Great article, very thorough. I'd like to point out a distinction that doesn't show up in any professional reviews, but which has affected thousands of SRAM customers. SRAM, and perhaps other brands, often use different specifications for OEM brakes compared to the aftermarket sets sold separately. In the Guide line, these cheaper parts in the lever actuators failed MASSIVELY, leaving thousands of customers at the mercy of their respective shops' warranty processes. Some riders reported that their LBS swapped the levers immediately, allowing the customer to keep riding while the shop dealt with the SRAM warranty department. In my case, I dealt with the original bike seller, Jenson, who required their customers to remove and ship the entire brake assembly to Riverside CA. Then Jenson reported that SRAM was backed up and out of the replacement parts for months. Eventually, my levers were re-conditioned with replacement parts and returned to me. I had to deal with re-installing and bleeding the rear. I am partly to blame for using mail-order rather than LBS. However, SRAM was little more than indifferent in admitting these brakes are not the same as the aftermarket versions. My point in this long post is to warn fellow riders that OEM parts are not always the same as what the professional reviewers are provided to test, and the value of an LBS over mail order. Thanks.
Five Ten Freerider Pro are excellent shoes. They are worth twice (nearly) the price of the regular 5-10 FRs, notably lighter and less stitching means more durability. Hard to find on sale, so you know they're good.
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