[fuenstock]

Mike,
Great customer service at your store today! I was riding Auburn and knocked my rear wheel out of true enough that it was rubbing the chain stays. I though I was going to have to end my day short. I came into your shop and they had me fixed and back on the rode quick! I was able to get back to the trail and hit another lap down culvert!
Just wanted to say thanks!

 

[mike thompson]

Thanks! I'm stoked we could get you back on the trail!! I must say I am really stoked on the crew they love to ride and to get others riding as well!

 

[mike thompson]

Long needed update. Hammered the hell out of the Zeus this summer, everything held up great but made some changes. Switched to a Rock Shox Pike ( best 6" fork I've ever ridden) and Monarch rear shock. Gave up on type II derailleurs because they where eating pulleys and enflamed an old thumb injury due to a stiffer lever caused by the clutch, plus I run a guide anyways.

The four changes I've made that saved a ton of weight where suspension, pedals, cassette and grips. Bike has gone from 31.5 to 29.4 and what a difference. Later today I'll be rebuilding my wheels as my rear is beat. While still round ish it has suffered 20 major dents from a 1/4" to 3/8", in an effort to save some more weight and hit 28.5 lbs weight goal I'm rebuilding my wheel set from White industries, Sapim, Velocity blunt 35 to White Industry, Wheelsmith, Wtb KOM rims. I'm hoping for a 400 gram weight savings from 2200 grams to 1630. Major props to the wtb vigilante team issue tires not a single failure no matter how stupid low the pressure or how sharp and rocky a trail I could throw at them, very consistent traction climbing cornering and descending and very reasonable life span easily tripling the life of a Hans Dampf.

I gotta say that this bike has been the most inspiring bike I've ever had, I always feel like it can do more and it gets faster and more reliable with every change I make to it. Since I went with custom geometry the only change I would make is that I would have gone another 1/2 degree slacker and 1/4 inch lower. That being said best bike I've ever had looking forward to getting another after another season or two.

 

[mike thompson]

I haven't found the tire rub on the seat tube to be an issue personally and I'm running monster tires that hit countless times per ride. Lizard skin DSP grips, HT pedals, 1080 cassette, RS Monarch rt3 to go from 31.5 to 29.4 lbs.

 

[mtnbkr4eva]

Looks good Mike. Looking forward to getting back to NorCal this Summer. You and your your bike actually inspired me to pull the trigger on a Ventana (although I went with the El Ciclon) and I couldnt be happier with the bike. See you in a few months. You hitting any Enduros this year?

Aloha!
Rob M.

 

[mtnbiker4life]

The New Math

I'm rebuilding my wheel set from White industries, Sapim, Velocity blunt 35 to White Industry, Wheelsmith, Wtb KOM rims. I'm hoping for a 400 gram weight savings from 2200 grams to 1630.

Nice review. I'm a numbers person......so 1630g from 2200g is 570g savings :skep::skep::skep::skep: Do you over charge or undercharge your customers

I'm liking that tunnel trail. I've been riding FHDL and Salmon Falls but after seeing that video......thinking a trip to the Tunnel trail is in the near future. Ole'

 

[mike thompson]

Looks good Mike. Looking forward to getting back to NorCal this Summer. You and your your bike actually inspired me to pull the trigger on a Ventana (although I went with the El Ciclon) and I couldnt be happier with the bike. See you in a few months. You hitting any Enduros this year?

Aloha!
Rob M.

Hey Rob! Thanks, it's a great bike I love mine and have more fun every time I get on it!!

 

[mike thompson]

Yeah so finally back for the wheel up date. My math sucks due to HUA syndrome lol. The bike did drop to 28.8lbs switch the rims and man what a difference climbing and descending! But then put all the fix suspension back on because of creaky crowns
( something all my forks suffer but the pike lasted the longest before I had to warranty ) and the TR Maxxis High Roller II 3 c 27.5 x2.3tires. Now the bike is back to 30lbs and even though the tires are slower pedaling they stop significantly better while being even on super tech climbing and cornering compared to the vigilantes. Still not sure if I want to pony up for xo1 or try the new xtr, though I having a lot of right thumb issues and am considering grip **** to help cope.

 

[mike thompson]

How much longer are the no seat tube rub dropouts? I ask cause I want longer chain stays.