CS-496 Build / 27.5+

[SportingGoods]

Thanks for the feedback, MVinter

So I guess you got an axle that is not Shimano standard thread (1.5 mm). I guess you did not get it form Peter then. There are 3 thread standard  1 mm, 1.5 mm and 1.75 mm. Too many.
And it's good to read that my headset problem is an isolated problem. But it looks like the rear brake line is a design problem, even though it was even worse on my frame where even the plastic guide was almost locked into the internal sleeve.

Anyway, I went for a 20k ride yesterday and the bike is fantastic. Eagle is now set precisely and I love it. Single chainring is so much better then 2x (no more mud in the FD, no anticipating on chainring switch). All 12 cogs shift easily, even the big one, just like the other ones. I appreciate the ability to adjust the reach on the shifter (the angle of the big shifter).
Then, geometry: as I mentioned previously, the short seat tube angle enables to clear the saddle when dropping the post. You can really move as much as you want. I went to a VERY steep short descent and felt safe as I could get my butt almost rubbing on the rear wheel w/o my balls knocking in the saddle 

Then, The 2.8 Nobby Nic is great in the rear. Definitely better then the WTB TrailBlazer. I have climbed yesterday something I thought was an "impossible climb".

I forgot to talk about BB92. Surprisingly, I really like it. It really feels rock solid. Installing the BB was a piece of cake. To the point that I believe I could have pushed it gently with a mallet inside the frame. Pretty sure it would have been OK, but I already had the dedicated tool! Then, the Eagle cranks are nicely tight on the BB and compress some rubber caps that prevent mud/water from penetrating inside. I really like that design.

EDIT: Here is a picture of my ride yesterday, the one I posted on Strava

[MVinter]

I did get a rear axle from Peter, but i'm currently running a Robert axle project axle to use for the Nordic cab trailer. This work absolutely perfect for kindergarden delivery! http://www.nordiccab.no
And yes, it's a 1,5 thread. My problem with missalignment are the same with both axles... but as I said earlier no problem.

The BB92 I have had on previous bike and absolutely no problem there either. Just used a M20 bolt with nut and big washers to press it in, you dont need any dedicated tool for this.

Regarding tire pressure: when pressure in front wheel is to low it feels like the front end is unstable. Maybe this is the nature of plus bikes, but for now I dont like it under 15-17 psi. I will order 29er wheelset and try the bike with Rocket ron/thunder burt in 2.2" to verify balance... then it's time for spikes in Norway! Already below freezing at night time...

How to I upload pics?

[Carbon_Dude]

For tire pressure, I run 14 psi fr/rr on my 27.5+ bike, 12 psi fr/rr on my 29+ bike.  Although, I would think rim width, tire model/brand, trail type, and personal preference would influence those numbers.  So any tire pressure numbers someone posts would only be a starting point, and you would need to adjust pressure as needed.  One thing I do hear often and can personally agree with is 1-2 psi can make a significant difference on plus bikes since you already working in lower pressures and 1-2 psi equates to an 8%-16% difference in pressure.

[JohnnyNT]

Is 12/14 psi even possible ? I mean it's less than atmospheric pressure (~14.5 psi). I run my 29er around 25ish , anything less and it gets the "float" that I just cannot stand.

[carbonazza]

...I have climbed yesterday something I thought was an "impossible climb"...

Do you mean impossible to climb with a 29er or anything but a "plus" tire?

[SportingGoods]

I mean anything but an e-Bike. The kind of climb where you get off the saddle before you even start

[SportingGoods]

OK, I think I have thrown in the towel with the rear axle. After a few email exchange I see this is going nowhere. And the picture of the axle that would fit, sent by Peter, show me that it would not be any better then my current axle with 5 mm of washers. His axle shows a very long body.

So, to sum up, based on my experience + MVinter, this is a great frame except those problems:
- very poor design of the rear brake internal routing (expect hours of pain)
- expect problem with the rear axle (even though MVinter and me have face a different problem)
- Headset cup should be OK, I probably had an isolated problem (I'd call that a B stock frame!)

Just so you understand the axle issue, here is the picture sent by Peter of the axle that should fit

And my axle (still from Peter but not fitting this frame). You see the head is shorter, that's probably why I need washers, they have not trimmed the length...

[SportingGoods]

I'm going to quote myself, from a different post (the one on 27.5+ wheels compatibility with 29er frames)
You might remember that when I moved from 29er to 27.5+ wheels I posted a comparison on a test loop with various wheel combination. I've done that same loop over lunch today.

So, that was with my FR-202 frame, 2x9 drivetrain:

Full 29 on 8/31: 38"57'
29 rear, 27.5+ front on 9/3: 36"18'
Full 27.5+ on 9/7: 34"33'

With CS-496, Eagle: 31'44".

This is available on Strava if you are curious. There is multiple things behind this achievement:
- I pushed hard today (my last ride before 10 days, going to Greece with the family!)
- I trained efficiently on my road bike in the last weeks
- The bike is pretty good!

[Carbon_Dude]

Given those factors, would you say each one contributed to reducing your time equally?  I keep looking at the Eagle drivetrain and would like to put it on one of my bikes but have a few other recent bicycle issues I need to take care of first.

[SportingGoods]

That's a fair assumption.

I'm pretty sure I'd have been slower with the same bike equipped with my older 2x9 drivetrain. This Eagle is really nice, you are always in the right gear ratio because you don't have to think. It's either up or down. In a very technical section, going up, I realized that I just had to focus on my line, not on making sure I would be in the right gear.
The bike geometry made me feel very safe on the DH sections. I've passed at a significant speed a group that was getting off the bike to clear some large rocks. I could still feel that the fork would be better with a couple more cm.

[carbonazza]

You should have tried one lap with one of the previous bike.
To check if you are not just in better shape

That looks intriguing anyway. My business partner said last week he will build one.
But now... why all these XC riders keep riding their skinny 29ers ?

Bonnes Vacances!

[Vance72]

Sweet looking ride and good weight as well. What size are the nobby nic's are they the 2.8 or 3.0 width? They look like they have a lot of volume!

[SportingGoods]

Those are 2.8 Nobby Nic. I can't fit 3.0 in my current fork (will change at Xmas). Not sure I'll move to 3" tires anyway. I like my tires as they are.

[Carbon_Dude]

Thanks for all the good info on your build of the CS-496 SportingGoods!  I'm currently looking at various options for another 29+ frame.  I can ask Peter to double check the headset and axle, but the brake line routing makes me hesitate a bit, possibly Peter can also check that for me also, or maybe they have already fixed the issue during manufacturing.

[Ale]

Hello
I have been following this forum for a while, and I am ready to order my own 496, so I can share and swap wheels back and forth with my full suspension 29/27.5+ depending on the kind of riding.
Now, i am confused, the Peter everybody says is so good, is he at carbonspeedbikes or at xmcarbonspeed?  Or both?
And the other question is about the bottom bracket, many say that they had to go with the press fit, but I see carbonspeedbikes and somebody in aliexpress offer the option for different ones (but not xmcarbonspeed) .  I would try to go with the threaded BSA 73
Thanks,
Ale