Heinous profile

Similarly, I find the proprietary double row freehub bearings last about 6-9 months and can be a hassle to source. It looks like only Enduro make them, and I've been disappointed. Were it not for that bearing I'd be using the hubs in more than one bike.

How do the cells drain water? My main complaint with the Smith helmets was always how the cells hold sweat and water and then suddenly drop it all it the helmet gets a bump.

Sounds like this was recorded a little while. I'd love Bryson's perspective on the Trance / Giant team collaboration now with a bit of time passed!

I did not know singularities could be so dank, but there you are.

WHY NO COIL?

LOL. I recall being in the pits wrenching at a CX World Cup one year and innocuously (kinda) asking ‘hey, what’s the deal with all the spindles being 5mm+ too long for the shells? Is it spindle length or a they not bonded deep enough in the arm?’

Head sram tech looks awkward and says ‘I don’t know what you mean?’

Senior sram mechanic starts screaming ‘then why did I rebuild every athlete’s bike with new cranks today?!??!?’

I’ve sadly found I9 and DT vastly more service intensive, and the only singlespeed hub set up I would date compare is Paul Comp WORD with a White Industries freewheel combo. 

I’ve found that set up bullet proof. I’m not sure if it’s the simplicity and quality of manufacture but bearing last forever and are a cinch to replace. The trials freewheel engagement is pretty good too.

I recall joking recently how offended I was to have to replace bottom brackets and headset bearings (FSA and Praxis) after years of running CK where that’s just not a thing.

Agree. Weigh more, work better and last longer... it’s a good trade!

The third failed catastrophically on first ride (seat stay split in half, twisted the whole rear end and folded, landed cleanly off a 1m booter). YT staff let slip that whole batch was known to have a lay up issue but they supplied it anyway to fulfil warranty. I probably still have pics somewhere.

The first started cracking along top centre of top tube after a month. The second cracked around the drop out.

After the third YT offered to warranty just the rear end so I junked it and bought something else.

I warrantied 3 Capras and eventually didn’t even feel safe on mine after the third failed catastrophically on its first ride due to YT supplying a frame they knew came from a batch with issues. You get what you pay for.

When it does seize, using PB Blaster will work great and massively reduce the risk of collateral damage swinging a sledge hammer at your bike.

I really like front derailleurs on CX / gravel bikes. I’ve been running ultegra Di2 since it came out for cx, upgrading to hydro DI2 when that came out. For long, steady gravel rides etc the gear spacing and range is really nice.

DHf is great on the back, does well with roots, rolls fast. Doesn’t brake quite like a DHr, but not bad.

Yep. I tend to develop angry elbows around silly bars racing.

I was so close to ordering  a Fugitive LT Builder ed the week the lockdown etc all hit the fan. I'm glad I didn't, but it's still top of my list for do it all rigs.

Geo (trail) and tyres play a massive part. I just find on all my gravel/cx bikes I run 40cm, but I do have a track background with drops. I run 760-780 on mtbs.

Having said that I find with hydro discs I don't need the drops for brake leverage and am happy on the tops 90% of the time. 

If you can't decide between drops and flat bars, there's always this:

https://www.curvecycling.com.au/products/walmer-bars?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9tSgqbyj6QIV0xwrCh1vswAfEAAYASAAEgLKV_D_BwE

It’s not too bad. I’m using praxis asymmetric rims which can be pretty tight and it probsbly takes 3 more minutes. 

Buy those high quality tire levers you’ve always wanted and it’s a satisfying job with a beer.

Posted by: JBV

so true and the cost in Cdn pesos is just brutal. i haven't tried and have no plans to as i'm finding SG and DD tires to be ample protection and i do use Rimpact for a fraction of the price, but apparently it's not the same feel of CC which many say is truly game changing.  i just bought a 170mm coil sprung 29er so i figure i won't have to rely much on that perfect tire set up for ride quality!

I told myself this, and used Huck Norriss, but it's hard to go back once you've ridden the CC, or had a trip / race complicated by a needless rim/tyre issue that CC would prevent. I've still had the odd issue with the rim impact type inserts, but not with CC. I'm on a hardtail and a 165mm coil sprung 29er too.

I agree - at least one wholesaler I know in Australia decided not to sell as they couldn't understand / sell them, but they're slowly picking up. It's one of those things that I think people find easier and easier to justify after they kills tyres and rims, and only then do they really believe the other benefits. There's just so much hype and woo in the industry it's not surprising.

It’s insulation foam you can get from many plumbing and also computing/electrical supply stores by the metre. Like many things cycling it’s just rebranded generic product with an absurd markup.