MTB Happenings!

"Tripper" (tripe46) 01/17/2020 at 09:35 • Filed to: None

5

33

I have been eyeing a bike from YT industries since last season. By the time I thought I might be ready to buy, they were sold out. They released their carbon frame earlier this year for very reasonable money. However, I don’t feel like I “deserve” a bike that fancy as I’m relatively new to riding and hard on my bike (because crashes). Yesterday they dropped the aluminum frame bikes and I saw one category was sold out already! In addition the first batch of carbon frames were sold out too.

I was planning on treating myself to a new snowboard, but I decided I could get one more season out of it. I probably won’t get out west or up to VT this year, so I will just continue to abuse my board in PA on rails, jumps, and ice.

Instead I pulled the trigger on a 2020 Jeffsy in this rad blue!

This will be my second “real” mountain bike, and my first full suspension. Also, my first bike with a dropper post. I went for the 27.5 wheels. My hardtail is a 29er and I’ve always felt it too large for me. I’m 5'10"/160lbs and I get super twitchy on the big wheels when the going is slow.

Anyway, YT is a direct to consumer company which is great for two reasons. Price, the same components on most big name bikes would be $1500 more. Secondly, you have to build it!!!

It probably won’t arrive until the week after next, but I already have my shop all setup to build it. I’m keeping my Hardtail (2017 Trek X-Cal 7) for family bike rides and general tomfoolery.

Any other oppos have YT’s? Is full suspension life changing?

Happy Friday!

whatisthatsound > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 09:42

0

As soon as I have the ability to go test ride some bikes I'm pulling the trigger. The wait is painful but after 4 years on a hardtail I'm ready to upgrade.

Tripper > whatisthatsound 01/17/2020 at 09:45

0

Trek and Santa Cruz are the most available in my area (to test ride). YT does a test ride tour, but they’d be sold out by the time I got to test it. I’m not thinking that I will be disappointed.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 09:52

0

Noice! I ride a Kona Honzo which is a nice hardtail, but I demoed a carbon Tallboy a while ago, and uh...yeah full suspension is life changing. Y ou’ re going to a bike with modern trail geometry, full suspension, dropper post, 1x drivetrain, fancy suspension, tubeless tires ... you’re gonna feel like a super hero.

Ho nestly you could probably “build it” yourself. It only comes partially disassembled. According to YT’s website all you have to do is install the handlebar and wheels and put air in the suspension. I’ve done it when we tried to get a DTC brand bike for my wife (which is a whole other story...lol) , its like less than an hours work if the tires come set up tubeless.

I’ve heard mostly good things about YT, so you should be pleased. I’d only recommend seeing if you can get some spare parts in advance like a derailleur hanger or two since most of the bad things I’ve heard revolve around long waits for parts availability .

whatisthatsound > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 09:56

1

As much as people say to rest ride bikes, the majority of people don't because of access. I am lucky to live in a mecca of biking for me it's work timing. I'm eyeing the Evil Offering, Forbidden Druid, and Ibis Ripmo but I won't know till I get a chance to toss a leg over.

PowderHound > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 09:58

1

I pedaled a buddies 29” Jeffery around a little last year. Seemed like a nice bike but I didn’t get to take it on a proper ride, just around camp . I saw that these alloy versions dropped yesterday but was a little disappointed they don’t sell frame only yet. I mean, sort of, I would have made an irresponsible decision if they did. Also, yes, full squish is life changing

Tripper > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 01/17/2020 at 10:00

0

Good intel, thanks! I’m actually psyched to build it!

Tripper > PowderHound 01/17/2020 at 10:03

1

Cannot wait to rip this thing.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 10:07

0

Oh shoot I misread. I thought you were saying you had your bike shop set up to build it, I’m realizing now you meant your home shop. See... I view things through the lens of apartment living lol.

PowderHound > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 10:10

0

You’re going to love it! I think I’m going to make my Santa Cruz bantam last another season and start looking for a new one with more travel

Tripper > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 01/17/2020 at 10:10

1

Yeah, haha I could see how you would read it that way it wasn’t clear. My shop is hella small, but I’ve got a bike stand two work benches (one on casters) and tools out the wazoo. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 10:10

0

Here is a write up about the bike. I personally would not be happy with anything but the frame/fork/dropper. It appears to have heavy as crap wheels and the absolute cheapest SRAM build possible. Sooo.... If you can’t get it to shift just buy a GX rear derailleur and sifter . I guess the wheels can be replaced if/when they break. It’s great that they are doing this tho.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/yt-releases-new-aluminum-jeffsy-base.html

To give you an idea of price comparison you can get this stumpjumper for about $2600 right now.

Tripper > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/17/2020 at 10:27

0

Coming from an X-Cal 7 I’m sure I’ll be more than pleased as it’s all bottom end shimano/bontrager components.

nermal > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 10:34

1

I have a Commencal - Similar business model but different bike . Building it is a non-issue, the only thing you need to attach is the front wheel, handlebar, pedals, and seat. Everything else should already be connected & set up. It should take less than 1/2 hr to assemble. Also, note that most new bikes don’t come with pedals, but do come with crappy seats, so you might as well get decent versions of both from the start.

My bike has wayyyy too much suspension for what I ride it on, and it’s great. I can zoom off of jumps & drops & over bumpy bits like it’s nothing, but can’t pedal for crap.

I recently converted to single speed after the shifter got borked from hitting too many things and didn’t shift right. It’s equally cheap, awful, and awesome, I highly recommend it when yours wears out. Singlespeeds are the vegans of the bicycling world though, so beware. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 10:41

0

The YT has a very good suspension design and they are putting a Rock Shox Yari on the front, I have the same fork on my Stump Jumper and it is a very good fork. I think it will be a good bike. The SRAM thing is puzzling to me. The SX components are so cheap and heavy it’s a travesty. NX is one step up from SX and the rear NX derailleur on my epic fell apart in my hand when I took it off my bike.

Tripper > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/17/2020 at 10:44

0

I’ll just ride it until it gives me a problem and put a nicer one on. How much do you think it would cost to go GX, $300-$400?

I got into riding on a 20 year old shitty Schwinn, It made me a pro at smoothing out the derailleur, haha.

The wheels are an easy but expensive fix.

MonkeePuzzle > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 10:46

1

my first full suspension use was in the 90s, and the setups were lacking in progressive spring/compression setups. I found it life changing in that it sucked away all my efforts to pedal going uphill.

Life changing in that I had to re-adjust to how the rear end worked, especially as it compressed then rebounded as you the rear went over a bump, which could dramatically impact how the front then dove down to return the ground.

But... we’ve come a LOOONG way. Most of both those issues have been resolved.

I’d say for all around riding I still prefer a front only suspension, but certainly for actual mountain biking full suspension is by far preferred.

Tripper > nermal 01/17/2020 at 10:46

0

It comes with crappy pedals which I will swap onto my hardtail for my clip ins.

Any recs on saddles?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 10:49

1

$165 all in for a shifter and derailleur . The wheels are DT Swiss 1900 which are not terrible at all, I take that back they are about $500 in the open market. 

Tripper > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/17/2020 at 10:53

1

Man, I might just scoop that derailleur. Might as well start off right, right?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 10:59

0

I tried to get along with the NX on my epic but after about 5 rides and continually trying to get it to shift right I was fed up. I bought XO as a replacement and it was set and forget. I don’t think I’ve adjusted the derailleur since May of last year and I’ve put >800 miles on the bike.

Tripper > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/17/2020 at 10:59

0

Mind coaching me a little on the derailleur purchase? There are 4 different options for each component in the GX line.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 11:05

1

This derailleur : https://www.jensonusa.com/SRAM-GX-Eagle-12-Speed-Rear-Deraileur

This shifter: https://www.jensonusa.com/SRAM-GX-Eagle-12-Speed-Trigger-Shifter?_br_psugg_q=sram+gx+eagle+group

Your bike already has s 12 speed cassette and is probably an NX cassette on a shimano hub. Your bike already has a 12 speed chain so no need to replace either the cassette or chain.

The shifter comes with a cable so all you have to do is remove the old shifter from the pod and pull the cable out, then shove the cable into the housing routed to the rear derailure. It should be continuous housing all the way back to the rear derailure. You will have to break the cage on the derailure to get it off and put the new on on again but that is not that difficult. 

nermal > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 11:14

0

There’s different sizes, get one that fits your butt properly. I found the right size by trial & error, but there are methods for measuring.

Too much padding is bad. Not enough padding is bad. I found one that works great on clearance from JensonUSA & has just enough padding that I don’t need to wear padded shorts.

Most importantly, make sure you get one that has a groove down the middle to avoid squashing your weiner vein. Ride too long on the wrong one and it can result in.... performance issues....

Tripper > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/17/2020 at 11:26

0

Thanks!

Tripper > nermal 01/17/2020 at 11:32

0

hahahahaha, that is what that groove is for!? I managed to break the saddle on my trek with my taint...so I always wear padded shorts. 

functionoverfashion > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 11:54

0

Awesome. Whatever makes you get out more is great. Building the bike will mean you’re familiar with how it all kinda works, which is a bonus too. Full suspension is fantastic on the downs. Mine has a variable rear shock so I can nearly lock it out for climbing, which I do a lot of, for long stretches - I don’t lock it out unless it’s a long climb, more than a few minutes.

I usually go for mid-grade components because I find the cheap stuff really does break or go out of adjustment more easily, and when I break something I try to get the next-level of quality up, if possible. But despite riding very technical trails, and mostly up and down actual mountains, I’m very easy on my bike and rarely break things. I go whole seasons without a flat or a broken component of any sort.

The dropper post is awesome; I’m still getting used to it after having one for most of last season. But it’s great for trails around here because there are lots of places with steep ups and downs back to back. 

AestheticsInMotion > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 11:58

1

I’m looking at that same one. Here’s another review if you want more info on your new bike! These guys are by far my favorite source of info for outdoorsy things. They legitimately put gear through hell, as apposed to doing top ten lists lol. 

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/biking/best-mountain-bike-under-2500

Tripper > functionoverfashion 01/17/2020 at 12:05

1

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever, recommended that I go up a level with the components as well. I just rang up the GX series shifter and rear derailleur.

In two seasons, I have broken:

Both wheels, saddle, both grips, and have bent up the derailleur a bunch of times. Luckily no bones.

DasWauto > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 12:48

0

functionoverfashion > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 13:01

0

Sounds good. I have the NX on my Santa Cruz Tallboy, but largely because that was a standard “R” build and the next level up was a carbon “S” build for $1,300 more, while I paid $3k for this one at my local shop, so... nope. I love the 1x12 drivetrain, although it’s a little funky at the extremes in my opinion. Still, it held up. I didn’t even break it off (yet)!

Tripper > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/17/2020 at 16:58

0

Hey, this make any sense to you?

“SX is the new budget friendly Eagle setup. It’s going to be slightly heavier than NX and GX, and it will have a Non XD hub, so future upgrades to GX,XO or XX would require a new rear wheel.”

Tripper > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/17/2020 at 17:09

0

Never mind , seems like I’m good as I found this on the Cassette:

“SX Eagle™ continues to expand the Eagle™ ecosystem. Now from SX to XX1, you can mix and match any components to find the perfect mix, price or look you are trying to achieve on your bikes.”

Sorry for all of the questions and thanks for the help!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Tripper 01/17/2020 at 17:37

0

The NX and SX cassette mount  on a shimano free wheel and there is no reason to switch to an XD driver unless you want to spend an extra $300 for no particular reason.