vincentaedwards profile

If the claims around improved shift quality at the GX level are true, then that's the real win here. Hopefully reliability will be improved as well. 

It's a bummer that most OEM bikes will end up speccing this lame cassette w/poor steps at the upper end... Nice to see prices stay the same, at least.

I went back to XT 11 speed after running GX-Eagle for about a year. (and suffering all the usual issues- ejected jockey wheel, degrading shift quality, and a big bulky derailleur that liked to catch rock strikes)

My current setup pairs a SRAM XG-1195 cassette and chain with Shimano 11 Speed XT/XTR mix. 

(most most recent bike actually came w/ GX Eagle, which I took off, sold, and replaced w/ 11speed XT)

It's very reliable, shifts great, and provides me with enough range to get the job done when paired w/ a 30t Chainring.

I haven’t measured yet, but I think it ends up around 135mm (120/45 x 50.8)

I plan to switch back and forth with the stock shock a few more times to compare the changes.

The fox 36 has a 4mm lower stack compared to the pike, so it’s not raising the front end too much, either. 

I loved the bike stock, but I’m loving it even more with these changes.

Thanks for the detailed maintenance articles! 

Have you tried a 190x50.8 dpx2 on your Tallboy v4 yet? (In place of the 190x45 float dps)

I’ve been running one, along with a Fox 36 140mm fork (bb in low) and I really love what it does for the capabilities of this bike. Frame clearance with a 2.3 dhr2 is not an issue.

I can’t see much (if any) downside... its still responsive and poppy but with a bit more support for big hits.

I have two friends who run the V1 and had similar issues (slow/no return) within the first 6 months. Luckily the fix/rebuild is easy. 

I bought one as a spare since the price is so low. Compared to my crankbrothers posts, the return is faster, but the locking mechanism and overall function feel less refined. It’s a small difference, but noticeable. For the price I’d still recommend it- just be willing to rebuild a bit more often than other more expensive posts. 

I love the simplicity of adjusting the travel. I also love the minimal packaging and the fact that this is offered as ‘post only’ without the lever.

I love the lack of BIG LOGOS on this frame. Bravo on that. 

In fact, all the 2020 Yeti models feature a wonderful lack of logos.

This frameset also looks like a perfect candidate for a '79er setup. 140 29er fork + wheel in front.

I’m pretty sure they will offer CC frameonly at $3,299 and alloy frame only at $1,999 but typically ship completes for a few weeks to a month before making those available.

Great write up! I’m glad to see so much thought put into the dropouts- esp love the 142 SS option. If I wasn’t a happy owner of a SS ti honzo, I’d be reaching for my wallet right now. 

I absolutely agree with your thoughts on carbon wheels + hardtails. I do wonder how the new Zipp moto rims would work. 

Do you have any thoughts on ride quality compared to the honzo?

Nice to see a carbon hardtail w/ proper SS dropouts that will run a 142 SS hub. 

I do wish they had gone a bit more modern on the SA- (if nothing else to support slight over-forking) - but I'll try one before I jump to conclusions. 

I'm looking forward to the long term SS review! Let us know if you get any conclusive answer about the 88t option for a Pro4 hub- I hope you're right!

Thanks Cam! I’m currently doing a ‘min-max’ build on a Ripmo, and leaning toward a similar drivetrain setup. (XT and Xtr 11 speed stuff) I’ll probably just keep using my XG1195 cassette until it’s worn out... but at that point I’m looking at either an E13 or Garbaruk to get a little bit more range. 

Glad to hear you had such a good first experience on the YT. I bet they are going to sell a lot of these...

I have a Kona Process 29 AL/DL. It climbs well and has good trail manners for such a capable bike. I use it at the bike park, and for rocky technical trail riding. It’s a bit more work than my Tallboy3 when climbing, but still very manageable. 

I think the geo and suspension kinematics are really key to how well it performs. I find that steep SA paired with short chainstays and long-ish reach really work for me. It’s also very quiet and composed on rough dh sections. It’s a bike that loves to go fast.