“magic middle” is what marketing thought up to sell the middle mode of a three-position damper. In this case, it does look like they have tuned that middle mode more specifically to the Epic. Scott has had the traction mode on their models for the past few years that even decreases effective travel, Trek had RE:aktiv in the past with some trick damping. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/inside_trek/reaktiv/
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Yes of course it’s marketing, it’s just a higher compression mode to add a platform to the shock…
…which is what I did to setup my DPS. It may not be the same, but the principle is. And yes I’m assuming that’s what the RX XC tune is on the paperwork, an Epic specific tune - as many other do which thier bikes - to suit the leverage ratios and intended use.
My previous (well, it’s still in the man cave waiting to sell) was a Spark RC, I used the middle aka Traction most of the time.
Anyway it doesn’t matter, the best thing vs the Sparks is that once set I never felt the need to change it during the race.
Anyone got a neat solution for when that Epic cable guide falls out of your head tube during a race… ?
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The weight difference is the damper between like for like Factory vs the lower levels. The FIT4 was 75gr lighter than the basic GRIP. The GRIP damper is the better unit, the FIT4 is just lighter.
2024 unweighed (Fox says 60gr lighter than FIT4): https://r2-bike.com/FOX-Suspension-Fork-2025-29-SC-Float-34-F-S-120-Step-Cast-GRIP-SL-Factory-Boost-shiny-orange-Kabolt-SL-15x110-mm-tapered-44-mm-Offset
Prior FIT4 Factory: https://r2-bike.com/FOX-Suspension-Fork-2022-29-SC-Float-34-F-S-120-Step-Cast-3-Pos-Adjust-FIT4-Factory-Boost-shiny-black-Kabolt-15x110-mm-tapered-44-mm-Rake
Prior Performance Grip (note lever on TA): https://r2-bike.com/FOX-Suspension-Fork-2025-29-SC-Float-34-P-S-120-Step-Cast-3-Pos-GRIP-Performance-Boost-matte-black-15QRx110-mm-tapered-44-mm-Offset
When you start putting in more miles and hours on the mountain bike, so you change to a different shoe?
I’ve been running SWorks Recon SL shoes, and they feel pretty great until about hour 3. The feet start to ache, maybe the feet are swelling.
I’ve wondered if getting a set of the new Recons that flex a bit or something else would help.
I’ve always wanted to try Shimano, but never had.
Can sitting too low cause issues with your feet?
I know it’s a lot of questions, just trying to figure this out. I’ve had many times where my feet stop be from riding longer and not my legs.
Does keeping your shoes looser help? I keep my shoes on the loose side, and it accommodates any foot swelling for quite a while.
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I have this problem with my SIDI gravel shoes. They feel great until about hot 3, when my left smallest toe starts to hurt. I think it’s a fit problem - not sure if it has to do with swelling or not because I don’t have that problem with my XC race shoes (also SIDI). Can you adjust the different boas differently? That might help if you start the ride with a looser fit as another poster suggested…
I can adjust, I’ll see if that gets me past that point.
I had the same issue on long mtb rides (4+ hours) and no issues on gravel rides. The more technical the terrain the quicker they would get sore (I’m assuming because I drop my heels a lot more on steep/gnarly descents?) Different insoles with more arch support resolved the problem for me.
Exactly, road and gravel don’t seem to cause issue
I would try Shimano. My xc9 don’t give me any issues. 6 hour plus rides multiple times and I don’t even think about shoes
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I have the Shimano XC9 MTB and RX8 gravel shoes and they are really stiff. I’ve been having hot spot pain under the balls of my feet on hard rides over 2 hours long and just moved my cleats back to see if that would help. My first ride with new cleat position was today and right at 2 hours. No pain under the balls of feet so that was good. If I ever buy another Shimano MTB shoe I think I’d go with the XC7 as it may be less stiff.
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The SWorks are also stiff. That’s why I asked about maybe something that flexed a bit.
If you can go farther or longer, then it would be worth it.
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anybody been getting time on the nextie alpha wheelset? I know some people recently ordered / received. but don’t remember hearing feedback on those yet, reviews are non existent
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Not yet, but soon. I think most of us who ordered got the carbon spokes which were out of stock until very recently so stuff is just shipping now.
Carbon spokes, interesting. Any other benefit other than weight savings? They seem to indicate the wheel should accelerate better, but seems like a lot of $ per grams
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I currently own (2) carbon spoke wheels and I have been impressed with them. I was worried when I purchased my first wheelset
IIRC 3-4 years ago but had no hesitation with my 2nd set last year.
Here is what I learned along the way when doing the research.
1.) Carbon spokes at 270mm weight just at 2.6g (aero spoke) vs a traditional Sapim CX-Ray at 4.25g.
2.) The tensile strength of the aero spoke is 440kg where compared to the Sapim CX-Ray is 323kg
3.) Carbon spokes have actually been around for a while, but price of entry caused them to be used mainly at pro-level. It is not until recently that we have seen the the price barrier come down.
So, the carbon spoke is lighter and stronger from testing, my personal experience on my road wheels is they offer amazing rigidity and response. This is my first MTB wheelset with carbon spokes, but my theory is that if a stick or strike is going to take one of the carbon spokes out, it will probably do the same to the aluminum.
My Vista-Alpha wheelset is due to ship this week also, I will update with pictures when they arrive.
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Probably means the shoe doesn’t fit your foot. Any shoe recommendations wont help because no one knows your foot shape.
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Looks like the way to go is the Epic Evo and then make an Epic 8 out of it. Makes sense. Love that color.
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