jase33

I have worn out my Clement MSO tires after just over 1200 miles. I have a ride planned for Friday and need tires quick. The two options available to me are the MAXXIS Rambler and Vittoria Adventure Trail. The Vittorias are half the price of the MAXXIS and my LBS recommends them over the MAXXIS but cant say why. So I am wondering if anyone here has any experience with either of these tires and can make a recommendation for or discouragement against them. Thanks.

ColonelSanders

I have no personal experience with either tyre, but a quick google search on the Maxxis found this review where the reviewer was mighty impressed.

jase33

Thanks @ColonelSanders . I read that one and the one other about the tires. It seems that was about all I could find. I have had good experience with MAXXIS tires on my trail and XC bikes. I think I will just go with what I know.

BTW, how's the weather down there? I spent 6 months at Tindal RAFB in the mid nineties as part of an exchange program with the RAAF. Wasn't much to do in Katherine but I miss the nights in Darwin.

ColonelSanders

Heh, I think Brisbane is a bit like Darwin at the moment, we are experiencing a heat and humidity wave.


It really pays to get into the air conditioned office of my work before 9.00am.

ceelint

My DS3.. added a Brooks B17 and WTB Nano 2.1" 29ers

jase421

Got a B17 for Christmas, love it. Everything I read was it would take a while to get comfortable, but right out of the box was better then stock seat. A little slippery until I have used a few times, but what a nice seat. Big upgrade.

Enjoy.

kbarj

Just got a B17 with my bonus. Jury's still out as I've only had it a day, but I agree that it's at least as good as the stock seat right out of the box. And it IS slippery. How many miles to cure that? I've read that it takes 350 to a 1000 miles to break in, but I'm guessing that's going to be such a gradual process that one day I'll suddenly realize that it's already broken in.

BiciMan

I like the tread and look of the Vittorias more, and looks to matter, though they're very personal. FWIW, I shopped for and selected the handsome Schwalbe Marathon Plus 45s for my 8.5 last year. I've been moving to bigger tires for all my bikes, and you may want to consider size-availability in your choice. Good luck and enjoy your ride.

Gen7custom

Hey guys.. has anyone upgraded the groupset on thier DS's?

fourwinds

[QUOTE=steve_cay;16744411]For the record, I am 5'9.5", and ride the 17.5" frame. That is what the store said was my size, and I feel just fine on it. I did slide my seat all the way back to get my knee centred on the pedal spindle. This is my first Hybrid, so I do not have other experiences on the feeling of a perfect hybrid fit.

I'm looking to buy a bike. Most of the ones that were too short also required me to put the seat up too high, while the next size up didn't have enough SOH. There was one that fit other than feeling too short so I was thinking of looking at stem length, but this post makes me realize I should also whether moving the seat back helps. Thanks for the tip!.

fourwinds

[QUOTE=jmohme;19281341]The brakes were what won me over when I test rode my 2016 8.4 DS, but I also do some slightly rough terrains and the front shocks do help to keep my hands and lower arms from going numb.

If I were just riding street and paved trails, I may have looked harder at the FX.

I'm shopping around for a bike and have compared the FX and DS several times on roads. I was dubious about the shocks, but the potholes, gravel and railroad tracks convinced me the value of the shocks for riding on the road. And that's before considering riding on gravel backroads that can get pretty bumpy. And as someone who's had carpal tunnel surgery, braking with less forearm effor on all our hills is a good thing, though its going to take a bit of practice to not risk going over the handlebars by stopping so quickly!

jase33

I've swapped out the stock stuff for this, rides nice.

XT M8000 Crank 1x11
Blackspire Snaggletooth 36T Chainring
XT M8000 RD & 11-40 Cassette
XT Brakeset

Gen7custom

Looks great man.. I have the 2017 DS 2.. generic alloy crank.. and 3x8 gears.. I'm not to keen on the shifters that I got with it stock.. so thinking to change it up.. how you like the 1x11 setup.. and what kind of riding do you mainly do with this bike?

jase33

The gearing is perfect for me although I may go up to a 42t chainring. And I like not having the front shifter and derailleur. I typically ride paved trails 50% of the time and dirt/gravel trails the rest. I do a bit of climbing but nothing over 10% grade really.

jase421

FYI ended up with the Schwalbe Marathons. I liked the tread design a bit better and will go to 95psi. So far I've only logged about 30 miles on them due to weather, but like them a lot. Supposed to be a great wearing tire too.

Otter1958

Then why not just buy a mountain bike, I bought my DS 4 because it was a hybrid. I have a mountain bike too.

Piratebike

I added a DS 4 to my stable today. Hope to share stories soon.

jase33

Congrats! I am really enjoying mine although I have made quite a few "rider edits" to it.

Piratebike

I added a black Brooks B-17 saddle, SPD M324 pedals and a back rack. That is all I have done so far.

jase33

I've done THIS to mine.

Piratebike

Any of you done any lite touring on your DS?

tomba

I'm 3 weeks into my new Trek DS4, and I'm loving it. The boss and I are just getting into riding, and this is my first big boy bike. My only issue is the seat, even with padded shorts it becomes uncomfortable after about 7 paved miles. Is there hope for the stock seat, or should I just get something new now? I'm sure some of it will be getting my behind broken in, but I'd also prefer to cut ties now with the stock saddle if I'm going to change it in 3 months anyway.

ColonelSanders

I think it is rare that people are ever happy with the stock seat on any bike and with people being so particular, it doesn't give the manufacturer's much incentive to go with expensive saddles either.

Piratebike

I put a B-17 on mine. Not broken in yet but I did 18 miles tonight. It was a great ride but this thing is certainly slower than my carbon road bike, but fun none the less.

tomba

I'm looking at the B-17, C-17, Fizik Aliante VS, and a dozen others I've heard good things about. I'm hoping I can find somewhere to try one before buying. Quite frankly I'm not that picky, and can usually work with something pretty easily. The B-17 is sooooo popular I'm kind of leaning that way. I'm more worried about ordering something blindly for the wife, she'll need to try something out first and likely not be as patient with a break in period. I'll probably order something this weekend.