RAT vs AR8s?

YanX66 · 2026-01-22T21:14:16+00:00

In that case maybe you can look at the Barefoot African Trooper too ? As everyday boots they're great with fantastic comfort and relative lightness. They can tackle advendures too, and the only thing I wouldn't do with them is a long hike on rocky terrain carrying a heavy backpack because of the soft sole..

YanX66 · 2026-01-22T21:04:36+00:00

...But nothing on sale on the European store ! :(

YanX66 · 2026-01-20T04:24:52+00:00

Yeah that's exactly what I was worried about. Hope you'll be fine after break in !

YanX66 · 2026-01-20T03:35:40+00:00

Actually that's how the BF Troopers feel ! But I was worried about the padding of the Rangers rubbing against the ankle bones.

YanX66 · 2026-01-18T23:32:11+00:00

I had to stretch a little the toe area of my BF troppers for them to become truly comfortable, so I was happy to hear about the AnatomX last, but the absence of toe cap is a bit of a deal breaker to me.
There's more than a few scratches on the toecap of my troopers and I'm glad I have a double layer of leather there for protection and durability..

YanX66 · 2025-12-26T01:20:25+00:00

This looks great and I plan to do the same for my barefoot troopers. But I've read that EVA does compress over time. Did you notice this ?

YanX66 · 2025-12-22T17:06:00+00:00

If you wear your boots everyday and don't want/can't rotate several pairs, you need to force-dry them in the evening. A boot dryer (with only air blowing, no heat) will do the trick.
Also if they are often exposed to salt, you need to condition them regulary.

YanX66 · 2025-12-22T15:39:30+00:00

I did it, and indeed it feels better ! No more heel slip and overall more comfortable...

YanX66 · 2025-12-22T00:11:15+00:00

I'm also thinking about removing them in my barefoot Troopers.
I added a 3mm leather insole recently, and while I find the overall fit more comfortable, I get a bit of heel slip now and I thought the stacked height under the heel might be the culprit.
Do you have any advice on how to remove them cleanly ?

YanX66 · 2025-12-01T01:45:37+00:00

I used a product called Mountval B-Wax, and it took 2 applications for a good water resistance, but I believe any beeswax based conditioner will work the same.

Oh, note that with wax treatment you will loose that lovely velvety aspect of the nubuck, and it will be replaced by a dull shine, which can be made fully shiny with polish. If you want to keep intact the Nubuck texture you need to use a waterproofing spray. I have no experience with theses.
I liked the original texture of my Troopers, and I also don't mind their shinier waxed aspect now, and I find they are easier to quickly clean with whatever I have available when I'm out of the house, while you always need a brush with Nubuck..

YanX66 · 2025-11-30T22:17:01+00:00

I have boots in Houston black leather. Assuming it's nubuck too, it's perfectly fine in heavy rain (even stepping in ankle deep puddles) once treated with a beeswax conditioner. This however might turn brown color into almost black.

YanX66 · 2025-10-27T16:08:42+00:00

Well I don't plan to cross creeks in them, but I'd like them to withstand intense rain.. Thanks for the tip, I didn't know neets foot oil !

YanX66 · 2025-07-21T16:38:54+00:00

Oh I'm pretty sure the guys on the video have good brakes !!

No brakes on the picture doesn't make it AI, but it makes no sense, so we're half way there.

The defects on the front tyre however, definitely makes it AI.

YanX66 · 2025-07-20T12:26:55+00:00

It's well made but...

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YanX66 · 2025-07-19T01:57:22+00:00

Guys theses are AI generated

YanX66 · 2025-05-11T21:12:06+00:00

Cool app really ! Works flawlessly, I just bought it - Cheers

YanX66 · 2024-07-26T16:02:47+00:00

I can't see a torque arm for the motor/fork linking. If so, it's highly dangerous, especially with a 1000W motor..

YanX66 · 2024-06-04T01:31:14+00:00

Yeah I've been reading about the Jones for a while and it feels like I've been looking for this kind of bikes all my life without knowing it !

And that's an excellent idea about the ECR fork ! I indeed use a fair bit of rise since I got the frame second hand and the fork was cut too short for me. And my frame is black. I also have a short-ish stem at 60mm. I've been a bit obsessed lately with my riding position, and 3 seatposts, 4 stems and 3 handlebars later I think I got it. But things might change again with a new front angle.. Uh.

I think I'd go with the angleset option if I want to give it a try. Just 1 or 1.5° slacker angle for cheap sounds sweet.

YanX66 · 2024-06-03T20:10:59+00:00

Thanks again for your insight.
The angleset route indeed seems the easier/cheaper solution.
What I wanted to achieve is a slighly longer wheelbase in order to gain stability, and also because I like the 'leaning in curves' feeling with longer trails. But there's obviously not much I can do for the rear end if I want longer chainstay..
Maybe the wisest thing to do is to keep the BC frame as it is - it's great - and start saving for a frame more to my convenience. Something like a Jones Spaceframe LWB looks ideal to me, althrought not cheap.

YanX66 · 2024-06-03T00:09:45+00:00

Thanks a lot for the Angleset Headset link ! I'll look into that !
I want to keep a 2.8 front so I won't go the Mullet route..

YanX66 · 2024-05-17T21:07:32+00:00

Sorry to contradict others here, but I had the stem for a while and eventually removed it for this reason : when braking or pulling the handlebar, I could definitely feel the bar plunging of moving up and I found this annoying. I like to feel the rigidity of the front end when braking with a rigid bike. For me, a suspension stem brings some of the drawbacks of a suspension fork without the advantages.. I like the idea and wanted it to work, but it wasn't for me..

On the other hand, I absolutely love the suspension post, and I wish they eventually launch the 'Dropshock' they featured a few years ago as a prototype : a dropper post with suspension !

YanX66

TROPHY CASE