This was a cool read. I have a Marshall carbon that I bought new on end of year blowout a couple years ago. Put some decent brakes on there (stock Level T's were woeful) and upgraded things as they failed or were found lacking. The Pike just needed an MRP ramp cartridge and it is much better. Found the right combination of stem and bars and settled on a High Roller II front and DHR rear. For where and what I ride, the bike and 2.8's just fits. For the humid and often wet, rocky and rooty Mid Atlantic terrain, it just smashed through everything. It is not the quickest rolling but it grips onto everything. I think about a lighter wheelset every now and again but am unconvinced. Big plus: I have never seen anyone with my bike. No one knows what it is.
May 31, 2022, 4:57 a.m. - derelict
This was a cool read. I have a Marshall carbon that I bought new on end of year blowout a couple years ago. Put some decent brakes on there (stock Level T's were woeful) and upgraded things as they failed or were found lacking. The Pike just needed an MRP ramp cartridge and it is much better. Found the right combination of stem and bars and settled on a High Roller II front and DHR rear. For where and what I ride, the bike and 2.8's just fits. For the humid and often wet, rocky and rooty Mid Atlantic terrain, it just smashed through everything. It is not the quickest rolling but it grips onto everything. I think about a lighter wheelset every now and again but am unconvinced. Big plus: I have never seen anyone with my bike. No one knows what it is.