NBD. The mullet is BACK !!!

[weeksy]

After some riding and some discussing i decided when on the way back from Dyfi that the FuelEX wasn't quite suiting my needs and requirements at the moment. Not because it's not capable as a bike, but just that it's not quite exactly what i want and where i want to be at the moment.

So in the past few days i've been sorting a deal on Specialized Status 160.

s-l1600 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

It's essentially the same as we used to own for the lad, although in the next size up from his. His was a M (S3) and this is an S4. When i used his at BPW as someone loaned my bike i absolutely loved it and went faster than i had previously, at times by some decent margins too. We ended up trading his for a GT Fury as he wanted the new DH bike, but i must admit there was always a tinge of regret there for me.

Some places are now knocking them out for silly money and one came up on Ebay where the fella will take my Fuel and give me some cash. So that's what we've got happening tomorrow (As long as nothing goes pear shaped with deal).

I've removed the RSCs from the Trek and they'll go on the Status along with the Argotal front tyre at the moment. But other than that and an Invisiframe kit, it'll remain as it comes.

Sadly i don't think it'll get out in anger this weekend as we're off to Bucknell for Pearce uplift session and the Invisiframe kit won't be fitted in time. But the weekend after should be FoD i think and the one after that will deffo be FoD anyway, then straight to BPW the one after. So it'll get plenty of trail action.
Part of the logic was the now ownership of multiple Ebikes too, if i need a fast mile-muncher then really the Ebike is likely to be dragged out. So the Status is sitting in more of the play-bike sort of scenario than anything else. Which it seems to fit that really well.

Fingers crossed...

Well, if i don't get this deal with the guy i'll be picking one up for cash instead, the decision is made though.

[Mr Moofo]

Is it sold yet?

What is the Status going to do that the Trek didn't?

[weeksy]

Is it sold yet?

What is the Status going to do that the Trek didn't?

The Status is a 63.5 deg head-angle, with the Trek being a 66 deg, so in simple terms it'll be better at going downhill. Along with a shorter back end and a 27.5 rear, it'll make it more flickable, turnable etc. The trek feels more XC as you'd expect, less poppy and something that just cracks along.

The downsides are that for fast 29er days, the Status won't be as good as the Trek of course.

[Mr Moofo]

Is it sold yet?

What is the Status going to do that the Trek didn't?

The Status is a 63.5 deg head-angle, with the Trek being a 66 deg, so in simple terms it'll be better at going downhill. Along with a shorter back end and a 27.5 rear, it'll make it more flickable, turnable etc. The trek feels more XC as you'd expect, less poppy and something that just cracks along.

The downsides are that for fast 29er days, the Status won't be as good as the Trek of course.

You need two bikes then ...

[weeksy]

Is it sold yet?

What is the Status going to do that the Trek didn't?

The Status is a 63.5 deg head-angle, with the Trek being a 66 deg, so in simple terms it'll be better at going downhill. Along with a shorter back end and a 27.5 rear, it'll make it more flickable, turnable etc. The trek feels more XC as you'd expect, less poppy and something that just cracks along.

The downsides are that for fast 29er days, the Status won't be as good as the Trek of course.

You need two bikes then ...

That's why i/we have the Eebs then really. If i need something fast and ground covering, i have the Eeb.

The Status will be play-bike and training along with the Zwift... then let the motor do the work when needed on those days.

[Mr Moofo]

At least it is the correct size this time

[MingtheMerciless]

If ever he keeps a bike for longer than 6 months I'll know it is the end of days.

[weeksy]

If ever he keeps a bike for longer than 6 months I'll know it is the end of days.

I kept the Slayer for 11 months...

We've had the Liv over 3 years... nearly 4...

The rest though... yes a bit of a revolving door there

[weeksy]

IMG_20240111_123605 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[MingtheMerciless]

Nice looking bike but for the love of God please do something about the weeds!

[weeksy]

not my driveway

[weeksy]

RSCs fitted.
IMG_20240111_154321 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Dork disc removed
IMG_20240111_154335 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Both wheels now tubeless.

Brakes need some bedding in, they barely stop it, but i've got a tonne of Code pads including a load of new ones. I know the standard pads have always been considered a bit pony.

My lad wasn't massively feeling it on his round the close ride "it's slacker than my DH bike"... I'm thinking "perfect, it may save me"
"the bars are narrow".... Nah, that's just because he runs his at 200+ and mine are 785 so feel narrow to him.

It's getting there... won't be too long before a proper shakedown.

[crust]

not my driveway

Post a picture of the neighbour's gate, it'll give him paroxysms.

[weeksy]

not my driveway

Post a picture of the neighbour's gate, it'll give him paroxysms.

I don't have the audacity to even call it a gate

[weeksy]

Mrs Weeksy earning her keep fitting the invisframe kit. Nearly done

IMG_20240114_161702 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[weeksy]

IMG_20240114_165525 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Finished.

Also added a Granite Stash tool into the steerer.

[MingtheMerciless]

not my driveway

Post a picture of the neighbour's gate, it'll give him paroxysms.

This is just low level bullying

[weeksy]

Testing today in the woods as the invisiframe was completed yesterday.

IMG_20240115_112029 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

IMG_20240115_112045 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

IMG_20240115_112037 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

The only real criticism i can throw at it is the brakes... but maybe that's the cold and frost, maybe just the pads, maybe a bit more bedding in... but they're average at best... On run 1 they were awful LOL. I'd bedded them in properly before heading out using the local road hill, but i'm still not convinced. So i've given them a clean with brake cleaner, but i've got the other pads on hand to throw in if these don't start making sense.

Handling, yeah i was worried the S4 may feel a bit big, but in truth it feels spot on. It's responsive, plush, precise. I don't notice any downsides for having the mullet setup but I wasn't actually expecting any downsides there. Suspension was a little bit stiff but i wasn't riding all the way back to the van to get the shock pump, it wasn't terrible. So i've stuck a little less air in both the forks and the shock. I also slowed the rebound 4 clicks on the back, however i've left the front where it was for now.
Odds are, i'll get the Shockwiz from @crust to do a bit of more precise tuning over the coming weeks.

I'll get back out in the next few days before the weekend at FoD and do a little more playing/testing.

[weeksy]

Another sunny day, still cold but you soon warm up when getting up the hills. The bike is getting more dialled in now and the brakes actually work. The suspension being softer i'm really happy with and me and this bike are gelling a LOT... i'm very much enjoying how it rides !!! It's very confidence inspiring and poppy...

IMG_20240116_150534 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[weeksy]

By jiggedy that's cold out there today !!!!

IMG_20240118_102028 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Only thing i have noticed and it's not a massive shock is that it's quite a low BB, so on some rutty trails there's a bit of pedal strike. Wasn't too terrible but i may see if the Neutrons are slightly thinner than the Sam Hills. It doesn't go up as quickly as the Trek did of course, but we knew that would be the case too. However, i must admit i didn't have a massive desire with the Trek to jump on and get out in quite the same way as with the Status. The Trek is without doubt a 'better' bike of course... but not necessarily better for me right now