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Not Your Mama's LBS Bronson Carbon

18K views 106 replies 46 participants last post by  Meatsmasher 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi MTBR,

Location Bay Area, CA.
Philosophy Whoever has the most fun is the best rider
Dilemma Friends kicking my butt with light, big wheel bikes. Not as fun as riding in a pack... : )
ME 5'10.5", 155lbs. I have been through some bikes in my day but hardly saw dirt meet tire from 2000 to 2012 when I began riding trail again. I sold a 2003 Kona Stinky and picked up slightly used 2012 Nomad Aluminum. I found the Nomad helped me get over the hump from Dual Crown with its robus Lyric fork, and it did most of what I wanted other than keeping up on the bigger climbs and fast XC trails. My friends were riding lighter, more dedicated XC bikes. Then my primary riding partner built up an Intense Carbine in August 23 2012/last year, with 650b wheels; here is the link posted by El Sobrante Cylery: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...78839781.30832.145116242217578&type=3&theater

He kept on about the 650b and the holistic approach, riding a single bike in any situation, which got me thinking it might be worth a look given our similar height and riding styles. About 5-6 months ago my local bike shop received one of the first Bronsons in the bay area. I test rode it and decided I would like to have. Yet, I wasn't ready to fork over the dough; so I went about it the slow way figuring I will find a frame and build it up. While waiting for the Bronson I spent time trying a few other bikes including a 2012 Intense Carbine, then a 2013 TallboyC, and a 2012 Blur TRc (which I truly loved of the bunch). I sure couldn't tell the TRc had 23mm less travel than the Carbine; in my experience at least. I finally snagged a BronsonC frame a few weeks ago on August 24, 2013... exactly 1yr to the day after my friend finished his Carbine build, and I went to work.

The Bike I knew I didn't want the every day vanilla Bronson, but there were some standard items I found I couldn't imagine going without having ridden them on the prior rigs. At a minimum it had to have XT/XTR brakes and shifters, I was ready to try some lighter tires but have some heavier duty ones ready to save the day if I don't like them, and I wanted to build something I really could imagine doing it all. Hence the name, AllMoutaineer. I was pretty torn on wheels between the Crest and Arch, or going with another Chris King set, but decided the Crest were worth a try as I haven't really damaged any rims too badly. Do note, the stem does flip half way through the build ;)

There are a few parts I had lying around and/or repurposed to speed up the build process that are being upgraded/swapped from this BOM, specifically the Bars and possibly going for another Reverb Dropper. As you will see, I chose a lot of parts that aren't the common flavor and it was based on my personal experiences... I will say the one curve ball is the RockShox RCT3 Revelation Dual Air, I have mostly ridden Fox the past few years other than the Lyric which was on the Nomad. They haven't been bad but on the same note I haven't been all that impressed and am slightly under the impression that Kashima might be the greatest marketing scheme of all time. Looks great but are there quantifiable advantages? I haven't noticed, and that is reflected here in this build. Having read the reviews I was going to grab a Pike but found this Rev at the right price; I checked and found similar rave reviews and figured it was worth a try. Maybe not the choice for a 200lb downhiller but for my riding style I have a feeling the Rev might be a winner.

Impressions from the first urban/tuning ride around town tonight: Very crisp, light, rigid, and fast. Can't wait to take it to the dirt. More to come.

Build as it sits tonight, approx 25.6 - 25.8bs with pedals according to weighing in with/without the bike in hand:

  • 2013 Bronson Carbon Frame with Fox Evolution CTD Rear Shock
  • 2013 RockShox Revelation RCT3 Dual Air 150/120mm 27.5" Fork
  • XT Build Kit with 180mm F / 160mm R IceTech Rotors
  • Stan's Crest/Stan's 3.30 27.5" (650b) Wheelset
  • Nobby Nic 2.25 Evo TL Front / Rocket Ron 2.25 Evo TL Rear (might put the NN 2.25 in the back and stick a NN 2.35 up front)
  • Exotic 750mm Carbon 20mm riser bar (was Deity Dirty30 760mm Bar)
  • FSA OS190 80mm Stem (considering Thomson Elite X4 70/80mm stem)
  • Thomson Masterpiece Seatpost
  • WTB Silverado Thinline Saddle
  • Cane Creek 110 Headset
  • SRAM PC 1091R Hollow Pin 10spd chain (was from XT Build Kit)
  • Crank Brothers Candy 3 Pedals

*EDIT 9/13: Swapped to Exotic Carbon Bars and SRAM Chain, new weight approx 25.2lbs*

*EDIT 10/31: Swapped to Reverb Seatpost, Hans Dampf 2.35 Snakeskin Front, Dampf 2.25 Snakeskin Rear, Havoc Carbon 750mm bars, and Thomson 70mm stem. New net weight approx 26.8lbs.*

Photos of build beginning with the frame purchased 8.24.2013 finishing and going on its maiden voyage yesterday Friday 9.6.2013:

Setup as of 10.31.13:
Bicycle tire Tire Bicycle frame Wheel Bicycle wheel
Bicycle frame Bicycle tire Tire Wheel Bicycle fork
Bicycle tire Bicycle frame Wheel Bicycle wheel rim Bicycle wheel
Bicycle tire Bicycle frame Tire Wheel Bicycle wheel rim
Bicycle part Bicycle accessory Bicycle frame Bicycle handlebar Bicycle


Setup as of 9.13.13:

Tire Bicycle tire Wheel Bicycle frame Bicycle wheel
Bicycle tire Bicycle frame Tire Bicycle wheel Wheel


From Beginning to End:







<IMG e3d8bda9-c5a6-4bae-90e9-ed18ff2f2735-2498-00000112631734c9_zps6cb6098b.jpg?="" 2013%20santa%20cruz%20bronson="" stillclaimndp="" w88="" albums="" i174.photobucket.com="" src??http:="">






<IMG 2013%20santa%20cruz%20bronson="" stillclaimndp="" w88="" albums="" i174.photobucket.com="" c58ddf2c-f35f-41ae-a7b5-dca90df4423d-2498-000001121de23fe2_zpsd0e4012e.jpg?="" src?http:="">






Update 9/13, new Exotic Carbon Bars:






 
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#8 ·
New bike on new trails, what more can a rider ask for... Took it on the Hikes Peak trails in Santa Monica today, seen in the upper right of the first photo. Got up some tricky, rocky technical single track that demanded nimble roll over, signature 650b. Really liking the RockShox Revelation RCT3 Dual Air fork and the Evolution CTD rear shock which is proving to be a night and day difference vs. the RP23. wait to get back to the bay to try the usual stomping grounds...



Back at the Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica:
 
#13 ·
Build looks good, but why the negative rise stem with such tall riser bars? Couldn't you just run lower rise bars?
As mentioned, I had the Deity bars sitting around. I have the Exotic carbon bars on the way having read good reviews and because they're half the price of Thomson/Easton. I wasn't sure I would like the Revelation fork so I cut the steertube long in case I had to resell it; I am pretty much sold after yesterday's ride. One more jaunt at my usual trail to confirm the Rev fork then I will resize it.

I love the way that pic of the blt next to the bronson, whose wheels are barely even noticeably bigger, shows how silly this whole industry-wide push for 650b to fix something thats not broken is.
Sorry to be negative, sweet bronson and blt!
Feel free to keep riding a 26" bike, doesn't change my experience. Surely a debate better discussed on the trail, I would say the difference of a 26" and 27" wheel is, well, roughly an inch :) Honestly I thought the same, and I said the same, then my friend fairly sternly scolded me for jumping to a conclusion based on visual conjecture... And not taking it for a ride. Then I did, and well here I am after 20 years of 26" bikes and one 29er. It's noticeable but not awkwardly noticeable as a 29 can be the first time. No one said it was broken, just like a 300hp car is still working when a 350hp car comes out ;) There are still use cases for 26" tires, I loved descending on a big 2.4 26" Continental Trail King on my Blur TRc but it added a full lb vs a Nobby nic and that tire would kill me on the uphill on a 29 for instance.

That is an iPhone photo, subject to angle, and it's a 2.25 rear tire, Scwalbe RR tire vs. a 2.35 Maxxis High Roller. Part of the beauty of 650b is the option to run a lighter tire but still have good roll over. I have run A LOT of tires, and I think we all know how key they are to the riding experience. As mentioned I might throw the 2.25 NN in back and run a 2.35 NN front or 2.35 Hans Dampf front. But... Just for you... Here are photos of the LTc's 2.25 NN 26" vs the Bronson's 2.25 NN 650b :)



 
#11 · (Edited)
He's running a weaksauce Rocket Ron in back. The Bronson I rode had 2.4" dual ply High Roller 2's and was AT LEAST an inch and a half taller than my FREERIDE bike with 26" Big Betty 2.4's. Have to say I had the same ignorant attitude about the whole 650b thing... until I actually RODE the Bronson.

Ignorance is bliss! (and a lot easier on your wallet, lol - I'm getting a Bronson)

G MAN

PS - Nice bike AllMountaineer!
 
#14 ·
Someone didn't get his coffee this morning! :) As mentioned I didn't buy one six months ago because of the price of buying new not being in line with my needs/wants in making the change to 650B. These are almost all used parts, including the frame, other than the wheel set and build kit which came from eBay; I would say this cost half of buying a complete Bronson at a shop. Sorta the point of the thread wasn't it...?
 
#21 · (Edited)
I appreciate the concern and consideration of the integrity/circularity of my wheels, and the words of encouragement around my aspirations to "slay" and be an adversary of the Ninja Turtles... Not sure what insecurities lead this thread to a personal shot about my weight, but good luck with those my friend :)
 
#22 ·
Don't take this the wrong way, but I was surprised by the wheels too. You're not the first one - it looks like a lot of people have been putting Crests on 6" bikes recently.

I'm a little jealous every time I see these 25-26lb 6" bikes. But 340g wheels wouldn't hold up on New York rocks. Even under my 150lb frame.
 
#23 ·
Don't take this the wrong way, but I was surprised by the wheels too. You're not the first one - it looks like a lot of people have been putting Crests on 6" bikes recently.

I'm a little jealous every time I see these 25-26lb 6" bikes. But 340g wheels wouldn't hold up on New York rocks. Even under my 150lb frame.
Look, guys, "not your mama's Bronson", title of the thread... I didn't buy this at a shop and didn't want a standard build for the riding I do. Besides, it's $85 to replace a hoop... Trust me I wish my friends rode heavier, more rigorous setups but they go light and they are fast. This is my first go at Crests but my brother won the Leavenworth race this year on 29" Crest wheels and has ridden 4-5 days a week for over a year without issue weighing 145... I am actually building a second Bronson to replace my girlfriend's LTc and plan to put these Crests on her bike then do an Arch wheelset so I can swap around depending where I ride.

Hopefully this helps everyone move past this topic :)
 
#25 ·
OP, I have a set of Crest's on my 6 inch, 26lb bike and they have held up great for the last 2 years here in Sedona, Phoenix and Flagstaff. Us lightweights can get away with a lot. My only complain about your build, since that seems to be the theme here, get a real shock.....like a Monarch Plus. It transformed my ride! Nice ride.
 
#30 ·
For what it's worth - I love the build. Lightweight parts on a sweet frame? Sounds like a winner for some (not all clearly). If something breaks, whatever, you'll fix it and move on. I'd love to swing a leg over this bike any day and go for a spin. Hope you have some good times on it man!
 
#32 ·
Interesting build choices. Who assembled it, your friend with the Intense? I would guess that you don't have a workstand, since it's not on one at any point during the numerous pics and it jumps from pieces to apartment parking lot glamour shots.

When you get a workstand and some tools, the first thing to address is the cabling. Shimano pre-bled brakes come with ridiculously long housing, so I'd almost give you a pass on that, but your shift housing is no bueno as well. The housing loops in front of the headtube are far too long, and I always advocate a gentle curve to the opposite side of the frame, and then criss-cross back to the correct side underneath the top tube.
 
#39 ·
I just want to keep this thread alive because so many haters seem annoyed by it.

Oh, and keeping with the theme that is prevalent here...I think the yellow/orange they used for the Santa Cruz label should have been a hair lighter.
 
#41 ·
I run Crests on my TRc 650b'd rig. I was hesitant but they've held up well under my 165 riding weight. Even on the sharp-edged rock trails that I ride frequently, they're holding true. This is just a factory Stan's build too. Sure there's dings but true they are. BTW. I wouldn't buy another Stans build though. The hubs are crap. The seals are weaker than a ziplock bag.

OP, that build weight is amazing. And Revs are awesome forks.
 
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