So Velosolutions is building a paved pumptrack near work, and I think I should take my old 27.5 hardtails out of retirement, for a bike I can ride the 3 miles here (the road is completely flat), play and come back again. .
Ideally I would make it a 26″ bike but I have two sets of 27.5 wheels and not 26, plus my hardtail already has a pretty low BB.
It’s a Bird Zero AM with a 150mm Pike RCT, but I can run that more steady and/or lockout so it pumps better. It currently has a -2 deg Works headset, so I think if I run the fork with minimal sag on a pump track, it will want a normal headset instead (which will give it a static HA of 65.4 degrees so still slack).
I suppose it would be better with some tarmac tires – no point dragging the knobblies around or risking the side handle squirm if I like to rip turns. Not sure what to get?
I need some disc brakes for this – any budget suggestions?
I need some bars and a stem – I’m assuming 760mm and 50mm because that’s what I like on my other bikes (I really like the shape of the Renthal bars, but I don’t know if that matters on a pumptrack bike) . The trunk should not feel flexible!
I have a GX Eagle transmission that is not used, but I also wonder about making it single speed – in case, I would need a tensioner and to figure out which is the best for the pedal from there and back.
I also need a seatpost or a dropper post. The first one is definitely cheaper and won’t go bad, so I’m leaning towards that now…
I’m sure a few of you have already done so, so send me your suggestions!
