pudding profile

I purchased this exact same setup a month or so ago minus the Wolftooth chainring. I am using a 32t raceface single chainring that I was planning from the beginning to change out for a raceface Narrow/Wide chainring when they become available. I have been quite surprised thus far that I haven't lost a chain even without the Narrow/Wide chainring. Maybe it's just the clutch on the Zee derailleur that makes all of a difference, and really the Narraow/Wide chainrings are not really that necessary. I am running a bash guard though, so I guess that might also make the difference.

1. Giant P-AM2 rims with Giant Tracker hubs (formula re-branded?)

2. No

3. I haven't had problems with my current wheelset. I have had to replace worn out bearings on older wheelsets as well as broken rims and spokes, but that was mostly due to riding the bike park every day when I was younger.

4. I set up the P-AM2's tubeless, which is my first time trying it out. So far I am very happy with the results (no flats).

5. I usually run what comes on my bike until it needs to be replaced.

6. Yes I own a 2015 Giant Reign 2.

7. I live in Squamish. I mostly ride Squamish, but I usually get a few days in Whistler, Pemberton, the North Shore, or Vancouver Island. I usually get 3 or more rides in a week generally riding the trails above Quest or Alice Lake area.

8. Around February of this year I decided to purchase a new bike, despite my wife giving me a hard time about the fact that there was nothing wrong with my old one, it was definitely time. My plan was to buy the Reign Advanced 1, but after telling my wife exactly how much I intended to spend, she said that there was no way in hell I was going to spend that much money on a mountain bike. I ended up settling for the cheapest of the Reigns, the aluminum Reign 2. Before I had decided on buying a new bike for 2015, I purchased a 42T sprocket, RADr cage, and 30T N/W chainring from OneUp components, knowing that both of the lower spec Reigns had 2x systems. The first day I got my new bike, I stripped off the front derailleur and chainrings and replaced them with all of the OneUp components. Installation was pretty easy using the video guides for reference, although the most difficult and fiddly part was the RADr cage. I ended up purchasing an XT cassette to go along with the new 42t sprocket because the stock 11-36 cassette on the Reign is not compatible with the 42t sprocket. I also ended up removing the taco style bash guard that came on the bike, despite a few people telling me they didn't think it was such a great idea to not have a bash guard. From My first ride until now I have been quite happy with the whole system, nothing has failed. I haven't experienced any dropped or broken chains, which I wasn't worried about, but it seems like quite a few people believe that a clutch derailleur paired with a N/W ring isn't enough. The 42t sprocket is definitely the savior I need to get me up some of the climbs I do regularly in Squamish, although I am definitely not a strong climber, so I need all the help I can get. The downside to the setup is that the 30t front ring does cause me to spin out on fast logging road descents, but not on trail, so that is still fine with me. The shifting does leave something to be desired, I have found that the 16t cog that OneUp provides with the 42t doesn't shift very nicely at all. Sometimes I have to push the shifter a bit more to get the chain to shift up to the 16t. Shifting into the 42t sprocket is also not extremely smooth, it tends to jump into it. I guess the main question is whether or not I would recommend OneUp components as a solution for cheaper 1x10. Yes would, even with the few problems I have had, it does work really well. It has also been more reliable than some people had tried to lead me to believe before the purchase.

I don't quite understand why people think the trails on Ring Creek FSR are pedal up only? I shuttle them all the time (by going up Garibaldi Park Road). I've pedaled up to Half Nelson once, but only because there was too much snow on 19th hole to ride it. I understand what you are saying about wanting to make trails more sustainable and more maintenance free, but thats how Ted has been building his trails. That trail(Half Nelson) has seen so much Traffic since it has been open and it's in great shape because it was built well. I don't think there is anything wrong with shuttling. I ride Alice Lake or Valleycliffe if I want to pedal up. Don't hate on the shuttlers just because you are opposed to doing so yourself. If you like to "earn your turns" then so be it, but I sure as hell ain't pedaling up if I can do more riding in less time.

As far as building a machine built trail up to Garibaldi park road goes, I think it would be great. It would give everyone more options when riding from the top. More options means less wear and tear on trails, or at least thats what I think.

On a side note there is a possibility of putting in a trail (from what I can see on the map) from the start of One Trick Pony and diagonally across to Ring Creek FSR area without being in the park at all.

I rode Blow Out Your Candles today and it is super muddy at the top (no bridge as of yet). I got so much sticky mud on my tires it was a little sketchy lower down. The trail needs some work although I know It isn't allowed, but maybe some rogue builders will do something about it.