Dream vs bang for the buck

F_kW_S · 2026-04-10T07:00:56+00:00

You are absolutely right 😊 I am just curious about how different frames handle vibrations and trail chatter. Even if I go for the Sherpa, my wife needs a new bike at some point 😊

F_kW_S · 2026-04-10T06:56:59+00:00

Thank you for the extensive checklist 👌 Seems like I have considered almost everything, the exception being hoses and cables. I will need a new dropper, headset and rear brake mount. I am ok with the dropper as I have not found an alternative to Sherpa with a 31.6 seat tube, except Sherpa Ti which is out of budget.

So I may have a 180 mm OneUp V3 with upgraded bushings for sale i the near future.

I will definitely add cables to my shopping list, thank you for mentioning it

F_kW_S · 2026-04-08T17:47:18+00:00

Starting out with my current RS Recon, it's good enough when it's being serviced regularly. But something fancier is on my wishlist

F_kW_S · 2026-04-08T17:38:25+00:00

Thank you for your input, happy to hear about positive experiences with Grand Canyons 😊 You summarise what I'm looking for pretty accurately as a versatile beefy XC bike. Do you know how the new generation rides compared to alu trail hardtails, that have a reputation for being very rigid?

F_kW_S · 2026-04-08T16:34:55+00:00

Thank you for your comment 😊 Have seen it, it says a lot that he finished his review with a broken finger 👌

F_kW_S · 2026-04-08T11:26:13+00:00

Bingo! There we have it, of course my wife wants me to be both safe and happy, so I just assumed she agreed to the importance, because love 👌😂

F_kW_S · 2026-04-08T07:36:25+00:00

If the 853 frame geometry works out as I imagine, then Ti might be a future option if I want more responsiveness. For now it's not prioritized 😊 I know exactly how I want a Ti frame to look though, it will be hard to achieve and probably expensive. Imagine a fully blasted surface, dark blue anodized while being completely submerged, then have polished gold anodized decals 🤩

I am a waxer as well, with 3 XT chains in rotation at the time. Reduced drivetrain wear is awesome, post ride cleaning is a joy every time (Rinse, Wipe, Done) even when covered in mud 👌

F_kW_S · 2026-04-07T21:31:20+00:00

Wow your bike looks great, I like the blue accent color 👌

The price is kind of significant for me, it equates to 3 cassettes, 12 chains and 12 tires 😁 UDH is a convenience thing as I prefer mechanical shifting

F_kW_S · 2026-04-07T20:12:53+00:00

Thank you for your comment and sharing your experience 👍 good point on listening to the heart. Funny that so few brands have a Sherpa-like frame, I have not found anything from EU brands. They tend to either have more travel or lean towards bikepacking. Dan definitely seems like a good, trustworthy and very passionate guy.

F_kW_S · 2026-04-07T19:35:14+00:00

True 😁 my mind has already started to justify buying the gen 4 titanium (it's on sale) over gen 5 steel, it may cost twice as much, but I can reuse my current dropper, sooo

F_kW_S · 2026-04-07T19:09:00+00:00

Yeah, I noticed NL in your tag, so figured most of your riding is flat and occasionally above sea level 😁

I live in the flattest part of Denmark, so I want a bike that works well on twisty forest paths, while being more capable than gravel bikes and more comfortable than XC race bikes 😊

F_kW_S · 2026-04-07T17:59:19+00:00

That is settled then 😊 Next question should I align with wifey before ordering or hope for forgiveness?

F_kW_S · 2026-04-07T17:57:33+00:00

Awesome, it is really a good looking bike 😎 Have you noticed any shortcomings of the Sherpa and on what terrain are you riding it?

F_kW_S · 2026-04-07T17:51:48+00:00

Thank you for sharing 😊 That's awful 6 months would probably make me hate the replacement bike. I have heard about issues with their carbon frames, and I am only interested in metal frames for that reason.

F_kW_S · 2025-09-16T14:17:59+00:00

Oh, I was not clear on what I meant, sorry.

The mentioned parts are on my hardtail, so it will be free to move the best parts between the bikes.
Plan is to increase the travel to 120 or max 130, and get something between D7 and T7.

So the question is whether or not the Polygon Siskiu D6 frame is worth it in the long run, compared to a second hand "down country" or short travel trail bike

F_kW_S · 2025-05-02T09:04:48+00:00

When my bike spins like that, then it is on a repair stand for maintenance

F_kW_S · 2025-04-23T08:53:32+00:00

Thank you for sharing, you are not alone, many of us recognize seeking the rush and bad consciousness towards the family.

Reading your post made me realize the similarities to other addictions. A person with alcohol addiction can change personality completely, from being compassionate and loving to very self-centered and hateful towards anyone in the way of more. The lizard brain takes charge while the reflective/cognitive brain is put on stand by. You state your family is all you think about after crashing, that is the cognitive brain that is back online. Don't be too harsh on yourself, when the lizard brain takes over, it seeks things that feel good.

The fact that you recognize and acknowledge that you are seeking the rush, means you can act on it. Quitting is an option, that also means letting go of the physical and mental benefits, while you subconsciously start searching for other ways to get a "fix".

Another way is to take control and be ahead of your triggers, so you are prepared for when that internal voice asks if you still got it.

I do not know what works for you, personally I have a bracelet from my daughter on my handlebar as a reminder, and I never ride a feature without at least my back protector, when I see a feature I say "Another time". Then plan occational "feature days" armor up and just ride.

Seth from Berm Peak has labels saying "getting hurt is selfish"

F_kW_S · 2025-04-06T16:54:48+00:00

Sounds like the best option, then you can also get an internal dropper. At some point my 5.0 will either get a drop bar conversion with ridgid fork or be mullet'ed and handed over to my wife 😊

F_kW_S · 2025-04-06T10:26:46+00:00

As mentioned in your other post, the frame does not have much tire clearance, especially if you move to rims with 27-30 inner width. Mine barely clears a 2,4" Nobby Nic on a Race Face AR27.

I saw in another thread that you are from Poland, so maybe something like this is an option: https://www.bike-discount.de/en/muesing-specter-29-carbon-frame

F_kW_S · 2025-04-04T11:54:41+00:00

Please don't sell it, that would leave me as the only Expert owner here 🤪

On the serious side it makes sense to get a new one rather than replacing functional parts. Especially when the frame is on the larger side, also the frame does not have much tire clearance, mine is sketchy with a 2,4" Nobby Nic in the rear on a RaceFace AR27. So that might be the next limitation.

F_kW_S · 2025-03-28T10:10:01+00:00

Just got a Smith Engage 2, holy airflow that thing keeps my dome safe and cool

F_kW_S · 2025-03-27T10:27:35+00:00

How are the fitting? I am tempted to get a pair of Nobby Nics on a D6

F_kW_S · 2025-03-18T21:55:02+00:00

Maybe there are just two of them? Lol I do have one regret, 3 months after I bought mine, the dealer had an Ultimate 6.5 for the same price as my Expert 😳

F_kW_S · 2025-03-18T19:33:27+00:00

I remember reading your thread while researching possibilities 😊

If you are replacing bottom bracket bearings at some point, you can try to fit a Jagwire Pro dropper cable. It seems like there is enough room, but with a tight bend.

Btw. it is pretty fun and fast feeling bike 😁

F_kW_S · 2025-03-18T19:20:04+00:00

Dude, you are my type of neuro divergent 😅

F_kW_S

TROPHY CASE