I looked at some of those links where specs were stated.  Largest tire size I saw was 29 x 2.4.  Technically a DHF/DHR combo are 2.5, although that's a 50psi measurement.  However, most all modern brand bikes (like my Fezzari Signal Peak marathon XC) now accept up to 29x2.6 AND a 27.5x2.8, so you can run either size. That's a deal breaker for me if I can't fit say a Hans Damph 2.6 in there. 

The thing that gets me is if they are gonna put in so much trouble as to copy a bike, why not spec it current? I mean it's a new frame and they had to do the work to setup the molds and what not.  Doing things like BSA BB, wide tire capability, boosted rear (148mm), etc, this should be the norm.  Just my 2 cents...

I thought the opposite, probably a bias since I'm looking to move to a full suspension.
For two reasons: my friend is faster on a full suspension. He was a hard-core hardtail like me.
And it makes a more versatile bike, to go on more mountainous trails.
Maybe a third reason could be comfort, I don't suffer yet, but this could come with age.
 I'll watch RedBull TV differently now.

He is faster on an FS?  This is interesting.  I found the FS to be a touch slower, mainly due to:
1 - Pedaling Efficiency. The suspension robs power, it may be very little but is compounded over time and distance.
2 - Weight. The FS will always be heavier due to frame design.

Now, what I did find is I am faster (considerably) downhill and over technical terrain with the FS, but also you have to consider I am riding the Fezzari Signal Peak now which is classed as a marathon XC bike. It has a 68 degree head tube, longer reach and wheel base, more upright seatpost, and 120mm front and rear travel.  This bike is definitely more capable over terrain than a true XC FS.  This was another reason I avoided a Chinese FS frame.  I couldn't find anything that was progressive enough into 'Trail' discipline territory.

So I guess it's a bit of what you are doing.  For me over a long ride with climbing and descending, the HT is faster, mainly because more time is spent climbing than descending due to travel speed (obviously).  But yeah, I get it.  Until I got my FS, I was struggling to keep up with my buddy on the descents at Bear Creek/P1 and P2.  And on the climb up, I'm no longer waiting on them at the top.

Also, the fatigue thing you mentioned is very evident - especially over long rides.  Under an hour ride, I am usually locked out or in mid travel for the rear if there are lots of roots.  Over an hour, I start spending a lot more time in mid travel an will choose full squish on the rough stuff.  I feel like I can last longer and there is something to be said for the amount of energy you expend absorbing rough trails.  It will wear you out in a hurry!

Totally agree. That stagnation probably helped move my interest to full suspension bikes.

Yeah. Unfortunately, I feel kinda the same for the XC suspension bikes too.  One or 2 new offerings and that's about it. Most are static CC (center of curvature) single pivot.  Not much in the way of linkage driven, Horst, dual pivot link, etc... Basically almost nothing in the way of IC (Instant Center) designs.  It would be nice to see more of these, but I'm also aware that some have patents, so it may never happen.

It looks the hardtails are going out of favor for the new XC full suspension bikes, isn't it ?
Did someone got recent news about Peter ?

I haven't really kept up, but if that is the case, then it's a mistake.  Strictly speaking XC class, both HT and FS are warranted. Me being in GA and racing the SERC and GSC series this year, there are only 2 or 3 tracks I would use the FS on. This is also observable if you are watching the UCI World series on RedBull.  Suspension is chosen less over HT most of the time, it really depends on track/trail design.

So, the next thing is modern geometry, something I really haven't seen much of from the China frames in any design.  Most brand name 29er bikes now will accept up to a 2.6 width and most of those being able to run 27.5x2.8.   Also 120mm fork and a 70 degree or less head angle, with a longer reach, wheelbase, and shorter chain stays.  Steeper seat post angle too.  Think of it as migrating the wheels forward under the rider rather than pushing the rider back due to the increase in reach.  It's much easier to visualize when you think of it this way.

The LightCarbon one you mention seems to have a boosted axle, but a 2.3 max tire... WTF? I mean they have a huge chain stay (445) which puts the tire plenty behind the BB allowing for widening.  The head angle is 70, but I didn't see what the recommended fork travel is on the site.  Looks like the guy in the post is building with a 100mm.  So a 120mm might put it at about 69 degrees... but I still am having a hard time swallowing a 445mm chain stay and a 2.3 max tire.

Ugh, I know the Chinese market is always trailing behind in designs, but except for just a couple of new offerings (mostly closer to trail bikes that I have seen), it's been utterly stagnant for the past 4.5 years.

I just wish 1 factory would man up and produce a HT with Boost axle,  425-428 Chain Stays, 75-ish Seat Tube, 69-ish Head Angle on a 120mm fork, No front derailleur which will allow easily for wider rear to accept the larger tires, and a wheelbase around 1180+ for a large, etc...  Can I get an A-men?! :-)

Short stem, dropper post, I'd be all set! 

So I am retiring my CS-MB01 frame.  My new bike is boost (110 x 15 front and 148 x 12 rear).  Since my hub on my MB01 rear is trashed, I have sourced some new boost hubs which will make it nice for me to interchange wheels between bikes.

I looked at every frame on Peter's site and none of the hardtails are boost rear.  Does anyone have any idea where I can find a boosted hard tail frame? Even better, a boost rear with threaded BB. 

I wish they would upgrade the 057 to the wider rear, I'd jump on that in a skinny minute!

Like carbonazza, I two fit well on an SMP design.  However, as he stated, they are hard to find now.  On a whim I tried one of the full carbon San Marco copies from AliExpress.  They run in the low 20's.  Unlike other carbon rail saddles, this one has UD rails that are much taller and stronger.  Since I ride a hardtail, my saddle gets the brunt of abuse.  I've had to avoid carbon and go with titanium rails.  This is the first saddle with carbon rails I have had that has made it past 300 miles.   I hope it holds out.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Racing-Bicycle-saddle-full-Carbon-Selle-San-Marco-Saddle-Wave-Road-Bike-Saddle-for-men-Aspide/32953598085.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.3.fe3562173s4GTL&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10065_10130_10068_10890_10547_319_10546_317_10548_10545_10696_453_10084_454_10083_10618_10307_537_536_10902_10059_10884_10887_321_322_10103,searchweb201603_70,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=bb2bea73-515a-4e47-a529-ae97a622bbc1-0&algo_pvid=bb2bea73-515a-4e47-a529-ae97a622bbc1

Well, this sucks...  r2-bike.com had been my go-to for several SRAM builds.  Apparently, SRAM has put a stop to their international shipping.  Does anyone know where to source SRAM for prices close to theirs?  From anywhere?  If it has to come from overseas I can certainly wait.

I posted this in the 29er topic since that's what I ride.  It would be nice to have a 'ride chat' or discussion topic for everyone to discuss rides and events on their bikes.

Anyway, So I decided to give it a whirl this year and see what this racing thing is all about.  Can't believe I actually won my age bracket!  On the second lap I punctured my front tire and it leaked down to about 6 lbs, but I rode that badboy anyway, LOL!  Sketchy and it cost me about 2 minutes but I still managed to pull it off. 

What I really found out though is that I out-classed my competition in bike handling and descents.  2 of the guys were definitely strong riders and would probably out climb me on a hill, but most of these climbs had granite step ups and the course was quite technical. 

Loads of fun and I recommend any of you who have thought about entering a race to go do it.  You meet lots of nice people with common interests too. :-)



Times:


CS-MB01 #443 for the season


On the Podium: