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Messages - Vipassana

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16
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Wiggle/Chain Reaction Filing For Bankruptcy? - Sale On Everything
« on: October 20, 2023, 03:38:23 PM »
Quote from: bremerradkurier on October 20, 2023, 02:30:48 PM
Serves them right for refusing to sell Shimano and SRAM components to the US.

They are legally prevented from doing so by agreements with Shimano and SRAM. This is not uncommon in the industry. It allows the companies to have differential pricing depending on the market. And big surprise, the US is one of the most expensive.

When I built my last bike in 2014, it wasn't stringently enforced and I was able to order full group sets from Europe without much trouble. But a lot has changed in the last decade.

They've even worked to curtail the eBay sellers to an extent.

17
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Lewis Bike (Trickstuff 2 & 4 piston clones)
« on: October 16, 2023, 03:34:52 PM »
If you end up liking yours, I will order a set of the XC brakes.

18
Component Deals & Selection / Re: ODIN ZEUS one piece carbon stem
« on: October 02, 2023, 01:14:05 PM »
Quote from: 00Garza on October 02, 2023, 10:06:11 AM
Yeah, not worth it imo.

Even on the Weightweenie forums, kalloy tends to be the go to for budget builds. Best bang for buck (dollars for grams).

I've been rocking the Kalloy stem on my XC hardtail since 2014.  Best $17 I've spent in the bike world.

I wish they would bring back the white paint job options though.  Goes well with my color scheme.

19
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Lewis Bike (Trickstuff 2 & 4 piston clones)
« on: September 29, 2023, 03:23:28 PM »
I did not know about the smaller pad on the XTRs. I rip through the XT pads faster than I would like (though not terrible); I would not like any faster than that.

It doesn't sound like they have a US distributor yet. And I agree, I don't like the idea of putting $265 down on untested equipment.

20
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Lewis Bike (Trickstuff 2 & 4 piston clones)
« on: September 28, 2023, 02:40:21 PM »
Quote from: jefflinde on September 28, 2023, 01:29:28 PM
At that price I would have to have a real hard think about these.  Shimano brakes work so well and while these are light they are not so much lighter than say an xt brake.

XT F&R set is 574g at ~$225-250
LV2 F&R set is 413g at $265

So ~30% lighter at 10% higher cost.  Seems promising if they can actually perform. And XT/XTR is a high bar to reach in terms of braking performance and, more importantly, reliability.

I have XT on all my bikes and love them. But I was recently toying with the idea of XTR or maybe even TS Piccolas (for no logical reason other than I want light and high performance) so these were compelling.

21
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Lewis Bike (Trickstuff 2 & 4 piston clones)
« on: September 27, 2023, 11:17:37 AM »
They responded to say that the pads are metallic and this is the shape (see attached image).  I don't know off hand what style pad that is.

The price is $265 shipped to me in the US. They wanted to know if I wanted to be a vendor for them (not at this time).

22
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Lewis Bike (Trickstuff 2 & 4 piston clones)
« on: September 26, 2023, 04:28:59 PM »
I asked about pad style/material and shipping cost for a set of LV2 in silver to the US.  Let's see what happens.  I hate to be the guinea pig on this one, but perhaps I'll bit the bullet for you guys.  ;D

23
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Lewis Bike (Trickstuff 2 & 4 piston clones)
« on: September 26, 2023, 04:52:55 AM »
I received this reply:

Hi,
We are very sorry for the late reply to you.
Our brakes are CNC machined from aluminum.There are currently no carbon brake levers.
The quality of our brakes is very good, you can buy a set of samples for testing first.
If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.
We look forward to your reply.
Lewis Bike

24
29er / Re: New Lexon spirit
« on: September 25, 2023, 04:03:09 PM »
On the Scott Spark side of things, there's been a handful (fairly common actually) of failures on 2022 models with the upper shock pivot bolt coming loose while riding and totalling the frame.  Scott issued a service bulletin, has been generous with warranty, and redesigned the bolt to stainless steel and higher install torque.  2023s are unaffected (supposedly).

But it still makes me nervous. It's not easy to check frequently as you have to completely air down the rear shock and compress the suspension to get the bolt within view of the frame port.

So all manufacturers have their issues I suppose.  Regardless of big OEM or Chinese clone.

25
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Lewis Bike (Trickstuff 2 & 4 piston clones)
« on: September 25, 2023, 03:13:19 PM »
I'm very interested in these. I sent a message asking if they had carbon levers available or in development.

26
29er / Re: Carbonda FM909
« on: September 12, 2023, 03:34:08 PM »
@Carbonazza - My new favorite build on here! Easily the prettiest.

I've really wanted to play around with a blip-box on my Spark to eliminate my shifter pod and dropper lever.  What is the pricing (estimate) for the setup you have? (Not including derailleur or seatpost)

The handlebar setup is attractive as well. I'm currently using the Syncros 1-piece knock off from AliExpress and it's fine, but a bit flexible compared to an aluminum stem and carbon flat bar I replaced. Can you comment on stiffness of the bar you have?

I have so many questions, but last one for now, how are the wheels? On your advice I went LB XC925 featherweight rims and then laced them to CX-ray spokes and onyx Vesper hubs. Great wheelset but not exactly light at 1440g.  I love the hubs and rims so the only way to make them lighter would be spokes.  Was thinking Berd, but yours looks like an option as well.

Keep up the awesome builds.  You inspired me to get on the waiting list for Piccolas. I'll figure out how to pay for them and sell my wife on them when they get to me in a year.  ;D

27
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Rockrider ST900 20" upgrade
« on: September 12, 2023, 03:06:53 PM »
We have a 20" Prevelo Alpha 3 for my daughter that we got as a scratch-and-dent sale earlier this year.  Here is a link to the bike/spec.

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/prevelo-bikes-alpha-three-20in-complete-bike-kids-pve0004

We have found the gearing range to be quite good for her needs on and off road. It has a 32T front ring and 11-34T cassette. It also has trigger shifters that she has no issues activating and both the trigger shifters and brake levels are designed for children's hands. Very well thought out.

The site says 110mm crank, but that seems a bit short to me; I would need to check when I get home.  They do fit well and are very compact, whatever they are.  145mm seems irresponsibly long for a bike designed for a 5-8 year old (the bike you linked too), I don't know what in the world they were thinking there.

Unrelated to your question, but for anyone thinking of going with a Prevelo, the Alpha series is very nice, but limited on tire clearance, which limits it's use to smoother trails (which is fine for my daughter's use).  If you are looking for a better MTB, the Zulu series is the way to go. But I'm that price range, there are great options from several brands.  It should be noted that the Alpha is also decently light which is VERY important for children.

About to build a Chiner carbon coaster bike for the 18month old...

28
29er / Re: Ultralight hardtails
« on: August 15, 2023, 09:23:26 PM »
Quote from: adroitrider on August 14, 2023, 09:04:01 PM
The M038 with an eccentric BB would make for a really light single speed.

Agreed.  Very tempting.

29
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
« on: July 18, 2023, 05:20:57 PM »
Quote from: 00Garza on July 17, 2023, 11:35:30 AM
More and more sellers are listing 3d printed saddles. Prices are dropping significantly from the early postings I saw. Might have to try one soon.

Seen any in white? It's my theme on my builds, but I can't find a 3D printed one.

30
29er / Re: LightCarbon 918?
« on: July 07, 2023, 05:58:48 PM »
Nice build, Peak district XC and thanks for the thorough write up.

I really want to build one of these, but can't really justify it due to the overlap with my Spark. But this thing looks solid and has a lot of neat features.

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