Kyle

An XC bike is fine. Ride it until it breaks. Deception is only 1/4 notch harder than walnut anyway. I wouldn't spend money on an XC fork for that bike, just get a shock pump and add air so it doesn't bottom out. Learn to tune it. Get better tires. All set.

Knee pads have saved my knees countless times, but in years of MTB I've only cracked 2 helmets.

Nice try Sierra Club.

I'm sure putting a chinese electric motor where a bash guard normally goes will be fine.

Getting a fork with ramp control has actually altered my policy on not changing settings. There are real tangible benefits to letting out a few psi, zeroing compression and increasing ramp for chunky slow trails. Then for faster trails with more high speed impact increase psi a little, increase compression damping a few clicks, and decrease ramp. My initial impression was "Meh, who wants to think about that, just ride" but the benefits convinced me. Especially slow chunky mode. I literally laugh out loud when I can shove my front wheel over a rock that would've stopped me any other time.

All these posts about handling sealant like it's precious and surgical apparatuses are signs that y'all need homebrew.

If only there was a solution to both cost and drying out. Maybe one day someone will suggest something.

I should add, I'm using automotive tubeless slime, not the bicycle specific stan's-competitor tubeless slime. I use 32 oz basically because that's one whole bottle. I think the tire slime contributes aggregate and does good things for the viscosity. I think it also has RV antifreeze properties to resist drying. I'm musing about what other properties it might have. I use the ammonia to loosen up the mold builder before I add it. I also think it contributes to longevity in the tire. The RV antifreeze is propylene glycol so it's... non-toxic? It's for use in potable water systems so I'm not concerned about it. As far as your recipes go, I always use 100% RV antifreeze instead of straight water because the RV antifreeze is premixed with water anyway. The second recipe looks very similar to mine except less slime, have you had luck with it?

Change to foofy tires for EB. Change back. Change to tough foofy tires for Dragonslayer. Change back... I was being conservative in my original post, I think my sealant works hands down better than stan's. The only time I have damage that won't seal is when it's sidewall related.

I've been making my own sealant for years now. Comparing with my buddies it seems roughly as effective as Stan's at sealing and lasts far better through summer for a fraction of the price. The one thing I don't like about my recipe is that it uses regular car tire slime. My recipe: 16 oz latex mold builder 2 oz ammonia without added soap 32 oz pink RV antifreeze propylene glycol based 32 oz car tire slime Anyone have their own recipe that doesn't use tire slime? I was thinking about experimenting with Elmer's school glue which can be had by the gallon for cheap...

I know I'm not supposed to but I just can't stop eating it.

Beautyberry grows all over thumper and truly works as a horse fly repellent: https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/callicarpaamerica.htm I rub the leaves on my back and lats where they usually bite and stick a few leaves in my pockets. It also grows close to Barton Creek but is harder to find higher up.

Iphones can't see flyby?

I've been using these for years: https://www.competitivecyclist.com/lizard-skins-moab-grip They're soft sticky rubber so they feel good and are easy to hold. The grips are longer than typical, so you can move your hands around a little, and they cover the end of the bar so you don't worry about scratching your car in the garage. They wear out in 6-12 months and you replace them for $9.

Is there somewhere else that people are talking about this? I'm surprised how quiet it is here, on the facebook page, and anywhere else I know to look, considering what a big event it was last year.

I thought this was going to be an Evil thread.

Yeah, the yeti SI link is just a fancy pivot. It's not a lot of maintenance, or anything that should stop you if you actually like the bike. The upper pivot on my old Jet 9 was far more work because it was shaped funny and ate bearings.

If seat tube is non-negotiable you could look at closeout Yeti SB4.5 frames. I went from a Niner like yours to a 4.5 and my impression was that it was very similar feeling, just better in every way. 73 degree seat tube, and the suspension subjectively feels a lot like CVA. Now they're about $1k cheaper too.

Who built the bike? Stuff like this is why I do everything I can myself.

The new Ripley looks sick. It looks like a great fit for Austin. If I were in your shoes I'd definitely build it vs buying an Ibis build. Your Pike is comparable to a 34 performance. You're kind of a drivetrain luddite anyway, I don't see 12+ speed doing anything for you joy wise. You can avoid goofy Ibis wheels and 2.6" nobby nics.

2) I have done this at competitive and Jenson. I figure the guys there press in 100 bottom brackets every day so they'll probably do a good job. It was free with purchase. Plus while you're in touch it's free to ask if the price they're offering is the best they can do. Jenson immediately knocked $300 off a frame just because I asked. 4) I've broken a stans hub too. There are so many good cheap wheels these days, I would not bother. 5) What happens if 11 speed goes away? Will you have to... buy a new drivetrain?

You should probably drop it to 130 immediately to see what that feels like. Every time I've ridden a fox 34 I've ended up with the rebound cranked all the way slow or nearly. My fork setup revelation was that extremely progressive with low pressure is great for our slow chunky trails. The low pressure sacrifices some efficiency, but the beginning of the travel is extra soft to help get over rocks. The spacers give you OTB protection when you roll something you probably should've dropped. So if I were you I would lower the travel, check rebound, lower the pressure to use more travel, and experiment with keeping the spacers.

That look in their eye was actually them planning where they're going to throw sticks on the trail.

You ride a VerHauen, right? How did you settle on 130mm? I have a 120 on mine but have been toying with the idea of going to 130 or 140.

They had a beer called Gnarleywine. They brewed it wrong one year (like 2011?) and decided to release it anyway renamed Brown Sugga. It was spectacular. However, since it was a recipe gone wrong it was impossible to recreate. Lagunitas Sucks was an attempt to make something similar to Brown Sugga, I guess commenting on the feedback they received when they said they couldn't perfectly recreate the original. They've reused the name Brown Sugga since then, but I don't think it's the same.