DarioD profile

I've run many sets of their pads in 4 different model brakes, no issue on any of them. Sounds to me like you probably contaminated your rotors, or didn't bed them in at all - quality is definitely there with their product.

Even if one is adamant about needing a Gu-like product on rides, you can easily switch to buying the stuff in bulk and filling any of the aftermarket flask options that exist. 40-50 servings in a big jug, and your waste is drastically reduced.

A few stints of experimentation led me to TruckerCo - and I've been fully converted on their pads for any Shimano/SRAM offering. 

https://www.truckerco.com/disc-brake-pads-retail

They're remarkably cheap compared to other aftermarket offerings, and the stopping power is impressive. Another option!

Hex plus is essentially just a differently shaped head, with more of a valley between each corner than the standard flat plane. It's supposed to increase wear life, and reduce rounding, and I think it lives up to the claim!

Not sure the link provided here includes it, but they also have a ball-end retention feature on some of their wrenches that I find pretty stellar.

I just returned that very EVOC pack today, just due to how useless the space in that front pocket seems to be. That, and it turns out there's a better version under a similar moniker - I believe this is the "Race" version, and the more well thought out model is the "Pro." I'm sure price reflects that though, so it might be closer to the Mission Workshop bag.

Reporting from a California town with extremely rocky trails, and pretty high trail speed. I'm generally sold on the e*13 tire program, and have found that their single ply trsr offerings are ideal when mated with a Cushcore in the rear. Might be nice in the front as well, but bike weight matters in a place where 4k' elevation gain is not unusual. I don't deviate from this combo much anymore, after much experimentation it seems ideal for my riding here and offers peace of mind if and when I travel to new trails.

I recently ran an EXO casing Aggressor in the rear while I waited for a new tire to arrive, and though I feared a blowout every ride, it survived quite well with Cushcore backing it up. I could definitely feel tire squirm on compressions, even with the CC and around 24 psi. I'm 170-ish lb.

For what it's worth, I'm riding an Evil Following MB, typically around 33lbs.

The Trail Boss at 50% wear fills your niche pretty well, but I've found it to be nothing like a S/S in rolling speed until it's properly worn.

I've been on the e13 S/S program for a few tire's time now, and really dig them on my full sus, but agree with you that a bit more volume would make them far more hardtail friendly.

In the end, if you're someone who has to put in any road miles to get to a trailhead, the semislick life can be a disheartening one every 250 miles or so.

I've run my Evil Following MB in two different configurations, both over-forked.

In its 29" form, I have a -1 Works Headset and a 140 Pike, which makes for a pretty fantastic all-around ride.

For the 27.5" alternate, I used a 160mm 36 up front, and got along with it pretty well, thought the dive of the fork made some deep tech a little cumbersome.

All in all, I'm fully sold on the long-fork life.

For what it's worth, I'm in one of the shelter-in-place cities in California (San Luis Obispo), and the Sheriff's official position is this:

"It's important to know about a shelter-in-place directive that you are allowed to leave your house. You can still leave to get food or medicine or keep doctor's appointments. You can leave your house to take your dog on a walk. You can leave your house if you want to go for a hike. Just remember the rules regarding the six-foot social distancing rule and to avoid gathering in large groups."

Seems our trails remain an option, which is great news considering how much rain we've gotten!

I run this combo with a 2.6" up front, loving them so far in the dry dusty stuff here in California!