Yep, I’m pretty proactive about swapping the coin cell batteries. They are cheap and don’t give much warning prior to dying.
And with flight attendant, if your power meter dies mid ride, the entire FA system defaults the suspension to open. Not sure why it doesn’t go into manual mode when you drop a component, but it’s a good reason to make sure you never run your PM battery low. I actually haven’t tested that recently, so maybe it’s changed, but I know that’s how it used to work and it didn’t make any sense to me.
After getting FA, I did a count of all the batteries I’m bringing on an early morning training ride and it’s crazy -
AXS batteries for RD, Seat post, Fork, shock, extra battery - 5
Powermeter - 1
Shifter/pods - 2
Wireless blips - 2
Garmin/Computer - 1
Phone - 1
Varia Radar (when training on road) - 1
Rear tail light - 1
Headlight - 1
So, for me it’s 15 batteries when running a headlight. And some people ride with an apple watch, headphones, power pedals, oura ring or whoop, hear rate strap, dual PM pedals, helmet mounted light, etc. I’m sure there are folks out there riding with 20+ batteries on their bike.
If that’s how it’s working now, that’s great. Maybe they fixed it in a firmware update or maybe I was doing something dumb when I originally installed it, but I could never get it into manual mode without the PM being live.
I had my inaugural Epic 8 ride and can confirm when the power meter disconnects that the FA goes into open. My ride went great, then like 5 minutes before the end my derailleur and PM dc’s. No idea why. Got my derailleur connected again but couldn’t get the PM going. Resynced and calibrated everything when I got back home and it seemed good, but hadn’t ridden.
Although my ride was just pavement around the neighborhood it felt great. Did hit some bigger potholes and curbs and suspension reacted perfectly. Averaged about 17.3 mph on flat in normal mtb position and could easily average 19 in a more aero position. I will need a longer stem eventually.
I had a local MTB ride planned with a buddy but the evening before my 4 year old daughter said, “dad I really want to go outside and ride my bike with pedals tomorrow.” I was leaving for Washington last night and knew it’d be too hot later in the day to take her, so did my ride nearby and took her.
She knocked out 3.5 miles, her longest ride yet, and it was 1000x worth missing the trails with the new MTB.
Well, going to have full pictures probably next week, but tore apart my Oiz and started building up the 2024 S Works Epic 8 frame I bought.
I did ultimately decide to go with a Rockshox Reverb instead of a cabled dropper. The lack of cabling, ability to swap to a fixed post easier, and cleaning up my bars a bit were the deciding factor. Oh, and realizing my current dropper was a 31.6 and wouldn’t it….
Anyone still racing a hardtail? With all these extra batteries and new systems sometimes I want to go be a retro grouch. I failed that since the hardtail has axs, but it’s a party, and I think there are still races where they can shine.
2 posts ago, I said I am on a new Scalpel 1, and in this post, I get to say, I raced the Cheq 40 last weekend on a single speed hardtail. Horses for course, I rarely get the hardtail out, but when I do, I have a ton of fun on it. It is a lot harder to ride fast on really rocky bumpy courses, but some of our smoother faster tracks, it is a lot of fun and doesn’t hold me back.
Awesome! My Son and I both race at most all of the same events and it’s such a great feeling. Unfortunately he gets better results lately. He just won of first State Championship Series race this weekend and I could only manage 3rd.
I don’t race much anymore, but my mountain bike is a 2021 Trek Procaliber with mech XT. Back when I was racing, the courses were never that extreme. I got really good at getting comfortable on the descents and did most my passing there (I’m a bit of a Clydesdale, so usually lost those spots on the next climb). My hardtail has never been the limiting factor on my races.
I personally don’t use battery systems, but that’s because I’m incredibly forgetful and spontaneous. Nothing like hopping off the couch for a bike ride and finding myself with an accidental single speed! I do have a power meter and a computer, but my bike doesn’t lose rideability if those systems die.
That’s what I’m putting on. Wanted 4 Piston, while still being light.
Waiting on a couple of small parts and adapters now that come in next week (Somehow that always happens) so I can finish putting the bike back together.
Just ordered my wife an Epic 8 (2024) Expert. It’s the nicest level that I can get in XS (she’s 5’).
I had multiple bikes in carts on different sites to see if they’d be here before we moved to Washington at the end of next week, with nothing too promising.
Looked at local stores to develop a relationship with a nearby shop. At that time, IT ALSO CLICKED AND I REALIZED IF I DRIVE 20 MINUTES TO OREGON ILL SAVE $500 IN SALES TAX.
So pumped I decided to go local. Have been wanting to get her a bike with SRAM, tubeless, etc, so I can get it set up similar to my processes with my bikes. She currently has a lower level Jamis Renegade that I swear weighs like 30+ lbs with not-that-great components. I enjoy general bike maintenance, but not on her bike lol.
Lol yea I’ve been known to do that too being here in the Seattle area. I’ll check online or call shops to see what stock availability is like for parts, components, etc including bikes and take a 2hr drive to save tax! Also will bring a bike and do a test / shakeout ride while also checking out new areas/trails.
Anyways, welcome and glad you’re in the PNW area. Lots of good riding and events/races!
