Review: Fezzari's New 2021 Delano Peak
The Delano Peak is Fezzari's take on a modern trail bike, a brand new addition to their lineup that has 135mm of rear travel, a 150mm fork, and 29” wheels.
My carbon-framed test bike came with the Elite build kit, which includes a Shimano 12-speed XT drivetrain and 4-piston brakes, a 150mm Fox 36 Factory Elite fork, Fox DPX2 shock, and Stan's Flow wheels. Fezzari is a consumer-direct brand, but they offer a level of customization that's similar to what you'd get if you purchased a bike from a shop. Things like dropper post and stem length can be adjusted to suit the rider's height, and in my case I was able to run a 200mm PNW Components dropper.
My carbon-framed test bike came with the Elite build kit, which includes a Shimano 12-speed XT drivetrain and 4-piston brakes, a 150mm Fox 36 Factory Elite fork, Fox DPX2 shock, and Stan's Flow wheels. Fezzari is a consumer-direct brand, but they offer a level of customization that's similar to what you'd get if you purchased a bike from a shop. Things like dropper post and stem length can be adjusted to suit the rider's height, and in my case I was able to run a 200mm PNW Components dropper.
Delano Peak Details
• Wheel size: 29"
• Frame construction: carbon fiber
• Travel: 135mm (r) / 150mm (f)
• 65- or 65.4-degree head angle
• 434mm chainstays
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Weight: 31.4 lb (w/o pedals, size large)
• Price: $4,619 USD as shown
• Frame only: $2,299 USD
• www.fezzari.com
• Wheel size: 29"
• Frame construction: carbon fiber
• Travel: 135mm (r) / 150mm (f)
• 65- or 65.4-degree head angle
• 434mm chainstays
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Weight: 31.4 lb (w/o pedals, size large)
• Price: $4,619 USD as shown
• Frame only: $2,299 USD
• www.fezzari.com
There are also several different tire options – I went with the Maxxis Assegai / Dissector combo, a pairing that's become quite popular in the Pacific Northwest, for good reason.
The Delano Peak Elite is priced at $4,499, and that PNW Bachelor price bumps that number up by $120. The base model version of the bike is the $3,499 Delano Peak Comp, which is spec'd with a DVO Diamond fork and Topaz shock, and a Shimano 12-speed drivetrain. The top-level Pro model goes for $6,499, and has a SRAM X01 drivetrain, ENVE's AM30 carbon wheels, and SRAM Code RSC brakes.
 | It's an easy bike to get off the ground, whether that's to pop off the lip of a jump, or to skim over a chunky section of trail |
Construction and Features
Last year when I reviewed the La Sal Peak, the Delano Peak's longer travel sibling, I mentioned that I wasn't a fan of the kink in the top tube. It didn't do anything to affect that bike's performance, but there was something about it that made me twitch a little. That kink is nowhere to be seen on the Delano, which makes the front of the bike much more pleasing to the eye.
The bike's carbon frame has room for not just one or two but three water bottles – eat your heart out Mike Levy. Yes, one of those mounting points is under the downtube, so that doesn't really count, but still, there are plenty of options for attaching water bottles, tubes, and tools to the frame.
![Fezzari Delano Peak review]()
![Fezzari Delano Peak review]()
Fezzari worked hard to keep the standover height as low as possible, and to make sure that riders would be able to run dropper posts with as much drop as they wanted. Even a size small, which has a 400mm seat tube length, has enough room for 300mm of post insertion.
There's internal cable routing for the dropper, derailleur, and rear brake, although it can take some fiddling to keep things quiet, since there aren't any guide tubes to prevent the housing from slapping against the inside of the frame. Other details include SRAM's Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH), a threaded bottom bracket, and ISCG-O5 tabs.
![Fezzari Delano Peak review]()
![Fezzari Delano Peak review]()
![Fezzari Delano Peak review]()
Last year when I reviewed the La Sal Peak, the Delano Peak's longer travel sibling, I mentioned that I wasn't a fan of the kink in the top tube. It didn't do anything to affect that bike's performance, but there was something about it that made me twitch a little. That kink is nowhere to be seen on the Delano, which makes the front of the bike much more pleasing to the eye.
The bike's carbon frame has room for not just one or two but three water bottles – eat your heart out Mike Levy. Yes, one of those mounting points is under the downtube, so that doesn't really count, but still, there are plenty of options for attaching water bottles, tubes, and tools to the frame.
There's room for holding two water bottles inside the front triangle on larger sizes.
The chainslap protection isn't the best - the ridges aren't that tall, and the material isn't that all soft.
Fezzari worked hard to keep the standover height as low as possible, and to make sure that riders would be able to run dropper posts with as much drop as they wanted. Even a size small, which has a 400mm seat tube length, has enough room for 300mm of post insertion.
There's internal cable routing for the dropper, derailleur, and rear brake, although it can take some fiddling to keep things quiet, since there aren't any guide tubes to prevent the housing from slapping against the inside of the frame. Other details include SRAM's Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH), a threaded bottom bracket, and ISCG-O5 tabs.
Geometry & Sizing
The Delano Peak's geometry numbers aren't all that different from those of Fezzari's 150mm La Sal Peak, a reflection of how the slack head angle trend continues to trickle down into the trail and downcountry categories. With a 150mm fork the head angle is 65 degrees, which can be steepened to 65.4-degrees, a move that also allows the bike to accept a 27.5 x 2.8” tire.
The reach on a size large is 480mm, and the seat tube angle is relatively steep 77.5 degrees. All of those numbers fall squarely into the 'modern' category, in line with what we're seeing quickly become the norm for an all-rounder like the Delano.
The Delano Peak's geometry numbers aren't all that different from those of Fezzari's 150mm La Sal Peak, a reflection of how the slack head angle trend continues to trickle down into the trail and downcountry categories. With a 150mm fork the head angle is 65 degrees, which can be steepened to 65.4-degrees, a move that also allows the bike to accept a 27.5 x 2.8” tire.
The reach on a size large is 480mm, and the seat tube angle is relatively steep 77.5 degrees. All of those numbers fall squarely into the 'modern' category, in line with what we're seeing quickly become the norm for an all-rounder like the Delano.
Suspension Design
A tried-and-true Horst Link suspension layout takes care of the Delano Peak's 135mm of rear travel. Anti-squat sits at 102% at sag, and decreases as the bike goes through its travel. The leverage curve is regressive up to the sag point, and then it's progressive for the remainder of the travel, going from a leverage ratio of 2.8 at sag to 2.31 at full compression.
| Specifications | ||
| Price | $4619 | |
| Travel | 140mm | |
| Rear Shock | Fox Float DPX2, 210 x 50mm | |
| Fork | Fox 36, Performance Elite, 150mm | |
| Headset | Cane Creek 40 | |
| Cassette | Shimano XT, CS-M8100, HG+ 10-51T, 12 Speed | |
| Crankarms | Shimano XT, FC-M8100 | |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano BB-MT800 | |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT 12-speed | |
| Chain | Shimano CN-M7100 | |
| Shifter Pods | Shimano XT 12-speed | |
| Handlebar | Fezzari FRD Charger35, alloy | |
| Stem | Fezzari FRD Charger35 | |
| Grips | Ergon GA-20 | |
| Brakes | Shimano BL-M8100, 4 piston, 180mm SM-RT86 Rotors | |
| Hubs | Stan's Neo | |
| Spokes | Sapim Race 14G | |
| Rim | Stan's Flow S1 | |
| Tires | Maxxis Assegai 2.5" / Maxxis Dissector 2.4" | |
| Seat | Ergon SM Stealth | |
| Seatpost | PNW Bachelor 200mm with Loam Lever | |
Test Bike Setup
Other than swapping out the grips and installing a 40mm stem I didn't need to do any other parts swaps to get the bike ready to rally.
After a few rides I swapped out the .6in volume spacer for a .86in spacer to gain some more end stroke ramp up. That spacer helped out, and I ended up running 220psi in the DPX2 for 14mm / 28% sag.
Up front, I ran 87 psi in the Fox 36, with the following compression and rebound settings (all clicks counted from closed): HSC: 4, LSC 10, HSR 5, LSR, 5.
Testing took place in Bellingham, Washington, with the full spectrum of early summer conditions, from drizzly and muddy to dry and dusty.
Other than swapping out the grips and installing a 40mm stem I didn't need to do any other parts swaps to get the bike ready to rally.
After a few rides I swapped out the .6in volume spacer for a .86in spacer to gain some more end stroke ramp up. That spacer helped out, and I ended up running 220psi in the DPX2 for 14mm / 28% sag.
Up front, I ran 87 psi in the Fox 36, with the following compression and rebound settings (all clicks counted from closed): HSC: 4, LSC 10, HSR 5, LSR, 5.
Testing took place in Bellingham, Washington, with the full spectrum of early summer conditions, from drizzly and muddy to dry and dusty.
Mike Kazimer
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Age: 37
Height: 5'11" / 180cm
Inseam: 33" / 84cm
Weight: 160 lbs / 72.6 kg
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @mikekazimer
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Age: 37
Height: 5'11" / 180cm
Inseam: 33" / 84cm
Weight: 160 lbs / 72.6 kg
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @mikekazimer
Climbing
The Delano Peak is an extremely easy bike to get along with. The climbing position was upright and comfortable without being cramped, and I didn't ever feel like I was fighting to navigate through tighter section of trail.
This is a bike that feels lighter than it actually is – I didn't put it onto the scale until I was done with testing, but I would have guessed it was easily a pound or two lighter than what the scale showed. Gram conscious rider could easily shave weight by swapping out some of those aluminum parts for carbon, but there's really no need – as it is, the Delano feels well suited to long trail rides with lots climbs and descents.
I did make use of the compression lever on the DPX2 on the climbs, and on more rolling terrain as well. In the fully open position the Delano Peak's suspension is fairly active, manners that used to go hand in hand with a Horst Link suspension design, although that's changed in recent years as engineers get clever with their pivot placements.
![Fezzari Delano Peak review]()
The Delano Peak is an extremely easy bike to get along with. The climbing position was upright and comfortable without being cramped, and I didn't ever feel like I was fighting to navigate through tighter section of trail.
This is a bike that feels lighter than it actually is – I didn't put it onto the scale until I was done with testing, but I would have guessed it was easily a pound or two lighter than what the scale showed. Gram conscious rider could easily shave weight by swapping out some of those aluminum parts for carbon, but there's really no need – as it is, the Delano feels well suited to long trail rides with lots climbs and descents.
I did make use of the compression lever on the DPX2 on the climbs, and on more rolling terrain as well. In the fully open position the Delano Peak's suspension is fairly active, manners that used to go hand in hand with a Horst Link suspension design, although that's changed in recent years as engineers get clever with their pivot placements.
Descending
The Delano Peak's geometry felt very familiar, likely due in part to the fact that those numbers are nearly identical to the Norco Optic I've been using this year as my personal test sled. The Delano Peak has 10mm more travel at the front and rear, but the fact that the reach, head angle, and chainstay length are nearly identical meant that I didn't need to re-train my brain to get accustomed to the handling.
Slower speed, technical puzzles are where the Delano Peak felt most at home, those awkward bits of trail where you might need to do a little rear wheel lift here, and a shimmy around a tree there to get through without dabbing. It's an easy bike to get off the ground, whether that's to pop off the lip of a jump, or to skim over a chunky section of trail. That trait allowed it to perform well on steep trails, as long as they weren't too rough – I never felt like I had to fight it to make a line choice change or switch my angle of approach when coming into a corner.
The DPX2 shock's compression tune felt very light, and just like on the climbs, I ended up spending a lot of time with the 3-position dial in the middle setting for more support, reserving the full open position for times when I wanted maximum traction and didn't mind the reduced platform. The open position can be fine tuned to add more low-speed compression, but I do think Fezzari could have gone with a slightly firmer tune without any issues. Up front, that new 36 was smooth and silent, and I didn't need to stray far from the suggested base settings to find a comfortable set up.
The Delano Peak's limits start to appear at higher speeds and in rougher terrain. 'Twangy' is the best adjective I can come up with to describe how the frame felt when things got extra-hectic. It's a little more country and a little less rock-and-roll than, say, the Nukeproof Reactor – there's only so far that it can be pushed before you're reminded that you're not on an enduro bike. Riders who are able to make better line choices and adopt a more energetic riding style will get more out of the Delano Peak than those who want to smash through everything.
![Fezzari Delano Peak review]()
The Delano Peak's geometry felt very familiar, likely due in part to the fact that those numbers are nearly identical to the Norco Optic I've been using this year as my personal test sled. The Delano Peak has 10mm more travel at the front and rear, but the fact that the reach, head angle, and chainstay length are nearly identical meant that I didn't need to re-train my brain to get accustomed to the handling.
Slower speed, technical puzzles are where the Delano Peak felt most at home, those awkward bits of trail where you might need to do a little rear wheel lift here, and a shimmy around a tree there to get through without dabbing. It's an easy bike to get off the ground, whether that's to pop off the lip of a jump, or to skim over a chunky section of trail. That trait allowed it to perform well on steep trails, as long as they weren't too rough – I never felt like I had to fight it to make a line choice change or switch my angle of approach when coming into a corner.
The DPX2 shock's compression tune felt very light, and just like on the climbs, I ended up spending a lot of time with the 3-position dial in the middle setting for more support, reserving the full open position for times when I wanted maximum traction and didn't mind the reduced platform. The open position can be fine tuned to add more low-speed compression, but I do think Fezzari could have gone with a slightly firmer tune without any issues. Up front, that new 36 was smooth and silent, and I didn't need to stray far from the suggested base settings to find a comfortable set up.
The Delano Peak's limits start to appear at higher speeds and in rougher terrain. 'Twangy' is the best adjective I can come up with to describe how the frame felt when things got extra-hectic. It's a little more country and a little less rock-and-roll than, say, the Nukeproof Reactor – there's only so far that it can be pushed before you're reminded that you're not on an enduro bike. Riders who are able to make better line choices and adopt a more energetic riding style will get more out of the Delano Peak than those who want to smash through everything.
Fezzari Delano Peak
Santa Cruz Hightower
How does it compare?
The Santa Cruz Hightower is a close contemporary to the Delano Peak as far as geometry and intended use goes. The Hightower has a little more rear travel – 140mm vs. the Fezarri's 135, but both bikes come with a 150mm fork. The Fezzari has a 65-degree head, just .2 degrees slacker than the Santa Cruz.
The Fezzari wins the seat angle war, but the Highower's slightly shorter front center means that both bikes feel pretty similar when during seated pedaling. When it comes to efficiency, the Hightower feels a little calmer during hard climbing efforts, although neither bike feels like its sapping away too much energy on the climbs.
On the descents, the Hightower does a better job of handling bigger hits and remaining calm in rough terrain, due in part to the stiffer frame and the lower center of gravity. The Delano Peak starts to falter earlier than the Hightower – I felt like I was reaching its limit sooner than I did on the Hightower.
One area where the Hightower can't touch the Fezzari is the price – it's almost $1,000 more to purchase a similarly spec'd Santa Cruz.
While we're comparing bikes, let's toss the new Commencal TR into the mix. I've been able to ride the two bikes back to back, an exercise that makes it immediately clear that they don't really fit into the same category. I'd happily take the Meta TR into a bike park, to the starting line of an enduro race, or on a day of shuttling. With the Delano, I'd be more likely to grab it for a big trail ride, or for slower speed, techy adventures. The Meta was built for high-speed charging, while the Delano doesn't mind if you feel like taking it easy on an after-work cruise.
Maxxis Dissector
PNW Components Loam Lever
Technical Report
Searching for Silence: I spent a decent amount of time working to quiet the Delano Peak down. My first task was to keep the housing from rattling inside the frame. There was foam on the dropper post housing, but not on the derailleur or brake, so disconnected the lines, slid a foam sleeve over them, and then realized that the finned XT brake pads were making a racket too... I spread out the retainer that sits between the pads, which did help, but I'd be tempted to purchase some non-finned pads to make things even quieter, improved heat dissipation be damned.
Maxxis Assegai / Dissector combo: This has become my new favorite tire combo for summer riding in the Pacific Northwest. There's loads of grip from the Assegai up front, and the Dissector is predictable in a wide range of conditions while also being relatively fast rolling. Even when the summer rainstorms arrive it's still a viable option for wet weather riding – it's only when things get really steep and sloppy that something more aggressive in the back would be a good choice.
PNW Components Bachelor: A dropper post with as much travel as possible is a necessity on a bike with a steep seat angle, and in this instance I was able to fit PNW Components' 200mm Bachelor post. It was trouble-free for the duration of testing, and the Loam Lever remains one of the comfiest options on the market.
![Fezzari Delano Peak review]()
Searching for Silence: I spent a decent amount of time working to quiet the Delano Peak down. My first task was to keep the housing from rattling inside the frame. There was foam on the dropper post housing, but not on the derailleur or brake, so disconnected the lines, slid a foam sleeve over them, and then realized that the finned XT brake pads were making a racket too... I spread out the retainer that sits between the pads, which did help, but I'd be tempted to purchase some non-finned pads to make things even quieter, improved heat dissipation be damned.
Maxxis Assegai / Dissector combo: This has become my new favorite tire combo for summer riding in the Pacific Northwest. There's loads of grip from the Assegai up front, and the Dissector is predictable in a wide range of conditions while also being relatively fast rolling. Even when the summer rainstorms arrive it's still a viable option for wet weather riding – it's only when things get really steep and sloppy that something more aggressive in the back would be a good choice.
PNW Components Bachelor: A dropper post with as much travel as possible is a necessity on a bike with a steep seat angle, and in this instance I was able to fit PNW Components' 200mm Bachelor post. It was trouble-free for the duration of testing, and the Loam Lever remains one of the comfiest options on the market.
Pros
+ Well spec'd for the price
+ Very versatile thanks to modern geometry
Cons
- Can feel out of its element on higher speed, rough trails.
- Cable and brake pad rattle take time to quiet down
Pinkbike's Take
| Categorizing bikes can be a challenging endeavor, especially now that we're seeing geometry numbers that used to be found on longer travel DH-oriented bikes trickling down to shorter travel models. Call it an aggressive trail bike, or maybe a shorter travel all-mountain bike; either way, the Delano Peak's well-sorted geometry and part spec give it a high level of versatility. Some of the smaller frame details could use improvement, and riders in search of a mini-enduro bike should look elsewhere, but for rides that encompass a wide range of conditions – up, down, and all-around, the Delano Peak could be a worthy companion. |
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Horst properties are usually associated with Specialized, which, until recently, favoured low anti-squat, low motion ratios (high leverage ratios), and fairly flat motion ratio curves.
DW designs are all done by Dave Weagle. He tailors them to customers' requests, but he definitely imparts his personal preferences on all his designs, so it's not surprising they feel similar.
CBF designs follow the same pattern: Chris Canfield has very specific ideas on kinematics and he creates those for his clients.
Here's the warranty:
Fezzari will repair or replace, at its discretion, any Fezzari frame it determines to be defective for as long as the original registered owner owns the bicycle.
To register your bike, please click here.
LIMITATIONS
Paint finish, original components, and all Fezzari brand repair parts, replacement parts, and accessories are warranted to be free from defects in material workmanship for a period of one year from the original date of purchase. Bearings, bushings, and other frame hardware are wearable parts and have a one year warranty.
Normal wear and tear, claimed defects, and malfunctions or failures that result from abuse, neglect, improper assembly, improper maintenance, alteration, collision, crash, or misuse are excluded. The owner is responsible for all labor charges. Carbon mountain frames purchased prior to August 28, 2017 are covered by a five year warranty.
OTHER TERMS
Unless otherwise provided, the sole remedy under the above warranty, or any implied warranty, is limited to the replacement of defective parts with those of equal or greater value at the sole discretion of Fezzari. Fezzari is not responsible for direct, incidental or consequential damages, including, without limitation, damages for personal injury, property damage, or economic losses.
CRASH REPLACEMENT
We know accidents happen that may not be covered under warranty. In the event of a crash or other non-warranty situation, Fezzari may offer, at its discretion, replacement parts at discounted pricing.
==============
Seems odd when people want to bash options to the more expensive bikes available.
Riding a Trail Pistol now, much more durable, better suspension, more damp, and far better performance.
So yeah, it didn’t work for me AND I lost a bunch of money cuz resale sucks on Fezzari.
Your mileage may vary
You need to be not freewheeling for kickback to have any real affect.
As has been shown many times, recently, by myself and others, coasting kickback is nearly non-existent on any bike. If it does happen, it's not "all or nothing": you wouldn't experience the maximum possible kickback, you would experience only a couple of degrees, if it even occurs.
Pedaling feedback is definitely a real thing, though. As I mentioned, twin-short-link bikes can, but don't always, reduce anti-squat late in the travel to minimize this, but it's not very useful, as no one is pedaling beyond about 50% travel.
Bottom line: No, Horst and twin-short-link designs are not very different in terms of kickback.
It's true most Horst designs decrease in a fairly steady manner throughout the travel. That's true of most designs of all sorts. Many designs have curves that get quirky in the higher (smaller) sprockets, such as rising anti-squat.
There's no reason a Horst will be deeper in the sag than any other design on a climb, so we can dismiss that.
If anything, twin-short-link designs often feature anti-squat that drops more rapidly than Horst designs. Support comes from the spring and the leverage curve, so while there may be a bit more or less bobbing while pedaling, the spring and leverage curve is still what keeps the rider up in the travel (or not).
If your twin-short-link bikes are "zippier" climbers than Horst bikes, it's probably because the former had higher anti-squat, not because of the layout. Same story with traction. Many Horst designs are found on old-school bikes drawn by old-school designers, so the old-school properties were imparted by the designer, not intrinsic properties of the linkage type.
Not worth the savings taking that risk.
When I sold my 4 month old Ripley, they were still in demand and hard to get. I got in on the first batch.
When I tried to take advantage of the demand, people just said they'd wait and get a warranty for a little more.
Which models? I'm hoping the LSP was part of the learning curve for making a sturdy carbon bike. This frame 'looks' burlier and better aesthetically imo.
Some of the fastest locals I know are on the LSP.
I'll be lining up a demo of this one pretty soon.
"North American sales are solid but for the LIFE of me I can't figure out why we haven't sold a SINGLE bike in Central or South America."
indeed!
They also are somewhat following function over form. Two water bottles is a big deal for some people.
Haven't had any durability issues of the crashing assortment. Has stood up to that just fine even though every time I crash my levers bash the top tube because of that silly kink.
As a PC woke comment - should we support a bike that glorifies the name of an ignoble character?
Waki where are you?
Light, cheap, durable.
Pick two
Younger brands like Fezzari tend to get better with every new model released.
Yeah Vital posted a glowing review.
I thought the LSP rear end felt a little flexy, not necessarily a bad thing just an observation, and this model also has the same narrow, ovalized seatstays. Vital did mention the bike tracked really well in flat, rough corners, I think due to the flex in the rear end.
Anyways, for a frame up build there are a few more carbon options (ok, w/ alu rear ends) not far from this pricepoint w/ the Norco Optic and Guerrilla Gravity offerings at about $2500 w/ rear shock. And if YT ever starts selling frame only in N America I think we'll see another spike in those out on the trail.
The new Reverb C1 is actually pretty sweet, I'm stoked with mine. 50+hrs so far and zero maintenance. That's more than I can say for any other dropper I've owned
One of my droppers is 3 years without a service and the second one gets refreshed once a year to help the longevity (15min job - Bikeyoke)
Best of luck with the Reverb gotta break the bad luck finally.
OG 160mm BikeYoke Revive feels new completely untouched for cleaning or maintenance for two years.
Reverb just just doesn't make sense for the consumer.
I've owned the bike for 50hrs of riding so far. Unless you've come up with some way to accelerate wear purely for the purposes of testing stuff to breaking point then I'm not sure what else you expect from me...
50hrs is a win for me considering that for all of the sealed-cartridge posts I've used recently (PNW, Oneup, Race Face) I've had to remove & grease the sealhead at a minimum by this point. Sometimes a couple of times. While they're pretty simple posts and that's really all they ever need short of replacing the cartridge, it's still frustrating.
And if the new 300h service interval that SRAM claims turns out to be correct then it costs you roughly the same as a couple of cartridges over the same time period and you get to use a much nicer post...
Their whole model of direct sales but custom fitted is great. You can custom build a commencals, but $$$.
I mean, people are putting Apples up to their ears - right?
This is all coming from a Santa Cruz owner. I liked the way it rode, telling me that the warranty and bearings are worth $1000+ doesn't really hold water IMO.
Sadly, SC did make him saw the bottom bracket of the bike being replaced.
Have you ever gotten replacement bearings from SC? Here's the deal...they ship you a bag of sealed cartridge bearings (that would otherwise cost you about $30). You have to do the hard work yourself...either removing the old bearings and pressing the new ones, or paying a bike shop to do it.
So...pay $1000 (really $1700) to have a comparable bike and save $30 every two years on bearings when you still have to do the hard work of bearing removal and replacement on your own, or pay a bike shop. Not worth it in the slightest.
Fwiw Yeti/Pivot's etc 36 setup guide would have you running about 68PSI lol. Maybe that's more for us average Joes
With less PSI, it dives too much when I run into stuff or brake too heavy, which as an average Joe, I tend to do a lot of.
I'm never really close to bottom (probably on avg about 10mm left on most rides). When I do get close to bottom, it's usually an OH S**T moment. That last little 10mm has saved me numerous times.
Personally I like a supportive fork. I ride a lot of chunky, rocky terrain where I'm shifting my weight around a lot and I find that easy travel/movement up front is a disadvantage. Plus, as I try to get better at cornering (hard on the front brake, release, turn) I find that without the extra PSI, the fork dives too much. Also, I've found that with longer/slacker, I have to really weight the front of the bike or I lose traction on Colorado's loose marble turns.
I'm probably giving up some small bump compliance with this setup but I do run lower front tire PSI than typical, which gets some of that back.
My 8120s got wandering bite points after a month of riding or so. Bleeding them worked for another month. Not to mention the levers are made out of stamped steel with the strength of warm butter. I bent 2 levers in the first month of ownership just handling bikes, not even falling. I must not be the only person because replacement levers were unobtanium and I had to buy complete lever assemblies.
Just ended up buying a set of code RSCs and haven't had an issue in 2 months. Sram brakes use to be trash, but since the guide came out sram got better and Shimano got to 4 digit numbers and got worse.
"Will the internal cable routing rattle inside the frame like other bikes?
No. We specifically engineered the Delano Peak to minimize cable slap by utilizing our adaptive, future-proof, and rattle-free CleanCatch™ cable management system. The chainstay has internal molded cable routing to the rear derailleur. This makes for easy maintenance and a quiet ride."
hey big mack... how does the Optic climb? It seems like the reviews have been mixed on that, though everyone seems to agree it descends great.
Bros -"Hey what bike is that?"
You- "Oh hey, yeah it's a Rascal"
Bros -"Wait like a Grandma's electric scooter"
You- face palm>
So you're looking at two cars, a Toyota Sienna and a Kia Sedona. Both are very similar vehicles, the Kia is made in an old Toyota plant that Kia re outfitted. You can order more of less the same options, the vehicles look similar, and they have similar designs.
The Kia is less expensive than the Toyota. The Kia does not have quite the same quality and it has a higher cost of ownership because it's not as reliable and it's less durable. When you go to sell these two vehicles, the Kia will have lost more value. Which one would you choose?
So yeah, Fezzari and other direct to consumer companies have been able to reduce costs in various ways and they pass those costs off to the consumer. The consumer gets to to decide if the cost/benefit is a good compromise for them.
I don't think anyone reading this post would ever conclude that a Fezzari is as good as a Santa Cruz, that would be silly, but the Fezzari may be good enough for most folks, and that's what Fezzari is all about.
If he was referring to the handling effect of the bb drop/height, he would have said bb height, not COG.
Until Fezzarri stops cutting corners, actually does their own engineering and QA - and move their manufacture to Taiwan or Vietnam - they will continue to have these issues - and once they do fix them their frames will cost $500-$600 more
Hey Josh, It looks like you are just up the road from us in Salt Lake. Come swing down sometime, i'd be happy to show you around, offer a few insights on our layups, engineering, manufacturing, and maybe even pull back the curtain a bit more on some of our factories. I'm also happy to further explain the business model of direct sales and how we are able to offer the cost savings. When works best for you? - Tyler
Until Fezzarri stops cutting corners, actually does their own engineering and QA - and move their manufacture to Taiwan or Vietnam - they will continue to have these issues - and once they do fix them their frames will cost $500-$600 more
Best stfu response of the month.
youtu.be/JxX-WOM04nw
And other than the fact that is now free of the Specialized patent it is very unclear why manufacturers are still using the Horst link, a system that, as mentioned in passing in the review, pretty much forces you to use your shock lever lock out when you point up hill. It is 1980 technology, thank Mr.Leitner, that was good back then and was somewhat rescued by platform shocks in the early 2000. But it clearly shows its limitations compared to other systems and it does not really represent a good buy.
also the low 30's weights have given us bikes that rarely malfunction/break. i'll take that over fixing stuff often any day.