You know, I've watched countless videos on suspension setup, and still remained a little confused. Then you come along with the 'suspension for dummies' version. Love it! 🙌 👌 Also, I most definitely need to try switching the levers. After I was informed that I should use 1-finger braking and needed to slide them inwards on the bar, I found that I have to loosen my grip just to reach them. 😆 Anyway, I look forward to seeing more content on this bike. Especially the brake bleed, because they are quite spongy and bite late when pulled. I'm almost hitting my grips sometimes and I only ride XC type trails. Great live by the way. Didn't catch it live but was able to watch it shortly after. Thanks for sharing your time with us. 🤝👊✌
I have this bike and love it. I was thinking of swapping the levers, but releasistically i want to go for metal pads and the rotors aren't compatible. So im not sure if it would be cheaper to get metal pads, new rotors and some shimano levers. I might as well just get a set of 4 piston shimano brakes .
I would be inclined to try a set of SLX BL-M7100 levers with those calipers. Both systems use mineral oil and if it's a disaster you can pick up some SLX BR-M7120 calipers and be fully happy. You're old enough to have ridden Shimano U-Brakes mounted under the chainstays, so your tolerance is probably as high as mine for acceptable braking performance.
I think you can adjust the reach on the Tektro Orion levers. But you'll have to extend it out to minimize the pull tonyour knuckles. I think a 2 or 2.5 mil allen in that yellow cylinder will do the trick.
That's exactly the issue. If I adjust the reach to be closer so it's easier to one finger the lever, then the lever becomes too close to the grip. It needs to engage sooner. This either means the brakes need to be correctly bled or the calipers are not adjusting inward and closer to the disk. That or the engagement ratio is way off. Shimano XT levers allow you to adjust how quickly the pads engage. I don't think these have any sort of option to do that.
I was curious to hear your opinion about those Tektros. I’ve had a fairly annoying experience with Tektro myself….they came stock on my Trek Roscoe a couple years ago. I also did not like the levers much, but more than that the caliper alignment was a nightmare. Every few rides, the caliper would start dragging no matter what I did. The performance wasn’t great, the feel was numb (to me), annnoying to work with, etc. Those same Tektros now are on my 8yr old’s bike, simply because of all the options I looked at they allowed for the closest lever-to-bar distance (kiddo has small hands). They do still work, but also still are often dragging for no reason. I may try a set of cheap Shimano rotors as they are supposed to be a tiny bit thinner, maybe that will do it. And, that said, I’ve heard from many folks that rave about hydros (esp for the value). For me, if I need inexpensive and reliable hydro brakes, I’m going with Shimano (BL200 or 501s) or Sram Levels.
Hmmm? I have a Sunrace cassette and KMC chain with XT derailleur on one of my bikes and it shifts wonderfully. Maybe you need to make some adjustments? 🤷♂️
@@20yearsofblueskiesWho built the bike? These come unassembled in a box. Did you get a used one? You might want to find a bicycle shop that can show you how to use the dropper post and they can also set the bike fit up correctly.
@@20yearsofblueskies Okay, so in this case I think for safety reasons you should take it to a shop and have them go over it. If you or your son don't know how to raise and lower the seat, that worries me a bit. ✌️
You know, I've watched countless videos on suspension setup, and still remained a little confused. Then you come along with the 'suspension for dummies' version. Love it! 🙌 👌
Also, I most definitely need to try switching the levers. After I was informed that I should use 1-finger braking and needed to slide them inwards on the bar, I found that I have to loosen my grip just to reach them. 😆
Anyway, I look forward to seeing more content on this bike. Especially the brake bleed, because they are quite spongy and bite late when pulled. I'm almost hitting my grips sometimes and I only ride XC type trails.
Great live by the way. Didn't catch it live but was able to watch it shortly after.
Thanks for sharing your time with us. 🤝👊✌
You are welcome. Glad I was able to simplify it for you.
I have this bike and love it. I was thinking of swapping the levers, but releasistically i want to go for metal pads and the rotors aren't compatible. So im not sure if it would be cheaper to get metal pads, new rotors and some shimano levers. I might as well just get a set of 4 piston shimano brakes .
I would be inclined to try a set of SLX BL-M7100 levers with those calipers. Both systems use mineral oil and if it's a disaster you can pick up some SLX BR-M7120 calipers and be fully happy. You're old enough to have ridden Shimano U-Brakes mounted under the chainstays, so your tolerance is probably as high as mine for acceptable braking performance.
🤣 True and I still run U-Brakes on my BMX bike.
I think you can adjust the reach on the Tektro Orion levers. But you'll have to extend it out to minimize the pull tonyour knuckles. I think a 2 or 2.5 mil allen in that yellow cylinder will do the trick.
That's exactly the issue. If I adjust the reach to be closer so it's easier to one finger the lever, then the lever becomes too close to the grip. It needs to engage sooner. This either means the brakes need to be correctly bled or the calipers are not adjusting inward and closer to the disk. That or the engagement ratio is way off.
Shimano XT levers allow you to adjust how quickly the pads engage. I don't think these have any sort of option to do that.
I was curious to hear your opinion about those Tektros. I’ve had a fairly annoying experience with Tektro myself….they came stock on my Trek Roscoe a couple years ago. I also did not like the levers much, but more than that the caliper alignment was a nightmare. Every few rides, the caliper would start dragging no matter what I did. The performance wasn’t great, the feel was numb (to me), annnoying to work with, etc.
Those same Tektros now are on my 8yr old’s bike, simply because of all the options I looked at they allowed for the closest lever-to-bar distance (kiddo has small hands). They do still work, but also still are often dragging for no reason. I may try a set of cheap Shimano rotors as they are supposed to be a tiny bit thinner, maybe that will do it.
And, that said, I’ve heard from many folks that rave about hydros (esp for the value). For me, if I need inexpensive and reliable hydro brakes, I’m going with Shimano (BL200 or 501s) or Sram Levels.
The first ride video I posted yesterday has all the info you need. I also just did a video on the fix for the gap.
Mine came with just slx derailleur and shifter.. sunrace cassette. Kmc chain and cast iron cranks. You got lucky, mine shifts like a pig
Hmmm? I have a Sunrace cassette and KMC chain with XT derailleur on one of my bikes and it shifts wonderfully. Maybe you need to make some adjustments? 🤷♂️
@ShadLife yeah I've tried, LBS had tried, just today we swapped the chain out for SLX 12 speed and it's 100 times better.
What size did you get? How tall are you?
Small and I am 5' 7" tall.
The crankset is Deore.
it says SLX on the arm
@@5davi524 my bad
how do i lower the seat?!
Do you mean how to use the dropper post or how to lower the post in the frame?
@@ShadLife i guess im not sure but i bought the T8 large size and im 6 feet tall and the seat is way too high for me
@@20yearsofblueskiesWho built the bike? These come unassembled in a box. Did you get a used one? You might want to find a bicycle shop that can show you how to use the dropper post and they can also set the bike fit up correctly.
@@ShadLife it was bought new in the box…my son figured out how to assemble it…thank you for your reply
@@20yearsofblueskies Okay, so in this case I think for safety reasons you should take it to a shop and have them go over it. If you or your son don't know how to raise and lower the seat, that worries me a bit. ✌️