jon profile

I run those bars and can bear witness to how good they feel. Definitely worth a try for those curious about bars with more sweep.

Genuinely, this might be the most useful mountain bike related review I've read. I have referred back to it a few times and reread it a few times. Based on the above I decided to ditch my insert and get a DD casing for my new rear tire. AJ you are bang on. 

For this time of year the DD casing and no insert is right for me. The bike definitely feels smoothee and the grip levels are just a (noticable) touch higher. 

I'm sure come summer when speeds pick up again, descents are longer, faster and harder packed the EXO+ and insert might find their way back on my bike. 

This is the kid of article that I love about NSMB. Good work AJ!

Thoroughly enjoyed that! Nice work Dudes of Hazzard, makes me want to go get properly mucky.

How has it taken SO long to have Wade do some videos like this? More Wade!

"Let’s see if he leaves that in when he edits this mess. Or what acerbic wit his red English teacher correction pen bleeds on it." - 🤣

Nice one Hansen.

I had a similar experience and one that was down to being a dumb customer. I ordered Wildcats as I liked the concept of the velcro strap to get a nice snug fit with the laces. I also thought the sole had the tackiest rubber compound. Coming off of a pair of 5.10 the Wildcats didn't cut it grip wise. And the fit was smaller than I was user to and 10.5 was too small.

I then ordered the Powerline and these are definitely comparable to the 5.10 Freeriders with respect to grip, but with a slightly stiffer sole and better foot protection in the toe box, ankle etc. 

The Powerline is a good mid point between the 5.10 Freeriders and Impact. I find the Impact too clunky but appreciate the extra protection of that shoe on bigger rougher descents. I've smashed my toes too many times in the Freeriders to ride those now.

My experience is that these run a little smaller by half a size over 5.10 shoes (I don't have a Shimano reference point). I ordered a 10.5 as I would normally but needed an 11 as my toes were stuff into the end.

This is a great topic Cam. I've been thinking a bit along these lines recently but it started more with my cockpit setup. I recently realised that my bar roll is significantly different to what it was years ago and that thought that this was realted to current bike geometry. I used to roll my bars forward to force me into a more aggressive over the front elbows out position. My bar roll is a lot more neutral now as I ride more centered in the bike. With that my brake levers are a lot flatter than they were too. 

Lots to think about here.

I cry BS! Come on, own up... the real reason you built that up indoors was the bunker was too messy. 

I get it.

I do the same when no one's home. :)

The Haskell pant is a really nice addition to the wardrobe too btw. I use them as a travel pant, good for hiking in, comfortable to sit on a plane in, comfortable to ride in and can be dressed up a little... really versatile and allows you to travel light.

Posted by: craw

Posted by: jon

By the way if you email Joe at Starling he may be selling off some demo frames with a fresh paint job. My XL Murmur frame arrives next week.

Interesting. Please do a post about your frame when It arrives.

Will do. The frame arrived safely last week. Paint job looks very nice and it will be much more subtle that my previous build. Just waiting on some parts from Cane Creek for the build and then some time.

Posted by: xy9ine

Posted by: jon

By the way if you email Joe at Starling he may be selling off some demo frames with a fresh paint job. My XL Murmur frame arrives next week.

sweet! what's pricing like?

I can't divulge details but I'm very glad I asked. Just shoot Joe an email.

By the way if you email Joe at Starling he may be selling off some demo frames with a fresh paint job. My XL Murmur frame arrives next week.

Oh and happy 50th birthday to Cookie! 😉

Chromag had a fully front triangle in view on their insta story today.

https://m.pinkbike.com/photo/18176743/

I wonder if earlb has been a consultant on the project after all his garage builds. ;)

Thanks Syncro. Yep it's a Corvid Dirtsurfer. Never been so happy with a bike. Custom frame with sagged geometry of 65 deg HA and 76 deg SA. -35mm bottom bracket drop, 342mm chainstays, 490mm reach blah blah blah.

Built with XO1 Eagle, Canecreek Helm, EEWings, 110 headset, White bottom bracket, Traction Control Industries stem and bar, WeAreOne Agent rims laced to Hope hubs.

I particularly love how low that top tube is, makes the bike super easy to throw around. Add in the titanium ride where it somehow feels forgiving but also responsive and accurate, and you have a steep technical trail scalpel.

If you are at all toying with a ti frame and want something custom the definitely give Chad a call. Awesome builder to work with.

There are about 6 of these frames under riders in the PNW now and for good reason.

Yeah this could be dangerous. If they take their Doctahawk geometry to a full suspension concept.... Consider me very interested.

Has anyone been picking up on some posts from Chromag on their Instagram account that look suspiciously like parts for a fully suspended frame?

Am I too late?

https://m.pinkbike.com/photo/17026098/#cid10364336

I'm struggling to link the actual photo from my phone. Will fix this later.