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kc358 Added a comment about feature FIRST LOOK: Commencal Supreme V4
4/11/2015 4:19pm
@Primoz While trail and AM bikes may not generally ride in super gnarly terrain like a DH, they still have to be widely versatile. They have to pedal efficiently on smooth terrain without bob on the way up, but still be able to shred the downhill. The general solution is compromise. Either you make a bike with a pedaling platform, but that makes it not soak up the bumps, or you make a bike that forgoes the platform for shredding. The HPP should have it's merits for that use as well for it's ability to reduce pedal bob without compromising...
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kc358 Added a comment about feature FIRST LOOK: Commencal Supreme V4
4/11/2015 9:20am
Most high end single pivot (like Foes) and HPP bikes (BMW) use floating brakes, or people add them on aftermarket. I'm surprised this doesn't have it. All 4-bar bikes do have some form of brake squat because they all have a virtual pivot point. Single pivot is actually the only one to truly have the option of separating braking from suspension due to the floating brake. On Bikoholic's comment, I do recall Fabien Barrel running a floating brake designed to induce squat to lower the rear end for better cornering because the tracks are too tame for needing full suspension...
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kc358 Added a comment about feature FIRST LOOK: Commencal Supreme V4
4/11/2015 9:12am
@Primoz I agree that bottom chain stretch could be an issue, though I'm assuming they spent time using multiple setups. Either way, if it does cause problems, they should easily be able to tune that by lower idler pulley location
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kc358 Added a comment about feature FIRST LOOK: Commencal Supreme V4
4/10/2015 6:51am
Why don't you think it would work as well for AM? Natural anti-squat and more sensitive suspension to small bumps and square edges sounds good to me. GT has employed medium height pivots with success. Mavericks simulated high pivot worked well.
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kc358 Added a comment about feature FIRST LOOK: Commencal Supreme V4
4/9/2015 6:16pm
This is probably the highest rated suspension design. Natural anti-bob that also improves suspension sensitivity and bump absorption. You don't need platform shocks or weird linkage rate curves that all negatively affect performance in one way to gain in another. This just works without compromise. Also, I'd disagree and say this bike looks great.
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kc358 Added a comment about feature FIRST LOOK: Commencal Supreme V4
4/9/2015 6:11pm
I hope, considering they made that prototype. That's what's always bugged me. Sweet BMWs, Zerode, Canfield Jedi, Bulls, etc. that have HPP downhill bikes that I'd love, but I don't ride downhill and none of them make a ~160mm enduro bike with the same awesome design.
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kc358 Added a comment about feature FIRST LOOK: Commencal Supreme V4
4/9/2015 6:07pm
Even if it made the headtube larger, I'd take that as a positive. Same reason new BB standards were made to provide larger BB shells; more contact area to make stronger, stiffer welds. I would expect the same affect in the head tube area as well.
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kc358 Added a comment about feature FIRST LOOK: Commencal Supreme V4
4/9/2015 6:06pm
YoYo's got it. The rearward axle path helps to eliminate pedal bob while improving suspension sensitivity and bump absorption. Offering multiple floating brake lever mount locations could easily tune in brake squat or brake lift to counteract any chainstay lengthening in hard turns.
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YoYo Liked a comment about Feature FIRST LOOK: Commencal Supreme V4
4/9/2015 6:03pm
High pivots eliminate "BOB" added with a dash of inbuilt anti squat and they pedal great, better than most other bikes. Not sure how poorly set up the Zerode you rode was, but they pedal brilliantly. Cornering is also a non issue once you've adapted to the bike and using the brakes subtly and with purpose. Everything is a compromise, this Commencal and Zerodes will prove for most to be the fastest balance of compromise overall. I'd bet on it.
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What fork was already on the Jekyll that this replaced?
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So 2 bikes have a different reach and you put the same cockpit on to "reduce the variables" but isn't that doing nothing for the variables? If they have a different reach, then to keep the same body positioning, control and room, you would need different cockpits. Additionally, I'm tired of reading every review saying the bike needs a 800mm bar. I'n not 6"7 like you, so 750 is more than enough. All this is doing is giving people that aren't that tall the false idea that they too need super wide bars., when that may in fact be detrimental...
This product review has 2 comments.
kc358 Added a comment about photo Kore Lock-on Grips
3/20/2015 3:17pm
Well, the Segway WAS designed to be used without bars. And can be.
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kc358 Added a comment about photo Kore Lock-on Grips
3/20/2015 3:15pm
Yep, there's a battery on their. All KTM 4-strokes feature electric start these days.
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kc358 Added a comment about slideshow First Look: Push Industries Elevensix Coil Shock - Exclusive Behind the Scenes Feature
2/23/2015 2:35pm
Actually, the company that is making their spring already has carbon springs that it supplies to Formula 1 and other motorsports. http://www.hypercoils.com/bellows Here is a carbon spring shown on a Fox shock from another company: http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/INTERBIKE-Part-2-Some-of-the-La…
This slideshow has 18 comments.
kc358 Added a comment about feature Swedish Gold - Öhlins and the Mountain Bike
2/21/2015 10:24am
Fox and others go into marketing detail about why they are the best (despite not working like they claim). On the other hand, Ohlins DO work, and work well. They don't need marketing bullshit because their products straight up work. Though if you want to know more about their technology, look at Cane Creek's shocks and that will tell you most of it. Though I have never found out exactly how their forks work and I'd like to know the differences in the Boxxer and 40 kits.
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kc358 Added a comment about slideshow First Look: Push Industries Elevensix Coil Shock - Exclusive Behind the Scenes Feature
2/20/2015 9:03pm
Cool design, and thank you for keeping an IFP. This shock should last for years without a rebuild. Sure, it is expensive, but if you are a competitive enduro racer, you get what you pay for here, the best performing shock available (I can only assume at this point) for that use. Cool product for it's intended use. I'd take one in a Guerilla Gravity Megatrail.
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This slideshow has 18 comments.
kc358 Added a comment about feature 26 Ain't Dead - Build A Killer Ride For Less Than You Think
2/5/2015 7:38pm
You can also start off with a used frame. There is a Rocky Mountain Slayer SS350 frame for sale on craigslist (the SS has all the same geo numbers as a new enduro bike) for $350. That includes shock and wheels. Get the shock Avalanche tuned and new forks (bike already had 20mm axle), plus the extra components and drop probably $1000 off this build for a solid performer by modern standards.
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kc358 Added a comment about feature First Look: Hope Technology Crank
1/17/2015 8:38am
How is it in line price wise? A Race Face Turbine can be had for $210, which is HALF the price of the Hope. Even at full MSRP, the Turbine is $280, still 35% cheaper. A RF carbon Next SL may be $524, but it is significantly lighter, about 34% (half a pound).
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This feature has 22 comments.
kc358 Added a reply to Magnetic pedals instead of clips?
11/21/2014 7:13am I like. It sounds like a good clip solution for those of us that have stuck with flats. As long as the weight is decent.