XC

Got my Reign Sx back up front! New gear; ZTR rims, Got that front fox oiled. That fox cost me little taking it to local LBS! I was shocked, they did a good job! However, when dealing with LBS, if busy; make sure everything is tightened down! sometimes they forget! Took a few weeks to get parts.. I was mad! the ads were miss-leading for certain parts,, LBS had to order newer stuff for bike..

OK!

I really got a head turn on the 27.5 thing... 650b all the way! This will solve the ( Im falling into holes on the trial) problems. However, Ive discovered something much more important!

1. Top tube Angle
2. tire pressures
3. Tire choices
4. correct sag
5. how much travel do those shocks have
6. Stem length and angle/handle bar size! is it a flat bar?

Most important; stretch over that top tube.

Ive discovered certain things about bikes.. They are not flow! They are machinery; and static! A static machine does not move, it is welded together to be a one piece strong unit! it is not made to morph! Even shocks are not made to morph; sag rules, rebound helps... wheel size does not change on its own. If you want different wheel sizes then buy a new bike, frame size does not change, stem size does not change. What you see is what you get on the trial, unless you bring a wrench and extra parts.. Thus I have a better understanding of why people need to buy different bikes for different applications.. Changing out parts every ride can be a b@tch! Or maybe not!

Im into the Zen of changing parts to fix trail adaptation problems. I would like to relax and get used to changing out parts to change the whole of the characteristics of a bike!

Im looking for an XC trail bike with low front end geometry. Lower then 67. I would like 69, 70 or 71, then hook a 100mm stem and flat bar! I do not want a traditional XC bike. Im afraid I will break it! Im sure I wont, However, no one honers the guarantees if I jump it!

I thought about a new 650B with 5 inches of travel. Hmmm.......

However, What Im finding is the stem is playing the most important roll. I solved some trail problems by doubling stem length! However, the seat was down. When I buy a new seat post, I will try the Reign x with seat up, possible this will shove me over the bars enough to keep the front down. Might not need a new stem; I don't know yet!

50mm of stem length works great for town jump'n and pop'n, and not bad for all mountain with the seat up! However, for XC I need that stem moved to 100mm and a negative degree angle! I can keep the bars that came with the bike! I need to be stretched over the bike!

It would be great to have a bit more wheel size if I could still throw the bike around. I have not tried 650b! Im sure it would be nice, However, do I need it!

I hated the specialized 29r with 4 inches travel. It was very harsh and the bike seemed like I was pushing a tank!

I really liked the Reign SX in xC mode! it worked great.

First, I need a new seat post!