EP // 33 How I've tweaked my Firebird 🔥

[@bullseye0112]

Congratulations on becoming a dad!! I pray for fast healing for your wife and excited for your family growing. That would be one lucky kid!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Thanks! 🙏🏻 kind words

[@Ronnie_rrrip]

Congrats to both of you!! Welcome to fatherhood. Glad to hear Momma is doing well. Wishing her the best and fast recovery to get back moving and outdoors!!

[@tylerlloyd3101]

Congrats Spencer! As a dad of two and a wife that’s a labor and delivery nurse we know all about the wildness of child birth and the recovery associated with it! Thoughts to you guys for sure. It’s a big life change but in the best way. Outdoor life will come back soon and in our experience with more joy and purpose! Excited for you guys!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Thanks Tyler, yes, that labor and delivery is a whole world in its own. That's awesome!

[@tylerlloyd3101]

@@SpencerAstraPOV L & D is wild world for sure. And thanks for the content, I've really been digging everything on the channel!

[@klugehf]

Congrats Spencer! Big props to your wife. Childbirth and being a new parent are a lot handle. Make sure you’re both kind to yourselves and get as much sleep as possible. Thanks for taking me on another ride with you and for the thoughts on the Schwalbe setup. I’ve been on the Specialized T9 train for a while. I’m loving the Cannibal/Butcher most of the year and just switched to the Hillbilly up front for the real slop. Between Spesh, Conti and Schwalbe there are so many good tires now that we’re spoiled for choice.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Yes, we're spoiled for tires. I really should try the Continentals since I've heard so much about them.

[@aweldum]

Welcome to the Great dad-ening! 🎉 Recovery experience exists in the family, no doubt your wife will have your support and get there as soon as she can. Trust the process, enjoy the ride.

[@Officernoob]

Congrats Ms. Spencer’s wife on delivering that baby.

[@ChristopherBloom]

Grats, new dad! And also to mom: you got this!

[@schenker1993]

My wife also had a full on birth, the first year can be pretty tough so be there when you’re needed. Let us know when the kiddo smiles at you the first time. Its life changing Congrats!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Thanks! I'll look forward to that first smile.

[@jfdeslauriers241]

Yeah Spencer ! welcome to the fast dads club. Bravo Ms Astra !

[@jonthesailorman]

Congrats on the kid!! Great video :)

[@shaybull4538]

Congrats! love seeing Firebird content...

[@lifebehindbarsmtb]

Congrats ! It’ll get easier as time goes on and you all adjust. It’ll be the greatest gift you experience. Watching them grow and learn is so rewarding. Take your time and enjoy the stages because they go by so quick.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

We've been hearing that from so many parents. We're just past the first week and I think I already totally understand how it flies by!

[@muddy964]

Wow what nice news! Congratulations for your wife and you 🙂

[@burkebair]

Congrats! Kids are awesome! Just make sure you take time for rides. When I had my kids I took a non-intentional 10yr hiatus from MTB. I missed a lot of riding.

[@christianborris6754]

First video as a new dad and you're not taking us for a ride down Dad Bod? What are we even doing here lol. Congrats man!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I know, what a missed opportunity 🤣 That's a go to trail for me too

[@lordnormington]

Congratulations! Best wishes to the whole family on enjoying lots of fresh fall air!

[@NDietrich]

I ran the Galfer purple pads on my Maguras. They were good except on sustained steep stuff they would start to howl and fade a bit. Never had that issue before on my TRPs and MTX red pads which were great. Stitched to Sinter Green pads and they are sooo good. Completely silent and tons of power with great modulation. Maybe I had a bad batch of the Galfer pads who knows

[@klexboo1910]

Congrats to your child🎉 My wife is also pregnant and hoping to be able to return to enduro racing as quick as possible😵‍💫. Nice to see, that you enjoy the brakepads as much as i do. No need to upgrade the brakes anymore 😊. Best wishes from Germany.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Great to hear! 🇩🇪 You'll love being a dad.

[@rickb.1656]

I'm thinking of trying the Alberts front and back next year (gravity pro, 2.6 width). Thoughts? Is the Albert mainly a front tire? Thanks

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

No, it appears to be good for front and rear. I really love the braking performance in the rear. I'll be back on Alberts front and rear this week.

[@seanfarragher9110]

Congrats on bringing a new human into the world! Felt right at home with this video, also on a Firebird, and have been running the purple and green brakes, I find purple works best this time of year in the wet. Swapped to the Albert in the rear and the Magic Mary Radial in the front, made a massive difference in grip over the DHR/Assegai combo that I swore on for years before. Love yer content!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Thanks! Oh sweet, I'd love to try that Mary Radial, good to know it's hooking up!

[@petedog9581]

Congrats on the bike upgrades!🙃

[@milktop1]

Congratulations!!

[@aaronblonden6774]

Congrats! Shreda front is insane. I'm all in on these radials but that one is a bit extreme. Ive been told to try the rear on the front backwards. Some racers are doing that as its grippy but not as draggy as the albert. I just bought a tacky gravity in soft for the rear of a mullet hardtail. Not sure if id rather run that or an albert if a mm is on the front.

[@jaybartlett2561]

Congrats on the new addition to your family! I’ve been looking at the tacky Chan for a better rolling rear tire. Currently on maxxis dhrII. My conditions are pretty dry here in Utah. Also have a firebird.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I would pull the trigger. I'd personally much prefer the Tacky Chan to the DHRII for rolling resistance! It's a more long lasting and better cornering tire than the Dissector if you've ever tried one of those.

[@jaybartlett2561]

@ and run a magic Mary or a Albert in the front?

[@JasonChambersPhoto]

Don’t let Dad Bod creep up on ya Spencer. Congrats to you both. 😉

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I already had a dad bod prior to birth, so I'm hoping I can use this opportunity to slim down. At least the pressure is off 🤣

[@JasonChambersPhoto]

@ hhhaaaa, keep rolling dude. 👊

[@jeremyrichards1009]

Welcome to Dadhood sir

[@TheMTBRider96]

how good is the tacky in the back? i love it, super traction on the way up but fast at the same time, drifty but plenty of braking grip at the same time

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I think it'll be a go to rear tire going forward. I hope they make it in radial casing!

[@TheMTBRider96]

@ yeah me too, not too sure about going radial in the back unless extra grip is needed tho 🧐 Seems very good for the front, can’t wait to get my hands on a ultrasoft Albert to replace my Mary

[@glpf5]

Congrats on your new family member! I hope your wife is doing well, childbirth is certainly NOT easy. I tried 50m rise bars and they really helped my shoulders (right ac joint cleaning/widening last fall, left side probably needs it too) but I had some issues cornering with them as the additional rise seemed to take just enough weight off the front tire to make my start to lose traction in faster corners (could be my technique as I've ridden 30m rise for the last 10 years) so I went down to 40m rise bars; first ride is tomorrow with them and we'll see how it goes. Riding time is getting shorter here (VT). Thanks for the video and grats again!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Thanks!! Interesting, I find that I'm more confident riding over the front end with the higher bar. I haven't had too much issue with weighting the front wheel. It just feels like it takes less strength to ride forward on the bike.

[@glpf5]

@ As I said in my post, it’s most likely an issue with my technique that apparently didn’t show up when I was using 30 mm rise bars. The 50 mm rise bars were definitely better for my shoulders so I’m not surprised that given your recent injuries you find them more comfortable as well.

[@Pier-AlexandreDomaine]

You should try an O-Chain on that firebird. I have one on mine and it completely changed the bike.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I've been super curious about those. I'll look into it!

[@TheHman22]

Congrats on dad life and finding some time to get outside. Glad to see you’re still running the firebird! Working on making that my next bike, enjoying the breakdowns. I know you said you sized down to a medium but usually rode a large. Mind if I ask how tall are you? Coming off a knolly and looking for an equally capable descender but moved away from the PNW to the Wasatch and would really benefit from a more efficient platform for the more chill/accessible trails here. Thanks again for the content and the low light of the osmo 4 still looks really good! Miss the fall/winter riding!!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Hey, I've been back and forth on the size of the Pivot Firebird. You can use a reach adjust headset from Works if you want to modify it. I'm 5'11" and I kind of wish I could have tried a large. With that said I love the way the medium rides. It keeps it nimble which is fun for slower speed technical trails. Good to know about the OSMO 4!

[@TheHman22]

@@SpencerAstraPOV thanks so much for taking some time to read and respond. That input is super helpful!!

[@nicholashines7686]

#1 Dad of 4 and grandfather to two. GET A GERBER ACCOUNT for collage for the little one. I know it seems early but it was one of my biggest regrets. School is so freaking expensive. as you probably know. #2 Your life for the next 18 years belongs to them, trust me you look back and miss it no matter how hard it gets. #3 Great video man. I have been flirting with 50mm rise bars. I have gone from 20mm to 30mm to 35mm in the last year and a half and want to try even higher.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Great thoughts! Sending four kiddos through school these days would be no small feat. I pray that college tuition system blows up in the next 18 years and a major change happens.

[@martin1242s]

Congrats man! Really like your honest reviews and I hope you are going to continue in this. I see you are back to XTR, did you do it because of the rotor and pads? Also just got my alberts trail today and man, what a change for me, I realised that I maybe don´t need strong brakes as much as I needed really gripy tires. Also was funny to see the 2.5 being thinner than 2.4 dhr. Did you try ceramic pads? I wonder how would you feel about them. I´ve been running 50 mm riser bars for two years now and can´t go back, only downside is steep climbing, but just leaning over them solves that issue pretty well.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Thanks! I've had the XTRs on my personal bike since I first got it two years ago! They're great. I have tried the MTX ceramic pads, I was impressed with those, but the Galfer purples feel way more solid to me.

[@richcain5127]

Congrats on the baby! Child birth is no joke. Different riding, being conscious of not wrecking yourself 🤣

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I'd really love to be done wrecking for a long time...

[@mailman98]

Interesting that you're running the super trail casing out back. Have you had any issues with rim strikes or flats? I'm running the Tacky chan as well and I agree it's a great tire!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Yes, I did get one sidewall tare recently. I was surprised since Bellingham has pretty soft sandstone rocks, one plug fixed it though!

[@andrewfife8437]

You are so cool

[@johnvalley666]

IMO galfer reds are overall best from their lineup, green is more bite and power and I like it in the front, but doesn't really last that long. For some reason the purple pads have issue with brake dust, its all over the caliper after a ride. Congrats on the kid!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Okay, good to know! I guess I have to try all of the colors then. I'll do green next!

[@MTB_Corbin]

Congrats man! It’s also inspiring how “little” you hear your tires skidding even in wet conditions. Your breaking technique is quite impressive 🫡

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Thanks, I will say Larrabee is draining fantastic and has great soil in general.

[@Alexrohart]

Also wanting to try shredda front, what condition do you think this tyre would be best for ? Doesn't seem like a very versatile tyre.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Yes, I'd imagine the more loose the soil conditions the better. However, I did find the Dirty Dan's to be surprisingly versatile. Especially the performance in dry loose over hard. But certainly they're not necessary on hard-pack.

[@motoxrdr4]

New subscriber and love your videos! Congrats on dadhood! Any rubbing issues using the TRP rotors with shimano calipers? Haven’t heard of that being done before!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

No, they seem to clear super well. I was surprised too. At the very least they'll last way longer than the Shimano rotors.

[@motoxrdr4]

@@SpencerAstraPOV sweet! Enjoying your reviews of the schwalbe tires as well, I very much enjoyed my tacky chan supergravity purple at Whistler!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

@@motoxrdr4 It's great tire! I appreciate the speed to grip ratio!

[@ssjj9584]

Congrats on the new addition. Question. How would you compare the Transition Spire to the Specialized Enduro? Similar travel. Heard great reviews the Spire climbs well with good geo. Better than the Enduro for well rounded bike? Which would you pick for a 1 bike all rounder with regular 4k pedal days and steeper downs?? Is the Spire Transition answer to the popular Enduro? Any info would be appreciated.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Hey, it's been a while since I've ridden both of those bikes. I do remember the Enduro being a crazy smooth ride, but I think our test model came with 2.6" tires...If I'm rmembering right the Enduro felt easier to corner at lower speed and the spire was incredibly long and stable feeling. Both bikes would be great pedalers, but I do specifically remember being more impressed with the Enduro for climbing. But once again, it's been a while (like years) since I've ridden either bike. The good news is you can't go wrong. In a pinch I might be tempted to go with the Enduro.

[@ssjj9584]

@ thanks for the insight 👍

[@jstn4102]

I just started riding clips with crank brothers mallet Es. I’d love a video on you pedal and cleat setup. And maybe your experience between spd, crank bros, HT, Time etc

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Cool, I'm an SPD guy. I tried crank brothers for a ride or two and immediately swapped back. I do rain Crank Brother's shoes though. They're fantastic. I can get into the weeds on my setup in the Chromag Pilot review!

[@jordanwalker2000]

Congrats on becoming a Dad - life changing in so many ways and awesome, so welcome to the club. I will have to try those purple brake pads. I run the TRP DHR-Evo brakes with the TRP rotors on my Firebird and I like them, but those pads sound like an upgrade from the regular shimano pads. I am also looking to switch out for a riser bar, I think it would be a positive change for the bike. I am definitely in the minority on this opinion, but I equally enjoy the high and low position on the firebird frame and I can't decide between them. Have you tried the high position much? I find it gives valuable BB clearance on the chunkier tech trails and makes the steering just a little more responsive at the cost of that slightly steeper head tube angle when things get really steep...

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I just discovered that I was running the Firebird in the high position for the last ...year? I must have forgotten the setup during my injury, but I like the better climbing position with the high bb. I should try going low again since I usually prefer my bikes to sit as low as possible.

[@jordanwalker2000]

@@SpencerAstraPOV Yea, it is surprisingly good in the high position. But I have been running it low for the last 4-5 months and it does feel good at higher speed and on steeper trails. I guess we can just be happy that both positions have their merits, but I think that high-position gets overlooked as what I believe to be the superior "all-rounder" position. Always appreciate your insights and content - keep it up.

[@ClickdJournal]

And I can’t believe you didn’t ride “dad bod” to announce you’re a father🙆‍♂️

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Real missed opportunity there

[@TheBikeBuddha]

Dad bod and Ebike owner incoming?

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Probably!

[@sheadleeful]

Congratulations!!!