2.4 Bontrager XR4 fits fine (30mm ID rim) and is an excellent all around chunky tire. Adds a bit of Cush but not too much rolling resistance or weight.
I got my Primer last August as I was leaving Whistler for the season, so I didn't get a chance to really put the bike through its paces until recently.
I've only ever ridden burly 160mm dualies around B.C. I was — and still am — full of self-doubt and apprehension when dropping into a trail for the first time on this hardtail.
"Will I be able to do this?"
"No margin for error here. Don't f*ck up."
I've now spent the last couple weeks up and down the coast, revisiting trails one-by-one. From the machine-built flow in Bellingham, to the steep ass gnar of Whistler's west side, I think I'm falling deeper and deeper in love with this whole "steel is real" thing.
It's amazing how quickly the self-doubt disappears — often within the first couple turns. Yes, on occasion, the lack of suspension is quick to remind me when I am being lazy with my body position, but most of the time it just feels like home.
Mostly out of self-preservation, I am picking my way through cleaner lines — lines that feel slower, but somehow, end up just as fast as when I used to "point and shoot". And, of course, this thing is crushing the climbs.
I haven't been this excited in years to ride the same old trails, and I have my Primer to thank for that! Love it!
I got my Primer last August as I was leaving Whistler for the season, so I didn't get a chance to really put the bike through its paces until recently.
I've only ever ridden burly 160mm dualies around B.C. I was — and still am — full of self-doubt and apprehension when dropping into a trail for the first time on this hardtail.
"Will I be able to do this?"
"No margin for error here. Don't f*ck up."
I've now spent the last couple weeks up and down the coast, revisiting trails one-by-one. From the machine-built flow in Bellingham, to the steep ass gnar of Whistler's west side, I think I'm falling deeper and deeper in love with this whole "steel is real" thing.
It's amazing how quickly the self-doubt disappears — often within the first couple turns. Yes, on occasion, the lack of suspension is quick to remind me when I am being lazy with my body position, but most of the time it just feels like home.
Mostly out of self-preservation, I am picking my way through cleaner lines — lines that feel slower, but somehow, end up just as fast as when I used to "point and shoot". And, of course, this thing is crushing the climbs.
I haven't been this excited in years to ride the same old trails, and I have my Primer to thank for that! Love it!
When you get into a groove on a hardtail it's a great thing. I find it best if I don't switch back & forth too much from rear squish to no squish, cause it feels jarring, but after a few weeks of hardtailing you can forget why you thought rear suspension was so great.
I got my Primer last August as I was leaving Whistler for the season, so I didn't get a chance to really put the bike through its paces until recently.
I've only ever ridden burly 160mm dualies around B.C. I was — and still am — full of self-doubt and apprehension when dropping into a trail for the first time on this hardtail.
"Will I be able to do this?"
"No margin for error here. Don't f*ck up."
I've now spent the last couple weeks up and down the coast, revisiting trails one-by-one. From the machine-built flow in Bellingham, to the steep ass gnar of Whistler's west side, I think I'm falling deeper and deeper in love with this whole "steel is real" thing.
It's amazing how quickly the self-doubt disappears — often within the first couple turns. Yes, on occasion, the lack of suspension is quick to remind me when I am being lazy with my body position, but most of the time it just feels like home.
Mostly out of self-preservation, I am picking my way through cleaner lines — lines that feel slower, but somehow, end up just as fast as when I used to "point and shoot". And, of course, this thing is crushing the climbs.
I haven't been this excited in years to ride the same old trails, and I have my Primer to thank for that! Love it!
I know that feeling. Spent the day on my Rootdown yesterday riding forest climbs and rocky descents, but I never once felt at a disadvantage to my full squish.
Rootdown in it's natural habitat
The other view from the bench
Did a bit of A/B testing in the end and took the Stumpy on the final climb and back down. I have to say, it was better on the hardtail (the full squish hit the Buy n Sell a few minutes ago). There is something pure about riding a hardtail in the mountains.
I got my Primer last August as I was leaving Whistler for the season, so I didn't get a chance to really put the bike through its paces until recently.
I've only ever ridden burly 160mm dualies around B.C. I was — and still am — full of self-doubt and apprehension when dropping into a trail for the first time on this hardtail.
"Will I be able to do this?"
"No margin for error here. Don't f*ck up."
I've now spent the last couple weeks up and down the coast, revisiting trails one-by-one. From the machine-built flow in Bellingham, to the steep ass gnar of Whistler's west side, I think I'm falling deeper and deeper in love with this whole "steel is real" thing.
It's amazing how quickly the self-doubt disappears — often within the first couple turns. Yes, on occasion, the lack of suspension is quick to remind me when I am being lazy with my body position, but most of the time it just feels like home.
Mostly out of self-preservation, I am picking my way through cleaner lines — lines that feel slower, but somehow, end up just as fast as when I used to "point and shoot". And, of course, this thing is crushing the climbs.
I haven't been this excited in years to ride the same old trails, and I have my Primer to thank for that! Love it!
I know that feeling. Spent the day on my Rootdown yesterday riding forest climbs and rocky descents, but I never once felt at a disadvantage to my full squish.
Rootdown in it's natural habitat
The other view from the bench
Did a bit of A/B testing in the end and took the Stumpy on the final climb and back down. I have to say, it was better on the hardtail (the full squish hit the Buy n Sell a few minutes ago). There is something pure about riding a hardtail in the mountains.
When you get into a groove on a hardtail it's a great thing. I find it best if I don't switch back & forth too much from rear squish to no squish, cause it feels jarring, but after a few weeks of hardtailing you can forget why you thought rear suspension was so great.
Nice shot!
Thanks!
If nothing else, the hardtail is teaching me to relax and let the bike do its thing underneath me. This is especially so when things get hairy. I find I'm much more aggressive over the front end as well. I love it.
I'm about to swap out the Guide RSC brakes for Shimano XT. All of my other bikes have Shimano brakes, and I am used to their sharp initial bite and modulation profile. I've already found myself ripping down a couple long, steep slabs at scary speeds because of the difference in feel with the Guides.
I'll have to hold my nose with the Shimano/SRAM brake/drivetrain interbreeding, though. lol
I stopped by the Chromag shop yesterday to grab a spare hanger, and also picked up one of Pete Fowler's cleverly designed tools, this Pinner Thru-Tool (above). It uses the rear thru-axle as a handle to remove the 20mm nut holding the Primer's derailleur hanger. So cool!
It was 33°C in the Whistler valley today so I decided to cheat and take the lift to the peak.
I rode the Peak to Creek — bike version! — involving Top of the World, Khyber, Middle of Nowhere, Kashmir, Kush, and Boyd's, all the way back down to Creekside. First time doing it on a hardtail, too.
The Primer crushed the 1500 metre descent in record time for me — it took just over an hour and a half. The 2.8s felt like they had infinite grip in the loose, dusty chutes and I've never attacked this route with as much confidence before.
It was 33°C in the Whistler valley today so I decided to cheat and take the lift to the peak.
I rode the Peak to Creek — bike version! — involving Top of the World, Khyber, Middle of Nowhere, Kashmir, Kush, and Boyd's, all the way back down to Creekside. First time doing it on a hardtail, too.
The Primer crushed the 1500 metre descent in record time for me — it took just over an hour and a half. The 2.8s felt like they had infinite grip in the loose, dusty chutes and I've never attacked this route with as much confidence before.
I love this thing to bits.
Man, you're getting me all fired up to build my primer when I get home from work in a couple weeks! Brakes and handlebar just shipped, all's that is left is to order the fork
Man, you're getting me all fired up to build my primer when I get home from work in a couple weeks! Brakes and handlebar just shipped, all's that is left is to order the fork
Nice! It is such a rad bike. Post your bike when it's built!
Just switched from a DHF DHRII combo to a DHF Rekon combo on my Rootdown. The bike is an absolute rocket up down and on the flats now. Cornering is nearly just as good, braking is adequate, but the speed with the faster rolling rear is unreal. I found myself going way too fast on some local trails!