i took the bike for its first ride. did 2 laps of a local loop, about an hour total.
the anti-cable-rattle-solution i attempted was not 100% effective. occasionally i could hear a faint rattle, but it was rare. for the moment, i will leave it as is, as it isn't very bad at all, and the trails i rode on were particularly rough and rocky so i probably won't hear it in a race. (I might look into that capgo stuff though)
anyway, the minor cable rattle is completely utterly outweighed by the way the bike rode. it blew me away. even though i've had a few ellsworths, a few titus bikes, it surprised me just how great this bike is. it isn't my first 29er but i suppose it is my first 29er full suspension, so maybe that partly explains it. it was just effortless at ploughing through the rough stuff, maintaining momentum. when looking at sizing (i'm usually between small and medium), i was a little concerned that it might be a touch too long for me, that i might struggle to get enough weight onto the front tyre for cornering, but I found no such compromised cornering. given the wheelbase on this thing (longer than my other bikes), i was very surprised how well it pivoted around corners - there's gotta be something in that short 435mm chainstay length.
everything felt flatter - the techy climbs were easy, with no signs of reaching the traction limits, and the down steppy techy droppy bits seemed so easy. the shorter stem, slacker headangle (compared to my old FS 26ers 90mm and 71 degrees) and bigger wheels certainly eliminated those front-tippy feelings that i had through certain downhill obstacle sections on my old bike. i certainly feel more "in" the bike, rather than "on" it, so reckon i will have a bit more confidence to push it a bit harder through the fast and techy stuff.
there was no noticeable bobbing under power. the high main pivot should give it a bit of anti-squat, and that's how it seems to ride - though i havent yet done any smooth long climbs to really test that out. i ran the rear shock with the platform wide open while i tinkered with the air pressures. started the ride at 140psi in the rear shock, dropped it to 130, then hit a decent sized jump, and launched it - even though i didn't feel it, i measured the full 38mm of travel being used on the rear shock, so bumped it up to 135 and will leave it there for the next few rides/races. i then put in on the 2nd platform setting (of 4) and will leave it there for the race on sunday. i usually tend to notice bobbing in the fork more when stomping anyway, and have a remote lockout for that. having said that, i will probably get the new rockshox twistloc when it comes out - a 10mm cable pull on my fork and rear shock will suit me well. i left the fork at 85psi, and managed to use about 95mm travel.
i did not notice the slightly forward position of the saddle (about 10-15mm forward of where i usually have it). given how well it went, i am a bit hesitant to change anything, but i will still get a setback post, mainly so i can put the middle of the saddle rails on the clamp, so i can use my carbon railled saddle. one of my calves is prone to tensing up and cramping, so i recently started experimenting with slightly further rearward cleat position, which necessitates a slightly forward saddle position - so maybe my new "norm" saddle position will be close to where it is currently on my new bike. we'll see how this experiment goes.
other than previously mentioned changes (lighter seatpost clamp, sealant instead of tubes), i can't see myself changing anything. i have been looking at newer 51mm offset forks, but my old fork, which got serviced recently, went so well, i see no real need to upgrade it (yet). i was considering converting it to tubeless before sunday's event, but i think i'll be patient and stick with tubes until after i finish the event.
i am pretty sure this new bike will make me faster. i won't know for sure until i have my next race at my club, at the usual race track, against the usual competitors. that isn't until next month though. i am still very much looking forward to this sunday's club event (at another track i havent ridden in years).
