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I agree. I know what they're trying to say. But the way they are actually saying it is like nails across a blackboard for me! (first world problems, I know...)

I really like the look of these shoes, and they are at the top of the list to replace my Shimano AM7s when they eventually die. They tick what I'm after: not disco slippers, a cleat that goes far back, available without BOA, and (apparently) stiff enough to be good to pedal in. 

But good God, does it ever bother me to read "optimized for all [pedals, cleats, engagement]"... Like, it really irritates me. By definition, optimized is not universal. Try harder, words matter.

Man, I love the look of that Hangover. I've always preferred a spot on my head (for the ability to see far down the trail), and a flood on my bar (for contrast and to illuminate the middle ground), but I'm starting to see the limitations of that theory: you need to be able to see at least some detail off to the side of the trail in the middle to far distance to pick your lines well. Just last night I tried to cut a flat corner inside and tight, and didn't see the log in the apex. I slid out onto my knee cap and shoulder... fun. but I digress. 

I would have already bought the Hangover, but I have to admit I'm worried about the run time, and how it would be impacted in the cold - I ride my fat bike regularly in the winter, down to about -18°C (0°F). I don't suppose the cell is replaceable out on the trail is it? It would be sweet to be able to carry and extra cell or two in my pocket and do a trailside replacement as needed...

Curiously, 29r only...

I think we're saying the same thing? wider tires need wider rims. so I say why not just stick with narrower tires and rims, and save the weight?

or maybe my point is that for heavier riders, or for going fast, wide tire/rims aren't really beneficial?

thanks!

I'm beginning to wonder if this drive to inserts isn't in part caused by wider rims. I'd been on i26 rims for the past few years, and in combination with 2.3 DD rear and 2.4 EXO+ (both DHR2s), I'd found a winning formula. It was the first time I'd ever worn a tire out before cutting it at the sidewall (which I find is not fixable). I weigh 217 (it's been pretty steady for the many years), and I like to think I ride fairly hard (not pro, not beginner). At the end of this summer, I swapped to i30 rims. 

In order to only change one thing at a time, I kept my pressures the same (26 front, 29 rear). I've found that I get more burping with the wider rims. I suppose it could be the different rims bead seats (went from Stans Flow EX to Chromag Phase 30), but I kind of doubt it. On my first week with the new rims, I burped the rear tire and dented the rim as I went through a significantly chundery section. (the rim now holds air just fine, but I'm still running fairly high pressure at around 30). A few weeks ago I finished a ride with a run down a very rocky section that's known to destroy DH wheels and tires (it's called the Dump...) I rode it gingerly, but managed to burp my front tire, which was a bit freaky in a high speed rock garden.

My theory is that wider rims create more volume in the tire. Since tires are essentially undamped springs, increasing the volume of the spring chamber is like running a more linear spring. As you hit things harder, the spring will blow through it's travel easier. This is my theory anyways. I can't help but feel that inserts are a way of countering this drawback. But so would simply running narrower rims.

I've been really interested in the Tannus inserts and been thinking long and hard about them. But I can't help but wonder if going back to a narrower rim would be lighter and more beneficial. I suppose I'd be giving up a bit traction by running lower pressure, but that's not something I'm really benefiting from at the moment anyways. At the same time, I'm willing to give EXO+ and Tannus a try to see if I can get the best of both worlds. @korc, do you know which distributor those shops are ordering from?

2 things I think you missed in your write-up (but are in the article) - that were news to me: 

1. rinse twice and don't spin too fast (to avoid creasing). 

2. drying and re-activating the DWR are actually separate steps. Hang or use low heat to dry. Once it's dry, tumble dry for 20 minutes to re-activate the DWR. 

Thanks for the article, it's a good reminder. As a winter commuter in eastern Canada, the road spray, grime and salt can get really get into the fabric. I was worried washing too often would wear out the clothes too quickly. I used to aim for once a month. But I'll probably up that now. As a bonus, I find a clean jacket "pops" more than when it's covered in grime and dull. 

Now I just need to find a way to minimize the nano-particles of plastic that wind up in the ocean from all this washing...

can he haul the Evil with the Bimmer?

Have you had casing cuts in your tires? I ran Oozy 295s for a few years and really liked them. 

But two factors led me away from them: I really dislike the name. I find it dumb to run a rim with a huge "Spank" emblazoned on it.  And they clear-coat over the decal, so it can't be removed. 

Also, I think they are so strong, that they don't deform under impact. I've cut quite a few tires (including a DD) pinch flatting them.  I'm not sure if it's that the rim sidewall is very strong and sharp, or the shape and angle of the sidewall, but whatever it was, I wound up cutting quite a few tire casing.

ridden the KS LEV? howzit compare? you compare it to Reverb and Special-Ed's posts, but my experience is with the LEV, whose features are closer to the Kronolog than the other two… thoughts?

I'd be really curious to know what tires the top 20 were on. Width and casing, tubeless (or not), and how many tires they went through during the race…

Thanks for the coverage guys, it was awesome. This race is definitely on my bucket list….

It's probably hard to measure the impact that Digger has had on mountainbiking in general, not just to the North Shore. I remember flipping through Bike mag waaaay back in the early 90's and dreaming about riding North Shore type stuff. Then watching the NSX series of videos. I think the Shore spawned a style of riding that has spread throughout the world, and Digger is in no small part responsible for that, having envisioned, and created those trails. I think he needs more than a plaque, he needs a statue!!!

In the mean time, I'll raise my glass in his hounour after my next ride (which should be tonight).

How 'bout a Tall Boy vs. Evo 29r head-to-head, mano-a-mano style?

I thought I'd just add a note about feedback's customer service. I have an old "Ultimate" bike stand that had broken parts. I eventually found out that Feedback had bought Ultimate, and so I emailed them about replacement parts. Not only are they stocking replacement parts for Ultimate racks, they are also honouring warranty's and offering discounted rates to retrofit and upgrade Ultimate racks to the new (higher) quality of Feedback's designs. They were willing to work with me on shipping options, and helpful in helping me figure out how to do the retrofit. I was pleasantly surprised. they're good people.

"Not just because of the trails, the tales and the exquisite women, but because of the people." Are you suggesting that women aren't people?!?!

otherwise, nice write-up… makes me want to go.

I'm not sure I understand your beef with the contact adjust. Are you saying you run your levers as far from the bar as possible, and so therefore the reach adjustment is useless? If that's the case, then you're the opposite of me. I try and run my levers as close to the bar as possible, and without a contact adjustment, I can't get the lever close enough. which then renders reach adjustment useless. I run the levers close to the bar because I have short fingers, and I try and keep my hand as closed as possible to avoid arm pump.

nice write up though… keep us posted about how the bleedings go.

could be the Jura, or the foothills of the alps, a little farther south and west.

i have a question though, can it be called an "enduro" ride if he doesn't have any water? Maybe he stops to drink from the streams… :)

I'd like to know about the rims/wheels. what was it like to ride carbon rims, and do they seem like they'll hold up to some abuse?

hahaha, lol at the Dobermann "Le Pink"… it's the name of a strip club in Gatineau (well, Aylmer to be exact)!!!