building it was fun, so the next question was: how much fun is it to ride it?
i had high expectations. i bought a freerider because i wanted to get more performance downhill, and of course i had bought the ‘light’ version because i wanted decent uphill capabilities, too.
the ‘pike’ stands for both: 145mm may not sound like much, but this fork is well known for its sensitivity. it may not be the lightest (i got the steel spring version), but it has a good lockout feature and the possibility to reduce travel for longer climbs.
the x0 triggers and the hayes nine came off the old bike. the x0 offers brilliantly exact shifting and great ergonomics, and the hayes has an almost brutally hard pressure point, and good stopping power. i am already curious what the hope m4 is going to be like (the hayes goes back on the giant).
the crank brothers mallet has seen some action already, but it has definitely earned its place on the new bike. not the lightest it offers a good platform when things get a bit too risky to stay clipped in. saved me a couple of bruises already.
chris king headset and a syntace vario stem.
more chris king. the proceed head is very well made and properly strengthened.
titanium bolts. the adaptor can be rotated to change the rear end geometry. i first need to get a little more experience before i start messing with these things.
rear end. nicely machined part.
more titanium bolts. this time on the booster, stabilizing the rear fork.
and so it all comes together …
more modification possibilities. the shock can be attached to the rear frame in three different positions, for 130 to 170mm rear end travel.
more pike and hayes nine.
thomson angled seat post.
the swinger 4 way.
and the x0 rear derailleur.
it has already been torn off once by a tree, and last time i had again a piece of wood stuck in it. got to be more careful, although the x0 is known to be extremely robust.
and this is what you then use all these well made and not entirely cheap parts for: making them very dirty.
but making me very happy. 😉