PHRANQUY's Likes

The shot of Dylan by James is what puts the icing on the cake. The technicality of the drop puts butterflies in your stomach literally. The capture of the mountain range in the background is breathtaking with it being out of focus and sharp up close. Makes anyone want to ride right now.

Your weight whinge doesn't add up. One of the only issues with 1x11 is top speed. I think this is more about be able to run a bigger ring up front, rather than an easier climbing gear. There are a load of advantages to using 1x11 (or 1x10) over 2x whatever. I use a guide up front too, as no system is 100% reliable.

At the end of the day, you don't have to buy it. No one does.

Have you picked up an XX1 or XTR cassette? They are freaky light. You will lose, what, 25g by going to a more compact cassette? Sounds like a win.

I think I have lost 1 chain in a year... But I opted for not just the narrow-wide but the tall tooth ring (BlackSpire), no chainguide for me, so YMMV.

I love my 1x (with cheater ring for the big mountain days). And if you can't spin a 30t up to 30-40mph on a downhill, you don't know how to pedal at a high cadence. It just takes a quick burst and gravity takes over.

Rock your 2x. More power to you. Bikes are fun. Get over it.

P

PS: The real story is about the patent and how it might effect future innovation in 3rd party cassette development.

I've never ridden cranks shorter then 175 mm.

Clearly RaceFace rings use a different shock leverage ratio, so the patents are not infringed...

Another option:
http://www.bikeradar.com/us/mtb/gear/category/components/sprocket-cluster-cassette/product/review-leonardi-factory-general-lee-wide-ratio-cassette-adapter-13-47548/

It seems to me that doing so creates a gap for the chain to get caught in and fold causing catastrophic failure. Wouldn't a better solution, (and one that doesn't piss off SRAM) be to just use the limit screw and... limit the derailleur stroke?

That plastic disc will stop the chain from eating into your spokes if it goes too far over, but it isn't going to stop a rear derailleur that is hit on a rock. The plastic disc is rendered useless by a well-tuned derailleur stopping the chain from coming over and does nothing in the way of a bent hanger.

There is a little car for sale in the UK called a Caterham. It's design is essentially the same as when it was conceived in the 1950's. The models with the high output engines will put seconds into any modern supercar around a track. The point is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Bikes are all about geometry and suspension (mainly shock rate). Seeing as though these things can be built up very light I see no reason why it isn't at least as good as anything else on the market.