What did you do with you bike this weekend? (3 Viewers)

[coleAK]

Nope, they actually resolved that a few years ago. My issues:
- Too much modulation, If I have the lever where I can reach it comfortably I can pull the lever to bar and still not have enough power. If you have big hands, no issue i guess, but I like the on/off feel of shimano
- DOT fluid belongs on cars. I don't want to deal with it around carbon and degassing it is tedious and sucks (literally). The bleed process is way more complicated than the gravity bleed that takes about 2 minutes on a set of shimano brakes.


Surprisingly, I didn't hate the mavens I tried the other day when I demo'd a Stumpy 15... they were certainly better than the current DOT fluid offerings and I like that they are going mineral oil on the new stuff... but the levers were still much too stiff in the freestroke. May too much hand fatigue

I had high hopes for the mavens that came on my stumpy. like you I hate DOT fluid on bikes.

My issue with the mavens was the massive amount of effort it takes to squeeze the lever. On Long descents I would get forearm pump and strain like you wouldn’t believe. It was seriously like using a grip master hand, strength trainer or something. And I mountain bike (well fat in the winter) close to seven days a week year-round and have for >40 years and I also rock climb. I would do the same ride on my Kona process that has four pot XT’s, no problems, same ride on my sons Trance X with Codes, no problems. I struggled with the mavens for three months trying to get him dialed in and working. With no luck.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

I had high hopes for the mavens that came on my stumpy. like you I hate DOT fluid on bikes.

My issue with the mavens was the massive amount of effort it takes to squeeze the lever. On Long descents I would get forearm pump and strain like you wouldn’t believe. It was seriously like using a grip master hand, strength trainer or something. And I mountain bike (well fat in the winter) close to seven days a week year-round and have for >40 years and I also rock climb. I would do the same ride on my Kona process that has four pot XT’s, no problems, same ride on my sons Trance X with Codes, no problems. I struggled with the mavens for three months trying to get him dialed in and working. With no luck.

We should hangout. I climb too!

Here’s an even more controversial take… i have a set of old carbon elixer’s that i actually DONT hate…. Still have the DOT fluid issue but at least those brakes will actually stop me….

I’m installing a new set of 4pot XT’s on the tallboy right now. RondeCycling for the win

 

[1FZj80]

Every set of codes I’ve had didn’t last

what fails on them?

 

[coleAK]

what fails on them?

For the ones without the contact point (modulation) adjustment. They just get mushier and mushier (even with appropriate service and bleeds. and I’ve had 2 sets (both Code R) lock up. I still use codes but only RSC/ultimate with the adjustment, then when I do a bleed instead of following SRAMs directions I do it with the adjustment wheel set about to the middle.

I pretty much gave up on SRAM when it looked like they were going e-shift only (my stumpy has AXS that I hate, unnecessary complexity, shifts slow, no need for a battery on a non-eBike), but the new mechanical transmission seems like a step in the right direction.

 

[1FZj80]

For the ones without the contact point (modulation) adjustment. They just get mushier and mushier (even with appropriate service and bleeds. and I’ve had 2 sets (both Code R) lock up. I still use codes but only RSC/ultimate with the adjustment, then when I do a bleed instead of following SRAMs directions I do it with the adjustment wheel set about to the middle.

I guess you are getting air in the system?
The RSC on my stumpy have been pretty good. I did buy the aluminum pistons but haven't installed yet. I do have Code R on my second stumpy and have always needed to bleed a lot. Maybe the same problem you are having? Good info to know as I didn't realize there were issues other than the plastic pistons problems.

 

[coleAK]

I guess you are getting air in the system?
The RSC on my stumpy have been pretty good. I did buy the aluminum pistons but haven't installed yet. I do have Code R on my second stumpy and have always needed to bleed a lot. Maybe the same problem you are having? Good info to know as I didn't realize there were issues other than the plastic pistons problems.

Not getting air in the system. When I bleed them almost none comes out. I have Level R on my fat tire, when they start to go I’ll switch to Shimano or if I can get a deal on one pot SRAMs that have the modulation adjustment feature.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Not getting air in the system. When I bleed them almost none comes out. I have Level R on my fat tire, when they start to go I’ll switch to Shimano or if I can get a deal on one pot SRAMs that have the modulation adjustment feature.

The only time I've had luck bleeding sram stuff has been after i spend about 20 minutes degassing the fluid....

There's really no excuse not to have a set of XT brakes... i have a few sets from here, grey market:
Security Measure - https://www.ebay.com/str/rondecyclingstore

At this point, my dog probably knows how to install Shimano brakes better than most

 

[coleAK]

The only time I've had luck bleeding sram stuff has been after i spend about 20 minutes degassing the fluid....

There's really no excuse not to have a set of XT brakes... i have a few sets from here, grey market:
Security Measure - https://www.ebay.com/str/rondecyclingstore

At this point, my dog probably knows how to install Shimano brakes better than most
View attachment 3881571

I fully agree. I have a buddy that is a sponsored SRAM athlete, I get some hand me downs (well trade for skis). When I buy though I buy Shimano (or Hope tech).

 

[ravewoofer]

I took off more brakes that don't work! Amazing how many sets of these I've gotten rid of...
View attachment 3880331View attachment 3880331

I only ride with Shimano disc brakes, for at least the last 15 years, probably closer to 20. I have never had one conk out, nor have I needed to bleed the brakes. I won't spec a bike without Shimano. So, anecdotally, Shimano is great.

 

[jembourbe]

The only time I've had luck bleeding sram stuff has been after i spend about 20 minutes degassing the fluid....

There's really no excuse not to have a set of XT brakes... i have a few sets from here, grey market:
Security Measure - https://www.ebay.com/str/rondecyclingstore

At this point, my dog probably knows how to install Shimano brakes better than most
View attachment 3881571

I have a set of XT brakes from 2012 still going strong with a set of replacement master cylinder seals. I put Ti pistons in the MCs when I replaced the seals (for no other reason than, "Look! Ti pistons!" when I ordered the seals.)

But honestly the BR-MT200s you can get for $20 a set work every bit as well as XTs (on an XC bike) -- they just make a little bit more pad noise with their cotter pin retainers

 

[OGBeno]

New wheel set day today for my gravel steed.

700s. Moving up from 650.

These will live on this bike until my Falconer is completed and then they will get transferred to that unit. My gravel steed will then go back to 650s and will become a SS gravel bike.

Anyway, gonna do a 58 miler tomorrow to see how they roll!

 

[coleAK]

Well, since we were discussing this, just a few weeks back. For those of you haven’t seen it SRAM discontinued all of their mountain DOT brakes, yes even the codes, it’s mineral Oil for all

Heavy Duty Brakes - SRAM

Heavy Duty Brakes, SRAM

www.sram.com

 

[on the rocks]

It is so nice living down the street from PUSH. I haven't washed the bike since last summer and it appears the forks are leaking a bit. Even though out of warranty Darren the owner took it in to replace some seals and came out when I picked the bike up and ran through some things. The front brake adaptor spacer was off and I wasn't getting full bight on the disk so they added a missing spacer as well. Top notch customer service...
Turns out these 220 disks and Magura brakes along with my riding style seem to be causing the forks to burp oil a bit. Turns out Industry Nine makes torque caps for the front axle to add a bit more meat to the surface contact with the fork. I missed it on the ride today but excited to get out and see how much it stiffens the front!
before:

after:

They pop right out and a simple spacer removal on the fork:

 

[OGBeno]

Went and had my usual hang with Jenna and her crew at Transit cycles.

Went to 44T (from 42T) on my Gravtron and new 165mm cranks.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Went and had my usual hang with Jenna and her crew at Transit cycles.

Went to 44T (from 42T) on my Gravtron and new 165mm cranks.

View attachment 3898132

View attachment 3898133

How are you liking the 165's ? That's been a major improvement for me, I am running them on everything now. Wider seat + shorter cranks + slamming cleats all the way back has really helped with my low back pain. which i wouldn't have expected.


2025 seems to be the year of the bike.... shopping around for a big dumb enduro sled. After I cross countrified my stable of bikes, I'm left needing something to ride the scary big stuff with. There's enough big chunk in AZ that I can justify a big ol couch to pedal around... Hawes, National, and plenty in Northern AZ

 

[OGBeno]

How are you liking the 165's ? That's been a major improvement for me, I am running them on everything now. Wider seat + shorter cranks + slamming cleats all the way back has really helped with my low back pain. which i wouldn't have expected.


2025 seems to be the year of the bike.... shopping around for a big dumb enduro sled. After I cross countrified my stable of bikes, I'm left needing something to ride the scary big stuff with. There's enough big chunk in AZ that I can justify a big ol couch to pedal around... Hawes, National, and plenty in Northern AZ

Love them. Converted 2 out of my 3 bikes to the shorter cranks. I think they make a world of difference for folks of our stature. Short dudes with short legs. The 29er is getting 165's next month.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Love them. Converted 2 out of my 3 bikes to the shorter cranks. I think they make a world of difference for folks of our stature. Short dudes with short legs. The 29er is getting 165's next month.

I pedaled an enduro rig with 145's the other day and i felt like i was riding a circus bike. it was not good.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Well. I have no self control.

 

[OGBeno]

Jenna is installing some new White Industies 165 cranks and a 30T chain ring this week while I’m up in Colorado.

We went out for a fun night ride in Tucson.

And my dog digs being a bike shop dog….

And had some legit Bloody Mary’s …