2007 Giant Reign 1

[Justin Fox]

Purchased in 08 as a run out $1800 bargain from Cranks Bike Shop. Nothing on the bike is standard anymore except the rear shock and headset.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2355043685_7c001738e9_o.jpg
Stock as a rock March 2008.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2804354735_4559d3fe9d_o.jpg
Finished.

Giant Reign 1:
-------------------------------------------
Bottom bracket: Shimano XTR (95g)
Brake: Avid Juicy Ultimate 185 (150g)/160(117g) (382g/333g) $505.42
+ Ti Rotor bolts (12g) $39.18
+ Ti bolt kit rear caliper (14g) $17.98
Cassette: 08 Cycle King Titanium Cassette 11-32T (179g) $242.90
Chain: Yaban chain (264g) $31.80
+ Sram powerlink connector (2g) $2.35
Crankset: Shimano XTR 165mm (689g) $335.03
+ Middleburn gold chainring bolts $22.91
Fork: Fox 32 Vanilla RLC, 140mm (1890g) $400
Frame: Giant Reign 2 (3.5kg +shock +headset cups)
+ Carbon shock guard (42g)
+ Rear derailleur hanger (14g)
+ Ti watercage bolts x 2 (3g) $4
+ Neoprene chainstay protector (17g) $6
Front derailleur: 08 Shimano XTR FD-M970 34.9mm (120g) $84.45
Grips: Odi Ruffian (103g) $18
Handlebar: Easton EA70 25.4mm High Rise 685mm (276g) $53.35
Headset: FSA Integrated (106g)
Headset Spacer: Carbon spacer (5g)
Pedals: Wellgo MG-1 Ti (300g) $122.70
Quick Releases: KCNC Ti Skewer (45g) $69.20
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR Shadow M972 long cage (181g) $140.65
--Token Derailleur Pulleys $52.80
Rear shock: Fox Float RP2 w/adj. ProPedal
Saddle: WTB Rocket V SLT Race saddle Ti rails (223g) $96.80
Seatpost clamp: OMNI Racer 34.9mm (9g) $27.60
Seatpost: Crank Brothers Joplin R 30.9mm Remote (396g) $253.50
Shifters: Shimano XTR M970 (250g) $140.60
+ Ti bolts
Stem: Thomson Elite 0 degree 25.4 x 70mm (157g) $74.90
+ Ti bolts (15g) $
+ Giant carbon top cap + bolt (15g)
Tyre: Kenda Nevegal 26 X 2.1 Stick-e front
Kenda Nevegal 26 X 2.1 DTC rear
Tubes: Maxxis flyweight x 2 (98g/tube) $18.80
Wheelset: Mavic 819 DT competition spokes Hope Pro II hubs (918g front 1026 rear 1944g set)
------------------------------------------
13.26kg (OEM: 14kg)

Confidence inspiring is what the Reign is all about. To say I love the bike is an understatement. I love it and abuse it. No other bike I've owned has taught me more about riding than this bike. No other bike I've owned eggs me on to harder than this bike either. If it was crap I'd have upgraded a long time ago!

[Mesa(aleks)]

WOW. Where do you get the parts from?

[Jing]

ebay and chainreaction mainly i believe

[Justin Fox]

Yes eBay and CRC but when our dollar was 1:1.

[Justin Fox]

I find it amazing that I am still tweaking my bike after all this time.

Even with a shorter stem I feel a bit stretched out on the bike and this was clear as day to me when I had a go at Jing's Cannondale which is an XC bike but felt a lot more like a cruiser to me than my Reign.

I've cut my steerer so short that I can no longer raise up my stem anymore so I've just bought some of the same bars but in high rise to help bring the bars up some more.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/3074962175_e2154c14b0.jpg
Low rise vs. High rise.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/3074961673_8b67365507_o.jpg
On the bike.

Will report back tonight/tomorrow about how these bars go today at Loftus. If anyone wants to have a go at the low rise bars let me know, happy to let you try them.

[ADAM7935]

Its always good when you see someone put the effort into customising thier bike, Where did you get the annodised bolts/parts from if you dont mind me asking?

[Justin Fox]

Its always good when you see someone put the effort into customising thier bike, Where did you get the annodised bolts/parts from if you dont mind me asking?

Cheers Adam. Those Middleburn gold chainring bolts were from CRC. Most of the coloured bits are from eBay, gold top cap, cables etc.

The bike looks OK in pics but in real life it's a mess and far from brand new and squeeky clean (which is great actually, not caring about the bike gives me a mental advantage out on the trails!).

PS: Got back from Loftus a few hours ago. High Rise Bars were great and apart from a quick brake lever and shifter angle adjustment I was right at home. The whole cockpit feels closer to me now but steering hasn't gotten any twitchier at low speeds (eg: granny gear climbing).

[keromx]

Stem: Thomson Elite 0 degree 25.4 x 70mm (157g) $74.90

I have been wanting to try putting a similar stem on my genius to shorten the cockpit a bit as my riding is more AM rather than XC, was the original stem longer? If so, did you notice any difference with this? and of course your preference?

[keromx]

Sorry, always forget to say something before I hit the "send button"... I want to say that I have enjoyed watching your bike builds. Sad that you are happy with the reign cos I would like you to start again. LOL. Love what you have done with this bike.

[Justin Fox]

Hey cheers Andrew. I'm sure there'll be more bike projects in future. I love building bikes as much as riding them for sure.

The original stem was a 90mm but since the stem was up so high on spacers I didn't ever feel stretched out. It's hard to comment on as the Reign and dual suspension was all so new to me when I bought this bike. All I do know is that Jing put an even shorter stem on his Reign which I borrowed for the NRMA Careflight race and I literally couldn't steer straight it was that twitchy, especially on climbs.

[tupper]

Well its the prettiest Reign I've ever seen..
Flat pedals ftw

[Justin Fox]

She's not meant to be pretty tupper! It's a he not a she! :p

After some thought/discussion on the 1 finger braking thread I decided to put the brake levers inbound, brakes inside, shifters on the outside. The shifters are a little closer to my thumbs now without being cramped (and with the XTR shifter pods there's even more adjustability to move them even closer if need be).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/3083469136_0ba70d83b4_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/3082632675_e8b64f13e9_o.jpg
Perfect!

[singletrack]

She's not meant to be pretty tupper! It's a he not a she! :p

After some thought/discussion on the 1 finger braking thread I decided to put the brake levers inbound, brakes inside, shifters on the outside. The shifters are a little closer to my thumbs now without being cramped (and with the XTR shifter pods there's even more adjustability to move them even closer if need be).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/3083469136_0ba70d83b4_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/3082632675_e8b64f13e9_o.jpg
Perfect!

That look spot on! The ultimates need some curry I found to stop.... how are your set?

p.s. he is pretty :D

[Justin Fox]

LOL Paul - I love the brakes. Fine by me. Bit squishy, the lever action, when you're in the carpark but once you're on it you don't even need to think about them.

[a.davis12]

i had a go on a dually the other day. (not on trails, just mucking around) it was obscenely fun (well it was an intense, so you would hope it would be) even with its mediocre build kit, so now i can understand why you love the reign so much.

[Justin Fox]

i had a go on a dually the other day. (not on trails, just mucking around) it was obscenely fun.
Totally! They're really playful bikes huh? Always egging you on to do more. :)

Sad day for the Reign today as it's dropped a whole lot of bling gold. I've decided to get my shifting smoother (after riding both Jing's and Zi's bikes with XTR I KNOW there's an issue with my bike). I've gotten rid of the lovely gold cabling and replaced it with Shimano gear cabling. I've also replaced the weenie gold chain with an XTR chain.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/3156934039_ee27e6a20d_o.jpg
So I was using brake cabling for gear shifting. No wonder my shifting sucked ass. New shimano gear cabling on the right.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/3156933739_174202430f_o.jpg
I snapped my weenie chain during the Yellowmundee ride and it's been super short since then. I've just replaced it with a new Dura Ace / XTR chain, it's longer now. I've also decided to lock out the top cog as the chainline was shocking on it in any case. It'll also give me a bit of protection now (my chain will never get sucked up between the cog/spokes).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3156934497_e4f5407a3c_o.jpg
Back to black. :(

[Jarod]

Nothing wrong with black. Black is good.

[keromx]

still looks nice, good news is it will work better

[singletrack]

Black is where its at bro :D Sweet chain too ;)

The cassette looks close to replacement too eh?

[Justin Fox]

If only I didn't sell that XTR cassette :(

[Gekigengar]

So does that mean you left the last click in your shifter redundant?

[a.davis12]

If only I didn't sell that XTR cassette :(

go XT!!! theyre pretty much as good as xtr, just a bit heavier, but theyll last much longer. i would think that that cassette would be causing problems with shifting aswell.

[felixR]

I've also decided to lock out the top cog as the chainline was shocking on it in any case. It'll also give me a bit of protection now (my chain will never get sucked up between the cog/spokes).
damm i should have bought a 9spd cassette so i could do the same thing!

[Justin Fox]

So does that mean you left the last click in your shifter redundant?
Nope. You simply adjust the limit screw on the rear derailleur to the 2nd last cog. There is no extra click on the shifter. Pretty simple and very effective!


go XT!!! theyre pretty much as good as xtr, just a bit heavier, but theyll last much longer. i would think that that cassette would be causing problems with shifting aswell.
Too right! Only 30g heavier and half the price. XTR cassette's are on sale on CRC at the moment though for $133. Not bad! XT cassettes are $76.

PS: I actually think my rear derailleur hanger is a bit bent. Will look into it.

[Clifton]

damm i should have bought a 9spd cassette so i could do the same thing!

the spacing is different so it wouldnt have worked felix :(

[evil]

still looks good mr fox...

we all know it had bling bits :P

[felixR]

the spacing is different so it wouldnt have worked felix :(
ohh right right..

yeah still looks good justin

[Gekigengar]

Nope. You simply adjust the limit screw on the rear derailleur to the 2nd last cog. There is no extra click on the shifter. Pretty simple and very effective!



Bah? im baffled. So you still have 9 working clciks in the shifter that range over 8 cogs?

Maybe you should put that plastic protector thing back in just for extra protection!! ;)

[Clifton]

nah tim its pretty much limited to 8 clicks, just like my front shifter has only two.. it wont let me go to 3rd

[taibo]

Bah? im baffled. So you still have 9 working clciks in the shifter that range over 8 cogs?

Maybe you should put that plastic protector thing back in just for extra protection!! ;)

plastic POS protector thing does absolutely nothing as i found out. chain will still get sucked in between the cassette and spokes. if you adjust your limit screws right, it really shouldnt be a problem running all 9 speeds.

[singletrack]

plastic POS protector thing does absolutely nothing as i found out. chain will still get sucked in between the cassette and spokes. if you adjust your limit screws right, it really shouldnt be a problem running all 9 speeds.

yep. adjust it correctly and you will be fine. nothing worse than chain into spokes@!!!!

[Justin Fox]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3191186280_393f5b0b18_o.jpg
Gotta love eBay.

OK just to totally rule out the bent derailleur hanger I got a new one, it came all the way from Israel! It's beautifully machined, and lighter than the stock item too.

I've fitted it, and nope, it's still got an issue with the big cog. The bike's soooo much smoother shifting AND running now though with the shimano gear cables and XTR chain, it's like a new bike as it sounds so smooth and feels a lot faster. I've ordered a new XTR cassette so I'm hoping that will be the fix, if not then I assume it's a bent rear derailleur.

[Sp33dY]

Sounds like a good excuse to save more parts for another bike build :P

[Justin Fox]

I'm itching to build MOOOORE!

[felixR]

yep. adjust it correctly and you will be fine. nothing worse than chain into spokes@!!!!
that's happened to me a few times! :mad:

[Justin Fox]

OK my cassette came in today and shock horror it's not an XTR cassette but an XT one! I must have been feeling a little poor when I ordered it LOL.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3192296559_9af7fc7749_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3192296085_4204bfe60e_o.jpg

Now, how's this, the shifting's damn amazing!!! So yes, 100% it was a worn, or always crap Ti cassette (cost me sooo much too). Never again!!!

Sad thing is that it's a lot heavier than the Ti cassette. The Ti caseette was 179g and the XT is 296g. Small price to pay for perfect shifting though! I'm happy :)

[Clifton]

oh well! having smooth gears is worth the extra weight!

[evil]

awesome has always Justin.

[felixR]

sweet! makes me more excited about my XT cassette :)

[a.davis12]

Sad thing is that it's a lot heavier than the Ti cassette. The Ti caseette was 179g and the XT is 296g. Small price to pay for perfect shifting though! I'm happy :)

weighty schmeity.
weight so close to the centre of wheel won't make that much difference.

[Justin Fox]

Too right a!

[a.davis12]

OK just to totally rule out the bent derailleur hanger I got a new one, it came all the way from Israel!


:o think of your carbon footprint:p
you don't have a set of weenie hope wheels sitting around do you?
i dont like my ss roadie and i want to make an urban assualt 1 x 9 mtb:D

[DANNY]

I thought you'd be all modded out by now Justin! :D

[Justin Fox]

I'm not modding! I am replacing! It's all drivetrain wear that I'm replacing Danny. Bike's are cheap to run, chains, cassettes and middle rings. I just hope I don't have to replace bearings and suspension!!!

[DANNY]

Just looks like a lot of work!...which in the end makes it all worth while!...Kinda makes me wish I could come over - watch and learn! I reckon I'd probably learn a tonne of stuff (not just something new) every time! :D

[Justin Fox]

For sure Danny. I hold bike nights fairly often but there's a lack of space. Last bike night we had 10 or so guys working on 2 bikes and it was a bit mega hektik.

Zi owns a shop though out near Padstow and it's massive, so we might do a bike night there soon so we can accomodate everyone.

[Lorday]

Bike looks good without that bullshit gold cable. HOWEVER you got to do something about that red anno on the seatpost.

[Lorday]

...and the logos on the handle bars.

[ukalipt]

... and the fool throwing the leg over it.
duh i said that out loud.

[Justin Fox]

HAHA nooooo it's not about the looks! This is an 07 bike keeping up with everyone's 09's :p

[singletrack]

OK my cassette came in today and shock horror it's not an XTR cassette but an XT one! I must have been feeling a little poor when I ordered it LOL.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3192296559_9af7fc7749_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3192296085_4204bfe60e_o.jpg

Now, how's this, the shifting's damn amazing!!! So yes, 100% it was a worn, or always crap Ti cassette (cost me sooo much too). Never again!!!

Sad thing is that it's a lot heavier than the Ti cassette. The Ti caseette was 179g and the XT is 296g. Small price to pay for perfect shifting though! I'm happy :)

Same happened to me with XTR cassette. They wear so so quickly under load.

XT is fantastic. Only thing missing there is SRAM shifting ;)

As for the weight... meh.....

hehe

[Justin Fox]

OK the shifting has been awesome. I fine tuned it a little more today. So happy with it not skipping for a change LOL.

I also dropped in to MCC to pick up a 2.1 DTC kevlar bead Small Block 8.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3211548800_3623d8275c_o.jpg
She's pretty light. Should roll faster (I hope?). Will report back on it ASAP.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3478/3210704159_5fcf36715a_o.jpg
Bike's at 13.20kg's now.

[singletrack]

i'm keen to see how they ride :) do they come in a 2.3 or 2.4?

[Jing]

you need an anthem!

[Justin Fox]

I doubt I'd do a 5ft huck on an Anthem Jing :p Only 2.1's as far as I know Paul.

[Jing]

2.35 i think they come in paul

[TOU93]

i'm keen to see how they ride :) do they come in a 2.3 or 2.4?


Only 2.1's as far as I know Paul.

The Kenda website says they do, but i cant find anywhere that actully sells them.


212512 DTC F/R 26x2.35 Folding 120 30-50 705±37g

[ADAM7935]

anthem<reign

[Justin Fox]

I reckon a 2.35 would have been nice as the 2.1 I have is sooo thin in comparisson to the 2.1 Nevegal up front. It's damn fast on the road though, felt really good today just going around the block.

[Jing]

what about larsens? out roll larsens?

[ukalipt]

yeah, i am really interested in them as rollers as well
both small blocks and larsens. i am going to buy one or the other
for the dirtworks. keep us posted!

[Lorday]

Out roll larsens, and better grip than larsen's/

They do come in 2.35's with are like maxxis 2.4 higrollers (which are hugely chunky)!

[Justin Fox]

I got a CRC shipment today and had some tyres in it. I've got some Ardents and High Rollers to try out over time.

I've been enjoying the Small Block 8 on the rear a lot. It feels dangerous in some situations because it just fails to haul up the bike, and basically just skids and forces me to turn whilst skidding... bu tthat's been what's so fun about them!!! I might leave them on for a bit before I whack a High Roller on the rear.

I've put the Ardent on the front. And WOW. Finally a Maxxis tyre that doesn't lie! It looks fat, unlike their other tyres which sound fat in the specs but look way thin one on the bike. This thing is chunky! Looking forward to trying it out.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/3257109268_d5cc10b368_o.jpg
Quite light considering how baggy it is.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/3257110112_4be0b25c7b_o.jpg
On the bike.

[Justin Fox]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1094/3265196302_3471359a1c_o.jpg

OK I've decided to take off the Ardents for now and test the High Rollers tonight instead. I just thought the Ardents look way too fat!!!

I've also addressed the issue of being a little too stretched out and I've whacked on a short 50mm Funn stem, with rise, to replace the Thomson 70mm stem with zero rise. I'll be playing with bar position tonight too (tweaking them towards me or further away from me). I'm pretty sure that little tweak I'm starting to feel in my shoulders towards the end of rides will go but I wonder how this is going to affect climbing.

[Lorday]

Highrollers and like slow rollers compared to SB8's, but I can understand you need for them if you don't like washed out front ends (happened to me three times on sunday at the dam).

[Parker.]

This bike just gets blinger and blinger every time I see it!

[MrThanh]

i'll take those ardents off you if you dont want them justin :D

[Tomas]

JF, you've gone to short with the 50mm. You may find it 'better' or 'more control' or whatever, but learning to ride fast and controlled on a 70mm is good for your riding. Especially on trail bikes which are steep as in the HA.

Looks good though.

[Justin Fox]

i'll take those ardents off you if you dont want them justin :D
It's yours, never used so so long as you pay up the CRC price I'm happy to hand them over before Clifton "borrows" them!


JF, you've gone to short with the 50mm. You may find it 'better' or 'more control' or whatever, but learning to ride fast and controlled on a 70mm is good for your riding. Especially on trail bikes which are steep as in the HA.
I don't know man. I'm loving it actually. I've gone from 90, to 70 and 70 I felt a tweak in my shoulder but not so with the 50. I'm climbing just as good as before but descending faster and more confidently. I say it's a win.

[MrThanh]

no worries justin. Just let me know how much and i'll netbank it to you. Takes forever to check crc on my phone. I'll grab them off you on sunday if you remember to bring them :)

[Justin Fox]

Cool Thanh, CRC price is: $54.08 AUD

Sunday will bring!

[MrThanh]

can i just "borrow" them instead? Lol

Kidding sent you some cashola through netbank.

[Clifton]

It's yours, never used so so long as you pay up the CRC price I'm happy to hand them over before Clifton "borrows" them!

damn it! haha

[Justin Fox]

LOL too late Cliffy!

[Justin Fox]

Modding never ends!

I've decided to go back to 175mm cranks (instead of my XTR's at 165mm) as I distinctly felt a difference in power (I know some people on the net argue that you can't feel the difference, they can argue all they like!).

XTR's are almost $1k these days so I settled for XT.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3417821852_1b97c75bb6_o.jpg

She's getting heavier and heavier (now 13.54kg) and less and less bling!!!

[a.davis12]

XT is bling and better! now you wont have to spend 5 million dollars on new chainrings.

[singletrack]

Modding never ends!

I've decided to go back to 175mm cranks (instead of my XTR's at 165mm) as I distinctly felt a difference in power (I know some people on the net argue that you can't feel the difference, they can argue all they like!).

XTR's are almost $1k these days so I settled for XT.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3417821852_1b97c75bb6_o.jpg

She's getting heavier and heavier (now 13.54kg) and less and less bling!!!

bonus of 165mm is better pedal clearance and when it comes to big (ish) trail bikes i doubt 10mm will make a difference in power output.... but i don't know as i've only ever ridden 17mm cranks :p

13.54kg is damn light for the stuff you have hanging off that mate.... bloody light!

visually i reckon the XT's are nicer :) all you need now is a bash ring and to bin the big ring!

[Lorday]

.... but i don't know as i've only ever ridden 17mm cranks :p


..you've been giong for ALOT of clearance then?

Looking good, just don't neglect the reign for the anthem.

[Justin Fox]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3568089639_490ca5f1de_o.jpg

Funny reading Lorday's last post above. I did neglect it.

I hadn't ridden this bike since I bought the Anthem but I rode it last Monday night at Loftus and the Reign was a shitload more fun straight from the carpark.

I was bunny hopping and popping wheelies (well, attempting to). The Reign felt like a downhill bike in comparisson to the Anthem, it's just so so plush and so so playful.

I absolutely bombed and plowed through everything, didn't bother picking a line at all and it just felt so good, even when I failed to see ruts in the ground the Reign just saved my ass and I didn't even begin to worry. On the DH stuff I even found myself pedalling hard. A couple of times the rear came out and I didn't get that "oh shit" feeling, it just felt right. I even did a 2 wheel drift into one corner, it felt so right, the bike makes me feel like a hero.

Having said that: I was a LOT slower on the steep uphills and also the gradual climbs, clip-ins would have helped a lot for sure, but hey, still made it up, no worries. I also found that on technical uphills it's so much better than the Anthem.

One other thing: Geometry. Ben mentioned not having to ever adjust his saddle height on his Heckler, it makes perfect sense to me now as I felt this too last Monday night on the Reign (I tried to not use the Joplin a few times where I usually would have).

On a bike like the Reign the more relaxed upright position (maybe it's the slacker head angle?) and not being directly over your cranks but more behind them allows you to have a lot more movement on the bike when you're off the saddle going down steppy bits, but on the Anthem I just feel I'm so much more stretched out everywhere and that makes it harder to move around the saddle (especially when moving to the point where your ass is literally on the rear tyre and the saddle's in front of you).

Anyways, enough crapping on. I love this bike. A lot. The Anthem is making me a better rider, for sure. I'm really happy about that. But this kind of bike is much more me. I'm so looking forward to a 2011 Reign next year. :)

[keromx]

whats the point in being the first back in the carpark if you don't have a smile on your face :)...

hope you get to ride this more..

[Justin Fox]

I am so with you Andrew. I am still on a high today from bombing it on Monday night with this bike. That's just so cool.

Sure, everyone was quicker than me on the gradual climbs, flats and steep uphills but I don't think that feels worse than being on the Anthem, taking all the "b-lines" and wishing I was riding the Reign instead.

[Jazzle]

Fun > Fast
=)

[Justin Fox]

Oh, forgot to mention. The saddle hurt my ass as well. I'm 100% on the Fizik Gobi XM now. I'd love to replace all my saddles with one!

[Lorday]

*cough* granny ring *cough*

Two wheel drift = GOD

[Justin Fox]

*cough* granny ring *cough*
I've gotten up the same hill with my single speed (32/16) and can do it middle ring on the Anthem just fine, but not the Reign, go figure.

OK, just dropped in to MCC and picked up some of these, will give them a go next ride.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3569620232_2ab47c420e_o.jpg

[crank]

It seems like everyone is liking the Gobi saddles except me, who hasn't tried one yet. :(

[Tommo]

Love it - so hot. That garage door is awesome for bike photos!! :):)

[Lorday]

The garage door is a bicycle whore. Its had sooo many bikes on it...

[LordOnOne]

It seems like everyone is liking the Gobi saddles except me, who hasn't tried one yet. :(

“Everyone” is a vast overestimation! :loling:

[Tomas]

Bumperoo. JF, im contemplating chaning to a 150mm bike, can you add some feedback on how yours compares to the Anthem etc. etc.

[Justin Fox]

I've set the Anthem up to be a lot more like a trail bike but it's still nowhere near as awesome as the Reign going down (Reign is just so confidence inspiring). It's not as playful either but it climbs better. The Anthem is actually super sketchy when you're flying down loose stuff. I almost lost it going down the downhill bit at Loftus (if you can call it that) a couple of weeks ago.

On technical uphills the Reign is better too.

I am doing nothing on the Anthem but riding A-B now. I try nothing new... I just ride it for fitness. Been lazy lately for sure.

In the end of the day "playful" is the key word I think. If I had to choose only one bike it would be a 6inch travel bike for sure, especially now that they're even lighter than ever.

[Jing]

just read through the whole thread again. Man miss the updates on the reign! :(

[Clifton]

just read through the whole thread again. Man miss the updates on the reign! :(

me too :(

[milkman]

Miss his crazy builds altogether!

Guy needs to ride again!

[Justin Fox]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6017/6000612039_ed313ffa6d_o.jpg

The day after bike night I cleaned up every single component and put the Reign back together (had to otherwise it would have just stayed in bits!). The day after that I tuned it all up and today I took a shot of it. Out of all the bikes I own, this has to be my fave bike. I've learnt so much through it and I've got it set up just how I like it.

Whilst cleaning it and putting it back together I realised that he's (it's a he, see, not a she) pretty beat up. There's scratches on every single component and the frame's a mess (powdercoat finish has cracked and it's really flaking off under the bottom bracket). The rear wheel isn't rolling like it used too, maybe the rear hub needs a service.

Whilst I'm not ready to sell up I do know what I'd be looking out for in a new bike to replace the Reign:

- Unlike the reign it'll have to have full jacket cables all the way through from shifters to derailleurs so that cables will last longer and operate smoother.

- I don't want to see cables touching the frame at all, anywhere. Over the years the cable rubbing from turning the handlebars as well as suspension movement has really damaged the paint on the frame.

- I want the frame to be a LOT lighter than the Reign.

[Nat.]

Whilst cleaning it and putting it back together I realised that he's (it's a he, see, not a she) pretty beat up. There's scratches on every single component and the frame's a mess (powdercoat finish has cracked and it's really flaking off under the bottom bracket).

Thats the best part of owning a bike for a long time. At least for me.. Every chip and scratch tells a story, yeah the bike might not look beautiful to someone else but it ends up being like a faithful old dog to you.

Damn that sounds corny.

Sent from my GT-P1000T using Tapatalk

[Justin Fox]

Corny but 100% Nat. So many bikes have come and gone except the Reign has always stayed.

[milkman]

Glad to see you are back (somewhat!)

[Ride True]

Think it is time for a lap or two of Loftus :)

[Lorday]

Thats the best part of owning a bike for a long time. At least for me.. Every chip and scratch tells a story, yeah the bike might not look beautiful to someone else but it ends up being like a faithful old dog to you.

Damn that sounds corny.

Sent from my GT-P1000T using Tapatalk

This.
There's something nice about clean bike which is worn, scratched and obviously loved. I think I'll actually break down when the gt inally kicks the can (same with the salsa).

[Justin Fox]

Think it is time for a lap or two of Loftus :)

2 laps? You're kidding me right haha. Not done 2 laps of that place since what, 2 years ago?! 1 easy lap, with heaps of breaks at the usual places, then I'm in! :D

[Jing]

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/6001299985_385c66bea0_b.jpg

[Justin Fox]

7?

[keviny]

that means you r going to do 7 laps of Loftus :D

[Justin Fox]

Not even in my dreams ahaha.

[Ride True]

This saturday morning dude.... come out.

[Justin Fox]

World time attack!

[milkman]

Time for a SuperBike66!

http://www.vitalmtb.com/product/feature/First-Ride-Yeti-SB-66-The-Super-Bike,58

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249485_215938148439299_183678731665241_661055_2777 552_n.jpg

[Justin Fox]

$$$$$$$$ :(

[Lambchop]

Not as bad as you might think

[singletrack]

Just get a trance FFS :D

[Justin Fox]

LOL. I don't want to spend more that $500 on bikes right now...

[singletrack]

LOL. I don't want to spend more that $500 on bikes right now...

i hear you :cool:

[Sam.]

I remember reading about this bike on Farkin.net/Rotorburn, it's come a lloonnggg way and I bet it would ride nicely.

[12Lead]

Any updates after the bike night Justin, must be pretty dialed now?
Cheers Todd