Specialized Brain vs. Triad shock for all-around kung fu
Eric has been mashing a single speed hardtail, and he wants a rear shock that’ll let him keep mashing. I say get an all-around bike and smooth out your stroke.
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Lee,
I’m in a quandary as to which bike would best fit my needs, wants, and budget. I currently ride a singlespeed that I just added front suspension to. I like to climb and WANT peddling efficiency (I like to stand and mash as opposed to sit and spin), but I want a bike that will be fun on the downhills too that wont break. I’m a beginner and not very experienced. The trails I ride are mostly XC/all-mountain. I’d also like to do a little XC racing in the near future.
I understand this decision comes down to style but have questions about the peddling efficiency of the FSR with the Triad shock vs with the brain shock (comp vs expert). Can you give me your opinion based on practice as to the performance of these? What is the difference in bob, sitting and standing?
Is it possible to run the Epic and the SJ FSR with a single chainring? If so, what’s involved in setting this up? Is this a dumb idea? My reasoning for this is I like simplicity and would prefer to stand and grind than mess around with a bunch of gears.
I like the epic for its efficiency and I’ve heard the brain shock will work well for my style. I like the FSR because it seems to offer a good balance. I’d like the FSR with a brain shock but not sure I can afford it.
If you have any other suggestions I welcome them. Thank you for your time and I appreciate any help you can offer.
Semper Fidelis,
Eric
Hey Eric,
First, if standing and mashing is your preferred style, then live long and prosper. For most people, stand-and-mash is what you do before you develop a good spin. There are exceptions (Mark Weir is one), but most riders are better off learning to spin. End of speech.
I have a Stumpy with a Brain, and I’ve ridden three iterations of the Triad on my Enduro SL. Just establishing some credibility.
Frame/shock
If you want an all-around weapon, get the Stumpy not the Epic.
If you want a bike that pedals like a hardtail but absorbs bumps, you want a Brain. You can tune it to completely eliminate bob, but that affects the overall plushness of the ride. Coming from a hardtail, though, you won’t know the difference.
If you want a great all-around bike (at a lower price point), the Triad rocks. As far as I’m concerned, it has virtually no bob — but I’ve been sitting and spinning for almost 20 years.
Given budget and all-around kung fu, I say rock a Stumpy with a Triad.
Chain guide
Sure, you can run a guide. Get a flange-mount guide. I suggest a GAMUT P20. Run a 34t ring and an 11-34 cassette. On most trails, this is all the gear you need.
Let there be rock,
— Lee
Lee;
I agree with your recommendation that the stumpy is a great all around weapon. I purchased a Stumpjumper Expert this summer and really have been enjoying it. The only problem I have had is with the Triad. I blew out the rebound after only a few months. Fox covered it under warranty, but I was wondering if you have had any issues with it’s durability. I noticed PUSH no longer provides their upgrade service on this particular shock,so I am wondering if they are prone to failure. I have seen some negative threrads on mountain bike websites, but i am guessing you can find some negative feedback on just about any product out there if you look for it.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks
BL
I haven’t heard anything about that shock, but I’ll tell you this:
PUSH is very selective. They only work on shocks and forks that meet their standards; they want to deliver awesome performance, and if the chassis isn’t up to the task, they don’t bother. If they decide not to work on a particular product, that’s worth noting.