dan profile

Clearly there's more than one way to skin a cat. This Dakine item serves as my tire-repair solution, nothing more. Levers, CO2, one tube, and a pair of Pedro's levers. While I don't care too much about the paint on my frame, I don't want to use toe clip straps, gaffer tape, etc. The Hot Laps Gripper does the trick.

Then the other essentials you cite are in my Bontrager Rapid Pack (save for my EDC pump, which resides next to my downtube mounted water bottle), which is another really nice piece of kit. Compact, affordable, durable - it's a nice go-to.

Cam's right. Several cars feature or featured brake by wire tech, though it's not wireless (yet). In addition to these 5, there is also an Infiniti sedan that uses it is well.

I've had one of these since last July and it works great on my Slash. Works best on the downtube between the HT and the 20oz bottle I use. It shifts a little bit but I've never lost any contents, even while riding WBP. 

I'll also offer that there are two distinct philosophies on frame protection - those who use it, and those (like me) who do not. ;) Sure, the rubber backing of this pack does mar the frame finish a little, but I honestly don't care.

Reading through this post for the first time. I wasn't on carbon hoops until this summer and now I "get it". The performance and reliability has been quite good for me so far on a pair of Bontrager Line 40s and Crank Bros Synthesis wheels on an '18 Slash. I'm finding the Trek wheels a skosh to stiff for most of my riding here in Bellingham but they work well in the wet months when velocities and tire pressures decrease. The Synthesis wheels have seen a lot more mileage though, and I have to say they're pretty awesome for the riding I do. ~30mm width, some compliance in the front, stiffness out back. I would like to give the Reserves a try, too, and see how they stack up. A regular riding buddy just fit a set to his Capra...

This is some good news I can use as I am on Line 40s.

Great question. Cost no object? Of course I would. But would I make the jump from a traditional Stan's/Mavic/DT Swiss alloy wheelset on my go-to XT hubs? I am not sure. That would be a really hard sell on my budget, no question.

I guess the question is "If you're in the market for carbon wheels, would these be on the list?" and I can say YES. Lifetime warranty is a huge selling point, AND I am feeling pretty confident that these wheels would carry forward on a few more bikes, making them a fairly safe purchase.

Thanks for taking me out on a Fromme lap, Cam, and for putting my words up next to a pic of Greg Williamson - love it! I've been really hammering on these hoops and I'm very impressed with their performance so far. Prior to this my gold standard was the Crossmax SX - strong, dependable, low/no maintenance, and relatively light. So far with a few months as my only wheels I am very impressed. These could change the minds of a lot of skeptics.

Damn that looks good. Wonder of the fate of the 55...

These wheels are on my '18 Slash 9.7, too. I'm about 10 rides deep on this steed and the wheels seem solid so far. SE4's however are a bit outgunned by the bike and its capabilities here in the PNW. Sidewalls fold quite easily and the SE5 would be a better choice for the steering end of the machine.

Great assessment. The 9.8 spec seems to be the way to go - crazy that the fork and drivetrain warrant such a massive upcharge. 

As an owner of last year's 9.8 29 I too am puzzled by the lack of this wheel option. Sure sure I get slagged on for still running a 2X but I think this platform is dialed with big hoops. Running Minions and a 160mm 36 and the bike has carried me through the best of everything I know in Western Washington and Squamish in the past year.