roads too, probably 80-90%. I could understand his logic if those on mopeds (e-bikes for those who bought into the trade-name) used them exclusively to ride shuttleable locations, but I don't think anybody could argue that is the case. The appeal of "e-bikes" is that they let you shuttle anywhere you take them. And that's what a lot of us have a problem with. It's a contentious debate because there is indeed perfectly reasonable arguments both for and against them, but for many of us it's just a gut feeling that there's something wrong with trying to put a motor on a bicycle, but still call it a kind of bicycle. You can argue that gut feelings and emotions are illogical, but gut feelings and emotions are a big part of what makes us human, and why we enjoy things like riding bikes in the first place.

 These responses have more justification than the supreme court!

 Waiting on the E-UTV Polaris to shuttle the E-bikes....future!

 @ripcraft: calling bs on your stats. I ride up a fire road maybe 10% of the time

 See Steve Smith and Brooke Macdonald intro in Unreal

 @catweasel: then you are probably mighty fit

 The real question is should buy these?
$63usd shipped I had them ready to go the saw shipping cost then my wallet slammed shut like an angry clam.

 ** these dyedbro.bigcartel.com/product/all-things-merica

 @catweasel: For real. Hard to find a legit fire road winch-up

 a lot of you have very strong opinions about e-bikes without ever having rode one and it shows

 @ripcraft: well said

 If your having fun its all cool!

 @catweasel: agreed!

 @ripcraft: Sure, but that's why we have rational arguments and why we have recreational activities- we're not cyborgs but our arguments still need to be cogent. There is no way that climbs in the US & Canada are 80-90% done on fire roads- that number is far too high since most trails are loops that have a dedicated climbing direction. This might be the case in your specific area, but it's not nation-wide. If your number were accurate, then this should only be a problem for 10-20% of the trails that don't utilize fire road climbs (or for people riding the wrong way on a trail, which is problem regardless of bike choice). But this is not the case- the amount of people who are up in arms about losing their trails is much higher than this.

And just because you feel an emotion about a certain topic, it doesn't make it valid or right. Someone's personal freedom to enjoy a bike the way they want to isn't any less important or less valuable than someone else's. By your logic then, someone should be able to ride an ebike since they enjoy it (provided the trail system allows it).

 @ripcraft: So your gut tells you that you feel ebikes are not good because you can "shuttle anywhere you take them." That's supposed to be your argument for why they are bad and we should hate them. Copy.

 @reverend27: nailed it.

 @CGalbreath: what if I told you multi use singletrack exists for bikes with motors?

 Polaris-shuttle = 25k
Pivot on Polaris-shuttle: 11k

Take your conclusion

 I've been running the MicroShift wide range 9 speed drive train for about a month now and so far it has been flawless. I think the Box 9 speed costs about $100 more.

 I'm 100% ditto. The tight spacing and narrow chains & noise & finickyness of 11 & 12 speeds is bothering me. I'm only a recent convert to 11 speed & I love the clutch, but I'm going crazy clicking shifts that get out of whack and/or clicking something like 5-6 gears before I'm up to full sprint speed.

 That's the only thing that caught my eye too in this article.

 @bizutch: B-screw seems to matter a lot more with 11 speed, SRAM at least. Once I figured out, my problems disappeared. 13mm from biggest cog to pulley, check it!

 I'm all for Box products now. Loving the slogan "Be Different". I'm pretty much done with the cool-aide drinking brands. For myself I run the Box drivetrain and loving it. Toby is a pioneer with all respects to the guy. The team is very knowledgeable and can't wait to see what's next.

 I have been running this drivetrain since the autumn. It is a little noisy on shift, but goes into the next gear reliably. The 50t isn't a ratio I use often, but I have found with the slop in the derailleur it is a little noisy in the stand in a way I just can't manage to defeat. Nothing I notice out on the trail mind, just something to consider. I know it's a billion times more expensive, but the EX1 drivetrain from Sram has nearly the same range, a narrower cassette offering great chainline, one fewer cogs, and shifts amazingly by comparison. I have both, if the cleanest shifting is your priority, pony up for the EX1, if you want reliable function that you aren't worried about damaging, the Box 2 makes more sense.

 Realy interested in that 9 speed drive train. I only want the range of the 11 speed, e close ratios. If this was more durable , I would be looking at it

 @pacificnorthwet: The BOX 9-Speed Drivetrain is $279.99, which is still a bargain compared to Eagle

 @bizutch: I have been running 12-speed for two season Butch. Once it's set, should be good. Even on GX

 @IamSeaDevil: It also has a wider gear range for that extra $100 which is an added bonus. The MicroShift 9 speed only has a 42 tooth cog. I'm just too cheap to bother paying for the lower gear.

 In reality on an e-bike all you need is 9 rings. Motors on those bikes are pretty amazing. 11 seems overkill.

 same here

 Back in the day (late 90's early 2000's IIRC) they had something called Spinergy SPOX and it looked like the ones in this post. www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=283424&start=10

They were a more durable and field replacable option to their original fixed carbon blade wheels. The weight and price look good on these.

 psst wanna buy some?

 Im just imagining trying to clean the exposed freehub. Does anyone ever think of dirt?

 @xcmountain80: I have two sets of the Spox in 26" from a long time ago. Rode them forever and never had any issues with them. I never had to true my wheels but that is the only tricky part. You can't twist the spokes so you have special tools to hold the spoke while turning the nipple.

 Hadley Hubs with fancy Zylon/PBO fiber spokes for $900? Sounds like a decent deal considering Berd is charging $600 just for their spoke alone.

 @xcmountain80: I had a set of SPOX right when they came out. (My bike got stolen and I had insurance money to burn.) I had a full OCLV carbon frame with XTR and SPOX wheels and the rest of the nice bits. The bike was light and fast, but durability on those SPOX was total shit. Even the special spoke tools you had to use to adjust the spokes were too light(aluminum) and had excessive wear quite quickly. The spokes required exceptionally high tension and were prone to loosening...which I found out about when one of them folded over about 20 degrees on a ride. I was able to bang it back straight and get home. The final straw came when 3 spokes pulled through the rim. I never bothered to fix them and gave them away.

 I love my spinergys. Have two sets of xyclones. I'm waiting for them to come out with something a little wider. Hubs are bomb proof. Have never broken a spoke.

IMO these are better than carbon rims because they feel amazing without the fragility of carbon. Aluminum rim/composite spoke is great.

 @xcmountain80: I fondly recall on my first trip to Whistler Bike Park in 01 or 02, Wade (Simmons) had SPOX wheels with white spokes on his RM7. (Quick Google search reminds me this bike was featured here recently: www.pinkbike.com/news/throwback-thursday-wade-simmons-and-shaun-palmers-legendary-bikes.html)

 @Powderface: how do you find them landing from jumps. I had mine for about 3 weeks and I couldn't cope, every landing felt like the wheel was folding..kept having to check it was so unnerving

 @PHeller: That's what I was thinking!

 You can buy an RV that actually drives for 28k.

 @bulletbassman: you can by a Large new van and fit it out your self for that.

 Tiny travel pods are a rip off. Full size RV's and Vans can be had for the same price and are much more functional / comfortable.

 @bulletbassman: I've checked out lots of RV's with my dad. I am amazed how flimsy something that "outfitted" is.

 I tried to make an escape pod at work, but my boss told me to get back to work

 @Apex06: not necessarily if you don't want 2 vehicles. You pay in other ways.

 at first it looks like copy of Caretta at second you can have the Caretta for starting like 6500 USD carettacaravan.eu

 or simply get a cheap trailer and get it done yourself www.mikenchell.com/images/GenericBenroyPlans.pdf

 Yup, I just spent 30 minutes dreaming of my new life in my escapod... Before seeing the pretty hefty price. Even rental is 125$ a night, which I guess could make sense for proper adventurers going out to deserts and stuff, but in Europe you'd get a very nice hotel at that price.

 @Mugen: well the caravan rents here in Czech offer the Caretta to buy for around 5800 EUR, building one yourself is around 2500 EUR, rent price is around 50 EUR per day and yes you can get an accomodation for that money and not have to pay highway stamps, higher rates at camps etc

I am really thinking about to build one and rent it while I am not on the road.

 @bok-CZ: Those instructions are top notch!!! Man, if I had time and money...

 @bok-CZ: had a similar thought. Can't be that hard to make one if you have the time and minimal skills.

 Yeah those things look cool but realistically it's a huge waste of $

 Yeah I checked them out too for our family of 4 to tow with a 4 cylinder Toyota Rav4...but at that price, shit no

 For the price of that tuna can you could have 150 stays at a nice hotel .

 They're neat..but totally a 'keepin' up with the Jonses collect all the cool toys at any price' kinda thing.
Whatever size cargo trailer suits ya...bins to keep shit in...simple frame and mattress(flip it up against the wall when not in use)...also packs your bike inside....done. Rocket Surgery 101

 @Mugen: And I just read all the extras and insurance to rent it it will be crazy...great looking compact idea but way to pricy...

 Looking forward to the Topeak Air Drive Pro multi-tool. Pneumatic tools for trail-side repair is what I've been waiting for my whole life.

Bonus: Can it also drive my Shimano Airlines group set?

 Or just use the bug sprayer hack... I've seated so many with that thing it pains me to watch people buy expensive tire seating devices.

 @BrianANC: Do you have to do anything tricky to couple the sprayer nozzle with the valve stem? I've been curious about trying this but feel like I'm going to miss an important detail.

 @kjjohnson: cut the sprayer hose. Put that over valve stem with core removed, mines tight enough it doesn’t leak. Hold a kink in the line with your hand or a clamp as you pump up, then release. Voila

 @BrianANC: Actually that's a lot less complicated than I thought it would be. Thanks.

 Probably due to the reliability issues and shortcomings of early offerings. Lots of people saw the awesome potential of droppers and knew they could make a better one.

 One- Up kinda has the market cornered right now. Feature and value wise they're the one to beat.

 @woofer2609: OneUp does seem to be cornering the market in many ways at the moment. I use many of their products and they always seem to have an edge with pricing too. I did recently purchase a new PNW Dropper and I am very impressed. High quality and great customer support. Also with their current pricing on the Bachelor it was about the same price as OneUp. Can't go wrong with either choice.

 Most of the posts offered today are rebranded TranzX posts.

 The pnw dropper is the exact same dropper sold under the chain reaction brand for little more than usd 100. “good dropper for the price”.

 @RedRedRe: I was wondering who the manufacturer was - it seems they make them for Raceface, PNW, Oneup, Brand X and probably more - Looks like it is JD Components Co., Ltd / TranzX in Taiwan.

 @justanotherusername: Most of the posts you mentioned are just a new laser on a catalog part. The OneUp post is designed inhouse and aside from a few stock bolts/pins, the OneUp post is completely custom to us. That's why our post has the world's shortest total length and stack height and is the lightest post available for under $400.

 @OneUpComponents: Thank you for the clarification, sorry for getting that wrong (an assumption made wrongly) - You guys knock out some great parts, I run the pedals and a ring from you guys myself.

 @OneUpComponents:

*lightest post you can get 2 of for under $400

 @OneUpComponents:Shortest total length unless you include the actuator. The your post is longer than the KS lev at 442 vs 440 for a 150 post. Sure it’s 2mm but it’s still longer.

 @RedRedRe: Just picked up a 150mm for $105 US after using the discount code. Loving it.

 @mfoga: We just launched our V2 dropper. Including actuator it is 420mm for a 150mm (405mm without the actuator).

 @fruitsd79: Which one, which code? Nothing sticking for me.

 @mfoga: Point taken. Our claim was based on the industry standard measurement of dropper without actuator. It is usually the actual diameter that bottoms before the actuator. We also, had (have) the shortest stack height in the industry.

V1 - Shortest effective, Shortest stack
V2 - Shortest effective, Shortest stack, Shortest total length (by 20mm)

Sorry for any confusion.

 @OneUpComponents:

He's mostly confused about relevancy, no need to apologize.

 @ripcraft: no I am confused when numbers do not line up with the claims. Sorry when you add something to the bottom and don’t account for it in the length to say it shortest is not being completely honest.

 @Bflutz625:

That's who's making the posts you find on lower level Specialized. My 2016 Fuze Comp 6Fattie has a rebranded Tranz-X post.

 @justanotherusername:

JD Components Co, LTD is the actually company name. Tranz-X was the "brand name" they created to "upscale" their components for the north american market around 1994. The company itself was making bike parts from the late 80s forwards. I think I might still have my original JD Components QR wheel skewer set still which I bought in 1992 and which still functions perfectly. Its the same thing as Joytech and Novatec, CST and Maxxis, and so forth.

 I was also curious as to the glove gloves. Lauf is Icelandic I thought?

 Specialized clothing is actually pretty good. Demo pro shorts are awesome! I do cringe a little because it doesn't match the brand of bike I ride.... but that's all in my head

 @sambobcat: huge fan of their bibs/jerseys.

 That's what I was thinking. Also no spoke crossing on disc side? Is this a good idea?

 @Duderz7: Right?! Seems like a ton of torsional flex under braking...

 If that’s the case, I’ll hold out for the 170mm travel Thesis

 @sngltrkmnd: How Novel!

 They've always had aluminium brake levers. Not sure what you've been missing. Maybe mean the master lever assembly? The body will probably always remain composite as it has been since the MT series. The titanium lever blade is only for prototyping. Apparently titanium printing is cheaper than machining aluminium. Who would have known?

 If you really want to buy a MT7 and then change the leaver there is something wrong. I mean the body alone is 110€ and then for the big ass leaver 50€¿ Really? I just bought a Direttissima instead of this for 15€ more then that.

 @vinay: Much cheaper. Printing, push the button and walk away. Come back once in a while to make sure your machine hasn't taken a lunch break. One setup. Pay for the powder. The actual electrical cost to run lasers is not very expensive (strictly from a power standpoint).

Machining, pay your machinist, should be highly skilled, constant monitor of the machine, multiple setups, tooling, billet material, etc etc. Then when that prototype doesn't work out, repeat.

 @krashDH85: Yeah, I'm not really into the printing tech yet. Could you just shred the excess material (and failed products) and feed them straight into the machine again (as I suppose they work with powder and build layer per layer) or is there something else that needs to be done before recycling? Also, does it need a heat treatment after printing?

 @vinay: You can't feed any of the leftover material back in as it originates as powder. As the powder is released through a laser beam which heats the powder and previous layer to achieve the desired dilution between layers. There is usually a base that you use and build up on that, then you take something like a wire EDM machine and cut off the excess. There usually doesn't need to be a stress relief after, but that is all dependent on what you need out of the part. Usually if there are holes printed in, unless they are a very loose slip fit, there may need to be a drill/ream op after.

The technology is there now though where you can print a part and post machine in features all in one shot...ie final machine a face, drill/ream holes, without removing it from the printer.

 I like the grey walls on mine but to each his own. I'll definitely be getting vittorias again when my current ones wear out.

 I imagine Ken Done has something to say about it too.

 Yes. 30mm travel for gravel bikes, £800

 @Mattgc: Not just gravel bikes. The Olsen bike is being built with one too, depending on the application.

 Yes, carbon leaf spring. They actually started out with an 80mm XC fork a few years ago, but that didn't work quite as well due to the lack of damping. The tech does a lot better with high-frequency chatter (i.e. gravel roads) than big hits.

 Looks like a SQlab. Very comfy but I destroyed one in a not-so-hard hard landing but I’m 100kg.