400 XC-W 12T front sprocket

mapleleaf · 05-19-2011, 06:33 AM

I just ordered a new Pro Taper 12T front on the advice of several people.
Anyone have any experience with just swapping the front sprocket to a 12 tooth?
I find myself on many occasions wanting to be in a gear between 1st and 2nd and would like to be able to get the front wheel up a little easier when needed.
I mostly ride tight single track, lot's of trees and tight scramble courses.

mapleleaf · 06-05-2011, 07:18 AM

Anyone who has an XC-W should do this before anything else in my opinion. Really livens the bike up. Creeps in first gear now at 1mph. So much easier to ride the tight stuff.

bajadog · 06-05-2011, 01:26 PM

I ran a 13t on my 450 EXC, and it was pretty good in
woods riding.

How much did it take off your top speed?

mapleleaf · 06-05-2011, 02:36 PM

5mph. The XC-W gears are pretty wide and it seems to not affect top speed much. I seldom get near top speed with the riding I do.

bajadog · 06-05-2011, 05:23 PM

If you ever get a helmet camera or any still photos please post us a link.

I'd love to see your "neck of the woods".

mapleleaf · 06-06-2011, 06:51 AM

I'll post some videos and pics, I don't have a GoPro myself but I'll show some other local videos to give you an idea. Think New England, mixed bag. It's very rocky in my area, I usually drive an hour out for good dirt and sand. We have a lot of great pits to play in as well. The lakes freeze up nice in the winter as well

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

Awesome hill climb up Wentworth Mountain I rode 2 weeks ago.

You Tube

On the ice....

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

My CRF in ice trim....

The Canadian 250CC MX champ came out to ride some single track with us a couple weeks ago, pretty amazing how fast a MX'er is in the woods....come to think of it basically everywhere.

mapleleaf · 06-06-2011, 01:51 PM

...and I can't forget our wonderful rock gardens

Can't run a soft suspension in these parts if you want to ride fast and still have a lower back.

http://unclebrad.mediashare.com?sele...nclebrad518089

I'll try to find more vids of rock trails, nothing really gets me bent other than rocks. I've had some nasty high speed offs in the rocks around here.

bajadog · 06-06-2011, 05:09 PM

Thanks for posting those.

I might have tried some of those trails
in my youth, but not now.

mapleleaf · 06-06-2011, 05:15 PM

I'm 38 and only started riding 2 years ago so I don't know any better

I would love to get out your way for some riding. I am transforming my CRF450R into a XC bike and I just picked up an IMS 3.4 gallon desert tank.
Here is the build thread;
http://www.dualsport.ca/Forum/forum_...-cross-country