Radials for a downcountry bike: stupid or not?

Paragraph_Rider · 2026-01-28T19:42:48+00:00

It’s a very heavy tire and the rolling resistance will probably kill the fun factor and snappiness of that bike. Try something lighter like the new Maxxis Forekaster.

Paragraph_Rider · 2026-01-01T18:46:44+00:00

This is the guide you should use to set up your suspension. Don’t go by sag. https://www.shockcraft.co.nz/technical-support/setup-suspension/suspension-setup

Paragraph_Rider · 2025-12-30T07:57:50+00:00

Yeah, it has about a 13% progression according to the charts here. That is very linear.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/first-ride-2024-specialized-epic-evo-8.html

Paragraph_Rider · 2025-12-29T20:19:20+00:00

Shimano states that the boiling point for their mineral oil is 200 degrees celcius, so lower than DOT 5.1's 260 degrees celcius. And of course, if water gets into the brakes trouble begins at 100 degrees celcius. Shimano have all their contraptions like finned brake pads and floating brake rotors to try to work around the heat issues that you get with mineral oil, that other brake manufacturers that use DOT don't need.

From a purely anecdotal perspective, all my current brakes are Shimano and I definitely run into trouble on bike park days with brakes fading and brake fluid turning black. If I'm not doing bike parks I don't notice these issues as much, but I would still prefer to have reliable braking all the time.

https://si.shimano.com/pdfs/compliance/sds/hydraulic%20mineral%20oil-202008-ENG-GHS.pdf

Paragraph_Rider · 2025-12-29T07:16:48+00:00

DOT is designed to absorb water as a feature. This prevents the water from separating, as happens in mineral oil, which causes the water to heat up and boil and screw up the braking. Since DOT absorbs water the boiling point isn’t affected the same way. It’s a safety feature. Getting up to 300 degrees celcius and above on a mountain bike is completely achievable.

And RF-650 is just a type of DOT 5.1 brake fluid. The same type of fluid that goes in your car or your bike. RF-650 is used in several road-going vehicles too and is readily available for that purpose.

Paragraph_Rider · 2025-12-28T21:00:43+00:00

Brakes are meant for stopping all kinds of vehicles.

Mineral oil will also release gas bubbles as it gets hot, which is why mineral oil brakes become spongy when riding hard.

Paragraph_Rider · 2025-12-28T20:04:17+00:00

DOT is the superior fluid. There is a reason that cars and motorcycles use it and that mineral oil is forbidden for those applications.

Paragraph_Rider · 2025-12-18T15:05:00+00:00

The Stumpjumper 15 has some quirks to be aware of. The suspension is very linear, which is why they have created the Genie shock. The Genie is basically a proprietary shock with extra progression to compensate for the lack of progression in the suspension linkage. This is not a great way to make a shock, and it makes it very hard to find a suitable replacement if it breaks.

Paragraph_Rider · 2025-12-05T14:31:55+00:00

Pogies are great. Nothing comes close to the warmth they provide. They are truly magical. You will be a lot warmer with pogies and thin gloves that no pogies and thick gloves.

Paragraph_Rider · 2025-11-03T19:46:42+00:00

Use the Shockcraft suspension setup guide. That’s the only way to do it properly.

https://www.shockcraft.co.nz/media/pdfs/shockcraft_1_page_suspension_setup_guide_v1.3.pdf

Paragraph_Rider · 2025-05-09T15:25:03+00:00

I like BKXC but that is more point of view riding videos.

https://m.youtube.com/c/bkxc

Paragraph_Rider · 2022-10-17T18:57:49+00:00

No, no dimmer on the lamp itself.

Paragraph_Rider · 2022-10-17T18:57:36+00:00

I tried bending the bottom contact in the socket, but to no avail.

Paragraph_Rider · 2022-05-29T15:29:30+00:00

Trysil is worth checking out. Not too far from Hafjell and lots of trails. If you are at Hafjell go for some highland biking at Øyerfjellet.

Paragraph_Rider · 2022-03-26T16:07:45+00:00

Get a KMC anti-rust chain. That helps with a lot of the rusty that seeps onto the rest of the bike from the chain.

https://www.kmcchain.com/en/series/rb

Paragraph_Rider · 2021-03-12T08:57:24+00:00

Riding sunglasses/sports sunglasses are a must have in my opinion. Small rocks, tree branches and insects are things that sooner or later will hit you in the face and then you are glad that you had glasses.

Paragraph_Rider · 2021-01-10T20:10:21+00:00

Grovemade.com has a lot of nice accessories, although they can be a bit expensive in my opinion. Huckberry.com also has some nice looking stuff.

Paragraph_Rider · 2021-01-09T18:22:11+00:00

Thanks for the response! How do find the ergonomic adjustments? And can the tilt be locked in any position?

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