Great assessment. The 9.8 spec seems to be the way to go - crazy that the fork and drivetrain warrant such a massive upcharge.
As an owner of last year's 9.8 29 I too am puzzled by the lack of this wheel option. Sure sure I get slagged on for still running a 2X but I think this platform is dialed with big hoops. Running Minions and a 160mm 36 and the bike has carried me through the best of everything I know in Western Washington and Squamish in the past year.
May 16, 2017, 12:34 p.m. - Dan
Great assessment. The 9.8 spec seems to be the way to go - crazy that the fork and drivetrain warrant such a massive upcharge. As an owner of last year's 9.8 29 I too am puzzled by the lack of this wheel option. Sure sure I get slagged on for still running a 2X but I think this platform is dialed with big hoops. Running Minions and a 160mm 36 and the bike has carried me through the best of everything I know in Western Washington and Squamish in the past year.