New Bike weekend, t...
 

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New Bike weekend, the time to Slay the trails.

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Dyedbro kit installed today. Wasn't a terrible job and did it fairly well. £40, I'll take that.


 
Posted : 10/11/2022 5:00 pm
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When you say Xmas, do you mean Tuesday ?

I can see it being sold on Tuesday but:
weekend to ride.
Monday to find a replacement.
Tuesday morning to start a thread asking advice about the replacement.
Five minutes to wait for a response.
Lunch.
Tuesday afternoon/evening to drive to God knows where and back to buy said replacement.
Wednesday to strip the Rocky.

I can't see it being for sale before next Thursday. Maybe late Wednesday.

🙂

Dyedbro kit installed today

Please tell me you went for zebra stripes!


 
Posted : 10/11/2022 5:21 pm
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Lol nah. But I was tempted to save £15 by going for Turtles. I went clear gloss


 
Posted : 10/11/2022 7:11 pm
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How you finding it bud? I've had mine since 2020 and am a big big fan.
[url= https://i.ibb.co/6F772yB/RM-Slayer.pn g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/6F772yB/RM-Slayer.pn g"/> [/img][/url]


 
Posted : 10/11/2022 7:28 pm
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@relapsed_mandalorian

I don't honestly know much yet mate. I've done 1 outdoor ride and it was spot on. But this weekend plans have been canned for Surrey hills sadly but I'll try the local tech trails for testing.

I'm more than happy currently though.

What have you done, changed, fixed, ridden?


 
Posted : 10/11/2022 7:43 pm
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When you figure out its too small i'll give you £3 and my 1998 panini premier league swaps for it


 
Posted : 10/11/2022 7:48 pm
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Last time I was admiring a Slayer was at the top of a mountain in Utah
https://www.pinkbike.com/photo/23580368/
Freeride typa bike innit? Paint job on that one is beaut.


 
Posted : 10/11/2022 7:53 pm
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When you figure out its too small

It's not.


 
Posted : 10/11/2022 7:57 pm
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What have you done, changed, fixed, ridden?

Mine was the C90 build so full Fox Factory / XTR / Raceface Carbon

I've made a few changes:
Cranks - Hope Evo: (RF pedal inserts came loose, warrantied and went to alloy)
Bars - Burgtec 38mm risers (RF bars were too flat for me)
Stem - Burgtec Enduro MKIII 42.5mm
Pedals - Burgtec Composite
Grips - REV Grips
Rims/Hubs - Hunt Enduro Wide wheelset. (RF rims got battered)
Dropper - Brand X (Cheap and easy to service)
Saddle - Burgtec The Cloud (WTB cover tore)
Changed up the spring on the shock to something more appropriate for my weight, also added on the SendHit Nock handguards after mashing a couple of brake levers and my hand.

Tyres wise I'm running DHR II/Assegai or DHR II/Shorty.

It's ridden Revs, Antur, BPW, Barry Sidings, Hammers, Wharny & Greno, and a few other local spots to me.

Be hitting Morzine & Madeira next year along with all of the above (except Revs 😢)

Can't comment on how well it climbs or not, because I don't climb well! But it goes down like it's on rails with a side order of meth.


 
Posted : 10/11/2022 8:03 pm
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Thanks! Top write up.


 
Posted : 10/11/2022 8:06 pm
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@relapsed_mandalorian - how do you find the Cloud saddle? I like the look of them but haven’t seen many reviews. And which version do you have?


 
Posted : 10/11/2022 8:24 pm
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@zerocool I have the CR-MO rails moulded plastic base version. I find it comfy, took a little getting used to after coming of the WTB Volt, took a bit of playing to get the angle right but I'm happy with it.


 
Posted : 10/11/2022 8:32 pm
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Ace ride today and once again showed me that the Slayer isn't going to be an issue for me. I was out with one of the regular riding mates who's one of the faster ones compared to me. There's faster, but they're proper faster lol. But i've ridden with him enough to know where i sit in riding with him.

Bike was spot on, although i've not really ridden a decent downhill on it yet with twists and turns, the one decent section we hit today we came upon a pair of dogs/walkers so i had to brake and stop lol. But i'm still more than happy with it 🙂

I had the Fabric seat on today... it was better than the WTB Slayer seat that's for sure, although i do need to tilt it down just a bit.


 
Posted : 12/11/2022 5:12 pm
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I did just order a new rear tyre for coaching this weekend.

Considering it's an Enduro/AM bike, it has remarkably small clearances on the chainstay gaps on the back end. Both at the top and the bottom. It also seems the Aggressor isn't the best at clearing the local mud, so i've gone for a slightly smaller DHR for the back end, should give it a little more clearance and hopefully work nicer at clearing the mud and stuff.

First real proper ride will be this weekend at FoD for coaching with Katy Curd so i'm looking forward to seeing how it's setup in terms of suspension, spring rate, handling, it's been fine and happy for local riding, but FoD should push it a little bit more in terms of tech, cornering etc.


 
Posted : 16/11/2022 7:48 am
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Dhr2 is my default rear tyre for winter on the Sentinel - I run a 2.3 in the maxx terra compound so it’s not big and draggy and the softer compound works nicely in the cold.

The 2.4” version is a chunk bigger and definitely gets more grip in slop - but you pay for that a bit with more rolling resistance. Swings and roundabouts. Surprised at the clearance issue there - the Sentinel takes a 2.6” rekon with miles to spare.


 
Posted : 16/11/2022 10:18 am
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First 'proper' ride tomorrow with a couple of other forum members at https://www.katycurdcoaching.com/

Doing the 'descend' course. 10-4 Should be a long day and plenty of time to get used to the bike.

Also bought a new Shockwiz from a forum member so will be sticking that on the front to get it setup.


 
Posted : 18/11/2022 7:36 am
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Whos the others weeksy? Looking forward to the meet-up although worrying a long way into the Gloucester beers already 😀

Bikes propped up in my Premier Inn room after a receptionist eye roll as I wheeled it in.


 
Posted : 18/11/2022 7:11 pm
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@couchy

Long time mate of mine who I got into MTB.

He's bloody gone to bed. I'm drinking Peroni on my own


 
Posted : 18/11/2022 9:17 pm
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I’ll be over there tomorrow with my son and some of his mates. Will keep an eye out for you lot.


 
Posted : 18/11/2022 10:22 pm
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Nice one. I expect we'll be down for lunch at 12.30-1

I'll be in the RM, kryton in an Orbea, my mate on a Trek Eeb in Burgundy


 
Posted : 18/11/2022 10:26 pm
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Well that was excellent - thanks Weeksy for offering the invite to the course and good to meet everybody! I got quite tired toward the end and my head didn't want to do any more. I'm exhausted now - 5am yesterday, stress of work, too much beer and a heavy day on my wrists. But lots learned!

Crouchy wanted the Strava link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8141057223

I enjoyed the Forest of Dean trails very much and will plan a return to cycle the Blue and Red properly in the future. That was me tooting at you Weeksy in the White BM.


 
Posted : 19/11/2022 7:22 pm
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I was massively impressed with your commitment mate. It was easy to see how much of today was pushing your boundaries and what you need to focus on as a ride to get better, but you did it, time and time again. well bloody done sir

As for the skills compensator, it was quite simply astounding. Riding Corkscrew is a proper techy root fest and the Slayer made it mostly effortless. It enabled me to ride stuff I didn't think I was able to ride. Obviously I had to hold on and do a bit, but it was superb.

When I took it down launchpad, it was again just fab! Really impressed

Had a blast mate, great to see you

You coming on the next one? I'd guess Jan/Feb.


 
Posted : 19/11/2022 7:32 pm
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Yup enjoyed that, mostly 😃


 
Posted : 19/11/2022 8:00 pm
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@weeksy, it's the bollocks mate. I knew you'd have a good one.


 
Posted : 19/11/2022 8:00 pm
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Yeah that first technique really opened things up for me, I need to practice. But also how the Orbea took everything in its stride and with my weight now in a better place it felt super capable.

I’m definitely up for another one coached or not.

I’ve just watched the videos back, man they do not not do justice to the trails at all do they! Your point about us having under-whelming tech trails here in the SE is a good one, i think several visits a year to the FOD for skills practice is a must for me.


 
Posted : 19/11/2022 8:00 pm
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@Kryton, come North good Sir, some steep Yorkshire tech helps no end. 😉


 
Posted : 19/11/2022 8:04 pm
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Dunno mate, I've not seen the videos, but generally yes they really make trails look easy and riding slow. But some of the stuff we rode was proper tricky.

Relapsed, it was just exceptionally good. Some of the tech stuff I looked at and thought "have I got to ride that"

But it went well


 
Posted : 19/11/2022 8:08 pm
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Not got out yet this week, COVID vaccine has killed me off. So just been in the garage and installed the Shockwiz on the fork. Will be interesting to see it's report as I was really happy with how it rides.


 
Posted : 23/11/2022 2:51 pm
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Initial settings say "bit soft and fast"

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52520961103_f7a9925bf3_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52520961103_f7a9925bf3_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2o26DW8 ]2022-11-24_10-56-39[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 24/11/2022 10:59 am
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Shockwiz testing today.

Was going 'neutral poppy' instead of my usual 'soft poppy '

It's pretty close and was just 11psi off on the Lyrics and 3 clicks of rebound too fast. Although I guess 11psi is pretty much 10-12% overall so a significant difference. I don't think it was night and day out though by any means.

I may go 500 on the rear from the 450 I have in currently.

https://flic.kr/p/2o2nLnv


 
Posted : 26/11/2022 10:43 am
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GRRRRRR i can't for the life of me get 12 consistent gears out of this setup

It's all Shimano which i don't generally run... but that said, the Trek was Shimano and worked sweetly.. I've checked and re-checked the B screw, indexed and indexed it... I can move the 'skip' higher or lower, but DAMN i can't completely remove it from all gears, i generally end up with gear 7-8 not existing unless i go back to them in reverse clicking.... it's not a disaster in any way, but it is a minor irritation that's for sure !

I may need to get a gear hanger alignment tool i think.


 
Posted : 28/11/2022 7:48 am
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Gear hanger alignment is your first port of call. I had this with deore 11 speed with the new style mech and the hanger needed a tweak and it was instantly perfect. Before that I had what you had. I think there’s a cheap ish lifeline one.


 
Posted : 28/11/2022 7:52 am
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GRRRRRR i can’t for the life of me get 12 consistent gears out of this setup

yep, hanger alignment issue most likely.


 
Posted : 28/11/2022 8:07 am
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Cassette loose?


 
Posted : 28/11/2022 9:10 am
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Another vote for hanger alignment here, and/or the mech is slightly twisted. I had the same issue, got the alignment bang on but it took a new mech to sort it even though the old one looked fine


 
Posted : 28/11/2022 9:46 am
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Yeah it's a weird one as the bike was brand new. It's not been right since day 1.... I'll get one ordered up.


 
Posted : 28/11/2022 9:50 am
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It's not rare for brand new bikes to have misaligned hangers. Or bent mech arms. Depends on which gorillas preparing and boxing them up.


 
Posted : 28/11/2022 9:57 am
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-Check the cassette isn't moving on the axle.

-Hanger alignment, even new ones can be wonky.

-Shimano mechs are bent from new to improve the chain alignment, so be careful with that one.


 
Posted : 28/11/2022 10:11 am
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Eldest_OAB's rocky had a touch too much paint at the dropouts - we cleaned up with sandpaper and the hanger sits in better.


 
Posted : 28/11/2022 10:30 am
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Confirmed at LBS Rotec Cycles this morning as a bent hanger... We did have a little try at straightening but it wasn't going to fly and risked breaking, which as i can't get one before the weekend, wasn't a good plan.

So i've ordered a new one, but with postal delays i may not get it in time, so will suffer with 'most' gears most of the time for now 🙂


 
Posted : 30/11/2022 12:53 pm
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Posted : 30/11/2022 1:20 pm
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bollox and nightmare.. the Slayer let me down today... Was all going swimmingly at first... but then it seems i lost a bolt !!!

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52554310477_0a1b8c5261_n.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52554310477_0a1b8c5261_n.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2o53zxk ]bolt[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr

Funny shaped things so bike specific... game over... 🙁


 
Posted : 10/12/2022 6:14 pm
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Back on the Slayer today and trying to dial both it and me in a bit. I set myself a few tasks in bed last night for today's ride and went out to do them.

First was repetition on a log jump, carry a bit more speed, then more, then a bit of pop, then speed etc until I was getting it half respectable.
Then onto the Enduro trail which has 3 loams into a dad-gap. It's called that because to kids it's just a feature, but to dad's it's actually something that plays on the mind, I've not hit it for months, mostly blaming the weather, conditions etc.
Today I did 2 runs and chickened out on both. But run 3 I hit it, then 4&5 too. So felt I'd put that to bed, but despite that, I still do t go into it with a lot of confidence, so that's something to work on next
My lad followed me into the Log "you pre jump, you need to do your jump later" which is an interesting observation.
So again, something to work on. Getting that better and more confident.

I'm also debating swapping the brakes over and putting the SRAM Code Rs on instead of the SLX
I'll likely just do the front one today as a test and then the rear as that needs to go through the frame as internally routed.


 
Posted : 27/12/2022 12:44 pm
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I’ve got a trail with a couple of steep bomb holes in it that plays on my mind every time I ride it whether dry or wet. Ridden it loads of times - maybe 50 or so and yet it always needs my full focus. Same woods has a step down that I’ve done 3 or 4 times and yet it freaks me out still too. Just need some more confidence / bottle!


 
Posted : 27/12/2022 12:55 pm
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Messing around today with the kids

https://flic.kr/p/2obzPT6

https://flic.kr/p/2obDKUU

https://flic.kr/p/2obzPYr


 
Posted : 15/01/2023 5:58 pm
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Had the Slayer out at the weekend at Bringewood DH track... It's not a friendly place lol. Tricky, rooty, steep in places, techie... I'm not sure what was worse, the ride down or the ride back up. I wasn't booked on the uplift as i was supposed to be at BPW the next day, so even though i could probably have snuck on the uplift van, i thought i'd pedal it instead... but it wasn't nice lol. It still shows that despite my progress as a rider, i'm so so far away from being anything like decent. 🙁


 
Posted : 23/01/2023 7:20 am
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I'd not say Bringewood was either steep or techie myself.
What I would say though is that it can be slippy as **** this time of year so don't beat yourself up about it.
Did you ride any of the enduro trails?
Some brilliant riding over there and also on the hill the other side of the woods.


 
Posted : 23/01/2023 8:18 am
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I’d not say Bringewood was either steep or techie myself.
What I would say though is that it can be slippy as **** this time of year so don’t beat yourself up about it.
Did you ride any of the enduro trails?
Some brilliant riding over there and also on the hill the other side of the woods.

I would.

No only the DH race track, i was on spanner duty as one of the kids broke a freehub so i repaired that which took up a chunk of time, then i was on pot-noodle duty lol. By then, it was afternoon and the trails had turned to slop so i didn't bother going back out. I also didn't know there were any other trails, but i did see a few when i was riding back up to uplift start/car-park.


 
Posted : 23/01/2023 8:22 am
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You should go back and ride some of the other trails there.
Much better than the DH trail.
Was a regular for us when we lived down that way.

Park here and you have access to both riding areas.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Vinnalls+Car+Park/ @52.3502658,-2.8129842,13z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xeed16b74cd0828ad!8m2!3d52.3535687!4d-2.7725579


 
Posted : 23/01/2023 8:27 am
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You should go back and ride some of the other trails there.
Much better than the DH trail.

TBH that's rarely possible, i'm not sure when we next have a free weekend. The lad is racing several different DH series along with multiple Enduro series this season.


 
Posted : 23/01/2023 8:30 am
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There has been a fair bit of felling on the enduro trails at Bringe DH side, there is a lot more over the road in the other forest. Shout if you want showing round, need to get over there and do a bit of maintenance when it dries out a bit.


 
Posted : 23/01/2023 10:13 am
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Thanks lots mate, but it's a 2.5 hour drive for us, the only reason we were there as it was pre-race-uplift day with Pearce Cycles.. we'll be there again for the race, but in truth, i'm not sure we'll get up there again outside of race weekend. Not because i think it was bad in any way.. but just a fair old drive and lots of other places we ride.


 
Posted : 23/01/2023 10:15 am
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Tracing a creak, that's a heck of a job at times

Fitted new pedals, checked shock hardware, checked all pivot bolts, bearings, etc, then dropper post, saddle mounts, saddle, then headset (which is knackered it seems), then onto a spare wheel. It was then I thought "oooh that's the noise there" so maybe it's the wheel. Re-fit axle without wheel, there it is again. You can feel it's over on mech side. Loosen off the 19mm nut that the axle screws into (and secures hanger), yup that sorts it. Weird one that.

Been bugging me for the last few rides with creaking. Good as gold now


 
Posted : 26/01/2023 9:51 pm
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Trying to get a little better...  Spent time working on a table and then moved onto the gap.... It looks rubbish in the video, but i found it hard to build up to it.

Luckily i had a small child teaching/telling me stuff.

https://youtube.com/shorts/gCbZ3y0z1B4?si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE

Best part was that i hit it another 4 times afterwards, which is one of my biggest issues. Gap is 8' edge to edge... which i'm really pleased with.


 
Posted : 08/02/2023 9:04 am
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I did the dad-gap-jump which Couchy did yesterday, I never thought I’d do, but managed it. Heart in mouth and pounding! Did about 5 goes on it trying to improve, but need to up my technique to get it nicer. It's not massive in terms of length, i've jumped further, but it's a steep entry in and just scared me... If it wasn't for him doing it yesterday, i wouldn't have tried it today. The thing is, when you do it, it's actually not too bad. The tough part though is going back next time and doing it again.
But that can wait as it's FoD on Thurs and then BPW on Sat. I've just fitted some wider bars for the weekend. After riding the lads bike yesterday i think i've maybe cut mine slightly too narrow... I've got a set that came with the Slayer that are about 20mm wider, so going to try them on Thurs.

Also very much debating a set of SRAM Code Rs to go on there. I'd like Hopes... but there's just not budget.

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52686958921_039de5d1f5_5k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52686958921_039de5d1f5_5k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2ogLrit ]2023-02-13_06-10-07[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 14/02/2023 8:02 am
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I've just ordered a set of Tech4s so will have some Tech3 E4s up for sale in the next couple of weeks (not sure I'll get round to fitting them before this weekend), if you do find some pennies down the back of the sofa you're welcome to first refusal.


 
Posted : 14/02/2023 10:45 am
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Well funnily i've just spent a while attempting to take the Slayer apart to get the brakes off it... My word what a faff !!!

I've got a little 'door/port' which has 2 tiny 2.5mm head bolts in... sadly you need to remove the shock and pivot bolt to get to them, 1 you can't get to without removing the shock, the other you need the pivot bolt out of the way lol.

Then once you get that i noticed the brake line routes through the chainstay in what is a semi-impossible routing.

The top end near the headstock isn't much better with again, really tight and fiddly routing... I'm not sure i'd get the bugger back together with a brake 😀 😀


 
Posted : 14/02/2023 11:35 am
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Sounds like an excellent piece of design from RM! I’d swear they do these things so people don’t bother working on bikes themselves and just go to a bike shop.

I’m not a Shimano brake fan, but what would either a Code R or Tech3 E4 give you over an SLX 4 pot (other than seals that will hold your fluid in / an easier bleed without a wandering bite point)?

Would think if you’re going to upgrade id hold on and save some money up and go Code RSC or Tech4 V4….


 
Posted : 14/02/2023 12:13 pm
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I’m not a Shimano brake fan, but what would either a Code R or Tech3 E4 give you over an SLX 4 pot (other than seals that will hold your fluid in / an easier bleed without a wandering bite point)?

It's more in terms of 'trailing' the brakes which Shimano isn't brilliant, it's a bit "where's the brake, where's the brake, ,.. WHAM" whether or not i could actually take advantage of that in any way is open to debate of course 🙂


 
Posted : 14/02/2023 12:24 pm
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Haha - I thought the 4 pot Shimano a were meant to be more subtle / have more modulation than the 2 pot ones which were renowned to be on/off. I put slx 4 pots on a mates SC 5010 which I’ve had a few quick goes on and haven’t really noticed the brakes - more just how much bumpier it is than my bike.

Code R aren’t bad brakes as you know - got them on both bike - but itching to try some RSC and / or Tech 4 V4’s to see how they compare. Not that I want to buy new brakes at the moment.


 
Posted : 14/02/2023 12:28 pm
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My thinking was more because i could flog the SLXs for about the same... So it's a no lose idea. But the routing.. well.. it could be interesting and i'd end up screaming 😀

THinking about it though, if i trim the line and don't have an olive/barb on it... maybe i could just remove the line and route the new one.. Sounds like a great theory right up until it's not 🙂


 
Posted : 14/02/2023 12:34 pm
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Sram make a double ended barb thing to help with internal routing. Connect the old hose to the new one and pull it through. That’s the theory anyway


 
Posted : 14/02/2023 12:54 pm
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joebristol
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Haha – I thought the 4 pot Shimano a were meant to be more subtle / have more modulation than the 2 pot ones which were renowned to be on/off

They are, but still a long way from the squishiness of other brands. I really like them (if you ignore the leaking master cylinder on one) as I feel like I’m adjusting the power via pressure rather than movement, it’s just different strokes for different folks


 
Posted : 14/02/2023 2:19 pm
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It's not that i don't like them or they don't work... Was just interested in trying different things.


 
Posted : 14/02/2023 3:17 pm
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Was having a play last night and removed the SLX from the rear and loosly fitted a SRAM GuideR to the bike, when i say loosely, i mean with cable ties onto the bottle cage 😀
However i deffo do prefer the feel of something more GuideR like than SLX like.

But with FoD tomorrow and BPW on Sat, i won't change anything just yet in case the internal routing goes wrong and i end up on a bike i don't want to ride for the weekend.

I have an option on the Tech3E4s from razorazoo above which is a good and nicely priced option into the Hope world. But then part of me feels if i'm buying Hopes, i should really fit them to the boys bike not mine as he'll do them more justice, however he doesn't really need them on the spare DH bike and he seems to like the Codes on the 141... so bit daft.

Some thinking needed here.


 
Posted : 15/02/2023 9:52 am
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🙂


 
Posted : 15/02/2023 9:57 am
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Epic day out yesterday on the Slayer. Starting at Dowies with a small teeny, managed to hang on his wheel on 4/5 trails, losing about 30m on the 5th... But i'd take that... What i do find slightly weird is that somewhere like Dowies i can hang with him, but then at other places he just destroys me, like by miles and miles on a trail.
Me and the Slayer decided again it was man-up time and hit a couple of dad-gaps at FoD in the afternoon, along with a steep and gnarly trail that was pretty eye opening !
But all in all... it was a fab ride.
Only downside, the headset that was a bit dead, is proper dead. So as i was packing up the bike last night, i chucked a new upper bearing in it... only took a couple of mins and should be golden for BPW tomorrow.
The SRAM Codes haven't arrived yet, but i don't think i'll be risking throwing them on the bike today, just in case.. So they can wait till Sunday.


 
Posted : 17/02/2023 7:11 am
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Codes have arrived and it's SOOOO tempting to sort fitting this afternoon. If the routing was either external or even a bike i'd routed before, i'd have jumped on it by now. But that's sadly not the case and i don't know if i can route it easily, or nightmareishly on this bike.. So makes sense to leave until Sunday i guess. Look good though and ready to roll (stop rolling)


 
Posted : 17/02/2023 11:45 am
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This may come as a shock to some... but i doubt it 😀

I was having lunch and thought "i'll fit the front as it doesn't need routing"

So that was done and i gave it an outside in the close type test.... "wow, awesome" so i whipped out the rear as well... and proceeded to route it... fiddly sod of a job actually but more than happy after 5 mins, once you get it through the hole in the bottom of the frame it's sleeved internally so works straight through to the top.

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52694552219_62c2f6f564_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52694552219_62c2f6f564_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2ohrmwp ]2023-02-17_02-24-12[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52694288311_d4362073f3_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52694288311_d4362073f3_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2ohq15g ]2023-02-17_02-24-17[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 17/02/2023 2:30 pm
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Looks like you need some matchmakers, that's a lot of messy clamps.


 
Posted : 17/02/2023 5:02 pm
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Lots? 2! 1 more than a match maker


 
Posted : 17/02/2023 6:03 pm
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Double the number required, 😀


 
Posted : 17/02/2023 6:10 pm
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Definitely needs a matchmaker 😉


 
Posted : 17/02/2023 7:01 pm
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Well despite the weather that was somewhat of an epic epic riding day for me at BPW. There was a light misting of rain for most of the day but the trails were soggy and as you can see, not very clean.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52697454941_e726016658_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52697454941_e726016658_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2ohGepk ]2023-02-19_07-13-18[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr

But grip levels were good and we had an absolute blast. The Slayer was epic and has moved to the top of my 'best bike ever ridden' in terms of places like BPW. It just eats up absolutely everything. In previous visits i'd not always 'clean' every part of a trail or two, Surfing Bird being one trail, i always ended with a foot down somewhere, but yesterday i aced it more than once. We also did a couple of tight tech blacks, including Deep Navigation, which is just so so rocky it's actually ridiculous 😀 but cleaned that too. Bonneville i always find hard as it's tight, nadgery, slippy and steep, but again it went down well.
The real thing that completed my day though was setting off down Sixtapod and having my lads mate behind me, he's not as fast as mine, but he can fly along.. When we got to the bottom he says "you were rapid, i couldn't catch up with you at all"... Blush and sigh, that made me feel good. Later in the day on Vicious Valley my lad was following me and afterwards says "you were proper quick through that section"... Again... i felt massively happy. Hopefully it shows that some of the hard work, effort and pushing is avtually paying off.
The CODERs were awesome, love them way way more than my SLXs, so really happy to have swapped them.

Can't wait for the next ride... Although i've got a day of cleaning/sorting first today and need a few days off, i'm proper achey at the moment.


 
Posted : 19/02/2023 7:40 am
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In a moment of madness as a space has come up for this weekends race... I've entered myself and the Slayer for it.

I'll be nervous as a kitten now for the next 4 days !!!! But hey, that's why we do these things 🙂

See if we can get 2nd last... Mmmmmm


 
Posted : 01/03/2023 12:00 pm
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https://flic.kr/p/2ojSV9L

Last jaunt out before race weekend


 
Posted : 02/03/2023 5:52 pm
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For me, after the fail on drop of despair was a little down on myself and almost didn't race. Especially as practice is more serious and I didn't want to hold people up. But I went out and stuck the number on and raced it. It was hard for me in tech context and a year ago I'd not have ridden it. Whilst I wasn't fast or graceful, I finished. I didn't exactly cover myself in glory, but it was a box ticked again of 'racing' a DH race and a bit of preparation for the upcoming Enduro races at BPW and Southern Enduro. So i'm half happy but as always, slightly disappointed in the overall performance

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52728034990_127bc715e0_4k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52728034990_127bc715e0_4k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2okoXMy ]2023-03-05_04-54-13[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr

Experimenting with bars today.. Looking at the other pics it could be argued they're a smidgen too close. So i've moved the flip-chip from 1 to 3, which makes it less slack from 63.8 to 64.5deg on the head angle but also adds 10mm to the reach.
Along with that, i've thrown on a 60mm stem. Which is slightly complex as it needs new bars, but we have them in spares box anyway. Right width but slightly higher ride than i usually run. The stem and bar combo are 31.8s, the Slayer usually comes with 35s... but i don't have any longer 35 stems in spares, only 40mm. (same as standard).
The plan all along was to run a 50mm stem, i just never got round to it. But i don't wanna waste £30 on a stem so borrowed this from a mate to test.

As always there is a random 'plan' as well....
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3539888/
[img] [/img]

Which also ticks the box of being a race spare... The only downside with it is the spec is really not my preference with Shimano brakes (I have spare Codes) and RS35s forks which i'm not massively keen on either... The rest is nice though.


 
Posted : 09/03/2023 8:28 am
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Hold on, are you considering getting rid of the Slayer to buy a basic spec 141 with rubbish forks and/or converting to old school stem lengths for the sake of £30?!!  Madness.


 
Posted : 09/03/2023 10:25 am
 Yak
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Looks great, but you are not allowed a spare bike for most enduro races.
I would go for the 50mm stem and keep the same bars so you are only changing one thing at a time. Also much cheaper than the 'random plan'.


 
Posted : 09/03/2023 10:29 am
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Hold on, are you considering getting rid of the Slayer to buy a basic spec 141 with rubbish forks and/or converting to old school stem lengths for the sake of £30?!! Madness.

Nope, i'm thinking of both bikes 🙂 with the predominant reason being to have a spare 141... but also it'd be cool for both me and the lad to race on the same bike. The Slayer isn't leaving either way. In reality, i doubt i'll pick-up the 141, was just running it through my head as a potential idea.

I'll happily buy a £30 stem in the 50mm and 35dia, but wanted to test first to see if a little more length is better. Slightly tricky to tell though as the bar-rise on the spare DMRs is totally different though. But i may run it in the morning at BPW with the 60mm stem fitted just to see, then swap to the stock 40mm/35dia at lunch. Although that also depends how many runs we do in the mud/monsoon lol.

edit.
https://www.merlincycles.com/race-face-aeffect-35-mtb-stem-99333.html

Bought a stem so i can test properly 😀


 
Posted : 09/03/2023 10:31 am
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