Two thoughts… both from my perspective:
1) I think the easiest way to think about it is that the closer you are to trials riding the more POE matters. Not that I’ve ever ridden actual trials. Up and over moves, skinnies, wheel lifts… anywhere that precision pedaling matters. Even timing a quick pump-and-pedal into a shoot. Anywhere you need to add momentum to make a downhill move easier.
Downhill, I hate the feeling of going for a little pedal stroke and my level cranks are suddenly approaching 11 & 5 when the hub engages.
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2) I don’t think any WC DH race has been won or lost because someone had a ≤5° hub versus something with fewer POE. Even in the “slow” sections riders are carrying a ton of momentum. But at the same time I also don’t buy that a random 1°-to-20° engagement from an 18t DT hub improves suspension performance, which some folks claim.
If anyone needs an example, the GOAT and the rest of the SCB Syndicate has been racing on King hubs for years with 5° engagement.
Dec. 14, 2021, 4:58 p.m. - Andrew Major
Two thoughts… both from my perspective: 1) I think the easiest way to think about it is that the closer you are to trials riding the more POE matters. Not that I’ve ever ridden actual trials. Up and over moves, skinnies, wheel lifts… anywhere that precision pedaling matters. Even timing a quick pump-and-pedal into a shoot. Anywhere you need to add momentum to make a downhill move easier. Downhill, I hate the feeling of going for a little pedal stroke and my level cranks are suddenly approaching 11 & 5 when the hub engages. —— 2) I don’t think any WC DH race has been won or lost because someone had a ≤5° hub versus something with fewer POE. Even in the “slow” sections riders are carrying a ton of momentum. But at the same time I also don’t buy that a random 1°-to-20° engagement from an 18t DT hub improves suspension performance, which some folks claim. If anyone needs an example, the GOAT and the rest of the SCB Syndicate has been racing on King hubs for years with 5° engagement.