Crestline RS 181.2 thread – builds, reviews, technical info

zizajaun said:
I've never ridden a Crestie but I am basing my calculations on a OneUp V3 and SQLab saddles. I have 150mm cranks and the top of the saddle should be about 700mm from the BB. I do like a thick saddle (currently the 602 Active touring saddle) but even a thinner one like the 611 only gains me about 10mm of drop. My medium Geometron G1, with 440 seat tube, gives me 180 drop, and I find that's not enough. So I guess the Crestie is out of the question?
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I've had this problem, not Crestline specific, but another VPP style bike.

I'm 5'9" with a 32" inseam (floor to nuts), but I only run my saddles roughly 702 mm (BB to saddle top) with 165 cranks. On my current eMTB I'm running the saddle at 707 mm with 160 cranks. Years back I got fitted for a gravel bike and it was noted my "lack" of flexibility in hamstrings and back. I've also found if I raise the saddle more, then after a few days of riding pain develops in my knees.

I've always only been able to run 170-180 mm droppers with most "medium" sized bikes. With long travel 29ers (160/170) the problem typically was tire contact at full saddle drop (even if I had a bit of room at the seat post collar). This current eMTB is my first MX and tire contact is no issue. However I'm still running a 180 OneUp v2, maybe I could squeeze a 200, but it would be super close. I also like thinner saddle like the Ergon SM Pro, which "gain" you some travel.

On that VPP eMTB, I had to run a 160 mm dropper because the housing was routed around the shock tunnel and then entered the seat tube, which limited the insertion. It wasn't bad and I got used to it, but I wouldn't want to run less. I haven't felt a need for more than 180 mm dropper... its never in the way and now with MX, I haven't had a single butt buzz.

Seat tube length on current Firebird and Range VLT are 415 mm. Prior VPP eMTB was 425 and short travel SB120 is 400 mm. All running 175-180 mm droppers (OneUp v2, Fox Transfer shimmed down and Wolftooth Resolve shimmed down), expect the SCOR eMTB at 425 which needed a 160 dropper (180 OneUp shimmed down and actuator repositioned to eek out maximum insertion).
 
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bmwpowere36m3 said:
I've had this problem, not Crestline specific, but another VPP style bike.

I'm 5'9" with a 32" inseam (floor to nuts), but I only run my saddles roughly 702 mm (BB to saddle top) with 165 cranks. On my current eMTB I'm running the saddle at 707 mm with 160 cranks. Years back I got fitted for a gravel bike and it was noted my "lack" of flexibility in hamstrings and back. I've also found if I raise the saddle more, then after a few days of riding pain develops in my knees.

I've always only been able to run 170-180 mm droppers with most "medium" sized bikes. With long travel 29ers (160/170) the problem typically was tire contact at full saddle drop (even if I had a bit of room at the seat post collar). This current eMTB is my first MX and tire contact is no issue. However I'm still running a 180 OneUp v2, maybe I could squeeze a 200, but it would be super close. I also like thinner saddle like the Ergon SM Pro, which "gain" you some travel.

On that VPP eMTB, I had to run a 160 mm dropper because the housing was routed around the shock tunnel and then entered the seat tube, which limited the insertion. It wasn't bad and I got used to it, but I wouldn't want to run less. I haven't felt a need for more than 180 mm dropper... its never in the way and now with MX, I haven't had a single butt buzz.

Seat tube length on current Firebird and Range VLT are 415 mm. Prior VPP eMTB was 425 and short travel SB120 is 400 mm. All running 175-180 mm droppers (OneUp v2, Fox Transfer shimmed down and Wolftooth Resolve shimmed down).
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I'm 5'8 on a good day and my inseam is 31.5. With a narrow saddle a 170-180 dropper is enough, and maybe a 150 would be usable. But narrow and/or low-stack saddles (including the SM Pro, which I have in my parts bin) are just too uncomfortable for long rides.
 
zizajaun said:
I'm 5'8 on a good day and my inseam is 31.5. With a narrow saddle a 170-180 dropper is enough, and maybe a 150 would be usable. But narrow and/or low-stack saddles (including the SM Pro, which I have in my parts bin) are just too uncomfortable for long rides.
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That's tough... a 160 mm dropper in the 4 months I rode the bike was fine and I adapted. I was also limited in certain aspects because the frame kept cracking and then breaking (2 frames in 4 months). Honestly, I'd rather have more dropper than whatever the VPP offered on that particular bike. TBH the shock tunnel was a dirt collector and working on the dropper was a huge pain.

A straight seat tube, vertical shock and rocker for DW or horst link is awesome for maintenance and dropper length.

One experiment I did before buying that SCOR... setting my dropper to 160 mm and raising the saddle accordingly. Then I rode it for a week or so, just to confirm it was rideable, lmao.
 
Question off topic, any SL ebike ride as good as Crestline? Plush and supportive and confidence booster! Looking to add one to my collection… My Crestline rides so good I clear a lot new features at my local bike park/trails… however sometime I feel it a bit overkill and missing a lightweight bike and most of my riding buddies not on full power bike yet
 
She’s here in the UK , let’s get building
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If anyone is interested in getting an RH3 Frame with 700wh battery to leverage the full power of the M2S motor, I have a complete Speed Shop Team Edition model arriving this month and would like to trade my Raw RH3 size frame for the Forged version. I would cover all shipping cost.
 
Anyone else here get a shipping notification on their Forged preorder? I haven’t heard/seen anything yet except this #9 frame.
 
Can anyone tell me if the 700 battery requires internal brackets or does it just mount direct to the downtube via two of the three mounting points?
 
Singletrackmind said:
What kind of range are you getting in general?
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At least 5000 ft per ride with 800Wh battery. If I have it set to my custom Gen 3 Levo Mode (basically default Specialized trail mode), about 8000 ft. The caveat here is that I am a rather fit 152 lbs rider who spins an 85 cadence, and ride 5000-6000 miles a year (road, gravel, regular MTB).
 
Does anyone know of a source for the Avinox chainring spider (for 104bcd chainrings) shippable to the US?? It is found on the Amflow. Me thinks avinox has been caught with its pants down in a power hungry universe.
 
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Looks like Crestline are listening. The speed sensor cable is pre routed , on these latest builds.
Plus they’ve put a rubber tube to carry the display lead. Only problem is my 800wh battery won’t go in, with it in that position ( in the corner )
Not sure why they didn’t place it where the battery grooves are. Anyway I was planning to run that lead and the rear brake hose . Up the seat post tube.
No matter what people are trying to tell me, hot swapping is a thing of the past.
It’s not in the UK, on big Mountain days 🤣

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