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Varaxis Added a reply to Why are there still no 200mm+ Enduro bikes?
2/25/2020 12:39pm I personally see all these various niche disciplines, like XC, Enduro, DH, Gravel, etc. as just frames designed to optimize the experience that each type of tire delivers. What do you see Enduro tires as? Are you optimizing the chassis around it? No point in calling it Enduro, if you feel like the tires are being overwhelmed and you instead...
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Varaxis Added a comment about product review Impact Pro
2/16/2018 7:38pm
Give it a mid-top ankle on the inside, add low profile lace cover-gaiter, offer a nice dark grey neutral color scheme (with contrasting highlights), and make it reasonably priced, and I'll buy. In other words, bring back the Karver!
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This product review has 3 comments.
Varaxis Added a comment about video Ride the Waterslide!
2/5/2018 4:47pm
Waiting for the follow-up video from that water park's administration. If I were them, I'd be like, you like to make videos? How about you come back in the summer and try it with the water on? Or else...
This video has 2 comments.
Varaxis Added a comment about feature What's In / What's Out - Mountain Biking, 2018
1/17/2018 8:29am
Things tend to not go away unless conveniently replaced by something better, that is easier to handle and more accessible.
This feature has 50 comments.
Varaxis Added a reply to How Much Reach is Too Much Reach?
11/22/2017 4:06pm I wouldn't dismiss such comments as complete nonsense. I'd just question how they came to such a conclusion. It may be a long bike, and it may not turn in a manner that they like, but the reason(s) could be something else. I'd immediately question if they changed any parts from stock, to ensure that their experience can be perhaps...
Varaxis Added a reply to How Much Reach is Too Much Reach?
11/21/2017 3:16pm Wheelbase is the primary # I use for determining what kind of ride experience I want in my quiver, for separation purposes. I do pay attention regarding how they come to such a number though: chainstay length, reach, HTA and length, headset stack, fork length, wheel and tire size... I trust the mfgs to tune things correctly according to their...
Varaxis Added a reply to How Much Reach is Too Much Reach?
11/19/2017 3:45pm If you push the front too far forward, then the bike becomes more rearward biased. As a result, the rider feels like they need to be more forward to feel centered. The STA compensates for this while seated, and the standing position is moved forward. I prefer to be relaxed, in that centered position. If I'm behind the saddle, "taking...
Varaxis Added a comment about feature Why Are E-Bikes Such a Touchy Subject in the U.S.?
11/19/2017 3:23pm
If ebikes were really a way to kick riders of all types off the trail, that'd be a perfect tool for hostile hikers and equestrians. Hiking/horse club buys e-bike and loans it out to do everything you can imagine that would F things up for mtbers... There's some clear consensus here that suggests that the guys who visit a site like VitalMTB, and other MTB sites and are interested in e-mtbs, are seeking to kick themselves and others off the trail, and make their expensive new ride useless... MTBers unite to show off how strong our logic is. Motor =...
This feature has 37 comments.
bturman Liked a comment about Feature Why Are E-Bikes Such a Touchy Subject in the U.S.?
11/13/2017 4:17pm
Related, IMBA has just updated their position on e-bikes. It now reads: [i]IMBA is supportive of Class 1 eMTB access to non-motorized trails when the responsible land management agency, in consultation with local mountain bikers, deem such eMTB access is appropriate and will not cause any loss of access to non-motorized bikes. IMBA recognizes that changes in design, technology and the numbers of eMTB users is evolving, and believes these bikes can be managed in a sustainable way for both the environment and other trail users. “First and foremost, we advocate for access for traditional, non-motorized mountain bikes. IMBA does...
This feature has 37 comments.
Dildosaurusrex Liked a comment about Feature Why Are E-Bikes Such a Touchy Subject in the U.S.?
11/13/2017 4:03pm
I agree. Having a rigid culture around how to have fun is clearly the best mode of operation. As a human powered suicide machine as well I know its culture that binds us. As it says in our Quran and Hadith routine clitorectomy, not riding e-bikes, and executing fags; this is our culture, and one to take pride in. I also fuck my cousin and have actually married and procreated with her in an attempt to preserve our superior culture.(there were only a couple flipper babies) the difficult jihad of the climb is proof of your devotion and only then...
This feature has 37 comments.
Varaxis Added a comment about feature Why Are E-Bikes Such a Touchy Subject in the U.S.?
11/13/2017 5:38am
That's an interesting bike in the pic. 29 front, 27.5x3 rear. Custom cover for motor. Unique IS rear brake mount. Looks like an alloy mainframe that had the HT and top tube crafted as 1 piece; welds so smooth that an untrained eye can't tell it's not carbon. I don't doubt that it has unrefined geo and ride quality though.
This feature has 37 comments.
Varaxis Added a reply to POLL: Do You Also Use Your MTB To Get Around?
11/12/2017 4:27pm Cars just make ya lazy. People can live without owning any; it's a luxury overhyped as a necessity. A rental or a buddy can fill when you need to haul something big/heavy, and carpooling and pub transportation can get you to far away places that you can't totally ride to from your front door.
Varaxis Added a comment about feature Why Are E-Bikes Such a Touchy Subject in the U.S.?
11/12/2017 11:11am
Sad issue is that mtbers are being hateful and angry on bicycling sites. It's about as futile as someone venting about a rude encounter (ex. hiker yelling where's your bell) or evidence of misbehavior (ex. littered tubes, food waste) on the trail... the people they're wanting to give a piece of their mind to, likely isn't going to read their judgemental rant. Is this the appropriate place for you to initiate your mental support group session? In short, the people who are likely to be problematic on e-bikes aren't going to read what you say. All the hate and open...
This feature has 37 comments.
Varaxis Added a comment about feature Your Bike is Too Light
10/5/2017 9:34pm
What do you think about this topic today?
This feature has 1 comment.
Varaxis Added a comment about video Can Danny MacAskill Break the New Santa Cruz Reserve Carbon Wheels?
10/2/2017 10:05am
I'm curious if Santa Cruz does lab tests with "oblique" hits, such as a impact that only hits one bead hook, at various angles. All the tests I've seen are fairly square hits.
This video has 10 comments.
Varaxis Added a comment about video Can Danny MacAskill Break the New Santa Cruz Reserve Carbon Wheels?
10/2/2017 7:03am
Doesn't prove anything. It simply illustrates one case scenario. Science is needed for proving. A good experiment raises more questions than it answers, but gives enough info to form a hypothesis. The hypothesis that Danny came to is, how much more it'd take with a properly inflated tire.
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This video has 10 comments.
Varaxis Added a reply to 2017 World Champs Bikes
9/6/2017 9:12pm Why's white paint on mountain bike frames so rare to see? I've heard that it's notorious for being fragile. Is that really the case? It looks great on these bikes, especially with a touch of dark blue to contrast.
Varaxis Added a comment about feature Ghost's Affordable Slack, Long and Low KatoX 29er Hardtails
9/6/2017 4:38pm
Holy cow, they aren't exaggerating with the long and slack. Look at how far the front wheel is from the cranks... Shame that the complete package is a bit flawed. Always looking to find a good candidate to recommend to newcomers, that won't make them feel scared on the trail, yet is simple and reliable enough to own without needing in-depth mechanical know-how.
This feature has 4 comments.
Varaxis Added a comment about feature Transition Patrol vs. Patrol - See How the 2018 Compares
8/28/2017 4:01pm
Think of steeper STA as merely offsetting excessive rearward weight bias, which is worsened by extending the length of the front, while keeping the rear length the same. I have two posts that go more into this here and here. I believe taller guys need longer chainstays, personally. Need to keep things in proportion, not just increase the seat tube length, front triangle, and head tube an inch or two for every 5" inches in rider height.
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This feature has 45 comments.
Varaxis Added a comment about feature Transition Patrol vs. Patrol - See How the 2018 Compares
8/27/2017 7:20pm
Back in the heyday of 26" wheels, the Fox 36 had 37mm offset/rake vs 39mm on the 32 and 45mm on the 40. Manitou Nixon 41.28mm. RS Lyrik 40mm. Marz 66 RC3 44mm. Perhaps some people who rode all of these may offer an opinion on how such a slight geometry difference made an impact on their riding. As far as I know, the less offset, and the bigger the wheel, the more of an auto-centering effect there is as the wheel rolls forward. Equates to more stability. There's more wheel flop though, if you turn the bars too far...
This feature has 45 comments.
