The choice is simple for me: pony up for Gucci 12 speed axs, or buy a mechanical 9/10 speed system from box, microshift, or old SRAM and live with bigger steps. If you want to go 12 speed do it right, otherwise HTFU and grind 75 rpm for a minute.
How we got to SX I’ll never understand. “I NEED 12 speed, but it doesn’t have to actually work.” It’s like reverse rip vanwinkel, where I was the only person awake when everyone was rolling just fine on a 10-42. 12 speed is a luxury, not a necessity, and if you’re going to buy a luxury basic functionality should be a given. Yes, yes, there are winch and drop trail systems that really call for these ranges, but that just means you require a luxury product and should expect to pay for it.
Maybe I’m just an arrogant youngster with good legs, short mountains and no empathy. But it sure seems like the majority of the market would be much better off with some different trade offs. And for me personally, fighting to keep a mechanical 12 speed system running isn’t a trade off I’m excited about.
Sept. 24, 2021, 5:06 p.m. - blackhat
The choice is simple for me: pony up for Gucci 12 speed axs, or buy a mechanical 9/10 speed system from box, microshift, or old SRAM and live with bigger steps. If you want to go 12 speed do it right, otherwise HTFU and grind 75 rpm for a minute. How we got to SX I’ll never understand. “I NEED 12 speed, but it doesn’t have to actually work.” It’s like reverse rip vanwinkel, where I was the only person awake when everyone was rolling just fine on a 10-42. 12 speed is a luxury, not a necessity, and if you’re going to buy a luxury basic functionality should be a given. Yes, yes, there are winch and drop trail systems that really call for these ranges, but that just means you require a luxury product and should expect to pay for it. Maybe I’m just an arrogant youngster with good legs, short mountains and no empathy. But it sure seems like the majority of the market would be much better off with some different trade offs. And for me personally, fighting to keep a mechanical 12 speed system running isn’t a trade off I’m excited about.