I really like the Top Tier XTR/Fox Factory build. Kinda crazy that it’s also under $7k.
Still not a fan of headset routing, but I could live with it at that price/build level.
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Geometry looks a lot better - similar to my 120mm fm936 which rides brilliantly. Love the internal storage department
I don’t think we can get that in the us unfortunately and our options are like 27# without pedals. And headset routing. Otherwise it looks pretty nice.
Looking for input on Fox F32 SC, F34 SC vs RS SID 32mm with Race Day Cartridge upgrade.
I’ve got the SID 32mm 100mm travel, with remote grip twist lockout, the SL version. After waiting 6 months for them to be in-stock, I have two of the complete seal kits and the RS oil etc, so all set to maintain and run it for a while. I have not heard that the 2020-ish 32mm SID’s have bushing issues like some newer SIDs have had. Additionally, for $210-230 I can get the newer/better Charger Race Day damper cartridge for it (either keeping with the remote lockout of dropping the lockout).
I’m looking for any thoughts about if the Fox SC 32 100mm or a Fox SC 34 down-stroked to 100mm from 120mm (assuming that’s still possible) would be a noticeable upgrade over my SID with the upgraded cartridge.
I suspect the answer is that it’s not noticeable, and I should just order the charger race day cartridge (maybe without lockout). But wanted to see if there’s any accepted conclusions when comparing the two.
Trails - general XC trails in NorCal/Tahoe, but 2024 A-race is Tahoe Trail 100km and 2025 A-race is Leadville (assuming the lottery works for me, otherwise it’s 2026). Going on a carbon xc hardtail which takes a 100mm fork. I’ll be around 175 lb on the start line. I do not do jumps etc, just gravel - xc - downcountry xc.
My race bike has a mixture of SLX-7120, XT-8000 and XT-8100 on it, and my current wheels have rather heavy Stans Arch Mk3 rims. I’ve got a set of hubs to build up with some carbon rims for next season. I’m trying to prioritize between carbon rims, switch to Fox (32 or 34), or upgrade the group to all XT-8100 or some XTR-9100 etc.
Thoughts?
Thanks.
My advice… You already have the SID SL… it is a great fork. Keep it and go with Carbon Rims!
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I know some were a bit confused by the Epic World Cup seemingly killing the hard tail, but from the sounds of it, there is more to come… I’ve gotten word that there is an aluminum full suspension on the way from Specialized… Think Chisel meets Epic. 100mm/120mm without Brain! A brilliant move that will surely sell well! Honestly, if it were available a few months ago, I’d have had little hesitation in going that route.
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You likely won’t see any real performance gains by switching to full XT or XTR. A little weight loss, but not nearly as much as switching wheels. Only thing is if you don’t have an XT (or XTR) shifter already, upgrade that.
Also, all versions of the Race Day Damper have a lockout. I personally prefer crown lockouts (i.e., a knob on the fork) vs remote.
Thanks, my groupset is a real mix, but I did get XT-8100 shifter.
Calipers SLX-7120
Brake levers XT-8000
Shifter XT-8100
Derailleur (rear, as 1x12) XT-8100
Cranks XT-8000 w/ wolf tooth ring
Cassette SLX for training, but will be XTR for race day
Chain XTR-9100
Looks like I order the Race Day Damper, and just have to decide if I stick with remote lockout, or clean up my bars and have no lockout (a fork top lockout for me, is the same as no-lockout, as I’m not reaching down to a fork top lockout when racing). And then keep with the plan or carbon rims (or maybe sell my hubs and get the specialized carbon xc wheels).
Thanks,
I have a 2022 Fox 34 Step Cast that I ran at 100mm for a while and just recently bumped it up to 120. To be honest, I really don’t like the fork. I’ve tried all combinations of pressures, volume spacers and damper settings and I just can’t get it to feel good on lighter bumps and chatter, really fatigues my arms in longer races.
It also has the annoying issue that turns out is pretty common where when you unlock the fork (remote), it stays locked until you unweight it. I hate it and have to do what feels like a mini front bunnyhop every time I unlock it. Thinking about getting a new Sid to replace it.
It’d be interesting to see what it weighs. I would love to go back to an aluminium bike. I wondered if the new Commencal was going to be an option, but it ended up being a bit burly/more of a trail bike than XC.
If it’s light and racey, rather than an equivalent to a Giant Stance, that’d be really cool.
Specialized, along with Cannondale, have gotten really good at building aluminum bikes without a terrible weight penalty. The Allez Sprint frame is about 160% of the weight the SL7 it is modeled after, so if we were to extrapolate that, say 1900grams for the Epic Evo, I bet they can get the frame(hardware and shock included) to sub 3kg. I wouldn’t be surprised if sub 25lb build were possible with some moderately weight-weenie parts.
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That would be awesome! One thing to keep in mind - the carbon XC bikes have been designed with carbon in mind. You need a directionally-compliant material to enable the seat stays to flex - that’s how they got to a single pivot design. If the seat stays can’t flex enough for the rear travel, you need to use a multiple pivot design, which adds a lot more hardware and complexity (hence, significantly more weight).
I’m not sure if you can do that with aluminum, so you might be talking about a completely different suspension design if you are changing materials.
As you get to bigger bikes, you use different designs anyway… at least that’s how I understand it…
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Epic Evo frameset has been out of stock for awhile now. Hoping they come back in stock with some new colors would be nice.
There is no point to this, its just delaying my winter build, still plenty of time until spring.
Really hoping to hear more about this soon. I’ve been hoping for an alloy XC bike for quite a long time now. I wish a company like privateer or someone else would hop into this role (I also was really hoping for commencal to fill the void.
Im on a stumpy evo alloy thats lighter than a lot of carbon frames 3 times the cost, so would order this without even thinking twice (as long as it has ~500ish reach and comes frame only).
I think kona did alloy flex stays on the Hei Hei, and that was pretty well respected.
I’d be very down for an alloy front end carbon rear though, ala Neko Mullaly’s DH project.
Speaking of kona, I broke my Big Honzo CR, hopefully getting warrantied, but they no longer have carbon Honzo’s. This was sort of a weird setup, but was amazing as an XC bike, BB higher than the alloy bike (im on an alloy one now). Slightly steeper HTA. It felt very good to pedal (unlike the alloy IMO), at least until the cracks started.
Anyone have experience with Kona warranty? Im sort of hoping since they dont have anything else carbon in the HT, maybe they would let me pay the difference to a Hei Hei. I already have an alloy Honzo frameset (and a steel one actually).
Has anyone ridden the modern Hei Hei? How does it stack up against others, like the Blur TR? Also what about the cheaper alloy one, they don’t sell it as a frameset, but it seems to align with my interests as a simple alloy race rig (if they are able to get me a frame only). Only 100mm of travel, which could be fine with me.
I like how the Kona suspension works. The hei hei isn’t as light as some other bikes, but it rides well. If I was looking at them, I would discount the alloy one, as it can’t fit 2 bottles in the triangle, but probably still is quite a hoot to ride.
Kona will deny warranty almost certainly.
I had an issue with one of my Konas and it was at the same time I was driving by Bellingham so I stopped at their place. They told me it is a warranty issue but it wont be covered because they wont let them cover anything. Also advised me not to buy Kona.
I have the newest Hei Hei CR/DL, well past the two year warranty period though so no ideas on how they handle their warranty.
Haven’t had any issues, they oversize all the pivots so they are closer to the pivots on trail bikes, which is good for a maintenance-averse person like me. 
It’s worth nothing that they are under new ownership as of last year, so not sure if anything has changed in the company (products/warranty/service, etc.).
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