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After some riding and some discussing i decided when on the way back from Dyfi that the FuelEX wasn't quite suiting my needs and requirements at the moment. Not because it's not capable as a bike, but just that it's not quite exactly what i want and where i want to be at the moment.
So in the past few days i've been sorting a deal on Specialized Status 160.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53454904758_188c747d6d_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53454904758_188c747d6d_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2prCmQW ]s-l1600[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
It's essentially the same as we used to own for the lad, although in the next size up from his. His was a M (S3) and this is an S4. When i used his at BPW as someone loaned my bike i absolutely loved it and went faster than i had previously, at times by some decent margins too. We ended up trading his for a GT Fury as he wanted the new DH bike, but i must admit there was always a tinge of regret there for me.
Some places are now knocking them out for silly money and one came up on Pinkbike where the fella will take my Fuel and give me some cash. So that's what we've got happening tomorrow (As long as nothing goes pear shaped with deal).
I've removed the RSCs from the Trek and they'll go on the Status along with the Argotal front tyre at the moment. But other than that and an Invisiframe kit, it'll remain as it comes.
Sadly i don't think it'll get out in anger this weekend as we're off to Bucknell for Pearce uplift session and the Invisiframe kit won't be fitted in time. But the weekend after should be FoD i think and the one after that will deffo be FoD anyway, then straight to BPW the one after. So it'll get plenty of trail action.
Part of the logic was the now ownership of multiple Ebikes too, if i need a fast mile-muncher then really the Ebike is likely to be dragged out. So the Status is sitting in more of the play-bike sort of scenario than anything else. Which it seems to fit that really well.
Fingers crossed...
Well, if i don't get this deal with the guy i'll be picking one up for cash instead, the decision is made though.
Great downhill, bit of a pig to pedal up.
Are we starting a book now on how long…
I'm blaming you anyway, you told me to get it.
Owned one for 5 weeks, rode it 3 times and sold it.
It was fine as a park bike but so was my ebike. It felt daft to own a bike that offered less riding and more pushing uphill.
Owned one for 5 weeks, rode it 3 times and sold it.
I doubt he's in it for the long haul like that 😂
Are you not supposed to wait until you actually have the new bike before you start a NBD post...
Then post some pictures of it so we can rip the piss out of your weeds/curtains/pointing/wonky fence.
Are we starting a book now on how long…..?
My money's on a month and two rides or a change of mind before it actually arrives.
Are you not supposed to wait until you actually have the new bike before you start a NBD post.
PRobably... but patience has never been my strong point. I'd actually planned on waiting until the 3rd Feb as i'm meeting @joebristol at BPW and surprise him as we've been discussing potential bike/frame swaps. But impatience got the better of me.
It's fun to get new stuff! (Though, I usually get some new music or pants... My bikes last years!) 😀
I had one for a while when they first came out as a fill in bike (was waiting for a warranty replacement Norco frame). I enjoyed it.
i dunno about the comments about not pedalling great.... i did the SDW in a day on mine 😀
Tho it wasnt as efficient as maybe an XC bike, or steamroller, or cement mixer, or tug boat....
What happened to wasting excess funds on ktms
dunno about the comments about not pedalling great…. i did the SDW in a day on mine
Funnily enough, the plan is to do the SDW this summer with my boy and it deffo won't be on the Ebike.... so yeah i think it'll be on this... I'm not scared though, i did it on a 26" Commencal Meta AM back in the day 🙂
All bikes (within reason) pedal... just sometimes you go a little slower and sweat more.
Another selfless act to keep the struggling bike industry alive by Weeksy. Kudos! ✊
😉
I doubt he’s in it for the long haul like that 😂
You come here and clean the tea up off my keyboard right now.
Logic makes sense. If the deal falls through I'm sure brink were selling them for £2k recently, alot of bike for the £££
IMO, chainstays are too short on them and the balance is all out, rear wheel feels like its under you and the front wheel is miles out in front.
Time you got yourself on a Geometron and have something setup for you properly
Time you got yourself on a Geometron and have something setup for you properly
Simply really really really dislike them. Not sure why as i'm sure they ride amazingly according to owners, but they just do nothing at all for me.
Balance/weighting, i was more than happy with the handling on the times i rode my lads.
IMO, chainstays are too short on them and the balance is all out, rear wheel feels like its under you and the front wheel is miles out in front.
This is what I thought about mine (S3 and I'm 5'9"). Riding anything steep down it was fun, anything else it wasn't very good. I could never get it up the hardest technical climbs I could make it up on other bikes and on shallower descents it felt unstable.
I now ride a Privateer 141 which is better at just about everything.
I'd have happily swapped to a Privateer, it was on the list along with a Sentinel and the Status. But with the used market being very slow at the moment you've got to take the deals that the world throws at you. It was quite a short list of potential bikes i was considering and i think this works well for me. If i hate it, i'll ship it out and buy something else, it's that simple really for me.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53456204412_060bc3bde2_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53456204412_060bc3bde2_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2prK2bL ]IMG_20240111_123605[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
It's real!
Not my drive/wall/weeds.
Not my drive/wall/weeds
Stealth bleach-bomb and we'd never mention it again 😉
I don't get the invisiframe thing (or not riding due to lack of it), but I suppose it's a good idea for you as it'll be for sale again next month!
Looks awesome.
Whoever's block paving it is, it's crying out for a good seeing to with a pressure washer.
RSCs fitted.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53457752574_76a5eaed36_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53457752574_76a5eaed36_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2prSXpd ]IMG_20240111_154321[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Dork disc removed
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53457443871_2c2431c203_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53457443871_2c2431c203_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2prRnCK ]IMG_20240111_154335[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Both wheels now tubeless.
Brakes need some bedding in, they barely stop it, but i've got a tonne of Code pads including a load of new ones. I know the standard pads have always been considered a bit pony.
My lad wasn't massively feeling it on his round the close ride "it's slacker than my DH bike"... I'm thinking "perfect, it may save me"
"the bars are narrow".... Nah, that's just because he runs his at 200+ and mine are 785 so feel narrow to him.
It's getting there... won't be too long before a proper shakedown.
I don’t get the invisiframe thing
I just like to look after my toys really, try and keep them as nice as possible.. Arguably as you say it helps with selling, but i buy the invisiframe for me, not for the potential of a sale.
It did help on the Trek though today as the new owner was happy with the condition, hence sorta proving my point.
The chainstay area around the chainring is notoriously weak on these when it comes to chipping of paint, so i've had the cranks off and covered that area already.
Weirdly my Fox36 mudhugger seems to have clearance issues on this set of 36s but not on my others, however i've got plenty of options there while i work it out and see if i can clear it better.
I always think the stock sintered sram pads are as good as it gets for winter. They manage better than the uberbike ones when it’s gopping outside.
5 hard stops from speed on tarmac and the power will build up really quickly.
I reckon your lad might not like bikes with a long ish reach but short chainstays - he didn’t like the Aether either did he?
I reckon your lad might not like bikes with a long ish reach but short chainstays – he didn’t like the Aether either did he?
NOt even sure he rode it mate, he was about 5'4" then as it was 3 years ago... maybe even less than 5'4" so i'm not sure he ever tried it.
I'll get it on the hill round the corner tomorrow for some brake bedding in.
Just needs a motor to get to the top
That'll be the transit/land rover at uplift places.
Will do some riding on it locally though of course but primary function will be at uplift type places.
I've always fancied a Status but the prices on PB are somewhat aspirational given the current market.
@weeksy how do you find all these folks willing to do swaps?
@doomanic when I was browsing last year there were always ones on there for 1400-1600 in good condition. Sure they'll be more as they're 1999 everywhere online new now. There was a mint red one up the road from me for £1200 for months which seemed a great deal
426mm chainstays. Wowsers
You take pictures of your bike on your neighbours drive.
Smart thinking, means their shed gets broken into not yours 😉
How much are you selling it for? Asking for a friend….
426mm chainstays. Wowsers
Gone full circle back to the G160 from a few years ago
@weeksy how do you find all these folks willing to do swaps?
Pinkbike usually, there's a section for 'bike related swaps'
This guy was on Ebay and i was going to buy it for cash. However when i looked at his other items for sale he had 7 other bikes, mostly brand new. It transpires he's a bit of a pseudo dealer and flogs a fair few bikes.. So i threw him a speculative mail with "how about my bike and you give me XYZ in cash"... he came back with £200 less as his offer which i accepted. We met up, he gave me a pile of cash, i went away 🙂
There's still plenty up for £1500 give or take, a couple of dreamers at £2000. You can get them from Balfes for £1895 NEW !!! with a set of 36s, Float X and Codes, that's a great price.
Testing today in the woods as the invisiframe was completed yesterday.
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[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465606864_384321313e_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465606864_384321313e_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pszdd1 ]IMG_20240115_112045[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465606839_f73a3d86ed_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465606839_f73a3d86ed_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pszdcz ]IMG_20240115_112037[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
The only real criticism i can throw at it is the brakes... but maybe that's the cold and frost, maybe just the pads, maybe a bit more bedding in... but they're average at best... On run 1 they were awful LOL. I'd bedded them in properly before heading out using the local road hill, but i'm still not convinced. So i've given them a clean with brake cleaner, but i've got the other pads on hand to throw in if these don't start making sense.
Handling, yeah i was worried the S4 may feel a bit big, but in truth it feels spot on. It's responsive, plush, precise. I don't notice any downsides for having the mullet setup but I wasn't actually expecting any downsides there. Suspension was a little bit stiff but i wasn't riding all the way back to the van to get the shock pump, it wasn't terrible. So i've stuck a little less air in both the forks and the shock. I also slowed the rebound 4 clicks on the back, however i've left the front where it was for now.
Odds are, i'll get the Shockwiz from [smention u=84]crust[/smention] to do a bit of more precise tuning over the coming weeks.
I'll get back out in the next few days before the weekend at FoD and do a little more playing/testing.
If you want a bottle cage, you will either need to get a side loading one or a fidlock
Oh that's interesting... I'm not sure we had side loading on the S3, but if needed i'll scoot to Decathlon and get one.
Looks nice
All of ours have always come with the side loading Zee cage
Personally, not sure I could cope with that STA - having long legs it would end up somewhere over the back axle.
It bemuses me how they depict the STA on bikes like this - straight line from BB to top of seat post, thather than the angle the post actually comes out of the frame - but at what height have they got the seatpost to measure this? The more seatpost shows, the slacker the angle. I get the way it's measured in principle is sort of correct, but....
Another sunny day, still cold but you soon warm up when getting up the hills. The bike is getting more dialled in now and the brakes actually work. The suspension being softer i'm really happy with and me and this bike are gelling a LOT... i'm very much enjoying how it rides !!! It's very confidence inspiring and poppy... I think it'll be a day or two off the bike outdoors now, but i'll hopefully be at FoD this weekend if the weather holds long enough to get a day on Sat.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53467989056_60f8af6705_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53467989056_60f8af6705_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2psMqmh ]IMG_20240116_150534[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
I got a Lezeyne cage from Rotec when i was in there this morning, along with my new favourite Oxford Mint bike cleaner, was recommended to me by a mechanic mate and works really well. Almost finished my last 5L so bought another.
Bike looks great, have been tempted by one for a while but always been put off by what I consider poor spec for the £. Be interesting to follow your journey on it!
On a side note, I thought Rotec had closed down? Is this the same shop in Shinfield that I'm thinking of? Be interesting to know as fed up of my other local shops.
Rotec has new premises and a new coming (or maybe built) website. The landlord wanted the shop back so Stefan had to find new premises (i believe). The shop is 90% built and complete and i think fully open now to customers.
I'll get the URL for the new website of him when we speak later this week.
Regarding spec, it's only the NX mech that's considered weak really, possibly wheels maybe.... But the rest with the Float X, the Fox 36s and the Codes (now RSCs) are exactly how i'd build a bike.
Really enjoying the bike and the trails at the moment, they're 'Prime' as the boy would say and my run was cold 😀 kids hey.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53467989056_60f8af6705_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53467989056_60f8af6705_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2psMqmh ]IMG_20240116_150534[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Can't really fault this thing at all if i'm honest... there's nothing to not like about it.
I did buy a new chainguide to stop any chain slap around the back of the chainring, which was a fail
Sadly it's too long and the long bit hits the chainstay meaning you can't get it in the right position. Which is really a shame. But i've got that area well taped up to make sure there's no paint getting damaged... then again, it's a MTB so one day it'll get marks, bumps, scrapes.... goes without saying.
I'm running the Argotal on the front which some say isn't the greatest in the less sticky compounds, but at my level it's more than happy. I like it lots.
That MRP looks ridiculously long, Nukeproof ones are currently a tenner at CRC in that copper colour, I got one last week and it's more of a brown colour, it's practically hidden behind the ring anyway.
i got one of the Nukeproof ones for the Privateer, however what i wanted was one that has the pin on the back edge. I noticed when riding as you jump off kerbs/roots/jumps, it is actually the chain hitting the back of chainstay that causes the chipping in the paint, my thoughts were that one where it physically can't because there's the back pin thing in the way was the way forward. The Nukeproof is longer, but open on the back, so doesn't stop that bit.
By jiggedy that's cold out there today !!!!
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53470469402_a46830dd69_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53470469402_a46830dd69_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pt18ES ]IMG_20240118_102028[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Only thing i have noticed and it's not a massive shock is that it's quite a low BB, so on some rutty trails there's a bit of pedal strike. Wasn't too terrible but i may see if the Neutrons are slightly thinner than the Sam Hills. It doesn't go up as quickly as the Trek did of course, but we knew that would be the case too. However, i must admit i didn't have a massive desire with the Trek to jump on and get out in quite the same way as with the Status. The Trek is without doubt a 'better' bike of course... but not necessarily better for me right now
I’ll start the bidding at £5.50. 😉
Only thing i have noticed and it’s not a massive shock is that it’s quite a low BB, so on some rutty trails there’s a bit of pedal strike.
If you're going to keep it, then it needs shorter cranks.
If you’re going to keep it,
FFS what a stupid thing to say.
A mate of mine rode one of these as his everyday bike last year for his MTB coaching company. I think it was the bike he used to win the Master's category in our region's enduro series and state's enduro champs too as well as 3rd in the Trans Tasmanian Enduro. He rated it. Sponsor changed to Intense so he sold it.
Cranks are 170mm which is about the usual for bike i've owned. I may even try sticking the flipchip in high to see how it rides as that'll obviously increase the BB height a smidgen. There's not a lot in the pedal department though, the Neutrons are only 1mm less than the Sam Hills. It wasn't a problem as such, more just an observation that at times you're brushing the pedals on the stroke.
I had the same issue with 165mm cranks on my Sentinel, it’s just part of the trade off for the way it rides. Product managers haven’t caught up with the geometry team yet. Swapped to 155mm Hopes and no issues now.
Epic day at FoD today with the boy and mates. Giving the Status a ride and full test. Was eye opening how fast and tech the boys can ride and really made me see how I need to get off my comfort trails more and onto harder stuff more often. I've peaked and need to refind that.
Bike was super and really at home on it. On the 'normal' trails it felt fab.
One small job when home was trimming the dropper lever. It's too pointy and digs into my thumb when positioned where I want it. But was only a 2 minute job.
After you left we went back up and then the opposite direction towards quarry, past bombhole and into tech. I failed like a pansy and couldn't do the last roller, was a bit disappointed in myself. So in the coming months I need to get back to pushing.
Must admit the other one we did at the bottom of Seth's Corners back into the fire road I've wanted to do for a while but not had the balls, so I was well pleased to hit it.
I'm paying the price today though as I'm stiff as anything. Daft lad got up and went straight back out. But he'll be feeling it today too I think
We can try to find some more tech at BPW but it’s not the same as the stuff at FOD or Risca from what I’ve seen. BPW tends to have more drops and gaps rather than pure tech for me.
Risca is a good place to get out your comfort zone as well as FOD. The difference being you’ve got a lot more height on Risca so you can go downhill for nearly 5 mins solid. Hideous back up mind!
I'm not sure I wanna find harder lol. I'm 52 now, do I really want to push boundaries or just have fun. Hmmm there's a question.
Looking forward to BPW for sure, I'll be out at FoD both Sat and Sun next week, although only riding on Sat
Next weekend will have to be local and really early for me - as got the whole day out for the following bpw weekend. Maybe Bourton Combe or Rowberrow.
With off piste I think it’s more bottle than skills for me - sometimes I just can’t get fingers off the brakes to commit - but if I did I think I’d ride most of it out in one piece.
Chutes and drops are the worst off piste thing for me - that feeling of having to let go of the brakes and build up speed you don’t want, then catching it when you can.
54 here and still pushing the limit, occasionally venturing over it… 😂
I did a bit of soil sampling too yesterday - although in my defence the guy in front of me nearly stopped on a bit where you went over a log and I ran out of momentum and tried to put my foot down…..but it only found thin air 🤣
@weeksy - some of our local riding in this vid (some randoms - not my vid) from 11mins in shows some of the steep stuff that the GoPro didn't flatten too much. I've ridden that one a few times - not bad at all in the summer, scary at times in the winter.
There is MUCH steeper stuff that some of the lads ride that I won't touch though. I'm 52, but there are a few blokes older than me that ride them. I'm a bit too concious about injuring myself at the moment though (own business, a ton of work on and most of it working away). I do try and push myself at times though and have tackled some stuff in the past year that I'd have walked before
GoPro is a bugger for flattening stuff out - I can see from the angle of the trees on the above video that it’s steep - but it doesn’t look crazy steep due to the GoPro effect.
The steepest trails I have ridden are the official off piste Risca ones and some of the ones at Afan Masts. Network R at Risca is on my list to go and have a look at this year. I’m told Garbonzo is one of the easier ones but looking on YouTube you have to commit to a few bits pointing straight down the hill building up speed before trying to catch yourself on the corners 😖
Looks about as much fun as yesterday 😁
I was looking at second hand status and people wanted £1300 for a 2yr old model, so I tried a lowball offer and they'd only budge 50quid even with me collecting it.
So I thought sod it I'll buy a new one arriving 29th hopefully, I'm going to swap out the tyres for Magic Mary/hans dampf and swap codes for xt 4pots and see how it goes.
Cheers for the advice regarding the bike, I'm buzzing to have an aggro bike ready for the alps.