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TEAMROBOT Added a reply to How to make the industry more sustainable?

11/16/2021 4:13pm
The rider you just described, who needs to overhaul or replace suspension components, their drivetrain, and their pivot bearings at full MSRP and labor rates, is probably ready to throw the whole bike in the bin and buy a new bike or quit riding.

TheSuspensionLabNZ Liked a reply to forum topic How to make the industry more sustainable?

11/16/2021 4:09pm
Yeah thats a huge one....if people knew how much it costs to keep a bike running properly they I doubt they would get in to it at all! Well that's why they don't tell them. I get shocked people all the time who come in after a year and only just learn that because they ride every day they should have had at least a couple of suspension services already, the drivetrains worn out because they didn't know how to look after it and all the pivots bearings are seized. A lot of industry guys change bikes every 6 months...
This forum topic has 71 replies.

TEAMROBOT Added a reply to How to make the industry more sustainable?

11/18/2021 5:22pm
The cost of repairing mountain bikes is totally prohibitive for the average user. Think about how much you'd spend on repairs if you had to do 100% of repairs at your LBS, and how many days/weeks/months you'd be out of a bike while it's in getting repaired? In the last year for me: Suspension service multiple times Changing tires multiple...

Primoz Liked a reply to forum topic How to make the industry more sustainable?

11/16/2021 2:18pm
Regarding tolerancing, I think this one is one to forget about immediately. The whole concept of mounting bearings with bikes is flawed if you ask bearing manufacturers. Given the requirements and usecase, every engineer that never rode a bike seriously will say 'use bushings'. And it's true. The issue with bushings is their clearance and their wear, increasing clearance. And anybody who knows what clearance in a bike can do (headset) is deathly afraid of any clicks and noises caused by clearances. I know I am. That's why ball bearings are here to stay, even though they are far from...
This forum topic has 71 replies.

TEAMROBOT Added a comment about product review Spire

11/16/2021 12:41pm
I'm not sure I'd agree that EWS riders run a "slightly harsher" setup. In every rider interview I’ve read, heard,or seen they say their EWS bike is setup slightly or significantly softer than their DH bike because the races are so much longer, more physically draining, and they aren't able to memorize every root and rock on the track. I know EWS riders are riding smaller bikes to keep them maneuverable, but I don't know if I'd call them harsh. Everyone I know who races the EWS runs more of the "magic carpet" suspension setup vs. the "set it stiff...
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This product review has 1 comment.

Craw Liked a comment about product review Vital Test Sessions - Transition Spire

11/16/2021 11:24am
Whoops. Of course. I wasn't considering which size of test bike you have on hand. So yeah the way you did it totally makes sense.
This product review has 16 comments.

BHowell Liked a comment about product review Vital Test Sessions - Transition Spire

11/16/2021 11:24am
Ahhh, sorry, I read that to be broader than you had meant it. Going a couple of inches taller would have meant riders would need a large and going a couple of inches shorter would have meant going to a small. By using a group of testers in a tighter, and central, height range (but who vary in weight and dimensions) we can narrow in our focus on ride qualities. Test Sessions are meant as an intensive, multi-day series of tests where we hammer on the bikes and suss out the general qualities amongst a qualified group of riders. Hope...
This product review has 16 comments.

TheSuspensionLabNZ Liked a reply to forum topic How to make the industry more sustainable?

11/16/2021 11:22am
I think the part people are missing in the "we build what the customers ask for" discussion in regards to sustainability, is that at some point soon materials are going to become more and more scarce (if they aren't already) which will drive prices up or stop availability altogether. It does need to be manufacturer - driven, as in companies selling products that are designed to last a long time and be serviced easily (or, like, at all!). I regularly have customers that are tired of parts wearing out all the time and no suitable replacement being available. Better training...
This forum topic has 71 replies.

Sir HC Liked a reply to forum topic How to make the industry more sustainable?

11/16/2021 11:21am
The industry is charging more and more, whilst delivering less and less. Marketing teams are in overdrive to keep sales up and the money flowing in, I'd be intrigued what the warranty bill is as a result of reduced time to market on product development. Mandating longer warranties would force the OEM's to make a better quality product. -Robust frame -Properly sealed bearings with frame tolerancing as per the bearing suppliers manual -Components which are up to the job (creaky CSU's, ebike drivetrain, etc) A year into ownership of my G1 and the frame has been faultless, properly designed, tested...
This forum topic has 71 replies.

TheSuspensionLabNZ Liked a reply to forum topic DIY Ghetto idler mounted to ISCG tabs?

11/15/2021 4:44pm
Quoted for truth, especially the top part. If you’re willing to go and tinker then go for it! If you give it a try at least you will have learned a lot more than what any of the forum commenters can provide 🙂 My only advice is keep an open mind, try a few different things and be willing to accept you might be wrong Jeff.brines- phrases like “it’s in your head” are harmful and not useful at all. OP is very likely feeling something, it’s just we can’t say for certain what, or how to fix it. Oh and...
This forum topic has 32 replies.

metadave Liked a comment about bike check 2000 Santa Cruz Super 8

11/15/2021 10:51am
#bringbackscubayellow
This bike check has 10 comments.

JerseyMojo Liked a reply to forum topic Will lighter riders benefit from an RS Zeb or Fox 38?

11/14/2021 9:48pm
A well known suspension tuner here in the UK changed the damper fluid to half the weight in my last service on my Grip2 due to the over damped issue - made a huge improvement.
This forum topic has 67 replies.

Pastizzi Boy Liked a reply to forum topic Will lighter riders benefit from an RS Zeb or Fox 38?

11/14/2021 9:48pm
My answer is yes. I am 70kg/155lb 5ft 6 tall, i went from a 170mm 36 to a 180mm 38. The stiffness is incredibly evident, it is also incredibly plush. i did not notice the extra 300grams of weight, if I had not weighed them I would not have known the 38 was heavier. I also changed back to the simple grip damper after being on the grip2 for quite some time. I always found the grip2 was far overdamped for my weight, even with everything open. Apart from going 29er 4 years ago, the fox 38 is a very...
This forum topic has 67 replies.

Verbl Kint Liked a reply to forum topic Will lighter riders benefit from an RS Zeb or Fox 38?

11/14/2021 9:48pm
Took TR's advice last March and got the Zeb Select (instead of the Ultimate). Stiff but really supple fork out of the box. Tuning it was so easy too. Bike got really slack on mullet mode with the higher stack height so put a 29er at the back to even things out (amongst other adjustments). I have an AL Kona Process 153 and the changes felt like new bike day. Bike became more manageable in the rough stuff but had to learn not to brake too late. After a couple of rides I had to change my rotors to 203mm...
This forum topic has 67 replies.
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Off topic, but, the name - when you are a huge success....be aware that "Superbe Pro" was a Suntour thing (maybe the patent and copy write are expired)...my god that stuff was WAY better than Shimano back in the day (and SRAM was not even a baby dream). https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=f5faf231-c193-46a4-8e5b-e498…
This video has 20 comments.
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A couple of guys with big feet tried my second prototype bike and there was no issue. The derailleur-to-heel clearance is plenty on the Supre Drive.
This video has 20 comments.

TEAMROBOT Added a reply to How to make the industry more sustainable?

11/14/2021 1:52pm
Taldfind, what you say is true and not true all at the same time. Your points regarding individual decision-making are valid, but there's ALWAYS room for innovation ahead of what the market is demanding at this moment. Visionary marketing leads the market instead of simply responding to it. Henry Ford said: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they...

TEAMROBOT Added a reply to How to make the industry more sustainable?

11/14/2021 8:49am
The current bike industry model is built on consumerism and marginal gains. "10% stiffer" "54 grams lighter" "13 speeds!" It's possible to build an economy around durability, user-friendliness, and repair-ability, but that's just not our sport right now. It will take a cosmically huge shift in marketing for brands to see a benefit in encouraging riders keep their bikes longer...

thejake Liked a reply to forum topic How to make the industry more sustainable?

11/14/2021 8:43am
The industry can quit making disposable shit. And people need to get over the weight of bikes. I know that 97-99% of riders could up their fitness or loose weight and both of those things would make more of a difference than some disposable part that saves a few grams.
This forum topic has 71 replies.