[Donkeeboy]

 

[Jayem]

The short stays do cause a hit on tech climbs. Making the bike slacker makes it worse IME (I go between a 180 and 170 fork). A 29er wheel would help keep the front on the ground better IF it didn't slacken the bike and STA, but otherwise it could make it worse. This isn't a huge hit for me (riding it as 27.5), but there are a couple specific climb tech features I notice I can no longer make on this bike, as opposed to my last one. The front end comes up too easy and this is 100% the short stays IMO. Again, it's not like it's causing issues left and right and I can definitely live with it, but it's noticeable. The fact that it descends so well w/ the short stays is pretty neat.

 

[desertwheelsltd]

Fun fact: Lithium and Tilt swing arms are interchangeable. I could see more people lengthening the Tilt, not tucking the Lithium.

Not as fun: the Balance doesn't share mounting with any other model, so you can't lengthen the swing arm.

 

[WasatchEnduro]

@Donkeeboy - I may be passing thru on Friday, so is all the cedar city stuff g2g? I'm on a mullet now so pretty curious how a weekend of chunky terrain is gonna go coming off a decade+ on 29ers.

 

[Donkeeboy]

@Donkeeboy - I may be passing thru on Friday, so is all the cedar city stuff g2g? I'm on a mullet now so pretty curious how a weekend of chunky terrain is gonna go coming off a decade+ on 29ers.

It’s all good, but we’re heading into warming trend so it could get soggy when it thaws.

Hit it early before the sun gets on it, overnight we’re still well into freezing.

SG/Hurricane is 👍👍

Check out Diamond Valley if you haven’t already.

Hollar at me if you want a riding partner.

 

[Donkeeboy]

Fun fact: Lithium and Tilt swing arms are interchangeable. I could see more people lengthening the Tilt, not tucking the Lithium.

Not as fun: the Balance doesn't share mounting with any other model, so you can't lengthen the swing arm.

You need to talk to Lance about that 😁

 

[desertwheelsltd]

You need to talk to Lance about that 😁

Why?
I don't have a Balance anymore 😉
😄

 

[Donkeeboy]

Okay, I think I got this ...

So the Hazzard shock is kinda unique, I was treating it like a Mara Pro, starting with my rebound and compression setting open, but what I learned is MRP recommends starting with LSC in the middle setting, Rebound 2-2.5 turns from closed, and HSC open.

I did this ^ and it immediately felt better

Oddly enough, the Rebound winds waaay out from closed, but is only effective 2.5 turns from closed.

So yeah, now it feels like a CBF suspension, last night I sprinted out of the saddle on my home trails and it feels like a big ole BMX bike

There are a few things I'd change, one is steepen up the seat tube and make it truly a mullet, the other is opening up to the breather holes in the lower short section of frame tubing so you can run the dropper post housing lower in the frame.

I'm gonna try opening up those frame holes and I'm ordering one of those seat sliders that move your seat forward.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/first-look-fair-bicycle-drop-best-offset-saddle-clamp-is-universally-compatible.html