Singletracks Mountain Bike News, Reviews, MTB Trails and Community › Protected: Forums › Mountain Bike Forum › What is the best part on your bike?
-
AuthorPosts
-
-
October 13, 2011 at 04:40 #102259
Thought this would be an interesting discussion. What do you think is the best component on your bike, and why?
I’ll start: My Stan’s Arch 29er rims. Why? ‘Cause they’re light, reasonably priced, built up easily and straight, easy-as-pie and reliable-as-a-hammer tubeless use, and they’re tough. I built the wheels myself in December ’09, my first (and so far only) time ever building wheels so I’m hardly an expert. I’ve been beating on them since then, mostly on a rigid bike, and I’ve never taken a spoke wrench to them after they went on the bike the first time. After well over 3,000 miles the front wheel is still dead on perfectly true, the rear has just a very slight wobble in one spot, only about 2mm out of true, you have to look really close to see it, can’t feel it at all. I’ve bottomed them out on roots/rocks multiple times with no ill effects. Built up with straight guage DT spokes and American Classic hubs has made a bombproof and very light (1650g) set up. NoTubes does custom wheels, you can have the same set up made for you for $760 – try and find another tubeless wheelset at that price and that weight with high quality hubs. If I were going to build another set of wheels I wouldn’t even consider using any other rim.
Your turn!
-
October 13, 2011 at 05:34 #102260
Wheels are my faverate as well,although the frame of a bike is right up there and only a fraction of a point behind.The wheels are what gives a bike life,I mean,the instant they start turning is when the bike comes to life and makes the rider feel like he is flying.The rider pedals and the wheels create momentum and off ya go.
-
October 13, 2011 at 06:37 #102261
That’s a tough one!
I really like my SRAM X0 brakes – the lever feels great and they look amazing. I also love how easy they are to set up – just squeeze the levers, tighten the CPS bolts, and they’re dialed.
I’m also a big fan of my Stylo crank. Yeah, it seems like everyone with a singlespeed or 1×9 uses the Stylo and it’s actually pretty basic and simple. It’s not the lightest crank out there or the most stylish but mine have been super dependable.
Funny, I was just thinking during a ride yesterday about how much MTB components have changed in the last few years and how much better things are today (lock-on grips, thru axles, etc.). But that’s a whole other post…
-
October 13, 2011 at 07:06 #102262
This is a toughy, especially since I have so many bikes in my shed at the moment, but I have to say that in general, nothing makes me as happy as a good fork.
It doesn’t have to be the most expensive one on the market, it just needs to do it’s job, have a smooth action, be easy to set up, last a long time between maintenances, and provide great small-bump compliance and protect me from the big hits as well.
Of course, there are a lot of forks that don’t do those things
Recent forks I’ve used that I’ve really loved have been the 100 mm Rock Shox Reba RLT 29er and a 120 mm Rock Shox Recon Gold TK 26er.
You might take your fork for granted when it’s doing it’s job, but when it starts wearing out or you’ve got a crappy fork, you’ll really notice it…
-
October 13, 2011 at 07:10 #102263
Tough call, really tough.
I like my frame, the geometry is really dialed, it’s decently light for a 130mm travel bike (28.2 lbs). It climbs well, it descends well, it flat out rips on tech or buff. I’ve been riding since I was 14, and now I’m pushing 30, I still can’t outride this frame.
I love my fork. The 140mm Revelation Dual Air is light, stiff, plush, and tunable. Everything you want in a fork.
Cane Creek 100 headset is subtle, and works perfectly.
But, I guess I would have to say, I love my saddle. The Charge Spoon looks great, is pretty light, fits me like a glove, has nice flex, and was less than $30. Wow, the best part on my bike was also one of the cheapest!
-
October 13, 2011 at 07:26 #102264
On my XC bike, its the whole bike, its a sweet ride and Its the whole thing that makes riding it great. On my DH, at the moment id have to say the suspension, it rocks!
-
October 13, 2011 at 08:53 #102265
Earlier this year I would have said my dropper seatpost, the KS i950r. It truly transformed the way I ride making me more confident and therefore, a more capable rider. The best thing about it is that now, riding mike bike that doesn’t have the dropper post, the confidence has carried over. The sections of the trail that were kinda sketchy pre-i950r days are now a piece of cake with or with out the post.
But now, riding without the post for months now, I have to say my new fork, 2011 FOX 32 FLOAT FIT RLC w/Kashima is the best. The 15mm thru axle makes an incredible difference with significantly less deflection and increased rigidity. Combine that with the buttery Kashima and you have a solid, work horse of a fork. Love it!
-
October 13, 2011 at 12:17 #102266
The rider 😄
other than that, the SLX breaks. Great power, no fading, great handling
-
October 14, 2011 at 05:52 #102267
My favorite part is the pedals…all you need to do is put your feet on then and amazing things happen.
Always Ride!
CF -
October 14, 2011 at 06:10 #102268
WHEELS WHEELS WHEELS!!! My 26 inch geared has Easton Haven Carbon, my 29er SS has EDGE Composites with Chris King hubs.
-
October 14, 2011 at 06:39 #102269"hnetsrik" wrote
WHEELS WHEELS WHEELS!!! My 26 inch geared has Easton Haven Carbon, my 29er SS has EDGE Composites with Chris King hubs.
😮 Ballin’!
-
October 14, 2011 at 06:58 #102270
Suspension, wheels, & beefy frame!!! 😄
Without them, this ole man wouldn’t be able to ride the way I do…LOL! 😆
-
October 14, 2011 at 17:48 #102271
Since my bike is mostly stock and entry level, not much stands out except my tires (one of the few things I’ve changed.)
I went from the Specialized Fast Trax to Kendra something. I pulled them off a free Trek 820 I picked up and I immediately noticed I was clearing more sections and it just seems faster overall. No clue if the tires are actually lighter, but they feel that way on the bike (who cares what the scale says! 😄 )
-
October 20, 2011 at 08:37 #102272
The cheap Bonty hubs on my Rig. They are super-quiet, no sound of pawls clicking even when coasting. All I hear is rubber on dirt and my own labored breathing, heaven!
-
October 20, 2011 at 10:32 #102273
Most definitely my Ahrens Wisecracker bottle opener/headset spacer/post ride IPA popper.
-
October 22, 2011 at 06:07 #102274
The RIDER 😃
-
October 25, 2011 at 05:11 #102275"jtorlando25" wrote
Most definitely my Ahrens Wisecracker bottle opener/headset spacer/post ride IPA popper.
Are you talking about the IPA I’m thinking of? 😮
My favorite part has got to be carbon handlebars. They absorb a lot of the small vibrations that would cause you hands to go numb. They are worth their steep price. Plus they’re super light. 😉
-
October 25, 2011 at 05:23 #102276"dozzerboy" wrote
[quote="jtorlando25":2y5ux7kf]Most definitely my Ahrens Wisecracker bottle opener/headset spacer/post ride IPA popper.
Are you talking about the IPA I’m thinking of? 😮
[/quote:2y5ux7kf]Well we don’t know what IPA you’re thinking of 😉 I believe he’s referring to an India Pale Ale. 💡
-
October 25, 2011 at 06:48 #102277"mtbgreg1" wrote
Well we don’t know what IPA you’re thinking of 😉 I believe he’s referring to an India Pale Ale. 💡
lol yeah Greg is right. not sure what other "IPA" it could have been.
-
October 25, 2011 at 07:05 #102278
IPA= Isopropyl alcohol
😳 -
October 25, 2011 at 07:26 #102279"dozzerboy" wrote
IPA= Isopropyl alcohol
😳lol, you’re too young to be thinking about an IPA. 😃
-
-
AuthorPosts
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.