metacomet profile

I've actually had quite good luck with the tubed Tannus Armor on mine, and my sons DH bikes.  It's been very set and forget and has as good puncture resistance as I could possibly ask for within reason.  They're heavy, but I just want to ride DH with as little concern for puncturing as possible.  And they work well enough as a run flat to get down the mountain without breaking your rims, and are a quick and clean tube change once you get to the bottom.  I'm wondering if you kept pinching the tube during the install, as I have found the install process to be quite difficult since its so much material to cram into the center channel and keep organized, and also avoid pinching the tube when you are getting the last few inches of tire-bead back over the rim.  I have to first mount the tire either tubeless or tubed without the insert to get the bead seated, break the bead off one side, and then install the insert and tube.  That way I have the most amount of room possible for the insert and tube, and most importantly room to get the tire bead into the channel and over the last few inches rim without resorting to going full ape with the tire levers.

I've had nothing but great experience with the Sunrace cassettes and actually found the shift quality to be as good or better than 11speed Shimano XT.  Currently have a build in the works and am going to use the Sunrace 11speed 11-50T cassette with a 11 speed XT shifter and a 12 speed xt derailleur.

Tri bikes (the horror) should be MANDATORY wireless only.   Road in general is a great place for wireless drivetrains.

It's the next step in the illogical evolution of the ever coveted drop to flat.  The dorp to falt just takes it that much further and helps put to words something that is so completely awkward and harsh that it defies all common convention.  The high jank holy grail.

It is great that they fit two bottles in there, but it's more that the seat tube mast is unnecessarily long and inhibits the dropper length.  Especially considering that the seat tube looks like it can accept a very long insertion depth.  I just feel like with the omission of that design consideration, among todays competition, the bike is going to be quickly overlooked by people less strictly xc focused unless they are coming from a very similar xc bike.

So, the Real question... 2014 Kona Process 111, or this new Lux?  For myself if the intention was to find a fast but still fun and versatile xc'ish/trail'ish versatile and adaptable bike I think I would still go Process 111.    That seat tube length would be the deal breaker for me honestly.

I´m currently working on getting my hands on a Rootdown Ti.   Makes perfect sense since I already own a Stylus, right? Right!?

Off topic, but how has the addition of the Surface Voyager flown under the radar over here?  @Andrew Major??  Looks sweet.   

Back on topic, the Minor Threat looks amazing.  Nice job, Chromag!

Anyone else find the fit of the 5.0 jacket a bit funny in the chest and shoulders?  Mine is quite tight across the chest and into the shoulders.  Not as noticeable when in the riding position, but it is quite bothersome when standing or sitting upright and doesnt match the fit of the rest of the jacket, or much of the other Leatt items I own.  Maybe it was just with the first gen 5.0 jacket, as it doesn't look like tight across those areas on the rider in the review.  Agreed on the material though.  It is robust.  No real chance of packing this jacket into a normal riding bag, but it is the jacket I want on if its really crappy outside and doing something primarily DH focused. 

The 5.0 jersey is one of my favorite jerseys and pieces of riding gear ever.  The weight of it is perfect, the windproof chest and arms, and super breathable back means it is Super versatile for layering and regulating body temperature effectively. Not too hot, but warm enough where it actually matters, and alone or combined with a vest it is easy to pull the sleeves up a bit too cool off fast during hard efforts or rising/variable temps, which is not something you can do very well with a windproof jacket.   I wear it with an appropriate base layer depending on the temps, and the funny looking but super effective and versatile Fox Pro Fire Alpha vest on essentially every ride through the fall/winter/spring, and its as close to perfect layering system as I have ever found for near and below freezing winter conditions.  I will also always keep a super packable DWR wind jacket in case the weather takes a turn. 

The 5.0 shorts are made very nice but I haven't used them as much as I had hoped when I bought them.  They are a bit too warm for really pedaling hard in unless its really cold and wet out, but when its cold and/or wet out I find that I would just rather be in a pair of pants like the RF Agents or my NF DP3's.  I guess for DH days in the wet they would be pretty great, and the material should really help them to not feel soaked and heavy and gross in those kind of conditions.

I loved this.  I also have a stylus, and this is exactly how I would love to be able to ride it, if only I had those skills! Haha! Really fun and relatable riding and very inspiring!