Ha ha, I knew this was coming. went the same route with suspension, but keep 2 sets of wheels and tires - one light xc set for most calm stuff, and one beefier set for chunk and gnar. Love the versatility of this bike. Most pedaling losses come from the tires - weight and drag, so a light set will get you back in the right light place when needed.
That's not a bad idea. I was thinking to just go back to a rekon on the rear as the front tyre doesn't slow you down too much. We'll see though, I've been loving the current setup so not in a huge rush to change it.
Where are you riding? Terrain looks amazing. I just bought a Tallboy frame with 130 fork size L (I am 6’ tall). Absolutely love it. I too have Maxxis DH2’s and am planning to go in opposite direction and put on some lighter faster rolling tires ... maybe Icons.
Did you have to make any adjustments (longer stem, saddle position, sag, etc) to account for the longer fork and geo changes? I just bumped my Ripley AF to 140 and the reach feels much shorter than I thought it would.
@@NEWilliams180 I dropped a few stem spacers but that was about it. This bike is quite long to begin with so I didn’t really notice the change in reach.
How much does it weigh all up after these tweaks? I have a 5010v3 in similar spec at 13.5kgs. I've tried to keep it on the lighter side without going silly on weight weenie parts. It loves sharp turns and ST and don't have enough big stuff to hit locally to worry about. It is great bike. I took a TB for test drive and nearly went that way too but the 27.5" wheels I think suit better for me.
I have a v4. When the shock and fork wore out (Fox DPS/Fox 34) I replaced with the new Fox Float and a Marz Z1 140mm fork. Also got a new set of wheels with 30mm internal width and beefier rubber. Turned it into mini enduro bike. Way better like this than when I first got it. Its a heavy bike for its travel but a lot of fun.
I was looking at getting that same 2025 Rockshox SDU rear shock for my V4 Ripley. How does the Pedal mode feel? Is it only for smooth climbing or is it usable for more supportive "poppy" trail riding?
man I prefer short travel bikes and always end up beefing them up, they're still more fun than enduro bikes, and on enduro bikes i end up trying to make them ride like a short travel bike, don't blame you
I still this most of us weekend warriors don't use our big bikes more than 50-60% of what they truely capable of. My first bike was a Giant Trance 2 and I bombed that straight line down way more trail then what someone looking at its specs would say it was meant for. Took it to Threadbo, bombed it down Greenvalleys. It was great. It only finally gave in after a big stack off the greek gap drop at Greenvalleys. But hands down the most fun bike I've owned and ridden was my Yeti SB4.5 with 2.3 DHF tyres and a Fox FloatX2 Piggy Back. light, agile and took my rock smashing riding without a fuss.
I agree! I've got to be really on my game and to be riding demanding trails for my Megatower to feel alive, but most of the time I'd rather ride slower and on trails that aren't trying to kill me, which is why I love the tallboy so much. I was fortunate to be loaned a SB4.5 a while back by summit cycles and that bike was an absolute rocket. It was actually the bike that convinced me to go 29!
Funny I’m coming from the opposite direction with my v3 Hightower (was to sell the enduro bike but couldn’t bring myself to). 140mm Mattoc, firmer rear and conti xynotals. Should have gone the tallboy but pretty stoked how this is riding. These bikes are more versatile than we give them credit for Id say.
That's a mad setup because if you ever go bike parking you can always go the other way. And you're right about the versatility, the HT can go from all day pedal bike to enduro race weapon with very few changes!
Love your videos mate! I can relate to the size struggle quite a bit since i moved from large frames to XL frames this year after always feeling a little big on the bikes. I have a Tallboy and a Megatower v2 so the exact same setup. Already ruined by Tallboy after its 3rd ride with bigger tires! I'm also looking into bigger suspension. Have a Lyrik prepared with a modified 130mm airshaft because i don't want to rise the front. But the shock seems very interessting. Do you mind telling me the exact shock tune (written on the back)? Thanks! Have a good one
@@MTBMcPheeThanks for getting back! I've now bought a super deluxe as well to test. I think the air can you have is the new XL linear air can. Are you still happy with the setup?
Bike looks sick! from what I can tell where you ride it's probably pretty effective having this kind of hybrid set-up. The short travel system is an absolute ripper but the moment the hits add up they do reach their limit. It's a horses for courses type thing. for us in SEQ it's ripper to have the 29er with the lighter tyres and max out the efficiency so you can just rip the undulation and the smooth stuff. But it only gets you so far so two bikes are required to dial that fully in. Something it took a while to get right for us!
Short travel and long travel is the way to go if your budget allows. I've tried to "one bike" multiple times and I keep coming back to having a lighter duty trail bike as my go-to rig for most trails, and a long travel rig for freeride and travel.
Moving from tallboy to 5010 I really wasn’t a fan of the SD ultimate initially as it just felt over damped. Now I’ve got used to it, I feel like I’m going faster and more in control. The rear wheel is a lot more planted.
Hahahaha your click bait got me. This video should be titled I listened to my mate Drew. Call me the Devil on your shoulder. And built a big little bike. Our bikes are basically identical now I love this. I am also contemplating a Lyrik. But think that’s the one step too far where you may aswell go up to a Hightower. More Illawarra riding on little big bikes and we’ll find out
I love the idea of the tallboy, its the trail side of XC... but XCs in the last 2-3 years have come along-long way in both Geo and sus... basically now a XC bike is a lightened trail bike with the same modern long/slack/low geo running maybe just 10mm less fr/rear (i.e. 130/120) which would have been pretty OK as trail length 5 years ago. I do think though that the tallboy is NOT on the do-it all side of trail and that is better left held by a stumpy, SB140, and maybe even an optic OR the 5010.
Agree with you there. I'd like to try a modern XC bike but the low stack heights really put me off, which is one of the reasons I went the TB over some other options.
HT would have too much overlap with my Megatower and 5010 probably wouldn't be as good for flat pedalling/training, which I still do a fair bit of even with the changes. If I had unlimited money I would have them all. Maybe when the channel hits 1 million subs... 🤔
@@Framed1980 Hightower looks like an unreal “do all” bike. I think it would hit much harder than a beefed up tallboy, but it really depends on your trails.
@@MTBMcPhee I do like the Orange, but was it the Hightower that you had that was also Orange or yellow? 🤔 You can justify a stylist to the missus when you hit that 6k 🤘
Ha ha, I knew this was coming. went the same route with suspension, but keep 2 sets of wheels and tires - one light xc set for most calm stuff, and one beefier set for chunk and gnar. Love the versatility of this bike. Most pedaling losses come from the tires - weight and drag, so a light set will get you back in the right light place when needed.
That's not a bad idea. I was thinking to just go back to a rekon on the rear as the front tyre doesn't slow you down too much. We'll see though, I've been loving the current setup so not in a huge rush to change it.
Have you considered putting a 200mm dual crown on it to turn it into a super efficient freeride weapon?
@@RideyRodney yes. I’m actually drilling the frame now so I can run a high pivot and 2 chainz as well.
Where are you riding? Terrain looks amazing.
I just bought a Tallboy frame with 130 fork size L (I am 6’ tall). Absolutely love it. I too have Maxxis DH2’s and am planning to go in opposite direction and put on some lighter faster rolling tires ... maybe Icons.
Did you have to make any adjustments (longer stem, saddle position, sag, etc) to account for the longer fork and geo changes? I just bumped my Ripley AF to 140 and the reach feels much shorter than I thought it would.
@@NEWilliams180 I dropped a few stem spacers but that was about it. This bike is quite long to begin with so I didn’t really notice the change in reach.
Get onboard mate! Sydney rider and have a TB V4; stuck Fox 36s at 140mm and a Fox Float X on it. Dreamy! Congrats on the subs milestone!
@@chrisevans7059 haha yeah the beefy TB seems to be a popular choice for sure!
yieww!! killa rig my guy! Another stella vid too 🤟❤
How much does it weigh all up after these tweaks? I have a 5010v3 in similar spec at 13.5kgs. I've tried to keep it on the lighter side without going silly on weight weenie parts. It loves sharp turns and ST and don't have enough big stuff to hit locally to worry about. It is great bike. I took a TB for test drive and nearly went that way too but the 27.5" wheels I think suit better for me.
It's 14.3 with pedals in XL, up from 13.3 with lighter tyres and the std shock. I think I'll put a faster rolling tyre on the rear and call it good.
@@MTBMcPhee A 2.4 Ardent does well if you like a fast rolling rear for hardpack trails. I don't get along with real sticky rear tyres.
@@LooseKnob I never gelled with the Ardent. It might have a place but it’s not around here 😂
I have a v4. When the shock and fork wore out (Fox DPS/Fox 34) I replaced with the new Fox Float and a Marz Z1 140mm fork. Also got a new set of wheels with 30mm internal width and beefier rubber. Turned it into mini enduro bike. Way better like this than when I first got it. Its a heavy bike for its travel but a lot of fun.
I was looking at getting that same 2025 Rockshox SDU rear shock for my V4 Ripley. How does the Pedal mode feel? Is it only for smooth climbing or is it usable for more supportive "poppy" trail riding?
@@frankschock9981 it’s very firm, only for smooth surfaces I’d say.
@MTBMcPhee Shoot thanks for the feedback. I guess I could still dial in a more supportive but plush ride by setting the LSC +2 and HSC -2.
man I prefer short travel bikes and always end up beefing them up, they're still more fun than enduro bikes, and on enduro bikes i end up trying to make them ride like a short travel bike, don't blame you
The enduro racers "All Mountain". Congrats on the 6k subs
@@trailsviewcycletrader downduro bike 😂 Thanks mate!!
I still this most of us weekend warriors don't use our big bikes more than 50-60% of what they truely capable of. My first bike was a Giant Trance 2 and I bombed that straight line down way more trail then what someone looking at its specs would say it was meant for. Took it to Threadbo, bombed it down Greenvalleys. It was great. It only finally gave in after a big stack off the greek gap drop at Greenvalleys. But hands down the most fun bike I've owned and ridden was my Yeti SB4.5 with 2.3 DHF tyres and a Fox FloatX2 Piggy Back. light, agile and took my rock smashing riding without a fuss.
I agree! I've got to be really on my game and to be riding demanding trails for my Megatower to feel alive, but most of the time I'd rather ride slower and on trails that aren't trying to kill me, which is why I love the tallboy so much.
I was fortunate to be loaned a SB4.5 a while back by summit cycles and that bike was an absolute rocket. It was actually the bike that convinced me to go 29!
Funny I’m coming from the opposite direction with my v3 Hightower (was to sell the enduro bike but couldn’t bring myself to). 140mm Mattoc, firmer rear and conti xynotals. Should have gone the tallboy but pretty stoked how this is riding. These bikes are more versatile than we give them credit for Id say.
That's a mad setup because if you ever go bike parking you can always go the other way. And you're right about the versatility, the HT can go from all day pedal bike to enduro race weapon with very few changes!
Love your videos mate! I can relate to the size struggle quite a bit since i moved from large frames to XL frames this year after always feeling a little big on the bikes. I have a Tallboy and a Megatower v2 so the exact same setup.
Already ruined by Tallboy after its 3rd ride with bigger tires! I'm also looking into bigger suspension. Have a Lyrik prepared with a modified 130mm airshaft because i don't want to rise the front. But the shock seems very interessting. Do you mind telling me the exact shock tune (written on the back)? Thanks! Have a good one
@@jokerx3de interesting about the modded air shaft. I think I preferred the front end and BB height at 130mm too. The tune is c30/r55
@@MTBMcPheeThanks for getting back! I've now bought a super deluxe as well to test. I think the air can you have is the new XL linear air can. Are you still happy with the setup?
@@jokerx3de super happy with it, especially the SD!
How tall are you?
@@Leon-wd7xv 6’/183cm but I’m all legs and arms. My inseam is average for someone 6’4 and I’ve got a +1 ape index
Your videos are fantastic 🙌🏼👌🏼
@@kodi.hartMTB thanks mate 🙌🙌
Bike looks sick!
from what I can tell where you ride it's probably pretty effective having this kind of hybrid set-up. The short travel system is an absolute ripper but the moment the hits add up they do reach their limit. It's a horses for courses type thing.
for us in SEQ it's ripper to have the 29er with the lighter tyres and max out the efficiency so you can just rip the undulation and the smooth stuff. But it only gets you so far so two bikes are required to dial that fully in. Something it took a while to get right for us!
Short travel and long travel is the way to go if your budget allows. I've tried to "one bike" multiple times and I keep coming back to having a lighter duty trail bike as my go-to rig for most trails, and a long travel rig for freeride and travel.
@@MTBMcPhee 100% if you’re really into the. 2 bikes is basically a must if you want to get the most out of the local trail networks!
Moving from tallboy to 5010 I really wasn’t a fan of the SD ultimate initially as it just felt over damped. Now I’ve got used to it, I feel like I’m going faster and more in control. The rear wheel is a lot more planted.
@@MasterChronometer did you play around with tokens in the sd? I’ve yet to do so, but I think it would help me find a better balance with pedalling
@@MTBMcPhee not yet but the hydraulic bottom out, high and low speed compression should mean less reliance on tokens to provide support.
Mine has 140 Ohlinns fork and matching shock, it rips. Reckon rear dissector front
Sounds rad! I think I'll go back to Rekon rear too
Hahahaha your click bait got me. This video should be titled I listened to my mate Drew. Call me the Devil on your shoulder. And built a big little bike. Our bikes are basically identical now I love this. I am also contemplating a Lyrik. But think that’s the one step too far where you may aswell go up to a Hightower. More Illawarra riding on little big bikes and we’ll find out
It's definitely better for the gong in this configuration!
where are these trails?
Well done on 6k subs
@@OverTheHillMTBAU thank you 🙏
I love the idea of the tallboy, its the trail side of XC... but XCs in the last 2-3 years have come along-long way in both Geo and sus... basically now a XC bike is a lightened trail bike with the same modern long/slack/low geo running maybe just 10mm less fr/rear (i.e. 130/120) which would have been pretty OK as trail length 5 years ago.
I do think though that the tallboy is NOT on the do-it all side of trail and that is better left held by a stumpy, SB140, and maybe even an optic OR the 5010.
Agree with you there. I'd like to try a modern XC bike but the low stack heights really put me off, which is one of the reasons I went the TB over some other options.
@@MTBMcPhee true story. Likely would need a much higher rise bar and stem combo with a couple shims.
vpp suspension should be covered by insurance the resistance feels so good on the knees
@@CannabinatedFantasy 😂
I wondered in the beginning… it looks like Craig, must be an imposter 😅.
hah!
Haha I thought this was going to be I crashed and smash my bike… nice upgrades
Haha sorry for the clickbait... ruined in the best way possible 🙂
Why not go a 5010 or a Hightower?
HT would have too much overlap with my Megatower and 5010 probably wouldn't be as good for flat pedalling/training, which I still do a fair bit of even with the changes. If I had unlimited money I would have them all. Maybe when the channel hits 1 million subs... 🤔
@@MTBMcPhee you need a sponno ;)
Please sir, how tall are you? Thanks😅
@@peterk7662 183cm and all limbs!
Should i be doing this instead of buying a high tower
@@Framed1980 Hightower looks like an unreal “do all” bike. I think it would hit much harder than a beefed up tallboy, but it really depends on your trails.
Importantly, what were the effects of the colour change? 😂
Hahaha, different riding kit? I like both colours but I think I slightly prefer the blue, what do you reckon?
@@MTBMcPhee I do like the Orange, but was it the Hightower that you had that was also Orange or yellow? 🤔 You can justify a stylist to the missus when you hit that 6k 🤘
@@andrewsheedy The RM maybe, that was kind of pink. This is definitely the brightest bike I've ever owned!
Sounds like you made it good?!
@@mikedoria6770 everything is a compromise with bikes. It’s good at some stuff, less good at other stuff
Bought a f1 car and modified it to a tank. Letsgooo!
@@E.T_rode_bikes_As_well haha will probably end up somewhere in between
Sounds like you should never have sold your optic haha
@@nickmcgraw2004 haha that was a special bike for sure! There is lots about the SC that I prefer however
You know you want the lyric 😂
@@Huskyhc4 I have the lyrik 😂😂
@@MTBMcPheehahaha