Stock bikes seldom come with the right setup for where and how you ride. I have a 150/160mm travel Stumpy Evo which I felt was a little too aggressive. So I made some changes. I installed a 2.6 Rekon front and 2.4 Rekon rear. I adjusted the adjustable headset to the steepest position. I install a 35mm stem and push the saddle all the way forward for a shorter cockpit. I raised the handlebar as high as it would go. I like an upright riding position. Installed a 28T chainring. It's steep where I live. I created just what I was looking for, a long-travel Downcountry bike which rolls fast and climbs like a goat but is still very capable on rough descents. Many small changes make a huge difference. You don't always need a new fork or a new wheel to improve your bike.
I’m eyeing up one of these in Australia and it so hard to find content on them. I have a logistical issue that requires I carry the bike up and down a flight of steps and my other bike is an emtb. These combined have left room in the stable for a lightweight FS rig and these seem a bargain especially the entry level carbon. Not much info on them around, I don’t want one if it can’t handle trail bike territory, was it the bike not being up to it or your need to tinker do you think?
Only you can tell how the bike feels, but since you basically replaced everything down to the frame, you might as well bought the bike you wanted from the start.
I agree with others…. Bikes are never setup as you will ride them out of the door. And manufacturers know this. Personally, I’d slid the seat max forward on the rails to offset the rear bias on climbs …..Maybe refit the 29er rear wheel for roll over, as long as it doesn’t make the back end too high if you have to bail(I’ve got short legs so I’d be tempted to leave the 27.5 rear wheel)…. other than that for your trails I’d think it’s pretty legit! 👏 Nice build
IMHO, go back to full 29er, to me at least mullet only makes sense on huge enduro/DH bikes and ebikes. I say that as someone who rides a 160/170 enduro bike in full 29er (2023 RM Altitude, so it's not huge for an enduro bike). Obviously you're sponsored by bikesonline/polygon, but still nice that they let you tweak the bike a bit. I'm actually surprised Polygon would use flexstays, since Superior is their carbon brand. Polygon frames are usually way overbuilt, and you can't do that with a flexstay back end.
Seems like the right "kind" of uppgrades on a trailbike! ive been thinking about my future someday allrounder, and its gonna be alot like how yours ended up. i like te steeper and more demanding type of trails, but i live where double assegais and (unfortunatly) the smaller chainring doesnt really make sense... i still would beef up over them, but truthfully nobby nics are enough round here... but slackening it out with a bigger fork, compensating bb with a smaller wheel etc, really good upgrades to a solid platform!
that being said.. i would put the 29" rear back in your perdicament.. always seems like the sensible thing on something that is intended to maintain speed through pedalled rides. A smaller wheel is neat, but for the pedal-more, uplift-less bike, the better rolling wheel will be a "better thing as a whole" the way i see it..?
Taller fork, duel 29's. That's from a guy who loves his mullet set up. As for "never finding the perfect stock bike"... I found it in the Santa Cruz BronsonMX V4.
Not trying knock your video just few things as a professional bicycle mechanic, i just want to inform you on. Revelation (120-140mm) and the Lyrik (D1,150-160mm/ C1, 150-170mm) are same 35 mm stanchions and when you weight your bike make sure your seat or nothing from the bike is touch the stand. it will throw off you weight measurement. Remember Love, Peace, and Bike Grease! - Sauce The Friendly Professional Bike Mechanic
You definitely made this bike more capable for your home trails. Now for trails in my neck of the woods that would be very odd to ride. Stock fits my trails almost perfectly. I am riding the 979 TR. With the lovely flat bars 😂 It was a fun update to the bike for sure but I am guessing the T9 would be ideal for your area. What do you think?
Seems to me , you personalized it for YOUR needs.. not ruined. I'm a Harley rider also so personalized is normal evolution to me. I'm tall , so mullet would be better for me at 6`1" especially with the tall fork. Im usually on the cusp of large and x large so i like to get large for more control/fun making those additions would benifit the smaller size for ME either way I like it.
I'd go to 29 front and rear, you want the bike for climbing and staying fit, why make the climb harder than it has to be? 28 tooth chainring is completely nullified if you have a smaller circumference rear wheel that has to do 1200 revolutions to 1000 revolutions at the front? First change I'd make is doing my helmet up in the wet though! Not gonna be any good to you if you wash out and slide 😂😂
Just put same size tire on rear of the bike keep same fork you got on it now see if that fixes the bike so it rides better. Hope that fixes the bike for you and way ride it. Not get custom made bike made the way the way you like to ride and handle for you and the way you ride it. Personaliz it you and style you ride. Have great day and night safe on the trails and lots of fun out there to
You can justify your changes in your mind, but we know that you had too much money in the bank.
Stock bikes seldom come with the right setup for where and how you ride. I have a 150/160mm travel Stumpy Evo which I felt was a little too aggressive. So I made some changes. I installed a 2.6 Rekon front and 2.4 Rekon rear. I adjusted the adjustable headset to the steepest position. I install a 35mm stem and push the saddle all the way forward for a shorter cockpit. I raised the handlebar as high as it would go. I like an upright riding position. Installed a 28T chainring. It's steep where I live. I created just what I was looking for, a long-travel Downcountry bike which rolls fast and climbs like a goat but is still very capable on rough descents. Many small changes make a huge difference. You don't always need a new fork or a new wheel to improve your bike.
I’ve always felt stock bikes are just a starting point for tuning to your specific riding style!
And now you have a 62 degree head angle.
🤣 I should measure that shouldn’t I…
I’m eyeing up one of these in Australia and it so hard to find content on them. I have a logistical issue that requires I carry the bike up and down a flight of steps and my other bike is an emtb. These combined have left room in the stable for a lightweight FS rig and these seem a bargain especially the entry level carbon. Not much info on them around, I don’t want one if it can’t handle trail bike territory, was it the bike not being up to it or your need to tinker do you think?
Only you can tell how the bike feels, but since you basically replaced everything down to the frame, you might as well bought the bike you wanted from the start.
I agree with others…. Bikes are never setup as you will ride them out of the door. And manufacturers know this.
Personally, I’d slid the seat max forward on the rails to offset the rear bias on climbs …..Maybe refit the 29er rear wheel for roll over, as long as it doesn’t make the back end too high if you have to bail(I’ve got short legs so I’d be tempted to leave the 27.5 rear wheel)…. other than that for your trails I’d think it’s pretty legit! 👏 Nice build
Thx Dozza!
Or maybe, just maybe do a frame up build.
IMHO, go back to full 29er, to me at least mullet only makes sense on huge enduro/DH bikes and ebikes. I say that as someone who rides a 160/170 enduro bike in full 29er (2023 RM Altitude, so it's not huge for an enduro bike). Obviously you're sponsored by bikesonline/polygon, but still nice that they let you tweak the bike a bit. I'm actually surprised Polygon would use flexstays, since Superior is their carbon brand. Polygon frames are usually way overbuilt, and you can't do that with a flexstay back end.
Yeah, I’m leaning that way too! 🤜🏼🤛🏼
Seems like the right "kind" of uppgrades on a trailbike! ive been thinking about my future someday allrounder, and its gonna be alot like how yours ended up. i like te steeper and more demanding type of trails, but i live where double assegais and (unfortunatly) the smaller chainring doesnt really make sense... i still would beef up over them, but truthfully nobby nics are enough round here...
but slackening it out with a bigger fork, compensating bb with a smaller wheel etc, really good upgrades to a solid platform!
that being said.. i would put the 29" rear back in your perdicament.. always seems like the sensible thing on something that is intended to maintain speed through pedalled rides. A smaller wheel is neat, but for the pedal-more, uplift-less bike, the better rolling wheel will be a "better thing as a whole" the way i see it..?
One for the 29”s!💪🏻
Taller fork, duel 29's. That's from a guy who loves his mullet set up.
As for "never finding the perfect stock bike"... I found it in the Santa Cruz BronsonMX V4.
One for the 29”s…💪🏻
Not trying knock your video just few things as a professional bicycle mechanic, i just want to inform you on. Revelation (120-140mm) and the Lyrik (D1,150-160mm/ C1, 150-170mm) are same 35 mm stanchions and when you weight your bike make sure your seat or nothing from the bike is touch the stand. it will throw off you weight measurement. Remember Love, Peace, and Bike Grease! - Sauce The Friendly Professional Bike Mechanic
Appreciate the advice, Sauce! 🙏🏻
You definitely made this bike more capable for your home trails. Now for trails in my neck of the woods that would be very odd to ride. Stock fits my trails almost perfectly. I am riding the 979 TR. With the lovely flat bars 😂 It was a fun update to the bike for sure but I am guessing the T9 would be ideal for your area. What do you think?
I think I might like this better for its intended purpose… Great climber first and capable on the trails 2nd. Think I might go back to dual 29”s
Seems to me , you personalized it for YOUR needs.. not ruined. I'm a Harley rider also so personalized is normal evolution to me. I'm tall , so mullet would be better for me at 6`1" especially with the tall fork. Im usually on the cusp of large and x large so i like to get large for more control/fun making those additions would benifit the smaller size for ME either way I like it.
Cheers! I like the taller fork too… Might go back to 29”s
I'd go to 29 front and rear, you want the bike for climbing and staying fit, why make the climb harder than it has to be? 28 tooth chainring is completely nullified if you have a smaller circumference rear wheel that has to do 1200 revolutions to 1000 revolutions at the front?
First change I'd make is doing my helmet up in the wet though! Not gonna be any good to you if you wash out and slide 😂😂
My vote is keep the fork, go back to 29er on the rear. Yup.
Leaning that way too…🤜🏼🤛🏼
If you install a shorter fork your bottom bracket might get to low.
True… back to dual 29”s?
I'd go full 29
Just put same size tire on rear of the bike keep same fork you got on it now see if that fixes the bike so it rides better. Hope that fixes the bike for you and way ride it. Not get custom made bike made the way the way you like to ride and handle for you and the way you ride it. Personaliz it you and style you ride. Have great day and night safe on the trails and lots of fun out there to
I’m leaning that way too! 🤜🏼🤛🏼