Thanks. Ya, I wondered that too - - but that's what comes with the base Enduro build kit (Race and Pro build kits come with 2X XT/XTR respectively). Eventually, I plan on ditching big ring, putting on a Sunline poly bash and doing a, say, 38/26 or similar combo and something like a Blackspire Stinger guide. Or maybe just bite off the big one and go Hammerschmidt . I imagine yours is long gone, huh? Sorry I never followed up.

What the heck are they doing putting a triple on a ripper frame like that. And yeah traded the schmidt awhile back for a revelation. Looking forward to a detailed review on that frame once you get it assembled. That bike has intrigued me since its release.

Haha - - most of the guys at Yeti are running theirs 1x . . . but, then again they're all iron-legged animals, what with daily 1½-hr lunchtime rides.

Got to go 1x man. All the cool peeps are doin it. If my scrawny ass chicken legs can hack Im sure you wouldnt have any problems.

Picked this up to get my feet wet in the world of mtb. It's been a great bike so far!

.. did you go for a muddy ride and then wash it thoroughly except for the tires?

kind of confused about that.

looks like it, and the pedals as well. a man after my own heart. keep it up

I think I just wiped down the frame and wheels before I got inside, but yeah pretty much.

Did your wife (if you are married, if not you are lucky.. LOL) allowed you to bring that mess into your house?
Nice bike!!

I haven't been on platform pedals for a long time (10+years), but over the weekend, I decided to install new Origin8 pedals and try it on the trail.
To save weight, I put on a Truvativ Noir seatpost and a lighter Specialized Saddle. Also replaced the smaller 2.1 Highrollers to 2.35 Highrollers. The 2.35s are way much better, with minimal effect on weight.
Overall, the larger tires makes the bike more stable over loose gravel, muddy sections and wet roots, and builds confidence. Having platforms on allows me to go over steeper and more technical areas which I wouldn't have done with my clipless pedals. But now that I know I can do it on platforms, I'm sure I can do it using clipless... I may have the platforms on for a few rides more..
But still the clipless feels better.

Wheel and grips.

Grips look flexy, should come in rootbeer and definitely need more cowbell.

This. If you're not going to single ring it, and want bash and chain retention both, this is still the best way to go, IMO. Less fidgety and cheaper than the two ring specific guide/skid setups.

Unless you're joking: I'd not even consider the 'Schmidt. Heeeeeaaaaaavy, with lotsa' drag in the overdrive gearing. My brief experiment with one a while back led me to just stay in the "low" most of the time, and just shift down the cassette more. It's what made me end up swapping all the bikes to single ring setups in the end. 30 x 11-36 works great for around me, at least until XX1 trickles down some more.

sure does.

picked this up a couple weeks ago. i know it's heavy but it's fun. since it's my first FS bike i wanted something tough that i could beat up on while i'm still trying to get my MTB legs.

Stinger seemed the less-is-more solution; and I recalled that you used them to good effect and recommended them often.

I was semi-joking. I would not drop that much for a new 'Scmidt but YamiRider had one FS kast fall that was priced temptingly - - did not have a bike to put it on tho.' Good to know about the drag; I was not aware of that trait.

I've run a 32t ring single before but there are just enough places I run out of gear at the upper end. And the 32/36 low end gets most of the hills but I'm not animal enough to top 'em all in it. We have a number of climbs around here that are a bit 'parabolic.'


Heavy but fun? - - check.
Tough and thrashable? - - check.
Looks like you got it covered. Enjoy.

It's been like 5 years since I've been on here but since finishing grad/prof school I decided to get back in to MTBing... and to get rid of the belly I've gained over the years due to excessive studying and stress.

Specialized Epic Comp 2013. Haven't ridden it on trails yet and 29in wheels are now the new thing I guess and I hear it's all the rage.

got my new wheelset built (green powdercoated Velocity Blunts with a CK hub rear/Lefty hub up front)
the SS rigid with red wheels is mine also (son hasn't bought his new bike yet)

nice array of bikes there!

a few posts back RE: 38/26 double with a blackspire stinger, that's almost exactly what I run. I actually have 39/28, but either work great with an 11-36 pieplate. 39/26 etc require a long cage RD. yuck.

anyway, I find the stinger to be very adequate chain retention and I shift a lot.

I picked up a 2012 Trek Mamba in matte black today.

Looks good, have fun with it and I'm sure you will do better next time on that trail, uphuills can be a real slog, I'm picking up my second hand MTB Monday, test rode it and its great just rodent have a way to get it home so had to leave it there till Monday sad face!

Oh yhea that's OK n relation to your other thread before you ask what I'm on about sorry should have posted it there haha.

Finally took some pic's of my budget built 29er.

No photos of my bike io returned it as after a short test ride KT was falling apart despite its decent spec...obvs not been wheel maintained....oh well I'll get one come the September when there trying to get rid of 2013 stock.