Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

My Revelation was shit on the little stuff, then I saw i interview with Nino Schurter's mechanic and he explained about running the volume spacers for small bump sensitivity, which was to put more in and run your fork at a lower pressure.

So I was running at 51psi and 1 spacer
Now I'm running 35psi and 3 spacers (25% sag) which leaves about 10mm of unused travel of 150mm, on a normal ride, now it's great.

Gotta add you kinda can't expect to get full travel from a big fork in anything less than 'oh shit fuck fuck fuck' moments.

35psi

Wow

This is basically the 'quick fix' sort of advice I was looking for...

'oh shit fuck fuck fuck' moments

In my world, Insufficient Funds covers all of these :-)

Ingrid have a prototype shifter and mech.

https://theradavist.com/2019/10/a-first-look-at-ingrid-components-made-in-italy-derailleur-and-shifter/?no_cache=1

@Danimal

I second and third everything that has been said here, but will add that a simple lower leg service (if it hasn't been done in a while) can really improve small bump sensitivity.

Also, less beefy fork chassis can result in bind between the uppers and lowers even in the low speed chatter decreasing small bump compliance. Modern super-slack head angles on trail and enduro bikes make telescopic forks work better as they are orientated more towards a plane that minimises bind.
So another factor could be head angle on your bike (don't know if that is the case, no idea what you ride).

Perhaps it's time for 59° degree head angle on all trail/enduro rigs.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/jack-readings-nicolai-geometron-dh-lourdes-dh-world-cup-2016.html

Just get the new Fox 38.

Or the Trust Performance linkage fork, cheap at £2500.

This is basically the 'quick fix' sort of advice I was looking for...

The thing about chucking load of tokens in there is that you might find the initial travel gets more sensitive but the mid and end ramps up so much that the fork feels 'dead' on medium to large 'chunk'. Rebound might get a bit uncontrollable too.

Do you have a carbon handlebar? Also helps loads alongside proper front tyre pressure.

Modern super-slack head angles on trail and enduro bikes make telescopic forks work better as they are orientated more towards a plane that minimises bind

When you're falling off a cliff ;-)

Which to be fair, I think is the kind of riding you do

Rebound might get a bit uncontrollable too.

Yeah, I've had some interesting crazy rebound crashes

Don't think I've ever seen you crash

Mostly because you've disappeared off in to the distance in the first 60 seconds of trail

It is a factor, even on flatter trails. This is one of the major weaknesses of telescopic forks.

I don't enjoy riding off cliffs, though some of the crazy fuckers I (sometimes) ride with give me a good push. :-D

To be fair, crashing is the strongest part of my riding. I do it a lot.

More on the steep stuff coz I tense up.

Riding with Gavin (who you met at Redlands on the Commencal Meta AM) I had one of those crazy rebound crashes. On a local kind of steep track I though I was a hero and hit this awkward compression hard. The rebound kicked back violently and I went straight up the banking on the right, then did a back flip with the bike to the section below that was after the next switchback. Fell about 10-12 feet.

Gav thought it hilarious

The fork - and the whole bike - are literally a few weeks old so hopefully not time for a service yet. I'm sure it's just about setting it up right. I'll have a play around in the coming weeks - BPW was the first proper test.

At a lot of bike parks you see riders wearing those cheap decorating suits so they can just throw them away at the end of the each half day. You're not any drier but you don't have to ruin a washing machine with grit and filth.

There's also the phenomenon of too much grease being applied to the inside of the fork during manufacture which can affect its performance, particularly if it is blocking the ports between the air chambers.

If you don't think it's right contact the place you got it from and get them to send it to Fox for a service.

Too much grease?!

https://youtu.be/KyaHMr0Fw2Q

I need some “what bike” advice.
First up is my nephew, he got the neighbour’s lad’s old bike for Christmas last year as an entry to mtb. It’s a Norco Storm 7.1 which is something like this

Very steep, very high at the front, very budget parts.
His mates are getting into riding and I don’t want him to be held back. He’s rapidly outgrowing the Norco and I want to get him something that will be a bit beyond his needs but that will help him improve his riding. He’s 14 years old, 5”2 but only likely to grow to about 5”6 or 7.
So, thinking about frame and fork only.
Hardtail, light, something that will last a few years in terms of upgradability and standards.
Never really ridden on tarmac. Both uphill and down, some small jumps and drops, single track type stuff.
Probably 27.5
Any suggestions of used frames to look for?
Small alloy hardtail the right thing to look at?

Would love to go fully sick long low and slack shredder. The neighbour’s lad who he rides with has a very enthusiastic father and a very expensive bike.
I prefer a built not bought approach but something rad would be a bonus.

You're in the right ballpark. There was a nice Identiti AKA on Pinkbike a while back, might still be there. Maybe an Orange Crush?

And then also, he’s pestering my Dad to go out with him on a bike. My Dad’s 61, fit and healthy but not super balanced and doesn’t particularly have much strength in his legs. I think a bike would be brilliant for him and especially as he can share something (riding) with his grandson.
He’s got an ancient, cheap full suspension 26” tank which is a monumental effort to pedal down the street let alone up in the Shropshire hills where they’ll be riding.
So again, looking for a frameset to build something up for him.
Similar criteria only without the sick jumps and drops, he won’t go more than a couple hundred metres on road, all bridleways and single track.
My thinking is an alloy (for lightweight) rigid mtb. Probably 29”, shortish reach as he’s not flexible and will prefer to be upright.
I’ll build simple and reliable, 1x10 or 11 sram or shimano, shimano brakes

Identiti AKA, Orange Crush

Awesome, this is exactly what I was after. Thanks Tom

I can see @PhilDAS being nominated for the 'uncle of the year' award again

She’s still loving that bike by the way. Out all the time, cleaning it every time she brings it in

Orange Crush

I've got one, and can recommend. There are plenty about, so some bargains to be had.

What about the Nukeproof Scout 275? I know they’re a lot cheaper but they seem pretty solid for a low budget. Suitably slack and sick.
Blake Samson rides one a fair bit on the GMBN YouTube videos, including Whistler and Megavalanche
I mean for the price, I’m half tempted to get one myself though not sure if 275 or 290 if it was for me