Does Jesse's Tiny Bike PAY OFF?!

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MGM ALTERNATIVE is made up of Miranda (M)iller, Remi (G)auvin and Jesse (M)elamed.
Follow Miranda on Instagram - / mirandamillermtb
Follow Remi on Instagram - / remi.the.semi
Follow Jesse on Instagram - / jessemelamed
Remi and Jesse ride for the Rocky Mountain Race Face Enduro Team.
They’re supported by:
Rocky Mountain Bicycles- www.bikes.com
Race Face- www.raceface.com
Fox Shox- www.ridefox.com
Shimano- www.shimano.com/en/
Maxxis- www.maxxis.com
SMITH- www.smithoptics.com
Evoc- www.evocsports.com
Reform Saddles- www.reformsaddle.com
Crankbrothers- www.crankbrothers.com
CushCore- www.cushcore.com
RideWrap- www.ridewrap.ca
One Up- www.oneupcomponents.com
FSA- www.fullspeedahead.com
Miranda Miller rides for the Kona Gravity Team and is supported by:
Kona Bicycle Company- www.konaworld.com
SRAM MTB- www.sram.com/en/sram
RockShox- www.sram.com/en/rockshox
Ride 100%- www.100percent.com
FiveTen- www.adidas.ca/en/five_ten
Maxxis Tires- www.maxxis.com
Enve Composites- www.enve.com/en/
Chris King- chrisking.com
ODI Grips- odigrips.com
OneUp- www.oneupcomponents.com
Maxima Racing Oils- maximausa.com
CushCore- www.cushcore.com
HT Pedals- www.ht-components.com
RideWrap- www.ridewrap.ca

[@thingswelike]

It's great that our sport is still so down-to-earth that we can get insight like this from one of the best in the biz. Thanks Jesse!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Happy to provide! I think it's great that our sport is so positive that we have people wanting all the details!

[@janeblogs324]

You mean grass roots. Attend any race to experience it

[@ark8tct]

0:03 holy sheeeeeeet. I knew Jesse was fast, but damn....I need a different word to describe what he’s doing there.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

That's a good line!

[@mravocadoman2999]

Dude that was so crazy it made me uncomfortable 😬 (in the best way possible, these guys rock!)

[@rl9810]

I hope to one day be good enough that I can notice the difference the "Ride 2 1/2" chip makes. Me, I just scoot my nads a little further back on the saddle.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

It's probably mostly mental...maybe completely mental. But I swear I've noticed a difference.

[@endurorider974]

Love these kind of testing 🙌. Very interesting video, I'm looking forward for the next one

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Miranda is up next!

[@haggismunch]

Really liking you guys edits👍. Keep up the awesome work🤘

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Thanks!

[@codyrichardsmtb3359]

The second I saw this I clicked on it! Love your vidoes by the way!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

That's what I like to hear! Thanks! Hope you enjoyed this one.

[@jeremiemcclean1635]

Love these nuanced insights. Keep it comin’!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

I'm glad to hear that!

[@khai6101]

Love it! All the testing and working through the benefits/downsides... I'm not surprised at all that the shorter reach is better in the tight corners. My DJ is a cornering machine, and makes me look almost halfway decent. But I'd be terrified to run that geo in the gnarly steep tech!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

That's exactly it!

[@dangandres]

Another way to get more weight on the front is to make the chainstay longer. To keep a similar front to rear weight balance it'd be interesting to compare short reach adjust vs Angleset+Longer chainstay. Super cool and valuable test regardless, thanks for sharing!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

I have tried that previously, I found it made the bike just a little longer and harder to handle. But It's been a while so maybe I'll try that again just to remember.

[@janeblogs324]

Astonmtb has entered the chat

[@petercroce]

I love this nerdy stuff. Thanks for trying and sharing!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Stoked to hear that!

[@sasomtb4784]

Thanks for spicing up youtube with your bike contents

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

You are welcome!

[@dkone1746]

That hair in the into is steezy AF!! 😂 great video.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

haha a haircut is much needed!

[@matttaekema7214]

These videos are great! Fresh look at mtb from the pros!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Glad to hear it!

[@tomwilsonmedia]

Really cool insight, loving seeing this stuff. Heading to Pemby later this spring, would love to know what trail features in this vid?

[@jamiehamilton3253]

Great! This is excellent! Personally I struggle more with corners than straight line speed in the chunder. So based on your findings I'd rather go for the reach and head angle that helps for corners and a more all round ride to compensate for my lack of cornering skill. Hopefully this trend in super long reaches comes back a lil for us more regular folk!🤘🤣 Great vid, awesome insight! Keep them coming! Braaaap!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Well then we just tested that for you so now you know what you need to do!

[@Windband1]

Awesome mate! Well since at this point, there isn't a real time difference, I think it's best for you pro guys to go with what makes you feel more confident then. The mental game/aspect is SO important in any elite level sport. Cheers.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

That's totally it. Like I said in the video, I know I have a setup that is fast. I'm just trying to find one that is faster while still comfortable.

[@wlt3r]

One other thing to try would be angleset + reduced offset fork. That combo also allows more weight on the front wheel, while maintaining confidence in the steeps and straights. It does slightly change how much the bike has to lean in corners though.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

I asked about this but the Fox tech said not to mess with fork offset on this bike and to stay with what is spec'd

[@evanblackwell3920]

Great video guys, love watching the extreme bike nerding take place. Jesse, have you considered bumping up to a slightly longer stem with the slack bike? It would increase the cockpit length slightly, but it might also help get more weight on the front and address that 'wandering' issue you've described. Maybe the best of both worlds, maybe just an excuse for more Rabbit Hole videos...

[@rpiian]

I did this on my bike after a season of riding with an angleset. The steering is definitely heavier/laggier. But, a little more comfortable on those flat turns.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

I'm trying to keep my reach as short as possible so that would 'uncheck' one of the boxes. It's a big puzzle and I'm trying to limit the compromises. I have something in the works that might be the best of it all.

[@rpiian]

@@JesseMelamedMTB Keep it coming - loving this shit!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

@@rpiian Thanks!

[@manuwarnet1335]

Interesting stuff! Maybe try to press in a standard headset cup with a 170mm fork? Might raise your bb a bit (a different flip chip position might solve that), but could be a good middle road between the weight you have over the front and confidence in steepstuff.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

The bike is built around 170mm fork so I'd have to go 180 for that, that is a possible solution, although I don't want to raise my bb that much.

[@meteormedia7021]

Personally, I prefer a longer bike for racing, but for me that's mostly a confidence thing. Subconciously I'm often afraid of not having the skills to back up my line choice in the rough and steep and the extra stability of a longer wheelbase gives me peace of mind with that. If I was more confident in my skills, I think I'd prefer the handling of a slightly shorter bike.

[@AndrewSmith-iv7px]

How much is your front center measurement changing when you make all of these adjustments? It would seem with the shorter fork, reduced head angle and rearward offset of the reach adjust headset you would be shortening the front center a significant amount.

[@kevindudd3225]

Hey Jesse, have you tried running a slightly longer stem (5-10mm) with the angle set to just get your body over the front wheel a bit more? Slackening out the front end you’re going to have to push harder to get traction on the front wheel, so maybe with a little bit of a longer stem you could get some of that corner feeling back that you’re getting with the reach adjust.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

I am trying to limit my reach so that would go against one of the things I am trying to accomplish.

[@pcro860]

Love to see the process! May have gotten lost in details, but the reach is almost identical on both setups, correct? Really just testing head angle preference. Is there a way to test slacker angle on a shorter reach? The 38 on the steeper shorter bike might be the ticket. Looks like a great trail to go out and smash all day, just have to let M+R ride sometimes!

[@Cassienope]

Reach is probably similar. But wheelbase is much different. BB is probably lower with the angle set also.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

As Rhitter said below, WB is longer, more specifically front center, and is what I feel is tough to handle with the angleset. BB is lower and HA is slacker which is nice. I should try the longer fork on the reach adjust just to feel what it's like.

[@laurentpillet6141]

It really is great and exciting content! Well done for these videos. What length of handlebars @Jesse Melamed uses? Cheers from the swiss alps 😉

[@MGMAlternative]

740mm!

[@laurentpillet6141]

@@MGMAlternative Thanks 👍🏻☺️

[@tombuschpilot2344]

Very interesting . Thanks a lot. The angel set and reach adjust from Works components ?

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Yes they are!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Yes they are!

[@SWOP_B]

How about keeping the Fox 38 170 without angle set (64.4 degree setting)? Keep the more capable fork, remove ~4.5mm hands-front axle distance and FC, and go from a FC/RC of ~1.8 to 1.789.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

The reach is a little more than 5mm longer that way and my bike already feels a bit long with the angleset.

[@SWOP_B]

@@JesseMelamedMTB Question... have you ever thought about mulleting a size small? Throw a 50mm stem on, remove all the spacers, 35mm raise bar to account for the geo change of the 29 front wheel. Haven't thought this through, but just an idea

[@matthewallen769]

Great comparison.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Thanks!

[@shaneridesmtb]

I love the testing videos! Having 2 bikes I'm finding I prefer my steeper, shorter, short travel bike where I live. We don't have mountains. BTW what are you using on the watch for timing?

[@MGMAlternative]

Horses for courses! Its a Freelap System!

[@Mark-Bikes]

Without wanting to go down another rabbit hole... Maybe the stock headset would be the sweet spot in the front centre length? Admittedly that will increase the reach over both of the tested headsets, but a shorter stem..... argh that's another rabbit hole! Keep the vids coming, loving the content.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Exactly the problem! It's all a compromise. I found the bike a little big in the stock configuration which is why I went angleset in the first place.

[@Mark-Bikes]

@@JesseMelamedMTB interesting on your reach preference, I'm the same height and went from a 450mm reach to 484mm (on paper, the spacer stack dropping it to around 480mm). It's super stable on the steeps but maybe a step too far, some middle ground is probably the ideal. Not sure I could tell 5mm difference though, but then our riding is on wildly different levels.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

@@Mark-Bikes Oh wow, really? That's a big jump, you don't find the bike pulls away from you on steeper sections of trail with drops?

[@Mark-Bikes]

​@@JesseMelamedMTB Yeah it's a big step, with pros and cons. It's on the steeps I like the extra length. Maybe it's partially a confidence thing (actually it is for a weekend warrior like me) but I find having a big envelope of movement while staying relatively centred on the bike works for me. For sure I do have to get low to the bars to ensure there's enough arm movement on drops to prevent being pulled. One drawback is a lot of movements, eg lofting or even just unweighting the front wheel obviously requires a more dynamic rider input. This becomes harder as fatigue sets in over a big day and arguably the extra input is a contributor to the fatigue. I think my sweet spot, and next bike, will be somewhere in between the two but it's interesting to try the extremes, call it bracketing.

[@svenpixa]

How about this wild idea: Use a standard headset! This should combine the stability of the angle set with the shorter front end of the reach adjust. Really like your videos! :-)

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

It doesn't though! The reach adjust is 5mm shorter, so the standard headset would be too long.

[@battlepug3122]

Loving and closely following all the geometry testing and adjustment as I just bought a medium 2021 Altitude C70 29. Is that also a custom chainstay chip you're running there Jesse?

[@madeiradriftin4429]

yes.. its for sale for 10k to fund the channel 😂

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

@@madeiradriftin4429 Please buy! haha

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Yes it is, in the middle to match the chainstay length of the Slayer.

[@jckgoldness]

Giving me hope for my Instinct with that 160mil fork

[@Beli4l]

Im still wondering how the fvck you do these tight turns. Its mind blowing! Anyways, Im about to buy a new am/enduro bike. looking at your altitude as well. Could you please make a video about your cockpit setup, and especially talk us through stem length, what length you ride and what your experience is with stem lengths. And maybe on top of that you could mention the fork offset too. these are things i never really got into. Ive been running 50mm stems on all my bikes since ever. never felt the urge to change that. cheers!

[@singletracktrucker]

Any chance of throwing a 160 air shaft in that 38 with the reach adjust to help with confidence in the steeps?

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

That is next on the list...

[@lynxg4641]

Hey Jessie, how about just run the bike with a standard headset and the 170 F38 fork in the #2 position? To me that would give you a middle ground between the 2 settings you've tried - not quite as slack as with the angleset and Reach would be a tad shorter since the fork would be sitting more upright and not quite as steep as with the reducer cups because of the slightly longer fork. You could even run it in the #1 position with the 170mm fork and see how that feels.

[@GLOBc]

That's what I was thinking also, could be a little to O.E. => Because Race Machine ;) Maybe even go back(?) to a 35mm stem in that step-up and re-check that? More Vidi Content :D What a Miranda & Remi Puzzling with as the EWS looms?? - other than story-boarding Jesse's Analysis Vids :P

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

"Not quite as slack" is noticeable by me unfortunately. And the reach would be quite a bit longer. Right now I prefer the shorter reach and HA of the angleset more than I dislike the slight lack of front wheel traction.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

@@GLOBc There was a video with Remi already puzzling frame sizes! And Miranda's is next :)

[@lynxg4641]

@@JesseMelamedMTB Yeah, I feel your pain sadly, not as great as people think being able to feel a 1/4 degree of change - I can feel/tell the difference between running a 2.3" vs 2.5" tyre, feels like such a big change. Used to change saddle height depending on what shorts/chamois I was wearing. As others said, cool to see when/how you're trying to get that extra 1% performance advantage.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

@@lynxg4641 Glad it's not just me! We just want the best, nothing wrong with that.

[@butlergl]

I hope you intend to put out more videos ?

[@DavidFoundCo]

Hey Jesse, what setup did you end up with or is does it change depending on the course? Thx

[@babilevi8506]

Why not trying to ride without reach adjust or angle set ? it will be on the middle and maybe it will fill better at the buke handling and still let you charge the same?

[@justingardner5943]

That all looked so easy and straight forward. It would have been nice if you tried to make it more complicated for us to follow.... Not !! Its really enjoyable watching your thought, work process

[@MGMAlternative]

we aim to please!

[@SudoChuckwalla]

How do you self time your laps? i've always used strava but it isn't consistent.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

We are using a Freelap system here with timing poles at the start and finish to get accurate timing.

[@rewind10z]

Have you tried the stock position 1? Just curious if you've tried it and what your thoughts are!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

I have! It's a good HA but the bb is a little low so if you live somewhere with lots of rocks and might hit your pedals a lot then it can be a bit annoying.

[@mike91884]

Jesse, I assume the small size 27.5 front triangle can't be used with the medium 29 rear end to give you a shorter reach? Obviously you would need a bunch of other trickery to get bb height etc right

[@MGMAlternative]

Yea that's getting into a lot of trickery and then there could be a lot of other things you are compromising.

[@jacksisson4325]

New one up edc headset press?

[@Julian.133]

I want this bike too 🙌

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Get it!

[@Yhigma]

Looks pretty.

[@whatthehellareyoustarinat8569]

How about trying the new set-up with the 170mm fork? Just to try and see how you feel ;)

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

I did think about that but I was worried I wouldn't like the bb raised that much. But I guess I can't say until I've tried!

[@whatthehellareyoustarinat8569]

@@JesseMelamedMTB bb raised can be a good thing if you are scared of pedal strikes, like I am. Also, to make this comparison fair, the fox 38 170 probably has more flop than the other fork. that could affect how you feel on the corners... thanks to you guys now I know what flop is ;)

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

@@whatthehellareyoustarinat8569 I prefer the cornering feeling of the lower bb and will deal with pedal strikes. I think it's more to do with the HA than the fork. The axle to headtube are the same length and the same offset on the forks, so it's not the fork on it's own.

[@jevanskickstandcrew8373]

Yep this is interesting how you the rider can feel a difference but the close times kinda hide the pros and cons to an onlooker. As for Remy and Miranda, I just hope they have the warmest clothing and a good heater in their car.

[@NextLevelRiding]

Hey Jesse... you mentioned the timing! What ARE you using for the timing there?!

[@MGMAlternative]

its a freelap system

[@NextLevelRiding]

@@MGMAlternative right cool! Yeah I've seen these - a couple of MTB Schools use them.... quite pricey - but look like a lot of fun! Cheers.

[@sjaan7370]

Owning one too I must ask, what's the offset on your 38? Cheers

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

44mm, standard for long travel 29ers these days I think.

[@danaminyip]

.....so if you run the stock angles the bike will ride perfect?

[@MGMAlternative]

Possibly yes!

[@mikegarrigan9113]

Steeplife- using that daily going forward.

[@cowaja61]

The music is a bit quiet, hard to hear it over the loud talking. 😂

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

hahaha

[@TheNortherner88]

Commit to the moustache!!!!!!!

[@DrJGang]

That's a child kidnapper van you got there

[@MGMAlternative]

Want some candy?

[@hjalteholdgaard3814]

How tall is Jesse?

[@oskarstaudte]

170-171cm if I recall correctly

[@hjalteholdgaard3814]

@@oskarstaudte cheers

[@Captain.Dingus]

next quest, reverse the angle set.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

....you better be subscribed to the channel because your wish may come true.

[@MGMAlternative]

...

[@hananmcpherson4941]

Can I actually buy the 2.5 for 10k, I’m keen

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

We can talk...

[@hananmcpherson4941]

@@JesseMelamedMTB for that price could you also throw in a bike

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

@@hananmcpherson4941 We said chip only!

[@hananmcpherson4941]

@@JesseMelamedMTB oh okay with a shot, jokes aside how much would you sell one for if at all

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

@@hananmcpherson4941 I don't have any extras so currently I couldn't sell it.

[@diextremenachos8883]

69 likes, keep it that way

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

Too late. Guess we need 6969 now.

[@derman3658]

Me: Jesse stop talking for a second your putting us both off. Jesse: I'll think I'll stop over thinking this and just ride. Me: I'm going to watch Greg Callaghan again smash a lap at Ravensdale, then share both videos.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

So you'd rather more riding footage? My channel has a lot of that.

[@derman3658]

@@JesseMelamedMTB Have to say I loved the last few videos, tweaking and working through what you want to do with your bike and setup, then hammer down the trail testing the changes. This video was class. Keep them coming. Excellent riding in it too. The commentary too is spot on!!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

@@derman3658 Thanks a lot! Glad you liked it!

[@SUPERCOOLZZ]

Clickbaited. I expected to see a man on a child's bicycle, not 5mm shorter.

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

hahaha sorry to disappoint! I'll make sure to try it on a tiny bike as some point.

[@MGMAlternative]

Jesse is a man on a child's bicycle.

[@dougporter8572]

Really like how unpretentious your videos are!

[@JesseMelamedMTB]

This is us on a normal day so no fronts to put up!

[@MGMAlternative]

Dont listen to jesse. We are way more pretentious in real life! 😂

[@samuelb7546]

They should just ban all other KZbin channels, this is all society needs now.

[@MGMAlternative]

We totally agree! MGM youtube monopoly!