[adub1978]

Im not the one that brought it up you walnut. Read the thread.

I've never heard someone use the 'walnut' insult. I really like it. thanks for something new.

 

[Broseph]

Anyone know if it is possible to add an angleset to the 22' Element? Increasing the HTA by 1 degree with an angleset and swapping the 130mm Fox 34 for a 120mm SID ultimate might make for a pretty sweet XC race rig.

 

[Nick_A]

Anyone know if it is possible to add an angleset to the 22' Element? Increasing the HTA by 1 degree with an angleset and swapping the 130mm Fox 34 for a 120mm SID ultimate might make for a pretty sweet XC race rig.

It’s pressed cups, so I’m sure it’s possible to put an angleset in


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rideit]

The 120 will already steepen the HTA angle by a half of a degree or so, don’t forget that.
That being said, mine performs vastly better with a 140.

(Granted, what I am looking to have this bike do is very different from your vision!)

 

[Broseph]

The 120 will already steepen the HTA angle by a half of a degree or so, don’t forget that.
That being said, mine performs vastly better with a 140.

I definitely appreciate 140mm+ front suspension, just not on my xc race bike. I crunched the geometry numbers with one of those calculators and if all my input data was correct, the end geometry result looks pretty reasonable.

 

[CannondaleF9]

I definitely appreciate 140mm+ front suspension, just not on my xc race bike. I crunched the geometry numbers with one of those calculators and if all my input data was correct, the end geometry result looks pretty reasonable.

I think in the steep setting, you could get away with a 120mm fork, just be careful about the BB on technical areas.
I'd try that out first before swapping out the headset, but that's just me.

On another note, has anyone heard if Rocky Mountain was affected by the BC flooding? I know they have a major presence in North Vancouver and I'm hoping that no news is good news.
Looking at what happened to the bike companies in Bellingham, I'm hoping those north of the border got spared.

 

[RMB-PM]

Good news on multiple fronts:

1. We are all good on multiple fronts regarding the flooding, as luckily no of our immediate staff is directly affected. We feel for our friends in the valley and beyond, but North Van was largely spared, including the trails.

2. I rode my Element for several months this summer with a 34 Step Cast. The fork behaves quite differently than a 34, riding higher in it's travel and feels more progressive, so even at 120mm I didn't have any noticeable geometry issues. That being said, I haven't ridden the bike with a SID.

Bad news

1. The floods are definitely kicking us when we are down with regards to shipping and receiving. We are doing what we can to re-route and figure out how to move goods.

 

[Broseph]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. This is what the geometry looks like with a 120mm SID and a +1 angleset. Appears to actually raise the BB height by a little over 1mm. HTA looks reasonable and only steepens the STA by 0.1 degree.

 

[ccm]

^ is that compared to a 130 mm Fox 34?
and is the extra stack due to the lower race of the headset being exterior to the frame instead of inset into the frame?

 

[Broseph]

^ is that compared to a 130 mm Fox 34?
and is the extra stack due to the lower race of the headset being exterior to the frame instead of inset into the frame?

Yes, that is compared to the 130mm Fox 34. I just plugged in the upper and lower stack height #'s for the Angleset. I'm assuming that is what makes the difference.

 

[adub1978]

Good news on multiple fronts:

1. We are all good on multiple fronts regarding the flooding, as luckily no of our immediate staff is directly affected. We feel for our friends in the valley and beyond, but North Van was largely spared, including the trails.

2. I rode my Element for several months this summer with a 34 Step Cast. The fork behaves quite differently than a 34, riding higher in it's travel and feels more progressive, so even at 120mm I didn't have any noticeable geometry issues. That being said, I haven't ridden the bike with a SID.

Bad news

1. The floods are definitely kicking us when we are down with regards to shipping and receiving. We are doing what we can to re-route and figure out how to move goods.

I've got one on order and am thinking of running it as intended with the 130mm 34. I have a 2020 element with a 34 step cast and transfer sl. Kitted out that bike is sub 23.5lbs. Leaning towards maybe keeping the 2020 element and then having this 2023 element as the downcountry rig. Does it make more sense to get the new 2023 element with the 34 step cast in the 120mm stroke and dump the 2020 element? Seems like there will be overlap and the new redesign might make the 2020 bike a bit redundant???

 

[CannondaleF9]

I've got one on order and am thinking of running it as intended with the 130mm 34. I have a 2020 element with a 34 step cast and transfer sl. Kitted out that bike is sub 23.5lbs. Leaning towards maybe keeping the 2020 element and then having this 2023 element as the downcountry rig. Does it make more sense to get the new 2023 element with the 34 step cast in the 120mm stroke and dump the 2020 element? Seems like there will be overlap and the new redesign might make the 2020 bike a bit redundant???

That's a tough one, but I'd probably lean more towards selling the 2020, but definitely if you can afford to keep both for a while, do some back to back testing just to see if there is enough of a difference to keep both.

The old Element is pure XC-marathon style, but the new one will do long distances and techier trails better. On top of that, there is only so much you can add to the new one to make it insanely aggressive (minus adding a 140 fork, DH tires, big brakes, etc.), so it's definitely more of an XC bike simply due to the size and shape of the frame and tubing.

If you wanted a superlight XC bike to compliment the Element, maybe consider building up a carbon hardtail, that's a good reason to have multiple bikes.

 

[adub78]

That's a tough one, but I'd probably lean more towards selling the 2020, but definitely if you can afford to keep both for a while, do some back to back testing just to see if there is enough of a difference to keep both.

The old Element is pure XC-marathon style, but the new one will do long distances and techier trails better. On top of that, there is only so much you can add to the new one to make it insanely aggressive (minus adding a 140 fork, DH tires, big brakes, etc.), so it's definitely more of an XC bike simply due to the size and shape of the frame and tubing.

If you wanted a superlight XC bike to compliment the Element, maybe consider building up a carbon hardtail, that's a good reason to have multiple bikes.

I've already got a Vertex w a step cast 32 and light bits. I love it and will be keeping it for a long time. Just got the transfer sl for the 2020 element and love the drop of 100mm. Might grab the 70mm transfer sl for the Vertex to make it a bit more capable. I would not want to make the 2022/2023 element more dh. I'd be keep to keep it aggro xc

 

[CannondaleF9]

I've already got a Vertex w a step cast 32 and light bits. I love it and will be keeping it for a long time. Just got the transfer sl for the 2020 element and love the drop of 100mm. Might grab the 70mm transfer sl for the Vertex to make it a bit more capable. I would not want to make the 2022/2023 element more dh. I'd be keep to keep it aggro xc

In that case, keep the Vertex as a lightweight XC race rig, and let the Element be a more capable, "downcountry" bike. Maybe some stronger sidewalls and grippier tread, 130mm fork, wider bar, etc.

For me, the Element will be my backcountry adventure rig. It will need to handle all day rides on all sorts of terrain, but still pedal efficiently and have fun on the descents. My Altitude is just a little too burly for anything XC around here, but I'm planning on keeping my hardtail as well, just because hardtails are fun.

In this climate, if you want to downsize your stable, you will sell any complete bike for a lot more money than you used to be able to, but then if you regret the sale after the fact, you're less likely to find another bike to replace it.

 

[ccm]

can the new Element really not run a 28 tooth chain ring (reported minimum is 30)
I have a fancy hub that will only accept HG cassettes, and would prefer to not use a bigger/lower cog than 46 or use some janky aftermarket mod
and no, I am beyond the age of getting much stronger

 

[CannondaleF9]

why does the new Element have a minimum chain ring size of 30?

I don't see that stat anywhere, but it could come down to the crank that comes stock on the bike?
Maybe it's just too small and might affect the suspension or other dynamics of the bike?

Also there's the argument that 30x51t is plenty low enough for anything you'd ride a short travel bike on. I use to ride with a 34x36t 10 speed drivetrain, and I've never gone below 30t on any non-fatbike, so I'm not sure why it would be a limiting factor.

 

[ccm]

I have a fancy hub that will only accept HG cassettes

so I'm not sure why it would be a limiting factor.

can't do 51 tooth with HG driver

 

[dischucker]

Anyone seen reported weights for the carbon models? I'm waiting for PinkBike to drop their review for the DC field test, which should include weight - any day now. So far they've mentioned this bike in passing reference to the other bikes and it seems to be favourable.

 

[CannondaleF9]

can't do 51 tooth with HG driver

oh sorry, I didn't see that. You're going to run an 11 speed?

Anyone seen reported weights for the carbon models? I'm waiting for PinkBike to drop their review for the DC field test, which should include weight - any day now. So far they've mentioned this bike in passing reference to the other bikes and it seems to be favourable.

I have a feeling they'll post it tomorrow, it's the last one on the list. I think it was the fastest in their timed downhill tests, so fingers crossed it's a good one.

 

[876481]

can't do 51 tooth with HG driver

SRAM NX fits onto a HG freeub and offers 11-50 12 speed shifting.