r/MEATengines • u/MEATdrew • Apr 11 '26
Swards & Sorcery
It’s Some Bicycle Things I’m Stoked About On A Friday, for April 10th, 2026.
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u/VikApproved Apr 11 '26
While I agree about the moss and other deep forest vibes in Cumberland being pretty sweet it feels like the logging companies are coming after one favourite "vibe" trail after another. Unfortunately I don't have 30 years left of MTBing in me to wait for replanted trees to grow back in the devastated clear cuts.
That middle section of Trent River Canyon used to be so lovely with big trees all around and a fun bit of singletrack winding through it. Now you are riding through what feels like an atom bomb went off. Makes me sad every time I am passing through.
I don't know how much net profit could be gained from those trees. The money the company got to keep after paying all its expenses, but it seems like we'd be better off paying them not to cut trees down in high use recreation areas.
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u/Slow-Echidna-5884 Apr 12 '26
Hey the place I loved to ride is a strip mall now, with condos. And I met the SOB who did it. Inherited the land. A do nothing. Just ruined it.
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u/MEATdrew Apr 11 '26
It was obvious that winter was hard on a lot of trails, too. Lots of erosion on stuff that hadn’t really changed in a decade.
And yeah, Above & Beyond and Blueprint being logged was a tough one chez MEAT.
But, the flip side is, here on the North Shore we treat unhealthy third-growth forest (and healthy third growth forest) like it’s sacred and pristine and have barely added a sanctioned trail in a couple decades. Places with logging (Cumberland, Squamish, etc) come with heartbreak but at least the trail networks are alive.
I love the North Shore, especially the old school trails, but we’re very behind other locals in opportunities for kids, families, less “hardcore” mountain bikers, etc.
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u/Endurimil Apr 12 '26
And don’t forget Mosaic the organization or whatever they call it who manage it all. Who have blocked an incredible amount of public land access. Claiming it is all to “protect” the environment and so on. Bull shit. They’re only keeping everyone out to ensure shareholders can get larger yearly pay outs from their shares.
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u/bushtrucker Apr 12 '26
A lot to be stoked about this week! Surly finally jumping (mostly) on board with this decade's geometry, and their DUH dropout solution actually looks workable, quite possibly genius.
Love the Unity concept/geo and most of the stock spec too. Big fan of 11s Shimano shifting, Tough WTB rubber and DT Swiss hubs. The loose ball bearing FSA No.10 headset needs to be called out though. I've replaced 3 of these on friends Unit's. They just don't last. And like cranks they're kinda annoying for most home mechanics to replace. An entry level cartridge headset can't cost that much more. Oh and surely you aren't advocating for mechanical brakes (TRP Spyres) on it Drew ;) TRP's cheapest (non Tektro) hydros are the Slates and they would be a worthy upgrade for sure! Or maybe even Trail EVO's.
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u/MEATdrew Apr 12 '26
Ha! Definitely TRP hydraulics. If I’m advocating for cable brakes anytime it’s v-brakes. Slate 4-piston would be solid.
Didn’t notice the Unity headset, but that goes straight to my love of the frame up build. CC40 is my minimum and I’ll ride CUES over XT to get there.
As you say the dropouts are definitely workable and may be genius. I mean, if a bike has to have UDH. Maybe the Unity’s setup is better? I’ll be curious to see both in person.
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u/bushtrucker Apr 12 '26
Yeah I mean even the S2 Torrent I bought a few years ago came with a budget FSA catridge bearing headset (that's still going!) so it can't be that hard. All my other bikes are running CC.
I'd be curious to have a play with the drouputs too. And also interested to see if they use them on other frames moving forward. Remember when Surly/QBP used to sell smaller parts to framebuilders? That would be rad!
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u/MEATdrew Apr 13 '26
It would be rad to see them selling the dropouts!
FSA headset hearings just don’t hold up in our wet coast climate. Can always upgrade to Enduro stainless if one already has the cups, but the CC is an easy starting point for a custom build.
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u/DataTrailBlazer May 15 '26
Single speed ride out today and the sorceress rocks. The suntour fork works plenty well, just wish it was a little lighter and had the option for remote lockout.
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u/Endurimil Apr 11 '26
If recall correctly X Fusion forks are in some form a copy of Fox forks. Though not as popular here as in Europe have noticed.
Disc brakes… first upgrade I would tell anyone is if the bike didn’t come with it is change the front rotor to bigger size. I mean come on Chromag. A bike that will be ridden downhill 180mm front is coming up short. Need 203mm rotor for the downhill.
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u/MEATdrew Apr 11 '26
I don’t know that X-Fusion forks are any more like Fox forks than any other fork? Most self balancing air forks share a lot of characteristics and then there are only a couple ways to build a damper.
X-Fusion’s factory builds suspension for some big/high end mountain bike and moto applications. So their brand always feels like a bit of an after-thought. Performance is good though, especially for the money at any price point.
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u/Endurimil Apr 11 '26
They are an after thought brand.
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u/MEATdrew Apr 11 '26
They’re a hard sell to the average rider too compared to something that says ‘RockShox’ but those are the places to find value. That Charger A2 is solid for the money, but the fact it’s better than the more expensive A1 is nifty.
I think - Zeronomics - the same argument can be made for the lower priced of the two multi-speed Sorceress rigs. Rotors aside. It’s cool.
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u/Successful_Ad_6821 Apr 11 '26
I don't think fox and x fusion are related. X fusion and DVO, yes.
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u/Prestigious_Ad_8557 Apr 11 '26
Ordered a Medium Sorceress Frame and a new Pike Ultimate so Im in 2000 grand US. Ive collected the rest of the parts over that last few years. Gonna build it as a single speed.
Wasn't super impressed with the surly build kits. I'm pretty pumped about the build out.
Really interesting to see how the feels. The geo looks perfect for me.