I have had my beargrease a few weeks abd love it. I'm looking to protect my chainring from logs and rocks. Any one have any ideas what would work best for this bike?
I have a Beargrease frame on order and I'm baffled by the fact that it has 51mm I.S. brake mounts while all the new high-end brakes seem to be post mount. I may even have to start a new thread about this.
Until then, can anyone recommend brakes for a light Beargrease build?
Until then, can anyone recommend brakes for a light Beargrease build?
I am only installing the rear brake. I have seen a couple racers do this at the Triple-D in Dubuque. I figure the snow does a pretty good job of stopping me, and I only plan on riding it in the snow or sand (maybe). I will evaluate if it is sufficient for winter trail use.
@ShamusWave: I think that was the first time in my life that a photo made me wish it was colder and snowier outside!
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I have a car. I made a choice. I ride my bike.
Replacing a few parts on my BG soon. X7 shifters are being replaced with X9. Brakes are being dumped for some Formula R1 Racing brakes. Seatpost swapped for an Easton EC90 zero setback. I will also be swapping the saddle for a Selle Italia SLR kit Carbonio flow. Upgrades should be complete before Christmas.
Replacing a few parts on my BG soon. X7 shifters are being replaced with X9. Brakes are being dumped for some Formula R1 Racing brakes. Seatpost swapped for an Easton EC90 zero setback. I will also be swapping the saddle for a Selle Italia SLR kit Carbonio flow. Upgrades should be complete before Christmas.
Can you give feedback once you have the Formula's you are replacing as I am not happy with the Avids that were supplied with standard build on the BearGrease! I am planning on using the Bear for year round bikepacking/multi day trips and need a brake system I can rely on as out terrain is quite unforgiving. ie. some pretty steep descents with a load...
2013 Salsa BearGrease
2010 Surly Cross Chek
2008 Santa Cruz Superlight (regular tweaks)
I will be sure to follow up with my opinion on the R1s. I have used them on a FS 29rr and a HT 29er and have found them to be powerful and reliable. A bit grabby. I am 145lbs and run . 160/140mm. Advice on this forum pointed to hope brakes, but I won an EBay auction on the formulas.
What headset do you choose? My Beargrease frame set should be here this week and I'm looking to do a light weight build.
I can only afford the Formula RX brakes and I've been looking at light weight rotors. I've read about problems with the KCNC ones. I haven't decided on 180mm or 160mm.
I was looking at RX brakes, as well but went with R1 because I won an Ebay auction (R1 racing).
I have used Ashima rotors with formula brakes in the past with good results. My last HT 29er had R1 with Ashima 160/140. I have read that you should use sintered pads, however. I used the stock organic pads...they did make some noise, but power was good. I will be using 160/140 Ashima on my BG, as well.
I thought I would wait to post until I had a few miles on mine (and I was out on a daylight ride, man the days are short right now!).
Built this up from the frame. Comes in at 26.1 lbs as pictures. I have a Carver fork on order though so it should be sub-26 when its done. That's with the Rolling Daryll front and rear.
Turns out the Ti seatpost is a little to springy for use on this bike, I get some serious pedal bob. I think its amplifying the effect of the tire. So I'm switching that out. I'm also going to switch to a longer (130mm) stem. I like my weight forward on a snowbike for better rear wheel float.... but a small frame might be too small for me, stuck with it cause all the mediums are sold out!
So far, its proving a lot more capable than my old bike in today's 'extreme' conditions of 6-7" of heavy wet snow. Turning is difficult, but in a straight line or gentle turn it just plows right through the stuff.
My only complaint about the bike is the finish of the frame. Its too coarse, so mud sticks to it and its really hard to scrub off. A snow bike should be polished so you can wax it and keep snow (and/or mud) from building up in wet conditions. I tried to was the frame, but I don't think it worked very well. As you can see in the photo, I should have waxed the wheels!
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I have a car. I made a choice. I ride my bike.
My only complaint about the bike is the finish of the frame. Its too coarse, so mud sticks to it and its really hard to scrub off. A snow bike should be polished so you can wax it and keep snow (and/or mud) from building up in wet conditions. I tried to was the frame, but I don't think it worked very well. As you can see in the photo, I should have waxed the wheels!
You need to Grease that Bear...Try Pedros Bike Lust or good old Pam cooking spray...spray on, buff and ride. I would think snow and mud would not stand a chance.
.. If I see this bike on display with those GT bars, I am bringing my hacksaw!!
I thought I would wait to post until I had a few miles on mine (and I was out on a daylight ride, man the days are short right now!).
Built this up from the frame. Comes in at 26.1 lbs as pictures. I have a Carver fork on order though so it should be sub-26 when its done. That's with the Rolling Daryll front and rear.
Turns out the Ti seatpost is a little to springy for use on this bike, I get some serious pedal bob. I think its amplifying the effect of the tire. So I'm switching that out. I'm also going to switch to a longer (130mm) stem. I like my weight forward on a snowbike for better rear wheel float.... but a small frame might be too small for me, stuck with it cause all the mediums are sold out!
So far, its proving a lot more capable than my old bike in today's 'extreme' conditions of 6-7" of heavy wet snow. Turning is difficult, but in a straight line or gentle turn it just plows right through the stuff.
My only complaint about the bike is the finish of the frame. Its too coarse, so mud sticks to it and its really hard to scrub off. A snow bike should be polished so you can wax it and keep snow (and/or mud) from building up in wet conditions. I tried to was the frame, but I don't think it worked very well. As you can see in the photo, I should have waxed the wheels!
How much lighter is the Carver fork. My small is perfect although the Porcelain Rocket frame bag that is on its way may be a bit on the small side as there is not too much room there. Will have to try the wax on wheels
2013 Salsa BearGrease
2010 Surly Cross Chek
2008 Santa Cruz Superlight (regular tweaks)
Claimed weight for the Beargrease fork is 720g, mine weighted in at roughly 735. Claimed weight on the Carver fork (and measured by a bunch of people so I believe its pretty close) is 576 g. So 150-160 grams lighter, about 1/3rd pound! I've heard very good things about the ride quality of the Carver fork too.
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I have a car. I made a choice. I ride my bike.
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Originally Posted by ShamusWave
