Ask the experts

[Phall]

From what I recall Shimano interchangeablilty shouldn't be an isssue. Gwin was running XTR race (non-servowave) levers on Saint Calipers for a long time. MT201 may be different given the quality/spec/fluid displacement, but i'd think theres no issue.

[dannynoonan]

I'm currently running 2010-ish SLX levers on current-ish Zee 4 pot and XT 2 pot calipers. Probably 10 years between their production dates and they feel perfect.

My guess is they'll work perfectly

[Dantheman]

Sweet, thanks. My new commuter came with MT201s and while they stop me just fine the 3-finger levers are an abomination. I remembered last weekend that I have some 2018-ish XTs in the parts bin, should be a solid upgrade.

[Dee Hubbs]

Can you mix-and-match Shimano brake components? Specifically, can I run XT lever assemblies with MT201 calipers?

From what I recall Shimano interchangeablilty shouldn't be an isssue. Gwin was running XTR race (non-servowave) levers on Saint Calipers for a long time. MT201 may be different given the quality/spec/fluid displacement, but i'd think theres no issue.

Yes they are compatible. But:
MT-200 series use the BH59 brake hose, and any XT will use the newer higher pressure BH90 hose.

You will see some improvement with the new XT levers, old BH59 hose and old MT200 calipers.
You will see a better improvement with new XT levers, new BH90 hose and old MT200 calipers.

The BH90 is the same external size as BH59, but with a smaller internal diameter on the BH90. This means the BH90 outer casing is thicker and does not deform under hydraulic pressure. The olives are the same size, but the internal barb are different sizes.

[volklpowdermaniac]

Yes they are compatible. But:
MT-200 series use the BH59 brake hose, and any XT will use the newer higher pressure BH90 hose.

You will see some improvement with the new XT levers, old BH59 hose and old MT200 calipers.
You will see a better improvement with new XT levers, new BH90 hose and old MT200 calipers.

The BH90 is the same external size as BH59, but with a smaller internal diameter on the BH90. This means the BH90 outer casing is thicker and does not deform under hydraulic pressure. The olives are the same size, but the internal barb are different sizes.

Great info. Was always kind of wondering this every time I got a new bike to change cable length or some shit

[Dantheman]

Yes they are compatible. But:
MT-200 series use the BH59 brake hose, and any XT will use the newer higher pressure BH90 hose.

You will see some improvement with the new XT levers, old BH59 hose and old MT200 calipers.
You will see a better improvement with new XT levers, new BH90 hose and old MT200 calipers.

The BH90 is the same external size as BH59, but with a smaller internal diameter on the BH90. This means the BH90 outer casing is thicker and does not deform under hydraulic pressure. The olives are the same size, but the internal barb are different sizes.

FWIW, these are brand new MT201s not "old" ones. Also, I'm not really looking for improved braking performance, I just want a civilized brake lever that isn't a mile long. HUGE thanks for the clarification on BH59/BH90 hose. I ordered a barb/olive kit yesterday and it was BH90, would have sucked big time to have the brakes pulled apart find out the barbs are too small.

[Dee Hubbs]

FWIW, these are brand new MT201s not "old" ones. Also, I'm not really looking for improved braking performance, I just want a civilized brake lever that isn't a mile long. HUGE thanks for the clarification on BH59/BH90 hose. I ordered a barb/olive kit yesterday and it was BH90, would have sucked big time to have the brakes pulled apart find out the barbs are too small.

I didn't meant to imply that the MT200 were old, I should have said
You will see a better improvement with upgraded XT levers, upgraded BH90 hose and original MT200 calipers.
All hoses are marked BH90 or BH59.
BH59 are brass:

BH90 are silver

The olives are the same for both.

[Dantheman]

Cool, I ordered a BH59 kit but I'll check the hose markings tonight. I'm not upgrading the hoses. Swapping the levers is an easy job, swapping the hoses is not and not worth the trouble on a commuter.

[VTskibum]

Haha I run those on my dirt jumper and they’re so far inward, never really thought about how long the levers are as I don’t have any shifters or anything else. They do work fine for non trail use cases


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[rideit]

Curious. I got a bulk bag of BH59 barbs a while ago, and I have been using them with BH90 hoses for years now, to seemingly no ill affect. I always sorta wondered what the difference was.
Is there a perceptible difference to a truly ‘tuned in’ rider or Pro?
This hack sure can’t tell.

[Dantheman]

There shouldn't be any performance difference, you're still using the BH90 hose either way. The BH59 barb is a little bigger so it might be harder to install, but if you can stuff it in there it will work fine (heh). Going the opposite way, BH90 barb in a BH59 hose, the smaller BH90 barb might not fully seal and you could end up leaking fluid.

[beaterdit]

Sounds like that's a larger diameter barb so as long as you can jam it in there it should be GTG?

edit: Oops, update lag. What Dan said.

[smmokan]

I think there was a thread or post about this a while back… but what is everyone’s favorite light jacket for riding? I’ve got a couple jackets but they’re not very breathable, so that’s the main feature I’m looking for. It’s the time of year (30-40’s) when I have to add a light layer on top of my go-to Ketl long sleeve shirt. Bonus points if it’s on sale.

[Sandbox]

I think there was a thread or post about this a while back… but what is everyone’s favorite light jacket for riding? I’ve got a couple jackets but they’re not very breathable, so that’s the main feature I’m looking for. It’s the time of year (30-40’s) when I have to add a light layer on top of my go-to Ketl long sleeve shirt.

I really like my Arcteryx Squamish hoodie. Not bike specific per se but it’s a really nice light layer, blocks wind and a little rain. I also have the Patagonia Dirt Roamer but that is certainly heavier and more of an actual rain shell. I think the Arc is a perfect between seasons jacket.


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[Andeh]

I think there was a thread or post about this a while back… but what is everyone’s favorite light jacket for riding? I’ve got a couple jackets but they’re not very breathable, so that’s the main feature I’m looking for. It’s the time of year (30-40’s) when I have to add a light layer on top of my go-to Ketl long sleeve shirt. Bonus points if it’s on sale.

I go one of two ways when the temps really drop. I often do rides that start at dawn, and in the winter that can mean starting at <30 degrees but finishing at 50+ degrees. Either I wear a lightweight (summer) jersey and a ultra light packable windbreaker (like Patagonia Houdini) until my core or the temps warm up, then pack the windbreaker. Or I wear only something like the (on sale) Specialized Trail Thermal Jersey, TLD Skyline Chill, Leatt MTB AllMtn 5.0. Sometimes I wear a lightweight t-jersey under the Specialized and take off the Thermal when temps warm up. The Thermal is Polartec Power Grid, any other jersey/jacket/hoody with that material would work great. It breathes really well but is very warm. It runs a bit slim fitting, so I ended up getting a size large in addition to my usual medium after I got unhappy with how it showed off the beer handles.

[VTskibum]

Just picked up Endura MT500 Thermo L/S Jersey II from steep and cheap which has been fantastic for these purposes. I had some older road windproof front jersey for this that was falling apart. Rode in the high 20s w a base layer + long sleeve few days ago and another ride w short sleeve and this as the outer layer in high 30s as well. id bring a vest along and go even colder. Saw some on sale for <100, but i got last one on SAC it appears


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[Falcon3]

Patagonia Houdini Air

The most breathable of any shell I've tried, superlight and easy to pack for shoulder season when it warms up mid ride and you don't need a shell anymore. I can ride in the 30s with just a LS shirt and the shell and never get too hot or too cold. Sheds light precip and mist easily but will wet out in actual rain quickly (although I've done 1-2 hour rides in 30s and 40s in rain and been ok as long as I've got a warm van to go to afterwards). It's also the perfect shell for ski touring in any kind of precip or light wind. And surprisingly durable- I've taken some big spills in this jacket and it's just got a couple small holes in the elbow that were easily patched with gear tape.

[volklpowdermaniac]

following. being in sea for last four years all
my riding stuff i've bought is waterproof which is almost never a detriment , but might be nice to have a light all rounder. currently that roll is served by a yeti soft shell without a hood from a million years ago, works great, but i'm sure there's something newer and better out there. +1 vote on skyline as my everyday non rainy pants though. although again mildly interested in a slightly heavier pant non waterproof to go with the jacket being discussed as well

[volklpowdermaniac]

another one for the experts:

i'm laid up for a couple more weeks unable to exercise. so in an attempt to stave off going stir crazy in trying my hand at painting some pike lowers. have paint and clear coat picked. but trying to dial in the prep part.

i've read all over the web both the mtb specific stuff and non.... questions:about my plan
remove, clean, tape lowers, and sand factory finish with 200-400 grit until completely sanded. wipe down. clean with metal cleaner prep.
this is where i'm most confused - should i then use an etch primer? most places say etch primer for bare metal, but if i'm scuffing factory paint it's not quite a bare metal?
and then once i use etch primer - do i then need an epoxy/finishing primer over it before top coat? some say yes some say no, or perhaps there is a 2 in 1 etch /finishing primer

this is really just an experiment to occupy my time so we'll see how well it comes out

[Abies]

I know I’ve seen bike cases/travel bags discussed here but can’t find it. Best value bag for flying with a modern size large mountain bike? Evoc bags are giving me sticker shock.


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[toast2266]

I know I’ve seen bike cases/travel bags discussed here but can’t find it. Best value bag for flying with a modern size large mountain bike? Evoc bags are giving me sticker shock.


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My evoc pro is great in terms of ease of use, and it feels like it protects the bike about as well as a soft sided bag is gonna, but it's heavy (and it was expensive, even with a really good deal).

If I were doing it again, I'd probably look for something a bit lighter. Ideally something closer to 15lbs, which would allow for a ~35 lb bike + a bit of gear.

[Abies]

My evoc pro is great in terms of ease of use, and it feels like it protects the bike about as well as a soft sided bag is gonna, but it's heavy (and it was expensive, even with a really good deal).

If I were doing it again, I'd probably look for something a bit lighter. Ideally something closer to 15lbs, which would allow for a ~35 lb bike + a bit of gear.

Thanks, good input. I’ll be flying Alaska for this trip and it seems like they waive the oversize fees for bikes but I’d hate for a new expensive case to be unusable on other airlines without big charges. Anyone used the Dakine bag?


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[climberevan]

We have 2 of the Chain Reaction basic bags, and have used them with gravel & MTBs. The 29ers fit fine. Mine is like 31# and just barely squeaks under 50# in the bag with all of the parts, but there's no weight left for shoes or anything. I got them used, but I think even new they were only like $200 each. It's not rocket science.

[Iowagriz]

Oddly to me, but I've been seeing several bike travel cases for sale on Facebook. you might look there as well.

[smmokan]

We have 2 of the Chain Reaction basic bags, and have used them with gravel & MTBs. The 29ers fit fine. Mine is like 31# and just barely squeaks under 50# in the bag with all of the parts, but there's no weight left for shoes or anything. I got them used, but I think even new they were only like $200 each. It's not rocket science.

FWIW, it looks like CRC isn't taking orders from the US anymore?