This is what's wrong with The Industry™
- Thread starter Electric_City
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I don't always race DH. But when I do, it's with my wife and flip flops on a tandem. And there's no suspension. Oh and wait for it.....it's on a fat tandem. Bet you didn't think those existed, did you? Oh and it has to be on the western slope cuz my homies on the front range or anyone in summit county would make fun of me.
In all honesty, that looks like fun. But I'd need some serious wings and beer after that!
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Goofin around at Interbike in Bootleg Canyon. She used to work the Santana Tandems booth with me every year. That was a "prototype" we made as a fun attention getter for Interbike.I don't always race DH. But when I do, it's with my wife and flip flops on a tandem. And there's no suspension. Oh and wait for it.....it's on a fat tandem. Bet you didn't think those existed, did you? Oh and it has to be on the western slope cuz my homies on the front range or anyone in summit valley would make fun of me.
In all honesty, that looks like fun. But I'd need some serious wings and beer after that!
from here. 
I'd need it before.In all honesty, that looks like fun. But I'd need some serious wings and beer after that!
Looking at replacing my frame, I did some quick math.
2020 Meta AM frame only pre-pandemic (2020) : 1800$cdn retail
2023 Meta SX (V4) frame only : 2300$ (+35% from previous version)
2024 Meta V5 frame only : 2800$ (+22% from previous version, 56% from 4 years ago)
All the reviews I've read about the new platform say that the links started creaking shortly and that they had to undo it all, re-grease to get rid of the sound. 4 years later, the alignment and build quality doesn't seem any better, all that for a 56% price increase. Now the V4 SX is 1700$ on sale, and they couldn't even unload them with an additionnal 10% off on black friday.
I'm sorry, but seeing those price increases and knowing how the industry took advantage of its consumers during the pandemic sales boost, I have a hard time feeling bad for the industry right now. As a reciprocital FU, I just stocked up on consumables and shoes found at 50% off, some helmets at 70%, so I probably won't need to buy anything for the next 3-4 years.
2020 Meta AM frame only pre-pandemic (2020) : 1800$cdn retail
2023 Meta SX (V4) frame only : 2300$ (+35% from previous version)
2024 Meta V5 frame only : 2800$ (+22% from previous version, 56% from 4 years ago)
All the reviews I've read about the new platform say that the links started creaking shortly and that they had to undo it all, re-grease to get rid of the sound. 4 years later, the alignment and build quality doesn't seem any better, all that for a 56% price increase. Now the V4 SX is 1700$ on sale, and they couldn't even unload them with an additionnal 10% off on black friday.
I'm sorry, but seeing those price increases and knowing how the industry took advantage of its consumers during the pandemic sales boost, I have a hard time feeling bad for the industry right now. As a reciprocital FU, I just stocked up on consumables and shoes found at 50% off, some helmets at 70%, so I probably won't need to buy anything for the next 3-4 years.
That's weird considering the brands I pay attention to (Ibis, Santa Cruz, Scott) are currently selling for the same or less than in 2019.
I paid $1200 US for a Meta AM v4 frame only in fall 2020 for a 21MY. I still love this bike.
It’s a total buyer’s market now mostly. $55 Freerider Pros, $99 TLD A3, Yeti, Spec and SC all on sale.
I think some brands are going to go under by March.
It’s a total buyer’s market now mostly. $55 Freerider Pros, $99 TLD A3, Yeti, Spec and SC all on sale.
I think some brands are going to go under by March.
Wtf is this naow?
AI?
(looks like steering damper)
(looks like steering damper)
showa moto damper adapted for bike use by WRP:
www.instagram.com
WRP Pty. Ltd. on Instagram: "It seems the industry might be a little confused between a “steering damper” and a “steering spring” - although we all know the difference between the “damper” and the “spring” in say a front fork and we can differentiate the purposes of the two. The following is one type of steering damper; a Showa steering damper to be exact, that was developed in mid 00’s and still available to buy today - the same as what Ricky Carmichael used in one of his perfect seasons and many guys since. A steering damper’s resistance is relative to its shaft speed. Under low speed (normal steering scenarios) there is no noticeable difference in resistance; under high speed scenarios (tank-slap, a rock grabs the front wheel, tuck the front, etc) the steering resistance is increased and helps keep the handlebars straight. This one has 22 clicks to control the resistance under various steering speeds. Keen to test it. Cheers "
103K likes, 609 comments - williamsracingproducts on September 11, 2023: "It seems the industry might be a little confused between a “steering damper” and a “steering spring” - although we all know the d..."
www.instagram.com
That's the steering damper that came stock on Honda CR motocross bikes for a while.
I guess my point is that I'm seeing an overly complicated, Kashmir coated mini air shock that will have to be rebuilt annually and probably cost way too much for the way-too-little benefit it has for most riders. Why not Hopey?
Or better yet, a shot headset!
Or better yet, a shot headset!
Fuck you made me look. For a moment I was hoping they had somehow adapted the fork cart to a 40.showa moto damper adapted for bike use by WRP:
WRP Pty. Ltd. on Instagram: "It seems the industry might be a little confused between a “steering damper” and a “steering spring” - although we all know the difference between the “damper” and the “spring” in say a front fork and we can differentiate the purposes of the two. The following is one type of steering damper; a Showa steering damper to be exact, that was developed in mid 00’s and still available to buy today - the same as what Ricky Carmichael used in one of his perfect seasons and many guys since. A steering damper’s resistance is relative to its shaft speed. Under low speed (normal steering scenarios) there is no noticeable difference in resistance; under high speed scenarios (tank-slap, a rock grabs the front wheel, tuck the front, etc) the steering resistance is increased and helps keep the handlebars straight. This one has 22 clicks to control the resistance under various steering speeds. Keen to test it. Cheers "
103K likes, 609 comments - williamsracingproducts on September 11, 2023: "It seems the industry might be a little confused between a “steering damper” and a “steering spring” - although we all know the d..."
Hopeys are kinda crappy tbh. If you insist on using a steering damper, Cane Creeks is significantly better.
But even better than that is a regular ass headset without a steering damper.
Edit: I shouldn't shit on them. Some people have legitimate physical aliments and related problems that steering dampers genuinely help with.
They just kinda suck for anybody who spends any time with the wheels off the ground.
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The Cane Creek one isn't speed sensitive though is it? That's what the WRP guy is going for. Theoretically with the right damping inflection point you could set a steering damper so that bar turns wouldn't be damped but sudden wheel deflection would (assuming those are different speeds). Interesting enough experiment to try out if you have the time and means I guess.
Yeah I'm not sure it'd make any functional difference in jumping where you're coming off lips going fairly quick, frequently not hitting straight on and requiring adjustments in the air, I'm willing to bet it would just kind of turn the bike into a dead sailor machine.
I think you'd need a WAY heavier bike (eg a moto) to counteract effects of the damper on your bike in the air.
I donno. Just speculating, you could be totally right. I'll wait for woo to tell us what to think,
Not sure which ‘Industry’ this falls under, but good lord, there is so much bullshit and crappy copy in this press release of a ‘review’.
www.barrons.com
Lightweight but Powerful, the Porsche of E-Bikes Comes With Bragging Rights
The German two-wheelers are laden with features—but pricey at five figures
front AND rearNot sure which ‘Industry’ this falls under, but good lord, there is so much bullshit and crappy copy in this press release of a ‘review’.
Lightweight but Powerful, the Porsche of E-Bikes Comes With Bragging Rights
The German two-wheelers are laden with features—but pricey at five figures
you know
for stability
Crankbrothers wheels, which have separate spoke tension front and rear for stability
Yes, I chuckled at that one, for sure.
Reads like a bot that was trained from Indian translations.Not sure which ‘Industry’ this falls under, but good lord, there is so much bullshit and crappy copy in this press release of a ‘review’.
Lightweight but Powerful, the Porsche of E-Bikes Comes With Bragging Rights
The German two-wheelers are laden with features—but pricey at five figures
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steering dampers are great, you should definitely buy one
everything made for bikes is obviously well-justified by need or it wouldn't exist
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bRiNg bAcK tHe bAssWoRm!
pedaling is hard, steering is hard and yes....even shifting is hard
Bring back the Rollamajig!
(can you imagine how rotted that bAssWoRm surgical tubing is by now? )
(can you imagine how rotted that bAssWoRm surgical tubing is by now? )
I bought generic rollamajigs from eBay the other year from @Sandwich ’s recommendation. They still have a use for bikes with poor angles on the housing.
Those things have at least one legit usefulness - I know a couple of riders with conditions or missing limbs that only have one functioning arm and they love those things. If you have any military vet riding groups near you I bet they'd know someone that could use it.
That's a good point.
I've got a buddy who does the fake arm/leg thing (some would call it prosthetics) he should know about that. Most of his patients come from diabetes and/or crazy random freak accidents, including war. But if they want to ride, let them!
Theres a thread over on pinkbike where people are talking about how important weight is and how they're willing to make some sacrifices like good tires to get the weight down with lots of positivity and hugging about it.
Looking at the stupid idlers coming on trail bikes these days, looks like the pendulum of making good bikes is swinging back towards "make dog shit for dumbass dentists that think that buying a plane ticket out to go ride bentonville is the pinnacle of mountain biking"
Average MTB Consumer: Willing to spend any amount of money for keeping up with the Joneses on expensive suspension that shits the bed and needs a new CSU every year and half because it's so much more supple and perfect than the competing brand that makes the exact same shit bro.
Also Average MTB Consumer: unwilling to put on tires that make a bigger difference than any suspension change would make at 1/10th the cost because they're so heavy bro.
I guess it's useful for helping me when I'm trying to figure out who to listen to and who's a goober, and who rides in places I want to go ride and who doesn't.
Looking at the stupid idlers coming on trail bikes these days, looks like the pendulum of making good bikes is swinging back towards "make dog shit for dumbass dentists that think that buying a plane ticket out to go ride bentonville is the pinnacle of mountain biking"
Average MTB Consumer: Willing to spend any amount of money for keeping up with the Joneses on expensive suspension that shits the bed and needs a new CSU every year and half because it's so much more supple and perfect than the competing brand that makes the exact same shit bro.
Also Average MTB Consumer: unwilling to put on tires that make a bigger difference than any suspension change would make at 1/10th the cost because they're so heavy bro.
I guess it's useful for helping me when I'm trying to figure out who to listen to and who's a goober, and who rides in places I want to go ride and who doesn't.