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Coil Spring Tuning Basics

7 23 19 Yeti SB165 T2 X01 Complete 1

Coil Spring Tuning Basics

With the launch of the new Yeti SB165 we’ve had a lot of questions. Here we go with some Coil Spring Tuning Basics.

Some very basic principals to start with here.

Coil springs are rated by the weight that creates an inch of spring compression. So a 400lb spring requires 400lbs to compress the first inch and would take 800lbs to compress two inches. However, coil springs are not produced to “exact” standards. That is to say if a coil is offered in say 50lb increments ( example: 350, 400, 450) 400lb spring may actually we anywhere from 376 to 425lbs. That’s a pretty wide range and most quality spring manufactures will have a slightly tighter tolerance, but that’s the concept.

Coil springs are also measured by total length as well as available stroke. Running a coil that is too long or short in either measurement can create problems.

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Confidence with Compression: Adjusting your fork

7 15 19 Compression and Confidence

Confidence with Compression: Adjusting your fork

Confidence with Compression – sort of a vague title right? Am I gaining confidence on trail from compression? Am I confident adjusting my compression? Well, both.

The abridged back story: I had a chance to move further south. BikeCo’s website has been growing at a rate that I can now work remotely mostly and come up to the shop a couple times a week. Anyhow – for the first time since I started bikes I’m consistently riding trails I don’t know. This presents some really fun challenges particularly as I tend to ride solo most the time.

Now I didn’t move and decide I was one of our pro riders looking for the most ridiculous lines possible. Nor did I move and decide I was going to find every gravel trail to take my SB130 on. I’m riding the same basic level of trails but the unknown adds quite a bit to riding. Continue reading Confidence with Compression: Adjusting your fork

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Yeti SB150 XX1 AXS Build

7 12 19 Yeti SB150 XX1 AXS build 1

Yeti SB150 XX1 AXS Build

Enjoy some photos of this Yeti SB150 XX1 AXS Build.

Looking at a frame swap, a factory complete, a semi-custom or a full custom build? BikeCo.com is the shop you want to spec, build, tune and help you dial in after the sale.

This Yeti SB150 features a Fox X2 rear shock with BikeCo Pro Tune designed to maximize small bump compliance and fine tune ramp as well as compression settings. This particular rider is lighter so ensuring the right proprietary blend of oils to maximize flow rate without compromising heat capacity is important. Continue reading Yeti SB150 XX1 AXS Build

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180 vs 203mm Rotors

180 vs 203mm Rotors

Power, Modulation, Heat Capacity and Personality. Let’s look at some differences between 180 vs 203mm rotors (7″ and 8″).


Power

Increasing the radius of the rotor increases the brake’s leverage ratio.

Using Magura HC rotos as an example we measure about 12.7mm of “usable” rotor / pad interface. Picking a point of reference halfway in the usable interface the we come up with a 180mm (7″) rotor at 83.65mm versus the 203mm (8″) at 95.15mm. The change in available leverage around 12%.

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Brian Lopes New Ibis Ripley

4 30 19 Ibis Ripley 4 Brian Lopes Build 1 fb5

Brian Lopes New Ibis Ripley

Check out some shots of BikeCo Pro Rider Brian Lopes’ newest build – the fresh Ibis Ripley!

Ibis’ latest edition of the Ripley stays true to the original’s 29″ wheels, fast acceleration, quick handling as well as a trail slaying personality. Continue reading Brian Lopes New Ibis Ripley

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Magura MT7 First Ride Review

Magura MT7 First Ride Review 1

Magura MT7 First Ride Review

If you’ve followed our blogs you’ve seen a handful of posts on how much I love my Magura MT5 brakes. And I do. But, I had a little extra scratch and wanted to upgrade something. So after living on 5 different bikes the MT5s came off and fresh Magura MT7s went on. Here are some details in a Magura MT7 First Ride Review. Continue reading Magura MT7 First Ride Review

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Kevin Aiello Pro Tips: MTB Cornering Technique

Kevin Aiello Pro Tips Cornering Proper Technique

Kevin Aiello Pro Tips: MTB Cornering Technique

BikeCo Pro Rider Kevin Aiello wants you to corner faster. With more confidence. To have more fun. What a guy right? Let’s take a look at Kevin Aiello’s Pro Tips: MTB Cornering Technique.

Some quick backstory – Kevin came by a few days ago to help with a cockpit setup article for our friends at [R]evolution Magazine. To emphasize his points he gave me a cornering lesson. (Kevin coaches racers as well as average riders these days) Understanding the cornering concept really unlocked the bike setup points – which you can check out here.

First Kevin illustrated some poor technique through a cone drill leaning his body far beyond the bike’s lean angle. Continue reading Kevin Aiello Pro Tips: MTB Cornering Technique

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New to MTB Buyer’s Guide – Wheel Size, Travel & Suspension

New to MTB Buyers Guide Wheel Size Travel Suspension

New to MTB Buyer’s Guide – Wheel Size, Travel & Suspension

Welcome to the second section of our New to MTB Buyer’s Guide. Missed the first? Jump back to it here. Ready to start looking at the actual components? Well here we go.

Let’s go over the key differences on a mountain bike setup.

New to MTB Buyer’s Guide – Wheel Size, Travel & Suspension

Wheel Size

Modern bikes feature 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. It used to be a world of “taller than X’ Y” you’re on this wheel…” Not anymore. Updates in bike geometry and design have produced bikes which cross over height, within reason.

Continue reading New to MTB Buyer’s Guide – Wheel Size, Travel & Suspension