DogVet profile

What we tend to forget as well getting older, is the visual processing capability. There are a few exceptions eg Federer, Minaaar, that get to their 40s and can still mix it, but for most in fast dynamic sports eg DH skiing, motoracing, football,  the optimum seems to tail off around 30 years ish. 

The few microsecond adjustments at speed are what creates the requisite pace to win. No doubt in some sports, the experience and being able to pace oneself assists in a longer career, but in those acute speed, spatial awareness sports, youth is usually king!

Just wait til you are 66, and still trying to push hard. Some days the steep and loose than really play head games!! I find I ride better and feel braver riding solo than in a group, I guess there is no peer group pressure ( given that most of my riding mates are up to 34 years younger!!)  and allows one to just take an assessment of the risks in a non pressurised fashion. I think trying to ride as fast or catch people up, leads to poor line choice, poor braking choice and old habits creeping in, riding solo going just as fast or even faster ( in my case) it seems always to come together better, less forced errors creep in, and easier to get into that “zen “ zone.

The problem ( if any)  with Starling is the chassis without shock, is the same weight as a Geometron, or Raaw Madonna chassis. Both, arguably a superior bolt on rear suspension , if it were possible.

There lies the problem with a steel front end, being its inherent weight, irrespective of a bolt on rear end.

Andrew 

Given my reply to one of your previous comments,  Re Turner Horst to seat stay pivot, and none of the Turner crowd could tell a difference when ridden in the dirt, my question is “ what is a top end suspension?” 

I have a single pivot, a linked single split pivot ( similar to a Trek) and a short link multi pivot ( CVA), all very similar geometry, yes there is a difference, the CVA, being the most plush, but the most fun and feel, I’m afraid goes to the shortest travel SP!! So which is “best?”

And Turner aficionados, try as they might could not tell the difference between the Horst and seat stay pivot locations!!

Which has a lot to say about the various suspension designs!!

Shock tune to specific design may be more important?

And yet another…!!

Special tool required for Shimano direct mount chainring lock ring!!

All bollocks

But could equally go the opposite way, similar to car purchase in the UK, namely a PCP (90% of cars in UK) , the bike bought entirely on finance and dropped back at end of period for next generation of E bike. 

Headline car prices have increased dramatically in the UK, as few pay cash outright, the only parameter that people worry about is the monthly repayment. The monthly repayment is usually based on the depreciation of the vehicle, which can be bought outright at the end of the contract  ( balloon payment) most don’t have the cash so just stay on the conveyer belt!!  Not sure if this contract hire occurs in other countries, but certainly in the UK, it allows folk to drive a big expensive car on a modest income, that is until it ultimately comes to the end of the conveyer belt, when sometimes the ballon payments are very considerable.

I think the Orange Frames are a lot lighter than most think they are.

And we have now bigger tooth cassettes to haul these heavier bikes uphill, with  the inherent gear ratios being overall lower, hence less speed up the hill !!

There is an interesting project doing the rounds of a guy on a Pivot 29 er DH made “enduro “ friendly, single crown, dropper etc, which bar the steeper seat angle on the Geometron, ends up probably not too dissimilar. Be an interesting comparison coming from the two starting points, DH frame v Enduro Frame.

Seb

How tall are you?

Thanks