Flip chip to high... Not for me!

[Nobblynik]

I recently put my Decoy to the high setting for a four day trip to Wales and at Coed y Brenin and Antur Stiniog as I was worried about pedal strikes, although it reduced pedal strikes to a minimum the bike felt so different to the low setting and I have since put it back to low. I have seen so many posts saying that a lot riders prefer it in the high setting but for me it just felt odd and I couldn't wait to set it back to low, I have replaced the stock rear shock to give me more mid stroke support and less sag to reduce pedal strikes so for me it's the low setting from now on as it rips in that configuration.

 

[Nasty Nick]

What shock? I recently put mine in low cuz I was riding some really steep and loamy stuff. It was incredible how much better it felt for that type of riding!

 

[squeegee]

2.6 rear tire here, shorter tire + high chip makes geo close to 2.8 + low chip. Works well for me.

 

[Nobblynik]

What shock? I recently put mine in low cuz I was riding some really steep and loamy stuff. It was incredible how much better it felt for that type of riding!

DVO Topaz, much more tuneable than stock.

 

[leftside]

2.6 rear tire here, shorter tire + high chip makes geo close to 2.8 + low chip. Works well for me.

Yep been riding like that almost all year here in the surrounding Vancouver mountains. Better for climbing, better handling (cornering, etc with the 2.6 tire) and I don't feel like I've lost anything on the downhill.

Great that YT have these options available. We all ride differently so there is no right or wrong answer here. All I say is give a 2.6 tire and the high setting a try, and if you don't like it you can always switch back again. Currently running an e-wild, but I've had flats the last 2 rides out of 4 (after no flats for 30 rides), so going to try a Kenda Hellkat Pro AGC 2.6 next week.

Next mod for me is installing cush core next month.

 

[Nasty Nick]

What I found interesting is the fork felt like it was significantly smoother with the frame in the low position on the bigger hits and g-outs on the steep trails I've been riding.

I've ran the 2.3 and 2.5 aggressors DD. Both are awesome. I really like rimpact as a cheaper and lighter alternative to cushcore that I used to run. I do the lighter original version in the front and the meatier pro version in the back.

 

[leftside]

What I found interesting is the fork felt like it was significantly smoother with the frame in the low position on the bigger hits and g-outs on the steep trails I've been riding.

I've ran the 2.3 and 2.5 aggressors DD. Both are awesome. I really like rimpact as a cheaper and lighter alternative to cushcore that I used to run. I do the lighter original version in the front and the meatier pro version in the back.

I've got one mate running rimpact and another running cush core, but I went with the cush core. Both mates are very happy with both.

 

[YokoOno]

I've got one mate running rimpact and another running cush core, but I went with the cush core. Both mates are very happy with both.

I just replaced an e-wild with cushcore with a 2.6 AGC hellkat with Tannus.

Honestly, I like the Tannus armor. It's far easier to install than cushcore and if (big if) the tube pops, I can easily patch it or replace it. Having to deal with Cushcore trailside repairs is nightmarish. I've been a long time cushcore user but am now moving my bikes to Tannus.

As for E-wild v. Hellkat - I honestly like both. HK is more aggressive in terms of traction. E-wild has better sidewalls. I never had any flat with 2 months on an E-wild but did one time burp the sidewall (with cushcore installed), which resulted in me destroying the stock DT rim.

Oh, and low setting for me with 2.6 rear. Always low.

 

[squeegee]

I just replaced an e-wild with cushcore with a 2.6 AGC hellkat with Tannus.

Honestly, I like the Tannus armor. It's far easier to install than cushcore and if (big if) the tube pops, I can easily patch it or replace it. Having to deal with Cushcore trailside repairs is nightmarish. I've been a long time cushcore user but am now moving my bikes to Tannus.

As for E-wild v. Hellkat - I honestly like both. HK is more aggressive in terms of traction. E-wild has better sidewalls. I never had any flat with 2 months on an E-wild but did one time burp the sidewall (with cushcore installed), which resulted in me destroying the stock DT rim.

Oh, and low setting for me with 2.6 rear. Always low.

Are you running HK on front as well?

 

[YokoOno]

Are you running HK on front as well?

No, 2.5 Assegai - best front tire I've ridden for local conditions. I'd think Hellkat would do well too, but I've only tried it in the rear.

 

[squeegee]

No, 2.5 Assegai - best front tire I've ridden for local conditions. I'd think Hellkat would do well too, but I've only tried it in the rear.

I've been running 2.6 DHF and Ewild 2.6, both are close to worn out. Is HK 2.6 as wide inflated as Ewild 2.6?

 

[YokoOno]

I've been running 2.6 DHF and Ewild 2.6, both are close to worn out. Is HK 2.6 as wide inflated as Ewild 2.6?

from memory, the ewild and HK are similar in width - but that's based on the eye ball test and I didn't measure them.

 

[leftside]

I just replaced an e-wild with cushcore with a 2.6 AGC hellkat with Tannus.

Honestly, I like the Tannus armor. It's far easier to install than cushcore and if (big if) the tube pops, I can easily patch it or replace it. Having to deal with Cushcore trailside repairs is nightmarish. I've been a long time cushcore user but am now moving my bikes to Tannus.

As for E-wild v. Hellkat - I honestly like both. HK is more aggressive in terms of traction. E-wild has better sidewalls. I never had any flat with 2 months on an E-wild but did one time burp the sidewall (with cushcore installed), which resulted in me destroying the stock DT rim.

Oh, and low setting for me with 2.6 rear. Always low.

I’ll run cushcore next month and see how it goes. I'll do some more research on Tannus. Nice to have options.

Talking of options... I find 2.6 and low to be too low for the types of trails I ride here on the North Shore, Fraser Valley and Sea to Sky Highway around Vancouver. Where do you ride?

Looking forward to trying the Helikat. Even with shipping and DHL fees these are cheaper to purchase from Germany.

 

[YokoOno]

I’ll run cushcore next month and see how it goes. I'll do some more research on Tannus. Nice to have options.

Talking of options... I find 2.6 and low to be too low for the types of trails I ride here on the North Shore, Fraser Valley and Sea to Sky Highway around Vancouver. Where do you ride?

Looking forward to trying the Helikat. Even with shipping and DHL fees these are cheaper to purchase from Germany.

Colorado front range. Lots of low lying rocks. Different strokes for different folks.... I've long ridden low BB bikes and have just learned to adjust. The handling and stability going downhill makes it worth it for me.

 

[leftside]

Couldn't help it - took a look at Tannus. Looks like a very good option as well. Testing was done on Mt. Seymour, which is where I mainly ride. Sorry to the OP for going off topic.

NSMB.com - Experiments with CushCore and Tannus Inserts

Is it possible to get the benefits of inserts without compromising on weight or tire performance?

nsmb.com

 

[YokoOno]

Couldn't help it - took a look at Tannus. Looks like a very good option as well. Testing was done on Mt. Seymour, which is where I mainly ride. Sorry to the OP for going off topic.

NSMB.com - Experiments with CushCore and Tannus Inserts

Is it possible to get the benefits of inserts without compromising on weight or tire performance?

nsmb.com

Interesting article, but I can't relate to the author's experience because of the pressures he uses and the flimsy tires and uber-tube he choose to use with Tannus armor.. I wouldn't dream of running 14 psi. Heck, I destroyed my YT OEM DT rim running 22 psi cushcore E-wild tires, which have a very stout sidewall.


For my "pedal bike", where weight is more of a concern, Cushcore or Vittoria inserts are great. For my e-bike, where weight isn't a concern, Tannus Armor is the better system for me. No worrying about burping tires, sealant or having to remove cuschore trailside which is a nightmare (been there, done that). I carry one spare tube and a patch kit - and fortunately have never had to use them with Tannus armor.

 

[Singletrackmind]

2.6 rear tire here, shorter tire + high chip makes geo close to 2.8 + low chip. Works well for me.

Don't understand how 2.6 tire changes geometry of bike? Thought the 2.6 is not as wide as the 2.8 but the overall diameter is the same?

 

[leftside]

Don't understand how 2.6 tire changes geometry of bike? Thought the 2.6 is not as wide as the 2.8 but the overall diameter is the same?

The 2.8 is a bigger tire - diameter isn't the same. Raises the bike.

Can't believe I've had my Decoy for almost two years. The only thing that is stock now is the frame. Relevant to this thread: 2.6" tires, Fox 38 170mm, high chip.

Stuck a Galfer 223mm rotor on the front yesterday as I was running the same with the Meta, and was pretty sure I noticed a difference on the Meta. Can't have one bike being better than the other, so had to do the same to the Decoy

 

[Singletrackmind]

The 2.8 is a bigger tire - diameter isn't the same. Raises the bike.

Can't believe I've had my Decoy for almost two years. The only thing that is stock now is the frame. Relevant to this thread: 2.6" tires, Fox 38 170mm, high chip.

Stuck a Galfer 223mm rotor on the front yesterday as I was running the same with the Meta, and was pretty sure I noticed a difference on the Meta. Can't have one bike being better than the other, so had to do the same to the Decoy

Thanks for the feedback. I run Michelin E-Wild 2.6 with Cushcore. Going to try the low setting and have a new Push ELEVENSIX coil shock on its way! Like you, switched put a majority of the components. Most impressed by the Shirgura brake set up. Always love Fox Transfer droppers but Rockshox AXS are the only way to go for me!

 

[leftside]

Thanks for the feedback. I run Michelin E-Wild 2.6 with Cushcore. Going to try the low setting and have a new Push ELEVENSIX coil shock on its way! Like you, switched put a majority of the components. Most impressed by the Shirgura brake set up. Always love Fox Transfer droppers but Rockshox AXS are the only way to go for me!

Wow exactly the same as my current setup. E-Wild, Cushcore, Push 11.6, AXS dropper.