Got the Deemax yesterday and started building this thing up finally.
(They are the new style rim not like the 823 FWIW) The Saint axle kit from Mavic is really trick, you can swap between the std bolt-on axle and the Saint axle in about 2 mins flat. Same goes for the front hub, you can make it QR in ten seconds with 2 little adapters.
The Specialized tires mounted up well and I was able to inflate the rear tire with a hand pump but I needed the compressor to seat the front tire initially. These tires are sweet, they are about 1000gm's I think and really large with a fairly thick sidewall and aggressive tread.
The Hopes mounted up easily although as is to be expected they don't hook up for poop yet because they aren't burned in. The setup on these brakes is too simple and the lever feel is awesome.
The Firefly feels stiffer than the past two Sherman's I've had so I think it has a firm spring in it, Manitou did tell me that it shipped with a steel spring because they were out of the Ti ones and they are sending me a Ti one ASAP, I seem to remember that the Ti springs only come in medium which is perfect for me.
I haven't had a chance to weigh it yet but I can tell it's at or below my estimate of 34lbs. just by picking it up. Although it has 6" of travel front and rear, it pedals 100% as good as my old bike which was only 4" and a few pounds lighter. The overall feel is more trail-bike than hardcore freeride but that's exactly what I was looking for.
*Bling*
I am going to ride it all day tomorrow and I will have a full report after that!
(They are the new style rim not like the 823 FWIW) The Saint axle kit from Mavic is really trick, you can swap between the std bolt-on axle and the Saint axle in about 2 mins flat. Same goes for the front hub, you can make it QR in ten seconds with 2 little adapters.
The Specialized tires mounted up well and I was able to inflate the rear tire with a hand pump but I needed the compressor to seat the front tire initially. These tires are sweet, they are about 1000gm's I think and really large with a fairly thick sidewall and aggressive tread.
The Hopes mounted up easily although as is to be expected they don't hook up for poop yet because they aren't burned in. The setup on these brakes is too simple and the lever feel is awesome.
The Firefly feels stiffer than the past two Sherman's I've had so I think it has a firm spring in it, Manitou did tell me that it shipped with a steel spring because they were out of the Ti ones and they are sending me a Ti one ASAP, I seem to remember that the Ti springs only come in medium which is perfect for me.
I haven't had a chance to weigh it yet but I can tell it's at or below my estimate of 34lbs. just by picking it up. Although it has 6" of travel front and rear, it pedals 100% as good as my old bike which was only 4" and a few pounds lighter. The overall feel is more trail-bike than hardcore freeride but that's exactly what I was looking for.
*Bling*
I am going to ride it all day tomorrow and I will have a full report after that!