Hi xcx! THANKS!! I'm stoked you found it helpful. 😇

Awesome info Ray.... thanks and will do!

Hey there Rico! (best damn build videos on You Tube!) Interesting! You basically built your own Ultimate and you are one of the first that I have seen that is running that many tokens in the new airspring. Most users (myself included) run no tokens, but you have given me something to think about because that is the only thing I have not done. I'm currently pretty happy with LSC backed off -5 (so 3 out of 15) and I find even one more click adds to the harshness without much more support.... Where are you on LSC?

😂 Thanks for the Kudos! Yeah, I figured I give it a try, since upgrading it was much cheaper than buying a whole new fork. I run the HSC 1 click in from fully open, LSC 3 clicks in from fully open, and rebound 6 clicks in from fully open. I weigh 175lbs. and for what it is I am happy with it for now anyways. Probably will put the Mattoc Expert back on there, after getting the Mattoc Pro for my other bike. Just waiting for Manitou to have another sale on their website again…😉You should get one too, as it seems you’re struggling to find that sweet spot like I did before switching to Manitou. That polished crown would go nice with all of your silver parts on your rig as well, is lighter than the Fox or Pike, is travel adjustable without buying any extra parts, uses an air-chamber for ramp up control rather than tokens, and performs much better too IMO 🍻

@@Onkelrico Awesome info Rico! Looks like you are also running your damper fairly open. The Mattoc is definitely on my radar. I have never owned one much less worked on one but they look pretty easy to service. Are you seeing a massive difference in performance and feel between the pro and expert?

No hands on experience with the Mattoc Pro, only the 2023 Mattoc Expert & R7 Pro, which I loved performance wise. I decided to get the Mattoc Expert over the Pro, since it uses the same chassis as the Pro, just with black CSU, and has an open bath damper like my R7 Pro, minus high speed compression adjuster which honestly I never felt the need to adjust. Only reason why I would want the Mattoc Pro is for being able to adjust the air-spring’s progression without tokens or setting piston height. I might just get another Expert and upgrade to the Infinite Rate Tune “Air-Token” instead. Not sure. Bottom line, super easy to work on and small pump compliance is on par with a Lefty. And that thing (booted version) slides on needle bearings….

Awesome info Frank!

Hi Stephan! Man, I don't have any first hand experience with Ohlins... outside of my old moto days anyway and I have never even ridden with someone on one. I'm hesitant to even give you my opinion because it would just be based off what I have read regarding their 34 fork and may lead you down the wrong path one way or the other and I would hate that. Sorry I couldn't be any real help and thanks for watching and the kind words!🙂

Hey Ray!! Thanks for that! Very much appreciated.😀 I've thought about just switching them out, but 99% of my rides are my local trails and most of those rides I do my preferred loops.... not much adventure in me these days! Speaking of mint bikes, how's that dream bike of yours doing? Has the weather given you any riding time yet? If yes, how did the shakedown ride go?? (still the nicest hardtail I've ever seen!)

@@ThunderStruckMTBI’ve ridden aluminum, carbon and now titanium. I have to agree that titanium really is quite something different. I bomb thru trails with reckless abandon and the frame just eats it up. It just absorbs the impacts so well. The damping properties are true. I ride my lightweight carbon when speed is important to me (like if I’m running errands and pressed for time). When I’m just out enjoying trails and relaxing, then I will choose the titanium.

@@GokkunGuru Oh man, that sounds so freakin' rad and is everything I've always heard. I currently am considering a Turner Nitrous Ti frame as there is one of them at my local trails and he just loves it.... but every time I get on my bike I just don't know how I could have any more fun than what I'm having, so I'm stuck in paralysis by analysis at the moment. Your bike just looks so awesome and is literally my favorite hardtail! 😍

Haha Colin!! A 34 giveaway would have to be OK'd from the head office of TSMTB (aka Mrs TS) and I don't know if she'd give approval or not (too scared to ask), but if she did it would be yours just because of how awesome your country is! Still buzzing from my trip.🦘

@@ThunderStruckMTB you're welcome back anytime!

Hi Tom! Thanks for your feedback on the Pike as it helps to give people another point of view other than just my own. Another 56yr old hardtail rider... cool!! I've heard that your San Quentin is a blast to ride.... enjoy!

Hey there! I'm sorry I have no experience with either fork in regards to turning the LSC to full firm as it's not something I ever do, even on a fork with an actual lockout. As you said, neither one of these forks is intended to do that and both of them would be a pain in the azz to twist the LSC knob to full firm, with the FOX being the hardest because of the shape of the knob.... by the time you got it fully firm, you'd be at the top! The SID and the either the GRIP or FIT 4 fork would be your weapon of choice for a true lockout. Thanks for commenting!

Sup s14!! It's so on point that you said this and I miss selling my Pike Ultimate 2.1 everyday.... still the worst 'upgrade' decision I've ever made and it's not even close.

@@ThunderStruckMTB they are going for cheap so why don't you do a trade or sell one of these forks for the funds?

I have thought about it for a while and I guess is ultimately why I bought the 34. I see less and less new 2.1 130mm Pikes and when I do it is the 51mm offset version. At this point I will eventually settle on one of the forks I have and just ride.

@@ThunderStruckMTB I would go the used route.

I have never owned a Manitou but have heard good things about them, especially recently.

I was thinking 44