Raaw Madonna v2.2

I've had this bike for a little while now and it has been and continues to be fantastic - although with the caveat that it only starts to show you what it's really capable of when you're either/both a) going very fast and b) it's steep and rough.

I've changed the tyres to Maxxis as the Michelins were great but the wear rate was high, I might still go back to them though.

I've also just changed the cranks to EE Wings, largely because I really like them and have wanted a pair for ages, but also because I was chasing a creaking noise that turns out to have been the seat post cradle.

One thing that has become something of an issue is getting the bike packed up below the standard 30kg weight limit for air travel, so maybe the new cranks will help a little with that.

As it currently stands:

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Which you barely notice at all when it's at speed, and it also climbs very well due to the position it puts you in and the grip available. But, airport oversized baggage scales don't care how it rides.

Thing is, everything on it works so well that I wouldn't want to change any of the parts, so I guess I'll continue to have conversations with security about why I have tools in my carry on.

Stop flying with it?

He lives somewhere that is rather flat so as to travel to places with downhill trails.

Yes. I know. I will not argue any further.

Stop flying with it?

I thought the downhill Raaw was going to be the 'airplane bike'?

It depends where I'm going really, Queenstown or Fujimi Panorama would likely be the DH bike, Chiang Mai would be the Madonna, as would Perth.

I am debating using my companies 30 days work from anywhere to come back to Europe for a period in early summer, and I might ship one of them ahead of me, IDK.

Living on a small, flat island does have some limitations!

Current parts list:
Raaw Madonna v2.2 in size XL, raw alloy finish
Ohlins coil shock, 550lb spring giving 160mm with the lighter rocker
Ohlins 38 M2, 170mm travel
Cane Creek Hellbender headset and bottom bracket
Renthal 35mm stem, Renthal carbon bars, Renthal grips
Magura MT7 brakes, Oak Components Root levers, 200mm rear and 220mm front MDR-P discs, stock pads, SRAM matchmaker clamps
AXS shifter and mech
Cane Creek EE Wings 165mm cranks, Wolftooth 32t dropstop ST chainring
XTR block and chain
Wolftooth dropper lever, Fox Transfer 200mm post
Ergon Enduro saddle
Fidlock bottle cage mount
Day saver frame mount plate and strap
Pembree pedals
Santa Cruz Reserve 30 wheels, Rimpact inserts
Maxxis DHR II rear, Assegai front, both double down casing.
Oak Components chainring bash protector

I had a local place (Attitude Bikes) service the fork and shock ahead of (hopefully!) a summers riding in Europe.

The IFP/piggy back chamber had no pressure - which surprised the shop and also me. Be very interesting to see how it performs now.

I also had them swap the nickel plated ring for a simply black anodised one, which is so much better looking - I had the ring for agers but was also afflicted with an enormous degree of lassitude, so got the shop to swap it.

The shop removed the washer from inside the crank as they say it can lead to the crank unbolting itself, which I wasn't aware of - I guess we now wait and see what they do.

Love this bike, it’s working well in Morzine- although I now have a noise at top out from the fork which I don’t think I had before.