AJM profile

Looks like Canfield is listening...https://www.pinkbike.com/news/canfield-bikes-announces-third-generation-yelli-screamy-aluminum-hardtail.html

Hey Ian - Not sure I fully buy that logic as adjustable dropouts aren't only useful for the 148/157 aspect. They allow for single speed, plus tires, more playful/stable rear end, etc. - so there's an array of reasons to consider. Plus being FOR 157, doesn't mean you need to be against 142 or 148. Everyone I know appreciates cross-compatibility, so I don't see a downside...Noel can still espouse the virtues of 157Trail (which I get and agree with), but use the flexible set up to convert non-believers and make Knation supporters even more jazzed about the brand!

I so very agree with you (& Deniz) here - geo is key (and looks good on the Ty, though I'm not sure I'd push it any further with reach numbers). The adjustable dropout was a key factor in what kept me in my current Rootdown (and I say that as a Knolly owner with a 157 wheelset, but I have other 148 wheelsets that I would have ported over from the Rootdown). Flexibility around rapid wheelset shifts (redish? no thanks), and as noted by others here, some flexibility about making this have greater potential for bikepacking, is just the name of the game these days. So yeah, some extra bosses on the top/down tube would have been good (though I do agree with HT Party on avoiding them for the seat tube to enable long droppers). I'm also befuddled on the non-use of alu for the frame as an option as well, as it would have been a pathway to align to Noel's other rallying cry on aluminum.

But a good review and one I'm going to keep an eye on going forward for future updates. Suspect Noel and team will be on here reviewing comments (which is always appreciated), so hopefully the discussion here informs pathways going forward.

Were that it were true Pete! Yes, they sold their gun business, but not their ammunition business (in fact they doubled down on it I believe).  Check out their website:

https://vistaoutdoor.com/brands/

Sounds solid. I suppose I'm struggling a bit these days with Blackburn/Giro/Vista being an ammunitions company and trying to spend dollars on the brands that align with my values (and no, I'm not seeking a gun debate - each into their own). Any hot tips for other solid choices beyond the Trek/Bontrager Ion?

Might be time to explore gravel riding? If the pump track is causing you grief, not sure your back is calling out for MTB of any kind, no matter how much suspension you're running! Treat that back well...back injuries are awful!

So agreed with you here. While Steel is the standard, and Ti is always lovely (but pricey), Knolly prides themselves on the Aluminum side of things and I completely agree with your take that there was an option to develop an "engineered high quality aluminum" bike with a threaded BB (and ideally adjustable drop outs and maybe even some additional bolts for bikepacking) that would have separated this bike out from the masses. Feels like Banshee has out-Knolly'd Knolly here, which feels bizarre...Lost opportunity.

Thanks for kicking off the 2021 thread Vik (and your note a while back on bikepacking setup). Keen to see what 2021 brings on the thread and will try to share more with my Chromag Rootdown now in play. Cheers all!