Crestline RS 181.2 thread – builds, reviews, technical info

[bmwpowere36m3]

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?

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).

 

[zizajaun]

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).

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.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

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.

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.

 

[KillerbeeDH]

Why do you knot like sram transmission?

terribly slow to shift through multiple rings.

 

[BikingBad]

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[Lfhao]

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