Some of it. You still get better shifting from the derailleur without the laughably shit GX cage materials and main pivot / knuckle and B-tension tab. It stays better for longer too, GX seems to need regular b-tension adjustment.
The GX cassette works fine with Shimano 12s if that's your thing...
I just want to say that those pink ano washers under your bidon bolts are perhaps the most understatedly cool bit of pimpage I've ever seen. Especially because they'll be under a bottle most of their life. Nice one.
One possibility here is to get a CAMO spider with a non boost offset... I did this a while ago for a different combo and have been smirking to myself every now and then ever since.
They did explain that a while back for XTR, claiming that the main source of drag they could eliminate was the seals, but to do that meant smaller seals, therefore smaller bearing and smaller cups to put them in. That explains (maybe) the smaller cups for DA and XTR, but doesn't explain why the ditched the old standard entirely to intro a second one. Those plastic adapters are nasty.
I've always found the Flow really great until IXS downspec'd the fabric on the outside about 2 years ago. I've found the new ones far less durable which is really annoying when they should be designed to hit the ground.
They're still the comfiest I've tried but I'm actively looking for something that's more durable.
I wonder if there's a way to run them at shorter travel? It would be a cheaper alternative to the Smashpot at 120/130mm in a 36...
They would have been better updating the GX cage and knuckle design and materials so they don't lunch themselves at the sight of mud. Expecting them to run on an even larger cassette with an uglier jump is classic SRAM.
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.
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