(Almost) New Bike Day - RS180 Build

[Arethustra]

Stoked that the RS180 build out is almost finished...just stopped by the LBS to see how things were coming along and was surprised to see that it's nearly done when they've only had the big box of bits for a day...great shop!

Here's the components I pulled together for the build:

Wheels

• Wheelset: Industry 9 EN350 Carbon (35mm) MX 29/27.5 - Straight-pull I9 Hydra Hubs
• Cassette: SRAM Eagle XO Transmission
• Discs: SRAM HS2 6-Bolt - Front & Rear 200mm
• Tires: Conti Tubeless with CushCore inserts
  • Front: Argotal (DH Super Soft)
  • Rear: Kryptotal Re (DH Super Soft)

Suspension

• Shock: RS SDLX Ultimate with HBO >> 230mm x 65mm in LT Setting = 182mm rear travel
• Fork: RS Zeb Ultimate 180mm with DSD Runt

Brakes

• Brakes: SRAM Maven Silver

Drivetrain

• Derailleur/Transmission: SRAM Eagle XO T-Type Transmission with Kogel Pulleys
• Chain: SRAM Eagle XX T-Type Flat Top Chain
• Crank Arms: 155mm e13 Helix Race E*Spec Alloy arms
• Chainring: e13 E*Spec pulse Bosch Direct Mount 32T
• Pedals: Yoshimura Chilao Large

Cockpit

• Handlebars: OneUp Carbon 35mm (35mm Rise) cut to 760mm
• Stem: 42mm Yohsimura ENDH
• Grips: RevGrips Ergo Pro with Counterpunch Bar Ends
• Seat Post: 170mm AXS Reverb and a Specialized Phenom saddle

Can't wait to get it out of the shop and off for its first ride!

 

[Sanguinaire]

Sounds like a great build! What are the trail conditions like on your trails? I’m running kryptotal dh ss front and rear. It’s starting to get a wee bit muddy.

Which Cush core did you go for?

 

[Arethustra]

The build is honestly a little over the top but I blame the wait for the frameset (and then the wheelset when I didn’t see that there was a 3-week build time) as it gave me way too much time to order bling-bling Ti bolts and other replacement Gucci parts…but it is gonna be pretty.

As far as trails, I live in the Oakland Hills so the trails around me are a mix of sand, hard pack, rock, and loamy/rooty - so a little bit of everything (even some mud still but its only really wet for a few months if we aren’t getting hammered with a drought) since we have at least 8 different microclimates going in the Bay Area.

Tire selection was based on one of the tire setups that Troydon said I should try out…he seems to know what he’s doing so I expect that the setup will be good but that I’ll be eating tires (since its a super soft compound) which is fine as long as they do their job well.

For the Cush’s, I went with their new eMTB inserts…you have to buy the 29 and 27.5 separate for a mullet but they’re a nice piece of insurance. I run the Pros on my downcountry bike and they do a good job of absorbing the hits. The eMTB version definitely are a beefed up version of the Pros. They make putting the tires on a total pain in the ass but the extra protection and damping are something I really appreciate…I let my LBS do my tires this time and they were telling yesterday about how it took 2 guys to get the Conti’s on my rims…so worth the extra fee bucks that cost me to not have to deal with that again. If you do it yourself, save yourself a ton of headaches and get two of their Bead Bros (I tried with just one and it wasn’t enough) as they make things way easier.

 

[Sanguinaire]

Thanks for the tip of using a couple of bead bros. I’m still going back and forward on the idea of fitting them. May wait until I change tyres.

Getting the beads unseated on the kryptotals is very very hard!

 

[Arethustra]

I have not been lucky enough to find a set of tires I haven't struggles to get on and/or off my rims. The inserts definitely add a pain in the ass factor (and weight) but I like the insurance and extra bit of damping.

I know a bunch of folks just run them in the rear…you might want to start there.

I run them on my XC bike because that thing has 120mm/100mm of travel and I was still taking down fast trails with repeated 1-2 ft. rock step drops - in retrospect, probably not the smartest thing but it came through like a camp and the difference when I did it with vs without inserts was pretty noticeable as the hits were more muted.

YMMV but they are going on every bike I own from here on.

 

[AlumiPro]

I’ve got the Maven SLV on my Crestline as well but my lever blades don’t look like yours…..where did you get those?
I’ve also got a Secus installed on my ZEB 190mm and love it(had it previously installed on a FOX 38) I was just on the phone yesterday with Diaz Suspension curious about the RUNT. I’m very tempted to purchase it. I’m also curious to try it with the Secus installed, they think it may make the initial stroke to mushy when used with the Secus. How do you like the RUNT? Have you got it set up and put it through its paces? It seems like it my be a bit of a pain in the ass to get set up correctly with dual air pressures (may require riding with a shock pump in my pack for a few rides to dial in) I also had my eye on the MRP Ramp Control, which is a given that it would play nice with the installed Secus because it doesn’t do all that the RUNT does.

 

[Arethustra]

The brake levers are from Freedom Coast and were an impulse buy. They’re definitely nicer than stock with a better feel but are totally unnecessary LOL .

I’ve only got a single ride in on the new Crestline so I wouldn't say that I have any of the suspension dialed in just yet.

I run the MRP on my XC bike and it made a huge difference in the old Reba that I used for the build (it also has the upgraded Charger damper) basically a while new shock in an old body.

I chose the Runt because it was what I had wanted to use with the XC build but DSD didn't have a Runt for the Reba. I liked the reviews I read about it so I’m excited about the potential. My impression based on the first short ride is that the recommended pressure from the table on the fork was a bit high so I plan to reduce it and keep the recommended 2:1 ratio until it feels a bit more plush — I tend to ride with a shock pump all the time so that I can dial in pressure. I also need to check out the settings on damper as they're straight from the shop and may not be dialed in the way they need to be. I will definitely share more when I get back home next week and get some more rides in if you're interested.

I was also looking at the Secus but didn't end up going that route as the Runt felt like the easier if the two to get installed. Was also thinking about going full coil on the fork but the weight had me thinking twice about that.

 

[AlumiPro]

The brake levers are from Freedom Coast and were an impulse buy. They’re definitely nicer than stock with a better feel but are totally unnecessary LOL .

I’ve only got a single ride in on the new Crestline so I wouldn't say that I have any of the suspension dialed in just yet.

I run the MRP on my XC bike and it made a huge difference in the old Reba that I used for the build (it also has the upgraded Charger damper) basically a while new shock in an old body.

I chose the Runt because it was what I had wanted to use with the XC build but DSD didn't have a Runt for the Reba. I liked the reviews I read about it so I’m excited about the potential. My impression based on the first short ride is that the recommended pressure from the table on the fork was a bit high so I plan to reduce it and keep the recommended 2:1 ratio until it feels a bit more plush — I tend to ride with a shock pump all the time so that I can dial in pressure. I also need to check out the settings on damper as they're straight from the shop and may not be dialed in the way they need to be. I will definitely share more when I get back home next week and get some more rides in if you're interested.

I was also looking at the Secus but didn't end up going that route as the Runt felt like the easier if the two to get installed. Was also thinking about going full coil on the fork but the weight had me thinking twice about that.

Thanks for helping me spend more of my hard earned $, I’m now placing an order for Freedom Coast blades!
If you’re looking for a plush ride and don’t necessarily need to be popping off of every little trail feature for some small air time, I recommend an EXT e-Storia coil rear…….and it’s a way to spend more $$! I love it, my Crestline feels bottomless and so silky smooth!

 

[AlumiPro]

The black blades are currently sold out!…..let the waiting game begin

 

[Arethustra]

Ha

Thanks for helping me spend more of my hard earned $, I’m now placing an order for Freedom Coast blades!
If you’re looking for a plush ride and don’t necessarily need to be popping off of every little trail feature for some small air time, I recommend an EXT e-Storia coil rear…….and it’s a way to spend more $$! I love it, my Crestline feels bottomless and so silky smooth!

Hahaha happy to help!

Was originally going the coil route but Troydon talked me out of going that direction.

 

[AlumiPro]

Ha

Hahaha happy to help!

Was originally going the coil route but Troydon talked me out of going that direction.

Yeah he tried talking me out of a coil too…..even though they work great with the Crestline VPP design. And I already had my EXT Coil which I removed from my Turbo Levo before selling it.

 

[2thebrim]

Yeah he tried talking me out of a coil too…..even though they work great with the Crestline VPP design. And I already had my EXT Coil which I removed from my Turbo Levo before selling it.

I’ll second that. The EXT e-Storia ride feel on the RS75 is sublime! It soaks up everything you want it to, and you can still leverage the VPP progression for aggressive riding. I couldn’t get that out of the SDLX at all. I put the ERA LT up front, but haven’t quite got the fork dialed yet.

 

[Arethustra]

Guess I now know what I will be spending more money on in the future…

The challenge I had was deciding whether to go with the Push Eleven6 of the EXT e-Storia?!

I looked at both and initially I couldn't really decide except to note that Cascade offers EXTs which is interesting given their role in making the Crestline happen…now that I’m looking at the Push again I'm feeling pulled in that direction. Price is basically the same (whats a couple hundred bucks at the point that you're already spending 1K+). What do you guys think?

 

[2thebrim]

Guess I now know what I will be spending more money on in the future…

The challenge I had was deciding whether to go with the Push Eleven6 of the EXT e-Storia?!

I looked at both and initially I couldn't really decide except to note that Cascade offers EXTs which is interesting given their role in making the Crestline happen…now that I’m looking at the Push again I'm feeling pulled in that direction. Price is basically the same (whats a couple hundred bucks at the point that you're already spending 1K+). What do you guys think?

I looked at both too. Called Push and they weren’t sure how it would work since they didn’t have anyone on it yet. Called Cascade and they had people riding the e-Storia and felt confident it would address the gaps I had with the SDLX. Easy decision for me and it rides better than I had expected.

 

[AlumiPro]

Guess I now know what I will be spending more money on in the future…

The challenge I had was deciding whether to go with the Push Eleven6 of the EXT e-Storia?!

I looked at both and initially I couldn't really decide except to note that Cascade offers EXTs which is interesting given their role in making the Crestline happen…now that I’m looking at the Push again I'm feeling pulled in that direction. Price is basically the same (whats a couple hundred bucks at the point that you're already spending 1K+). What do you guys think?

I haven’t tried the Push, but seems they are top quality as well.
Im in California as well and send my EXT off in the winter to The Ride Guru (EXT Service Center) located in Reno Nevada. Fast turn around and great service. I kept the air Rock Shock Ultimate that came with my Crestline as a backup but never rode the Crestline with it.
I also installed a FOX roller bearing in the rear shock eyelet which makes that pivot much smoother than a typical bushing. (Fox Roller Bearing Shock Hardware Kit, 8mm x 30mm, 812-06-096-KIT) Money well spent.
I also recommend getting the $100 FOX tool to remove this bearing in order to change springs and before sending the shock in for service……it works better than doing it the YouTube cheap way.

 

[Arethustra]

I haven’t tried the Push, but seems they are top quality as well.
Im in California as well and send my EXT off in the winter to The Ride Guru (EXT Service Center) located in Reno Nevada. Fast turn around and great service. I kept the air Rock Shock Ultimate that came with my Crestline as a backup but never rode the Crestline with it.
I also installed a FOX roller bearing in the rear shock eyelet which makes that pivot much smoother than a typical bushing. (Fox Roller Bearing Shock Hardware Kit, 8mm x 30mm, 812-06-096-KIT) Money well spent.
I also recommend getting the $100 FOX tool to remove this bearing in order to change springs and before sending the shock in for service……it works better than doing it the YouTube cheap way.

I did a needle bearing on my xc bike but not this one. May need to rethink that as it did make the pivot way smoother.

I used a RWC Needle Bearing and really liked how it felt.

 

[Arethustra]

I looked at both too. Called Push and they weren’t sure how it would work since they didn’t have anyone on it yet. Called Cascade and they had people riding the e-Storia and felt confident it would address the gaps I had with the SDLX. Easy decision for me and it rides better than I had expected.

Hmmm, I don't know why but that makes me want to try it out even more…they seem pretty anal about getting the bike in for testing when they're building out a new platform. Will have to see if they will even sell me one without having the bike in house.

 

[Arethustra]

I haven’t tried the Push, but seems they are top quality as well.
Im in California as well and send my EXT off in the winter to The Ride Guru (EXT Service Center) located in Reno Nevada. Fast turn around and great service. I kept the air Rock Shock Ultimate that came with my Crestline as a backup but never rode the Crestline with it.
I also installed a FOX roller bearing in the rear shock eyelet which makes that pivot much smoother than a typical bushing. (Fox Roller Bearing Shock Hardware Kit, 8mm x 30mm, 812-06-096-KIT) Money well spent.
I also recommend getting the $100 FOX tool to remove this bearing in order to change springs and before sending the shock in for service……it works better than doing it the YouTube cheap way.

Since I have the replacement shock coming in from Troydon and I have to do the swap, I ordered the Fox Bearing kit to try with the Rock Shox SDLXU.

Will try running that setup for awhile before dropping another $1K+ on the coil…I still bet I'll end up there but will be reaching out to Push to see what I can learn. Who knows, I might end up liking the RS ride (lol ).

 

[Redders473]

If you want a push shock on your crestlines you will need to use a different spring, the push hypercoils are barrel shaped and rub the inside of your shock tunnel. I ran a FAST ICDU spring on mine and it worked fine. I don't have the picture anymore but if you go on my insta it's on there Darren.redfern

 

[Arethustra]

And that’s probably why they want the bike for up to 4 weeks to blueprint the whole shebang. Did you have Push put that spring on or was it something you did after you saw the rub?

 

[Redders473]

And that’s probably why they want the bike for up to 4 weeks to blueprint the whole shebang. Did you have Push put that spring on or was it something you did after you saw the rub?

I took the shock off my kenevo SL, I know push say it's tune for each bike etc but the leverage ratios are nearly identical so I threw it on. You could get a SC bullet tune and then put a different spring on, push do get funny when you use other springs but that fast ichu one was spot on.