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The Good

This is so much better than the DHR2 up front regarding grip and rolling speed. It feels every bit as grippy as the Assegai but with much better rolling speed. It is also very quiet on the trail and pavement.

The Bad

I had a very tough time getting this guy mounted. Once mounted, it would not seat with a blast pump. So I decided to do the tube trick where I seat the bead on one side and try to get the other side to seat using a blast pump. However, unseating the bead proved to be tougher than mounting. Long story short, the tube method worked.

Overall Review

Tough to mount and seat--and I am not going to deduct any stars because of it--but worth the effort.

Continental Kryptotal F Tire

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edwardyoon

10/30/2024 8:22am

Continental Kryptotal R Tire

The Good

Deep knobs ensure good traction. I moved it to the front on my trail bike and got good results. It seems to plow through softer sand (which somehow made its way on to my local trails) better than the DHR2 in the front. The 2.4 Kryptotal Re looks a little bit wider than the 2.4 WT DHR2. Next spring when I visit Big Bear, I may move it to the back wheel again and pair that with a Kryptotal front. For some reason, my particular Kryptotal was easier to mount and seat than the Xynotal, which was soul-crushing.

The Bad

I bought it for the rear wheel. It felt draggy compared to a well-worn DHR2 and a new Xynotal, which I found to be very fast rolling with good grip. It's also a bit heavier than a DHR2 in the EXO casing.

Overall Review

I found it to be a better front tire than rear. It could serve as a reminder that I need to get into better shape.

Continental Kryptotal R Tire

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edwardyoon

10/30/2024 7:53am

Continental Xynotal Tire

The Good

Rolls fast! I am a Maxxis guy. I have tried Specialized, Schwalbe, and Kenda tires, only to put a Maxxis Aggressor, DHR2, or Dissector back on the rear wheel. Not this time. The Xynotal rear tire rolls faster than the aforementioned Maxxis tires and grips better. The better traction may be as a result of the Xynotal being new, so time will tell.

The Bad

The Xynotal weighs about 100 to 150 grams more than the Maxxis tires I have used, but the Conty feels faster. Now for the really bad. I had a very hard time mounting the tire. Once mounted, I had a very tough time seating the tire. So I then attempted to use a tube, but unseating the Xynotal was even tougher than mounting. In the process of dislodging the bead, I wrecked the rim tape. So I had to re-tape the rim. Finally, using a tube, seating one side of the bead, and borrowing a neighbor's air compressor finally did the trick.

Overall Review

Until something better and possibly lighter comes along, the Xynotal is my favorite rear tire. After my Herculean effort to mount the Xynotal, it is not coming off any time soon.

Continental Xynotal Tire

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edwardyoon

10/30/2024 7:35am

Continental Kryptotal F Tire

The Good

Outrageous grip, sturdy build top to bottom, still grippy and soft enough to lean over but not squirm.

The Bad

Life destroying to install. Can't imagine doing it with cushcore but good news is you probably won't need it. Less common to find in stock/on sale.

Overall Review

Installation kerfuffle aside, I wouldn't want to run any other tire on my bikes. Super sturdy construction and great all around feel for mixed terrain. Grip when you need it, rolling speed when you need it. And so damn tough you probably won't even run cush core. Just consider paying the bike shop to install them. Unless you have a bead seater tool...

Continental Kryptotal F Tire

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LePigPen

10/29/2024 12:25am

Michelin DH34 Tire

The Good

Traction and the cool looking Michelin logo on the side walls.

The Bad

One tire was defective with a wobble, the side walls split and dry crack within 6 months and there heavier than most DH tires.

Overall Review

I've been riding and racing DH since the mid 2000's. And Michelin's DH 16, 24 and 32 tires were absolutely amazing back them. So, I got amped when I found out that Michelin was coming back into the DH scene with new tires. Boy, what a letdown. Ordered a new set of the DH34's and after I mounted them and spun the wheels. One of the tires and a BIG wobble. Like, I don't understand how Michelin's QA inspection missed this. While the tires offer great traction on all types of terrain. They are a bit

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Michelin DH34 Tire

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Roy

10/25/2024 10:30pm

Öhlins TTX22M Rear Shock

The Good

Easy to adjust and set up. Trick looking shock. Build quality from Ohlins is top notch.

The Bad

Slightly more expensive than other shocks. But you definitely get what you pay for.

Overall Review

This shock is amazing. I've ridden and owned coil shocks from most of the big brands. And nothing comes close to the level and performance of this Ohlins coil. I was a bit skeptical when I first set it up. There's very little in adjustability with this shock. Just put the right coil spring for your weight. And set it like they tell you too. Simple, yet truly amazing. Best shock hands down.

Öhlins TTX22M Rear Shock

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Roy

10/18/2024 5:14pm

Manitou Dorado Expert Fork

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The Good

Tunability is off the charts. Sleek looking. Parts are all interchangeable and upgradable between all 3 versions of the Dorado.

The Bad

Slightly heavier than Fox 40's. The number of tunings and adjustment settings might be overkill for some.

Overall Review

This is my second set of Dorado forks. While my first set of dorado's (2005) didn't offer much in adjustments. They worked well and I never had an issue with them. And that was a long time ago. The newest gen that I'm currently using are AMAZING! I just came off of Fox 40's on my last DH bike. And they were great! No issues. But when I started build my new bike. I really wanted to pair my new bike build with a set of Dorados. And I'm sure glad I did! I personally like them better than the Fox 40

Manitou Dorado Expert Fork

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Roy

10/18/2024 4:54pm

Intense M29 Factory (2022) Frame

The Good

Light, fast, smooth and extremely plush with Ohlins coil shock. Exotic looking.

The Bad

Full 29" DH bikes aren't for everyone. Takes a lot of leg muscle to get it up to speed. It's more suited for clipless pedal. Rear shock adjustments can be a pain. But if you follow the owner's manual settings guide. The set up ends up being spot on perfect.

Overall Review

This bike is a head turner. Gets a lot of attention on the mountains, bike parks and parking lots. While the bike is very light weight and feels light when riding. It's very planted. I wouldn't say it's poppy. More of a "point straight, hold on and go" racer. The Ohlin's coil shock that comes with the frame is amazing. Best DH coil I've ever owned. The only real negative points I could say about the M29 is that the big 29" rear wheel takes a lot of muscle to get up to speed. With clipless pedals

Intense M29 Factory (2022) Frame

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Roy

10/18/2024 1:34pm

FUNN Python Pedal

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The Good

Super thin, they look great, good traction.

The Bad

Nothing to report.

Overall Review

I've owned 2 sets of the 1st gen Funn Python petals. One set for a DH bike build. And another set on my trail bike. I've put hundreds (maybe a thousand?) of miles on my trail bike. And I haven't had a single issue with them. Funn even sells rebuild kits for these pedals. But I've never needed to service them yet. And you can purchase these pedals and their rebuild kits through Funn's amazon store online. I can't speak on the newer versions. But if they're built like the rest of Funn's mtb

FUNN Python Pedal

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Roy

10/18/2024 12:49pm

Burgtec Penthouse MK5 B-Rage Edition Flat Pedal

The Good

Qfactor means less hits/better cornering
Amazing grip. Clipped in feeling 100%
A bit heavy
Great machining

The Bad

Price

Overall Review

Replaced deity supervillains. Better in all aspects aside from weight. Fewer pedal strikes, appear more durable, WAY better grip. Wish there could be pedal pins that were black. Slightly heavier. Otherwise amazing

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Burgtec Penthouse MK5 B-Rage Edition Flat Pedal

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mtbjoe

9/18/2024 7:02pm