Brigham_Rupp profile

I’ll have to try this and compare to my go-to: mouthwash. Kills the stink-producing bacteria and leaves your gear smelling minty fresh. Just a regular wash cycle. Works a charm.

Amen to that here in Southern Oregon.

I had the same experience running cushcore when I lived in Arizona. Great ride characteristics and rim protection was a bonus. I moved to southern Oregon last year and removed the CC after a few weeks. The climbs are too steep and the trails are so buff... it stopped being worth the weight penalty for me, improved feel aside. I am curious about trying the XC version though.

Ya. BD is pretty new to the outerwear game, but I’ve been giving it a go since I’ve been happy with so much of their hardgoods in the backcountry and climbing. I’ve been impressed. Got a couple different jackets using Schoeller and I really like it. I’ve tried a good variety of wind shirts/windbreakers/light rain jackets and I feel pretty good saying this is the most breathable I’ve used while still actually blocking wind and keeping me dry in mild rain.

Another option: I highly recommend the Black Diamond Alpine Start jacket. Wind proof, water resistant, quite breathable, and super comfy. Can get it with or without a hood. Packs into the pocket. It’s officially for climbing, but I use I throughout the year from biking to running to skiing when I just need to take the edge off. At certain times of the year you can find one for $60 or so. Black Diamond Alpine Start Jacket

Painted to look like foam? Weird.

Ya, that would be ideal. I have a dealer nearby but they aren't bringing any XLs into the shop.

I'm 6'3" but have been riding Large Transitions forever. Back in the day, I sized down for the shorter seat tube, and I've just stuck with large. My last bike was the previous Sentinel, and thoroughly enjoyed it in large. Never really felt like it was too small, but coming from my previous bikes, it was still the longest I've ever had. I'm looking at getting a V2 sentinel, and I can tell that the latest larges are going to feel cramped when seated and all the other numbers look great but the huge wheelbase worries me. I love bermed jump trails, and I worry that I'll have a hard time getting that big wheelbase around corners. Is this all in my head? Should I finally step up to the recommended size for my height? Any thoughts out there?

I know a lot of fans figure that the competition has moved beyond Gwin and that his time has past. I wouldn’t count him out just yet. Hope we can see him have a season in top form on the Intense to see how he and the bike stack up. 2019 was a great season overall, but it’s always a bummer when you’re trying to determine who is truly fastest and some of the top riders are not at 100%.

Try as I might, I can’t seem to feel okay about these things.