velocipedestrian's comments

They're fixed in seats machined to the angle.

This is why they ask you to specify HT length, and don't creak like the Cane Creek ones.

I've just recently done this - works - 2° headset with external upper cup, and switched out a 20mm rise bar for a 40mm rise.

Grips are finally near raised saddle height, but without the cramped reach feeling I get with spacers under the stem.

I have a theory about your mysterious comfort, Andrew.

> Whether it's the bend, or the internal taper, or the 31.8mm clamp, or a combination of all three items and some magical metallurgy, the ProTaper bar is surprisingly comfortable.

The extra rise means the bar is a longer tube than the same width in a lower rise. This means more bar to flex, and a lower resonant frequency (an open tube has a resonant frequency of a wavelength twice the tubes length, see, education is useful!)

26x1.95.

Fat tyres. There are things I don't miss about the old days.

Good to know. My SLX derailleur + goat link is fine, but that's a relevant difference if I'm replacing it.

What's the advantage of the 11s derailleur over a 10s one?

It's probably that new Marin El Roy to get all matchy-matchy with the Alpine Trail.

I love the deep nerd level of leaving the derailleur in the smallest cog overnight to take tension off the spring. Then handing the bike to the racer in the largest for smooth takeoff.

Is there a drain for the swimming pool around the lower shock mount?

The 4 pot needs more fluid to move for same pad travel as the 2 pot. If they share a master cylinder, the lever therefore has to move further before the pads bite.

Ye cannae change the laws eh physics.

Otherwise, solid review. I assume it's in the usual ballpark of stack-travel, not gunning for Oneups lunch?

Hey Andrew, you forgot to choose which paragraph to end with.

191cm rider chooses 165mm cranks. Guess that puts to bed the leg length argument.

I'm still rocking the 10spd SLX derailleur / XTR shifter combo, it's unstoppable. (with third party edits - Sunrace & goatlink)

This saddle looks good to me. I was happy with the Montrose and a chamois, but trying to join the iron taint club has me back on a Specialised Phenom.

I particularly like better shaped saddles coming stock, shop take offs make for much more available test riding.

I killed my phone two weeks ago (in my thigh pocket, Troy Lee moto) and am now nervous of keeping it anywhere it might get crashed on... Have moved it into the pack, but now I'm nervous of not being able to reach it when injured.

I guess I don't generally land on my chest/shoulder, do you lot?