5Spot Evo

Following on from replacing front bouncer, I've now made some major alterations to the cockpit. Off with the original low riser bar, longer/lower stem combo replaced with a higher riser, shorter/higher stem.

Recent updates include;

• Rockshox Pike 454 U-Turn (from leaky Manitou Nixon Super)
  
• Hope ProII/DT 4.2d (Chris King bling/DT 4.1d)
  
• Maxle (from std quick release)
  
• Easton EA70 2" alloy risers, 27" (Maxm 1" carbon risers, 24")
  
• Thomson Elite 90mm x 15 degree rise (100mm, 5 degree)
  
• Spacers (shuffled)
• Yeti Hardcore grips (slimmer Yeti Speed Grips)

Why ?

• The Pike has a slightly shorter axle-crown length than the Nixon and I didn't want the front end to be any lower
  
• A quick test ride of Uphilla's rig highlighted just how XC orientated mine was and opened my eyes to just how different the same rig can feel
  
• A switch of riding style from XC to "trail", "all mountain" (or whatever you want to call it)
  
• Rag's continued jabberin' about "balance"
• Chipmunk's preferred ride position had me re-evaluate mine
  
• A re-occurence of sore lower back and too much time off the bike to ponder such alterations :p
• As I'm on the cusp between a medium and large frameset, opting for the compact and nimbler size meant I've always had a long post showing - low bars only served to emphasize this

All these "thoughts" contributed in some portion to my gray cells wondering if I didn't ought to raise my controls. The pic's attempt to highlight the differences although I couldn't find an older, low slung profile shot but the work stand snap goes someway to show just how low the bar used to be. The new bar position was a best guess after comparing the old/new components;

After a successful Woburn test I need to lower the bars a tad but overall the higher cockpit appears to be a winner. For instance;

• DH's are now feel much more stable (a given)
  
• Up hill control doesn't appear to be greatly affected (quite a surprise). Although no steep, rough off road sections have been tackled yet
  
• The higher/wider riser;

1. imparts a greater degree of control amongst the twisty's
   
2. a greater lean angle in the open fast turns
3. rearward bias seems work the rear shock better
   
4. opens up the chest, improving breathing
5. has loads-a-room for trip 'puters, GPS, lights, cup holders ;)
6. alloy bar looks much cleaner than the chipped lacquered bar it replaced

• I presume the shorter stem has also affected the steering affects of the wider bar (just don't ask me how :lol)

To be impartial I guess I'd have to balance the +ive's with a few -ive's and say that;

• Sneaking between trees take a little more focus, I've clouted one already (Cannock should be fun - :O)
• At one point, I founder the lighter front end wandered/step out more than usual during a tight, steep climb - but the Pike's U-Turn feature should be able to counter that
  

I still reckon some fine tuning is necessary as the bars might be a little too high. But then I may just need to get more familiar with the setup. I'll experiment after a couple of rides over a variety of terrain.

Just out of interest peeps, what is your bar/saddle height relationship ? Grab a tape and we'll see what the typical differences are, I'll start the tapes rolling;

• Floor to Grip center; 41.5"
  
• Floor to Saddle top; 40.5"