[cwoodffr]

Ya they weren’t too bad. Only one felt pitted.

Actually none of my bearings were too bad, which is crazy. Been riding this bike for 3 seasons on pretty aggressive trails in WNC, with plenty of water and mud. It’s crazy to me how some people blow through their bearings every year.

maybe due to water or pressure washing

 

[cwoodffr]

Holy smokes moved my chip from slackest to steepest last night and wow what a change. I think I love it. Grip on climbs was incredibly transformed.....stuff that was wet that I had no way of getting up was suddenly makable. Bike felt more (even) alive. I had it slackest since I got it because it just seemed like the thing to do! Anyone else have some experiences to share? I think if I were in a big downhill location I would perhaps go back but it just felt better like this.

 

[no-good-ideas]

Holy smokes moved my chip from slackest to steepest last night and wow what a change. I think I love it. Grip on climbs was incredibly transformed.....stuff that was wet that I had no way of getting up was suddenly makable. Bike felt more (even) alive. I had it slackest since I got it because it just seemed like the thing to do! Anyone else have some experiences to share? I think if I were in a big downhill location I would perhaps go back but it just felt better like this.

What sort of terrain are you riding? also, when you say steepest, do you mean pos 4?

 

[cwoodffr]

Technical single track and flow generally with punchy climbs. Yes, pos 4.

 

[padrefan1982]

Found what may have been the last XL frame one in America last week to upgrade from aluminum to carbon. Was looking to drop some weight and never have to deal with fishing line out of the frame again. Maybe not ‘worth it’ but I’m loving it. Everything that was great about the metal frame is here in the carbon version, but it feels lighter and a bit more snappy.

 

[cliclismo]

All Black Element Owners: RideWrap Matte or Gloss?


I just picked up a Element C50 in all black and am going to strip it down to RideWrap the frame. Looking for which way folks have gone and if they like the results.

 

[RG5000]

All Black Element Owners: RideWrap Matte or Gloss? I just picked up a Element C50 in all black and am going to strip it down to RideWrap the frame. Looking for which way folks have gone and if they like the results.

one vote for matte. I wrapped mine a couple years ago now. It’s an awesome looking bike.

the shiny stuff would be cool too, but I think the gaps would be much more noticeable (since the frame is already matte black).

 

[jake.forsta]

I wrapped mine in gloss but if I had my time again I’d go matte

 

[rockyman99]

I did mine in matte from ridewrap.

 

[padrefan1982]

Thought I’d share this here: one minor quirk I felt about both the AL and C models of the 2022-2024 frames was how they’d pack up with dirt and trail debris here in the PNW in about any condition that wasn’t bone dry. The carbon model was particularly bad with the internal routing entering the frame and making to hard for things to fall through.

Before I tried anything else, I figured I’d take out some scissors and an old fork fender. Trimmed the front part of the fender of what would be in front of the fork arch, and took out a small section to clear the chainline in the lowest gear. So far, the results have been promising! Crossing my fingers its helping keep some gunk away from the bearings as well…

 

[cwoodffr]

Any recommendations for what to use to stick on the rubber pad that covers the lower cable routing holes behind the bb? I used a glob of silicone last year and it did not last.

 

[no-good-ideas]

Any recommendations for what to use to stick on the rubber pad that covers the lower cable routing holes behind the bb? I used a glob of silicone last year and it did not last.

Just replaced mine with some 3M tape I picked up for other reasons a few years back. I'll send the specific number later when I'm home from work.

 

[cwoodffr]

Just replaced mine with some 3M tape I picked up for other reasons a few years back. I'll send the specific number later when I'm home from work.

Good idea! no need, I have a bunch.

 

[Threesticks]

I have used a contact cement or rubber glue. Apply to both surfaces, let set until just past tacky and assemble.
Make sure you get it right the first time because the stuff really works.
I used an industrial strength called Pliobond.
Used to use it to install the pneumatic de-icing sleeves on air planes.

 

[cwoodffr]

I have used a contact cement or rubber glue. Apply to both surfaces, let set until just past tacky and assemble.
Make sure you get it right the first time because the stuff really works.
I used an industrial strength called Pliobond.
Used to use it to install the pneumatic de-icing sleeves on air planes.

contact cement would have been a good alternative....but the 2 sided 3m tape worked well (at least in the shop, where it is still in the stand)

 

[nwberm]

Thought I’d share this here: one minor quirk I felt about both the AL and C models of the 2022-2024 frames was how they’d pack up with dirt and trail debris here in the PNW in about any condition that wasn’t bone dry. The carbon model was particularly bad with the internal routing entering the frame and making to hard for things to fall through.

Before I tried anything else, I figured I’d take out some scissors and an old fork fender. Trimmed the front part of the fender of what would be in front of the fork arch, and took out a small section to clear the chainline in the lowest gear. So far, the results have been promising! Crossing my fingers its helping keep some gunk away from the bearings as well…

View attachment 2125220
View attachment 2125219

Oh gee. Thanks for this. I'm another PNW rider and that little shelf continuously has an inch of mud on it for me. I'll have to give this a try

 

[cwoodffr]

Oh gee. Thanks for this. I'm another PNW rider and that little shelf continuously has an inch of mud on it for me. I'll have to give this a try

another I came across.

 

[Threesticks]

Good to know what the cause was. Thanks for following up.

 

[padrefan1982]

Oh gee. Thanks for this. I'm another PNW rider and that little shelf continuously has an inch of mud on it for me. I'll have to give this a try

Thanks! I actually tried something more like a flap to cover and it I didn’t like it as much— I didn’t seal it well and stuff still found its way back in. I went back to this model but used zip-tie instead of Velcro straps. I was able to cinch down the fender tighter with the zip-ties so I gained the tiniest bit of tire clearance as well.

another I came across.

That looks amazing, and super clean… and there’s no way I have the eye for detail to do something like that.🤣

 

[Sucker Punch]

I just picked up a '24 Element and have been spending time getting it set up. Decided to try all 4 settings today, and while everyone seems to be going steep and loving it, I did not like the feeling of being perched up high with it in steep mode and found handling to be vague and climbing squirrely. I couldn't hold a line and had no confidence in the front end.

I put it in slack mode and the bike transformed. Holds a line, turns quicker, tracks better and to my surprise, climbed far better. The front end is planted now and I feel in the bike rather than on top of it. Which makes no sense! But in my case, slack fits me.

I must be some kind of freak!