REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

I swap a lot, do you swap between stays much?

3543 Views 26 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Abunchahicks, Mar 2, 2022

stubs179

Discussion Starter · Dec 7, 2021

7

I am a travel nurse. My wife, daughter and I live full-time in our 5th wheel and travel all over the US. Because of space I can’t have N+1, well, until I came across GG. I hate being under-biked and being way over-biked sucks too. Before this I had a RM Altitude w was ok in the SLC area, mostly too much on the Front Range, pretty good most of the time in Sedona and sucked in Florida. Florida actually has pretty fun trails.

I went with the GG TP and quickly swapped it to Pistola. Then got the stuff to run it as a Gnarvana. I absolutely love this bike.

We were in FL when I got the GG. Pistola was awesome there. Went up to Chicago area and Pistola was also awesome there, also rode it in Michigan and Indiana where it rocked. Swapped to Gnarvana to ride at Little Switz, so glad I had the Gnarvana for all the drops

Currently we are moving from Chicagoland (they actually have some really cool trails up there) to SC. We stopped at Windrocks and I rode it as a Gnarvana then headed down to Asheville for a week so I swapped back to Pistola. Rode Black Mountain today and the bike was perfect!

Pistola I run a Pike Ultimate 150mm and a Jade X w/ progressive spring. I like the coil on the Pistola because it soaks up everything and I’m nottaking Big hits.

Gnarvana I run a Zeb Select+ and DVO Topaz. I like the air shock on the Gnar because the DVO is still super supple but the ramp up of the air shock keeps the bike feeling very balanced.

Oh ya, it’s got the MacRide on about 70% of the time. Haha

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Monty219

· #2 · Dec 7, 2021

3

I have a 2018 megatrail and used to switch a lot between mega (with a coil) and shred dog (with air spring) mode. The mrp fork had a lot of adjustability so i could tune it to match either rear end setup. It was awesome. Still is in full coil plow mode with a 29er 170mm Z1 on the front. The mrp and original wheelset moved over to a banshee spitfire which is now the play bike so I don’t have much need to change the GG configuration but i will try the shorter stroke air shock again at some point. Although you can tune many bikes like this it is cool that GG offers the stay kits and promotes this kind of experimentation.
Top pic is recent MX mode with all day ride/ no backpack kit. The others are original dual 27 shred dog mode. *note the core rat stem pad in the middle pic for some old school flavor.

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stripes

· #3 · Dec 7, 2021

I used to move my AL shred dogg/megatrail all the time, because it was just a shock change. Changing the stays with the revved was such a PITA for me, so i kept the frame in one configuration when i had it.

Reactions: 1

amc_

· #4 · Dec 7, 2021

You know, I had every intention of adding additional stays (likely a TP) when I bought my Revved Smash 2 years ago and then swapping around to try different configurations. However I have found that I really like the Smash for just about everything and haven't really had the itch to try a different setup. YMMV obviously, and it sounds like the GG modularity is really working for the OP which is cool. That's one of the things that really sold me on this bike originally, I just haven't found the need to swap around given how much I love the way the Smash fits my riding. Maybe someday I'll actually follow through and try out the TP setup.

Nice looking bike(s) OP. I think its interesting you ride the Pistola with a coil but went air on the Gnarvana too.

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stubs179

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 14, 2021

amc_ said:
You know, I had every intention of adding additional stays (likely a TP) when I bought my Revved Smash 2 years ago and then swapping around to try different configurations. However I have found that I really like the Smash for just about everything and haven't really had the itch to try a different setup. YMMV obviously, and it sounds like the GG modularity is really working for the OP which is cool. That's one of the things that really sold me on this bike originally, I just haven't found the need to swap around given how much I love the way the Smash fits my riding. Maybe someday I'll actually follow through and try out the TP setup.

Nice looking bike(s) OP. I think its interesting you ride the Pistola with a coil but went air on the Gnarvana too.

I like the Pistola for most riding and the Gnarvana for the really big stuff. SometimeI debate swapping it over for places I know will have good downhills. It’s definitely more to pedal up but pedals really well and it sssooooo much fun to ride back down.

As for the coil vs air. I had both for the Pistola and recently sold the air because while it’s not a huge difference, the coil just makes the bike feel like it has more than 130mm in the back. But it still pedals really well. As for the Gnarvana, the air shock gives it the ramp up and makes it feel really balanced with the Zeb. I think a coil would make the back feel softer than the front?

stripes

· #6 · Dec 14, 2021

stubs179 said:
I like the Pistola for most riding and the Gnarvana for the really big stuff. SometimeI debate swapping it over for places I know will have good downhills. It’s definitely more to pedal up but pedals really well and it sssooooo much fun to ride back down.

As for the coil vs air. I had both for the Pistola and recently sold the air because while it’s not a huge difference, the coil just makes the bike feel like it has more than 130mm in the back. But it still pedals really well. As for the Gnarvana, the air shock gives it the ramp up and makes it feel really balanced with the Zeb. I think a coil would make the back feel softer than the front?

Depends on how the rear shock is tuned. If you go coil, you could do a progressive spring if you like the air feel, or do some shim stack tuning.

DirtDiggler

· #7 · Dec 16, 2021

Great post, Stubs! It's cool seeing the different configurations you built for different locations. I think that's how GG really intended these bikes to be used. I have the fully revved Trail Pistol and I quickly went to a Pistola. Really didn't see any negatives. I recently bought a Diamond D1 fork that is set up at 160mm. So my bike is basically 130/160. It very fun this way but almost too slack for slower technical trail riding so I'm probably dropping the fork to 140mm. How long does it take you to swap out the fork and SS? One downside of the newer TP fully revved is you need to buy an aluminum CS to use the other SS kits. Still, it's cheaper than buying another bike!

Reactions: 2

miles of pain

· #8 · Dec 17, 2021

What do people do about their chains when swapping models with longer/shorter chainstays? Keep a different chain for each stay kit? Add/remove links with a quick link? Any issues with matching the different chains to the same cassette?

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DirtDiggler

· #9 · Dec 18, 2021

I imagine if you go from the Trail Pistol to a Gnarvana you will need another chain or a few power links added. As for forks something like a Mezzer would be ideal for any GG because it can go from 140mm -180mm with pucks so it would eliminate needing separate forks.

One thing to note is if you get a 'Fully Revved' trail pistol (with carbon stays) you will need to get the SS kit but also the aluminum CS if you want to convert to any of the other models. The new TP carbon rear 0mm offset and all the existing rears are 3mm offset which means you will need to dish your wheel when swapping. That's certainly not quick swap! Knowing this now I would have started with a Smash and purchased the aluminum TP seat stay kit.

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Sanchofula

· #10 · Dec 20, 2021

Only when I was still trying to figure out what I wanted, now it's set it and forget it.

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stripes

· #11 · Dec 21, 2021

Nurse Ben said:
Only when I was still trying to figure out what I wanted, now it's set it and forget it.

Same. I didn’t see it as practical to have an extra set of stays around once I decided which bike was right at the time.

I did initially try the whole switching back and forth, but with something like the SA and HA changing, i had to constantly mess with my cockpit to get it right each time I switched. Too much hassle.

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DirtDiggler

· #12 · Dec 22, 2021

Nurse Ben said:
Only when I was still trying to figure out what I wanted, now it's set it and forget it.

Yup, it's a great system but at the end of the day there are probably not many people spending an hour swapping out stays, shock and fork for a single 1-2 hour ride.

Reactions: 1

stripes

· #13 · Dec 22, 2021

DirtDiggler said:
Yup, it's a great system but at the end of the day there are probably not many people spending an hour swapping out stays, shock and fork for a single 1-2 hour ride.

There are benefits and definitely some disadvantages to the system, even before only one Revved chainstay/seatstay (TP) came out which doesn't work with the others.

stubs179

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 20, 2022

2

I’m currently in South Carolina where the Pistola is overkill. I have been itching to ride it as a Gnarvana lately so I swapped it over and drove up to Kitsuma for a the day. 2 laps and I was whooped. What an awesome trail and the Gnarvana was prefect.

I enjoy working on my bike and swapping it back and forth is a good excuse to give it a good cleaning.

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stubs179

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 20, 2022

miles of pain said:
What do people do about their chains when swapping models with longer/shorter chainstays? Keep a different chain for each stay kit? Add/remove links with a quick link? Any issues with matching the different chains to the same cassette?

I have two chains. With a 32t front and 10-52 cassette the Pistola uses 114 links while the Gnarvana uses 118 links.

It takes me about 15 minutes to swap from one to the other if I’m in a hurry. I usually take my time, clean everything really good, re-grease everything so it takes more like 40 minutes. But I find it enjoyable and even swap tires depending on where I’ll be riding.

Balgaroth

· #16 · Feb 20, 2022

That seems like a lot of work for marginal differences really. Last season I raced Enduro and DH on a single bike (GT Force 29, MXed), didn't even bother having a second wheelset. So yeah I am not sure why the hassle, extra parts, time and effort. If it was to go from AM/Trail to DH level, sure why not but that's not what we are talking about here. Use that time and cash to get a BMX to go pumptrack, that will make you progress and with just one BMX you can share it with other members from your familly and have a good time hanging around.

stubs179

Discussion Starter · #17 · Feb 20, 2022

Balgaroth said:
That seems like a lot of work for marginal differences really. Last season I raced Enduro and DH on a single bike (GT Force 29, MXed), didn't even bother having a second wheelset. So yeah I am not sure why the hassle, extra parts, time and effort. If it was to go from AM/Trail to DH level, sure why not but that's not what we are talking about here. Use that time and cash to get a BMX to go pumptrack, that will make you progress and with just one BMX you can share it with other members from your familly and have a good time hanging around.

Marginal difference? Pistola to Gnarvana? That is a massive difference. They are two completely different bikes.

As for BMX, I agree. I have a SpeedCo and go with my 4yr old daughter 3-4 nights a week to the pump track. She just turned 4 a couple weeks ago and can fly around the pump track on her Redline Micro Mini. It’s an incredible workout.

Reactions: 1

Stewiewin

· #18 · Feb 20, 2022

stubs179 said:
I am a travel nurse. My wife, daughter and I live full-time in our 5th wheel and travel all over the US. Because of space I can’t have N+1, well, until I came across GG. I hate being under-biked and being way over-biked sucks too. Before this I had a RM Altitude w was ok in the SLC area, mostly too much on the Front Range, pretty good most of the time in Sedona and sucked in Florida. Florida actually has pretty fun trails.

I went with the GG TP and quickly swapped it to Pistola. Then got the stuff to run it as a Gnarvana. I absolutely love this bike.

We were in FL when I got the GG. Pistola was awesome there. Went up to Chicago area and Pistola was also awesome there, also rode it in Michigan and Indiana where it rocked. Swapped to Gnarvana to ride at Little Switz, so glad I had the Gnarvana for all the drops

Currently we are moving from Chicagoland (they actually have some really cool trails up there) to SC. We stopped at Windrocks and I rode it as a Gnarvana then headed down to Asheville for a week so I swapped back to Pistola. Rode Black Mountain today and the bike was perfect!

Pistola I run a Pike Ultimate 150mm and a Jade X w/ progressive spring. I like the coil on the Pistola because it soaks up everything and I’m nottaking Big hits.

Gnarvana I run a Zeb Select+ and DVO Topaz. I like the air shock on the Gnar because the DVO is still super supple but the ramp up of the air shock keeps the bike feeling very balanced.

Oh ya, it’s got the MacRide on about 70% of the time. Haha

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1 for everything.

Sparticus

· #19 · Feb 20, 2022

Speaking of switching components in order to make one bike ride & perform differently…

I have an ‘18 (AF) Smash which I love dearly. I’m tall so solidly in the 29er camp but had an extra set of wheels — 27.5” with i45mm rims. So I put 2.8” Magic Mary tires on that wheelset and have ridden the bike in this configuration all winter here in the PNWet.

Meanwhile the original wheelset — 29x2.6” wheel/tire combo on i30 rims with lighter tires — awaits for whenever warm, dry season arrives. I know this 29er setup is a winner inasmuch as I’d ridden the bike in this wheel/tire configuration since new.

Anyway just thought I’d chime in with one more way to mix things up. Two cassettes & four rotors make wheel swapping a 2 minute job which allows me to almost instantly tune the bike for whatever kind of terrain / experience I choose on a given day.

Oh, as for long travel bikes I bought a Canfield Lithium. I’m certain the Gnarvana is an equally solid performer as far as big bikes go but I wanted to try something different (the Smash was my 2nd GG bike — they’re all great.) Mountain biking is such an awesome sport right now — so many good bikes available these days.

(Or should I say “occasionally available.”)

=sParty

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stubs179

Discussion Starter · #20 · Feb 20, 2022

Sparticus said:
Oh, as for long travel bikes I bought a Canfield Lithium. I’m certain the Gnarvana is an equally solid performer as far as big bikes go but I wanted to try something different (the Smash was my 2nd GG bike — they’re all great.) Mountain biking is such an awesome sport right now — so many good bikes available these days. (Or should I say “occasionally available.”)
=sParty

Canfield is awesome. They didn’t sell a 29er when I got my TP. But the main reason I went with the GG is being able to swap travel and chainstay length. Going from 130mm/428 cs to 160/450cs is a huge advantage for me. If I had a garage and rode the same area it wouldn’t have been as big of a selling point.

In a perfect world, I’d have a Pistola with 140 fork, Starling Twist and a Canfield Jedi. Dreams….

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