Don’t Ignore Your Comfort

We are so focused on wheels, transmission and everything else, but very much often neglect the small things. Things, which can make a difference on our feeling and experience.
In this video I cover one of these topics, which as obvious as it might sound, sometimes is forgotten.
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@IG: / tom10crafted
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2023 Season MTB Races Analysis with EN Commentary:
• MTB Races 2023 - Analysis
2023 Season MTB Races Full Onboards:
• MTB Races 2023 - Full ...
Insights about the bike & gear:
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After Stats:
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Information about the gear used:
Footage captured: GoPro Hero 12 + Max Lens 2.0
Tracking device: Garmin Edge 1040
Power meters: Stages Cycling XTR
Bike: Scott Spark RC Pro 2022 Custom

[@tom10crafted]

Gloves Usage: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYjcZ6uso6qto7s Grips Things : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpDCoZZ4l6p7atk

[@patrickkatzmair]

I would never put foam on my handlebars again. I can recommend you some ergon ga2 grips. Especially on XC Bikes, where comfort is already very limited.

[@tom10crafted]

Thanks for a recommendation! Foam does not equal to foam. Tried few from Ritcheys - they were terrible. In comparison, ESI gives a great cushion and are more softer than any rubber could offer.

[@patrickkatzmair]

@@tom10crafted Yes, i had ESI in the past but because of comfort, ease of installation and longevity i prefere now Ergon. But ESI are very good when they are fresh!

[@johnpolak2300]

Hey Tom, Thanks for all your videos - very interesting and/or helpful especially to other Spark owners. Quick question if you don't mind - which Fraser bars do you have? I mean drop angle, stem length, backsweep? I am thinking of making my riding position more aggressive, but not sure how to work out best fit of Fraser bars - obviously you need to get it right first time 🙂 Cheers, John

[@tom10crafted]

Hey John, thanks!! In terms of choosing proper size, I would raise questions like "how it feels now" and "what you are OK to compromise". Currently I have iC SL WC | 740 mm | -20° 100 mm. I have chosen it because L size frame for my body and 185cm height was at the small side. Original -9 with 7cm (if I remember correctly), made me too much arch on the bike, resulting in back pain too. -20 with slightly longer virtual stem move hands in front, made position more aggressive and solved the issue. For what cost? Handling became a bit affected:)

[@johnpolak2300]

@@tom10crafted Thanks Tom, that is really helpful! I am similar size to you (183cm) and also size large, so this feedback is very welcome. Sounds like -20 and 8cm could be what I am looking for.

[@tom10crafted]

@@johnpolak2300 indeed, 8cm should be enough. Also, keep in mind that you can playaround a bit with spacers, and reduce height of the stack even a bit more:)

[@christianwibroerasmussen6143]

Hey, Thanks for the nice vids. I'm looking to get a Spark RC pro. But im not able to find what crankarm length it comes with, do you remember the length it came with?

[@tom10crafted]

Hey, thanks! L comes with 175mm for certain!

[@christianwibroerasmussen6143]

@tom10crafted Okay thanks:) I was hoping for 170 mm tho👍🫤

[@ghostdog6471]

Hi Tom, I just did lower leg service on my fork for the first time since I got the bike because the fork got too sticky .😂 It fork is working now good. Now I'm acquiring the tolls and planning to do the full rebuild myself 😅😅😅. What could possibly go wrong? Worst case scenario will be a new fork 😂. Same thing I'm going to do with the sock. Wish me luck:))))

[@tom10crafted]

Hey Ivo, great to hear you managed to did lowers - but be aware that if it has never been done before - your fork is already overdue big time for full service. As for the tools needed to do everything A to Z - the worst thing is not that you will mess things up. The worst is that you will buy expensive tools which will basically never ever will payoff. And for the shock - well, it is a lot more complex - thus think twice before going that path! :)

[@ghostdog6471]

@tom10crafted , I know Tom, you are absolutely right about that. The thing with me is, I got so much hooked on bikes. How they work and are assembled since I bought mine that i had to get another road bike down the road of time. :) I decided to start a full-time education course here in Austria about bike and ebike mechanics . I am just waiting till next month to find out if I'm going to be allowed to take part in the course. But in the future, I hope that my jobs will be in connection with the bike industry. So i might, in this case, try to learn how to service those things:)

[@tom10crafted]

@@ghostdog6471 in that case it makes total sense man, go for it!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@Nikica358]

my experience with ESI is to rotate them 180 degrees after 3 months then after another 3 buy new one :D

[@tom10crafted]

Hacker, Nicky!! 🤣

[@Nikica358]

@@tom10crafted btw im back on ESI Chonky (as me ) ditched AbsoluteBlack

[@tom10crafted]

With your size palms thick is the only option! Was AB worn out or just was a poor choice?

[@PeterBlackMTB]

Changed from esi to Syncros foam grips on my pro ,much prefer

[@tom10crafted]

@@PeterBlackMTB as someone who tried both - Syncros are even more fragile to cuts and wear. However, they are bit softer, and almost same as good as Esi for non-slippage internal rubber compound