Bike update: Commencal EL Camino

Installed Wolf Tooth 42t giant cog on EL Camino 29 er.

Today "Mega range"

Drive train
Shimano XT M771 11-36 cassette (shiny)
Shimano ZEE M640 Shifter (again 1x10 specific)
Shimano ZEE M640 rear derailleur FR (max 11-36 cassette)
Shimano Deore 3x10 crank converted to 1x10 with Race Face NW 32t chain ring (middle ring position, stock bolts used with spacer).
Shimano XT chain with KMC 10 speed missing-link

Installation
Remove chain, remove rear wheel, remove cassette.
Remove 17t cog along with the spacer.
Install WTC GC "shimano" label facing up, install cassette on wheel, torque to spec.
Put the wheel back on bike, install chain (process easier with missing-link).

Tuning tips

Chain length crucial to get this "conversion" working properly.

B-tension screw, quarter turns for precise adjustments.

Adjust the shifting tension with the RD clutch engaged.

Had no problems with installation and tuning. The only issue encountered was unfortunate snapping of the chain on added chain link. Misplaced my additional links that came with chain so the LBS mechanic sourced some 10 speed link from another brand on his parts bin.
The Result was a badly bruised calve from pins of the pedal HULK mash!
Temporary solution until I can get a hold of a single link from XT chain is to put an additional missing link. Rode the bike yesterday with no issues on macgyver hack.
Yet to try the GC on some knee busting climbs, but for now I am satisfied with drive train setup.

READ THIS
Wolf Tooth does not recommend the use of short cage derailleur with 42t GC they have option 40t for that. I need the extra range so...42t regardless.

Play nice guys! WTC 42T cog and ZEE Shorty RD

If you are sensitive to little changes in shifting on your drive train like the gap from removed 17t cog you can opt to purchase 16t replacement from Wolf Tooth or One-up for around P800. If that does not solve your "not shifting smoothly" woes then you can yet again open your wallet to splurge on One up RADr (short cage compatible) or RAD cage arm replacement for P3000. Wolf Tooth also offers a cheaper alternative to fixing shift quality issues with the Goat link, this one not yet available locally.

For optimal 1x10 expanded range hack throw in a narrow wide chain ring up-front, if you are still dropping your chain on rough conditions consider a chain guide.

Review of Wolf Tooth GC 42t cog for Shimano soon.

Ernest "no baller for real deal?" Hamster

Hamster wheel

Keeps on spinning

Tough decisions
November is the month of BONUS. For many this signifies the start of a hobby, for most it signals an upgrade, for some lucky dogs a new bike maybe? But one things for certain money going to change, parts are going out of the shelves, bikes are going to roll out shop showroom into the road and mountain.
Once upon a time you have a choice of hardtail or a full suspension mountain bike, steel or aluminum, 80 to 200mm of travel.
Add 29 and 27.5 wheel size NOW. Options are a double edge sword, What you want most of the time really NOT what you need. So in spirit of giving friendly advice I will give you couple of tips to follow (or not) in buying, upgrading a bike.

Know your options...
26 the standard.
27.5 the new kid on the block which will (?) replace the present standard touted as "wheel size with same agility of 26 er, with roll over of a 29 er" .
29 wagon wheel. The big foot of the group roll's over everything, holds momentum well.

What riding are you planning to do?
"I would like to go touring, XC, trail thrown in now in then"
Get a 29 er

"I would like to go trail, XC, roads on some occasion"
Get either a 29 er, or 27.5

"I would like to go trail, pump track, couple of jump sessions"
Get either a 26, or 27.5"

"F*ck this dirt jump, urban freestyle, pump track where it's at"
26

"I would like to exclusively shuttle my ass to the trails, and on occasion go big on mountains"
26 or 27.5

"Downhill"
26

A bike can do it all if you want to, but it will excel on what it is intended to.
80mm-100mm touring, XC, light trails
120mm-140mm trail, all mountain
160mm-180mm all mountain/enduro, free ride, downhill
200mm downhill

And lastly invest more on skills, legs, ride your bike dammit! You will be faster in the long run than blowing a wad of cash on upgrades.

Ernest "never saw that coming" Hamster

The return

Commencal Evil Camino 29er

Finally after a whole summer season of waiting my "numero uno" bike is back with new "Murdered out" rims and cockpit goodies.

Resolve broken rim

Suffered a hard crash month and half ago that resulted in a taco-ed rim, ripped tire, and retirement of my helmet. Now finally I got the rim sorted.

Day after the crash removed all the surviving dangling bits from the rim (spokes, nipples, and hub). Talked to dealer that sold me the rim, which also happens to be my main LBS. Came with realistic expectations that since the rim a year old then I could not straight up get a FREE replacement just needed to know my options.

Healed and itching to ride a month from the crash contacted the LBS which informed me that the local distributor could not give me a free replacement (given) instead they offered a pair of the same rim model, same color for reasonable discount. LBS owner laid out that option, rim was already delivered and he told me to think about that offer. Wont lie was disappointed with that and politely told owner that "I will have to think about it".

So I contacted the MANUFACTURER directly, sent them a formal email. The response was prompt, exchanged emails with their customer service rep and we came into an agreement. Manufacturer instructed the local distributor to give me a "crash replacement" upgrade (model) along with the mentioned discount. This was yesterday and today the distributor via my LBS informed me that my rims will be delivered to (LBS) soon. As an added bonus they added another 10% to my replacement discount.

Mountain biking hard on equipment specially when you USE your bike for its intended purpose. It is good to know that the parts you poured your hard earned money has customer service support long before you hit 1000 kilometer mileage mark. It also pays to be good to your LBS.

Props to friendly neighborhood LBS Ulyby bike shop and
Props to SPANK ind for having excellent product support and customer service.

Ernest "PapaHamster" Rufo