New to the forum, old to the emtb!

[Gingershrek]

How goes it? Names Sean, been riding since I was little (haven’t we all!). Currently 43, broken down vet, the norm. Haha. Anywho, started back up in to mtb about seven years ago, picked up a 2017 trance 3, put way too much in to it, got some good miles, started to hurt again, so picked up a “better fitting” bike, a canyon stoic, rode it for a while, raced it, pain was still bad, would be useless for a couple days after a short 20 miler ride. Decided I’d try emtb. Picked up a 2021 tazer mx. loved that bike, coil, over forked to 180mm. It was a beast, started hurting worse, attributed it to the bike as it was a L/XL, not a true XL (I’m a slightly bigger guy at 6’3”, 260lbs). Went to an XXL jeffsy, bike was great, light weight, etc, loved it. Pain started to subside a little, figured I’d add an emtb to the stable. Bought my 2019 trance e pro 1. Built it out, fork, shock, stem, bars, drivetrain, everything that I wanted. She rode great, but the battery left a bit to be desired when riding with friends (most of them on canyon bikes with 700+ wh batteries). So I started looking to upgrade to the Energypak 800. But then I had an epiphany! The trance is great, but didn’t fit my riding style, plowing through rock gardens, hitting whatever buddies say “send it” (figure I’m over 40, already broken from some service injuries, can’t get much worse), I’m going to buy a bike that I truly want and build it to be my beast. Enter my current bike and the bike that I ride EVERYWHERE, local trails, scummit park, skypark, everything, my 2023 Reign E pro 2 in XL. Absolutely love this bike! Of course, since I can’t leave ANYTHING alone, I threw some of goodies I wanted on her, I splurged because it’s my absolute perfect bike for me, fits amazing, rides so nice, handles everything I throw at her. I’ll put up a pic and a short description of what I’ve changed to fit me and what I want, happy trails, be safe, and maybe we’ll ride together some day!

2023 Reign E

Energypak 800
Zeb ultimate charger 3.1 @190mm
Vivid ultimate coil with 600lb spring (I keep a 650lb for park days handy)
Trail1 Viking stem
Trail1 Crockett bars cut to 770
Diety Megattack grips
Assegai/assegai combo (both were tan wall, but shredded a sidewall and bike shop only had black, and well, I want to ride and not wait!)
Fillmore valves
Code R levers and calipers
Golfer purple pads
220/200 centerline rotors (takes all she has to slow this fat boy haha, but I’m losing weight!)
Xt deraileur and shifter
NX cassette and chain
Giant dropper in 170mm
Bought her with 202 miles on the clock, he had a wtb volt saddle, I rode them for a while, but started effecting the nerve issues I have, so went back to oem, the giant Romero. What’s funny about the saddle, I was talking with our lbs owner about how the volt started affecting me, measured sit bones again, sizing was accurate, he suggested to try the Romero about the time I was on the jeffsy, tried it, that particular pain hasn’t been around since.

 

[Gingershrek]

Oh, forgot to add, pedals, I switch it up regularly. Local trails I ride clipless, xtr with 510 trail cross, park and days we’re screwing around jumping, I run the RF atlas.

 

[Paulquattro]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Stihldog]

Welcome to the forums.
Cheers

I noticed you use Filmore valves. My wife’s doesn’t which may be why I’m constantly adding air to her tires. The only issue I found with the Filmore valves is that you can’t add Mucoff sealant through the valve. No problem …I just break the bead and squirt it in.

They are pricey but I use them on both my EMTB’s. A proper saddle is a mystery though …the search can be expensive.

 

[Gingershrek]

Welcome to the forums.
Cheers

I noticed you use Filmore valves. My wife’s doesn’t which may be why I’m constantly adding air to her tires. The only issue I found with the Filmore valves is that you can’t add Mucoff sealant through the valve. No problem …I just break the bead and squirt it in.

They are pricey but I use them on both my EMTB’s. A proper saddle is a mystery though …the search can be expensive.

I still break the bead to add sealant as well, even with the Fillmore valves. It only takes about 10 minutes, bike on the stand, air them out, crack a little open, pour it in and done. One thing I did discover, the tape giant sends their bikes out with for tubeless is amazing. On my 2019, it was still original when I sold her this year, 6 years old. The reign is a 2023, still original and not a bit of damage. Another weird thing, it’s honestly inexplicable, every tubeless conversion I have done for friends, needs an air top up every 1-2 weeks, which is expected. On my giants, I haven’t added air top the reign in about a month, pressures are still good. Same with the trance, hardly ever had to top up air before a ride.

 

[Stihldog]

I still break the bead to add sealant as well, even with the Fillmore valves. It only takes about 10 minutes, bike on the stand, air them out, crack a little open, pour it in and done. One thing I did discover, the tape giant sends their bikes out with for tubeless is amazing. On my 2019, it was still original when I sold her this year, 6 years old. The reign is a 2023, still original and not a bit of damage. Another weird thing, it’s honestly inexplicable, every tubeless conversion I have done for friends, needs an air top up every 1-2 weeks, which is expected. On my giants, I haven’t added air top the reign in about a month, pressures are still good. Same with the trance, hardly ever had to top up air before a ride.

Almost every one I know, who doesn’t use Filmore valves, has to regularly top-up the psi. I don’t. Sometimes for months …and I check (with the finger-thumb pinch test) before each ride.

Also, I’ve seen the colliflower-sealant mess that develops with regular valves. Sometimes that stops air inflation.

I don’t care that the air in my tires grows stale …I have an endless supply of fresh air.

 

[Gingershrek]

Almost every one I know, who doesn’t use Filmore valves, has to regularly top-up the psi. I don’t. Sometimes for months …and I check (with the finger-thumb pinch test) before each ride.

Also, I’ve seen the colliflower-sealant mess that develops with regular valves. Sometimes that stops air inflation.

I don’t care that the air in my tires grows stale …I have an endless supply of fresh air.

Very true. They are the best valves for sure!

 

[PeeJay1]

Hello & welcome..

 

[Speeeedy]

Hi & welcome

 

[jeanmarc]

Welcome here! I have that same bike with 625Wh battery, I'm a smaller rider, that is enough for me. 6,330km so far and no real issues. I don't know how many times I crashed it, there are many dents on it (and on me) but the bike is still going strong.

 

[Gila Man]

Welcome sir!

 

[Gingershrek]

Welcome here! I have that same bike with 625Wh battery, I'm a smaller rider, that is enough for me. 6,330km so far and no real issues. I don't know how many times I crashed it, there are many dents on it (and on me) but the bike is still going strong.

I do have VERY high expectations for the motor. I can’t remember the mileage I had on the trance e, but 6 years old when I sold her last year, original motor and battery. 500Wh was at 96% health, no issues. Motor was a hair louder than it was new, but still performed without a hiccup. I got a deal on the reign, super sketch buying off marketplace. So of course he drove it up to my house, met him at the gate by my shop, we were going to do the idea thing until I noticed his plate, much more decorated vet than myself, two Purple Hearts and is currently a police officer, so the fact we both had hip bulges was overlooked. Haha. Paid $3k for her with just under 200 miles. Battery health is at 99%, charges up good. I do regret giving the 6A charger away with the trance, it was late when the guy showed up, I was exhausted, that was the charger I got with the trance and wasn’t thinking.

 

[jeanmarc]

I do have VERY high expectations for the motor. I can’t remember the mileage I had on the trance e, but 6 years old when I sold her last year, original motor and battery. 500Wh was at 96% health, no issues. Motor was a hair louder than it was new, but still performed without a hiccup. I got a deal on the reign, super sketch buying off marketplace. So of course he drove it up to my house, met him at the gate by my shop, we were going to do the idea thing until I noticed his plate, much more decorated vet than myself, two Purple Hearts and is currently a police officer, so the fact we both had hip bulges was overlooked. Haha. Paid $3k for her with just under 200 miles. Battery health is at 99%, charges up good. I do regret giving the 6A charger away with the trance, it was late when the guy showed up, I was exhausted, that was the charger I got with the trance and wasn’t thinking.

Funny, I’m also coming up from TranceE+2, 500Wh & 27.5” wheels… I wish you as much enjoyment as I have on the Reign, love the geo & reliability. Last year I put studded tires on it and have been riding it year-round (snow and Ice…) Cheers!

 

[Gingershrek]

Funny, I’m also coming up from TranceE+2, 500Wh & 27.5” wheels… I wish you as much enjoyment as I have on the Reign, love the geo & reliability. Last year I put studded tires on it and have been riding it year-round (snow and Ice…) Cheers!

I’d say the only thing that is taking some getting used to, the mullet. The tazer was a mullet, but I’m a sucker for a full 27.5 bike. My jeffsy, both trances, the e and standard. I got so used to focusing on front wheel placement that I try to do it with the 29 instead of just letting it plow. That and it’s not near as “nimble” as the trance was. Case in point, fighting a buddy for a kom on a local dh section that is particularly technical as well as high speed with 180 turns right after a high speed straight leading in to a jump, I completely overshot it last weekend and now I need a new csu, trashed my right side stanchion going down. lol.

 

[jeanmarc]

I’d say the only thing that is taking some getting used to, the mullet. The tazer was a mullet, but I’m a sucker for a full 27.5 bike. My jeffsy, both trances, the e and standard. I got so used to focusing on front wheel placement that I try to do it with the 29 instead of just letting it plow. That and it’s not near as “nimble” as the trance was. Case in point, fighting a buddy for a kom on a local dh section that is particularly technical as well as high speed with 180 turns right after a high speed straight leading in to a jump, I completely overshot it last weekend and now I need a new csu, trashed my right side stanchion going down. lol.

Stack is much higher on the Reign, making a riding posture more favorable for descents I think… Sorry for your crash...

 

[Gingershrek]

Stack is much higher on the Reign, making a riding posture more favorable for descents I think… Sorry for your crash...

It is, it’s a phenomenal descender, but man, the ever so slightly heavier front end got me. lol. And eh, that was a small crash. Back in 2021 I had a bad one. A buddy was towing me in to a drop on a new trail and I got a little too close to him, grabbed a handful of front brake as I was in the air, when I hit I ALMOST went otb, but instead somehow landed with my left thigh on the right side of the frame, ended up with a stage 2 tear on top and bottom of the rectus femoris and a morale lavallee (probably spelled that wrong) legion. That was painful. Haha.

 

[bww5325]

Welcome!

 

[BigB]

Great write up, looks like you have built your perfect bike. One question, you use a 170 dropper and i assume it fits you perfect for your riding style. Im 6-4 and sometimes think i need a taller one than my 210 for better leg extension/ hill climbs. Fairly new to this emtb thing but loving my 22 levo 3 expert- thing ia a beast imho but at 170 front/ 160 rear im not close to your travel. Ride on brother- enjoy.

 

[Gingershrek]

Great write up, looks like you have built your perfect bike. One question, you use a 170 dropper and i assume it fits you perfect for your riding style. Im 6-4 and sometimes think i need a taller one than my 210 for better leg extension/ hill climbs. Fairly new to this emtb thing but loving my 22 levo 3 expert- thing ia a beast imho but at 170 front/ 160 rear im not close to your travel. Ride on brother- enjoy.

View attachment 179604

It looks like you have a good amount to go up and down by the collar height, and being your height, with the seat bottomed out, I would assume that you have plenty of clearance? If your legs just aren’t extending as they should, raise the drop or collar up from the seat tube 5 mm at a time until you get the proper extension. I hope I’m referring to the right thing that you’re talking about.

Edit: I think I know what you mean. How close are you to the minimum insertion line on the dropper? I have been setting my saddle height for years by the heel on the pedal method. Is it accurate? I don’t know, but it works for me in keeping me just enough shy of locking out the knees to the point I don’t have knee pain, at least from the bike.

 

[Gingershrek]

Great write up, looks like you have built your perfect bike. One question, you use a 170 dropper and i assume it fits you perfect for your riding style. Im 6-4 and sometimes think i need a taller one than my 210 for better leg extension/ hill climbs. Fairly new to this emtb thing but loving my 22 levo 3 expert- thing ia a beast imho but at 170 front/ 160 rear im not close to your travel. Ride on brother- enjoy.

View attachment 179604

Oh, and one more thing, you are almost spot on travel wise! I’m a 160 rear, same as you, and a 190mm fork, but I am 20mm over stock. It’s originally a 170/160 bike. Honestly, every bike I’ve owned has been over forked. Maybe one day I’ll snap a head tube, but don’t think I ride hard enough for that. Haha. I’d say since you’re a fellow big’un, look at a coil rear, but my understanding is the yoke bikes put a lot of stress on the thinner shaft and have snapped on occasion. Not saying it’s every bike, but something to keep in mind if you were interested in a change.

 

[fyre1212]

Wow Sean, that’s quite the journey! Really impressive how you’ve iterated through multiple bikes to find the perfect fit for your riding style and body. It’s a great reminder that comfort, fit, and personal preferences matter just as much as specs and components—especially when dealing with past injuries or longer rides.

Love how you’ve built the 2023 Reign E Pro 2 into your “everywhere” bike with thoughtful upgrades. That combination of coil, fork, stem, bars, and even the saddle choice shows a real dedication to riding well and staying comfortable. Definitely sounds like you’ve dialed it in perfectly for your size and riding style.

For anyone looking to dive deeper into optimizing bikes, gear, and setups, there are some good resources here as well:

UNICCM

Would be awesome to catch a ride with you someday—your setup sounds like a blast on the trails!

 

[Gingershrek]

Wow Sean, that’s quite the journey! Really impressive how you’ve iterated through multiple bikes to find the perfect fit for your riding style and body. It’s a great reminder that comfort, fit, and personal preferences matter just as much as specs and components—especially when dealing with past injuries or longer rides.

Love how you’ve built the 2023 Reign E Pro 2 into your “everywhere” bike with thoughtful upgrades. That combination of coil, fork, stem, bars, and even the saddle choice shows a real dedication to riding well and staying comfortable. Definitely sounds like you’ve dialed it in perfectly for your size and riding style.

For anyone looking to dive deeper into optimizing bikes, gear, and setups, there are some good resources here as well:

UNICCM

Would be awesome to catch a ride with you someday—your setup sounds like a blast on the trails!

Thank you for the kind words! Everything falls into place when you start paying attention lol