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Post by desertbikes on Dec 20, 2020 8:12:09 GMT -7
The venerable Blackcomb is back again just in time for Christmas. With the best tech the 1990s can offer, even the ample fanboy base is getting long in the tooth by now. Yet it does offer an actual 8 speed freehub, Shimano Altus rear derailleur & Shimano trigger shifters. It still looks to me as if it were constructed by a blind engineer from leftover pieces from a construction site, although it's the base for thousands of dual suspension, strip & build bikes.
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Post by lurker on Dec 20, 2020 13:04:06 GMT -7
yes, that seat tube support...
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Post by lurker on Dec 20, 2020 13:05:26 GMT -7
ample fanboy base is getting long in the tooth
and more ample. |
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Post by gonefishin on Dec 20, 2020 17:51:44 GMT -7
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Post by tomcat65 on Dec 25, 2020 10:19:36 GMT -7
That design is kinda retro, but it is still a popular bike. The frame hasn't changed much, but the one tiny detail that stands out to me, is that gusset at the top of the rear suspension shock, right in the bend of the main frame. It looks like about a 2:1 ratio on the suspension rocker, so why didn't they just use a softer spring, and turn the shock upward off of the suspension arms and connect the other end to that seatpost bracket? The lower seatpost bracket (loop) is plenty wide enough to fit the shock. I suspect that the trendy way was to do the rocker and double the leverage on a stout spring. And is the rear suspension lower made of steel? There is no replaceable rear derailleur hanger. That bike would have me desperate for air suspension with lockouts.
On the other forum (R.I.P.) there were several examples of this bike built into really capable MTBs. Irish Mongoose Rider, Falkon45, even the old grumpy narcissist expat had one. I don't doubt that a good rider could do wonders on that bike, but they were heavy for 26'ers.. On the plus side, it does have disc brakes, and it has a 1 1/8 steerer tube, the chainstay length is comparable to a 29'er hardtail. Just for comparison, the chainstay length on the Mongoose XR-Pro is a ridiculous SoCal to Alabama long..
If a 27.5 wheelset with a decent tire would fit, this bike might see a revival.
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Post by lurker on Dec 25, 2020 11:23:06 GMT -7
nobody told me there would be math.
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Post by desertbikes on Dec 26, 2020 7:41:31 GMT -7
nobody told me there would be math.
I just realized, it looks Russian. No aesthetically redeeming quality whatsoever. Like Vlad had parts left over from a jib crane and after some vodka said, "Lets build bicycle!"
They were only in stock 3 or 4 days. Kids of all ages always like a shiny new bike with a bow on it. Even an ugly one.
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A bit warm. yes. Had to do another 2100 mile round trip on short notice. My back was/is in a real bad way & came home to a dead AC unit. Other than that its been just peachy! 
It's interfering with my bike & shooting time
Great for some things. Vans are such a bitch to work on. But what car isn't anymore...