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I heard pros absolutely hated the 10T cassettes and got 11T cassettes and larger sprockets. Also... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsk3zAZyLaQ

If the MTB flat top chains have larger diameter rollers like the road stuff does, compatibility is out the window. But in any case, I'd much prefer the new cassettes and chains be compatible with the old derailleurs than the other way around. Riding an old bike without UDH means the new stuff is useless if it will be coaxial mount only while running the old stuff with the new chain without the stupid 42-52 jump would bring a happy middle ground. I'm SOL anyway though as I have the old gen X01 derailleur that can only handle a max...

I have it on good authority that SRAM is battling efficiency issues with their 10t cog in the context of world cup/tour level riders. From what I know, most pros are actively avoiding its use outside of soft pedaling, as there is about a 50-60 watt loss when over 1000 watts of power are applied. It's not a problem for the average rider, but it's not ideal for top-level competition.

Jockey wheels are the only thing that'd stop one from using shimano chain/cassette. And worst case, jockey wheels are easy to change. I'm sure an aftermarket company would make shimano compatible jockey wheels for axs derailleurs. I'm roadie ignorant: why are flat top chains used? What makes them better than a standard chain? Also thanks sram, less c ompatibility is what everyone is clamoring for!

I was fortunate enough to have an ex-pro DH guy in my area who was doing training and took a couple lessons from him. I also did a one-on-one session at Northstar. The biggest take-a-way I had is that you think you doing it right until someone can see you, explain what your doing wrong, and immediately feel the difference. It's actually quite tiring if you doing it right. When I've just watched a video and gone out riding, I'll just fall right back into old habits quickly or fall victim to Strava-cide.

Wasn't an answer on the survey for me to answer, but I picked the yes I paid for a clinic and made me better option thing...truth is, I live with someone that has taught MTB skills for 20 years, my wife. Nearly every ride we do I learn a technique from her. I have also met hundreds of her former clients that talk about the benefits of the classes they've taken. This is not a sales pitch, just a story, she doesn't do clinics full time anymore. But the point was, the RIGHT coach can expedite a skill that you...

Went to a weekend ride camp with Cedric Gracia. Came away with loads more confidence, especially for super steeps and technical sections. Also fun to be death gripping trying to follow him, he takes one hand off, looks back at me and says "Hey! Come on! Hurry up!"

Yeah, one of the earlier posts has more details (IIRC the cassette was marked as "flat-top only" or something similar...) From another forum: " I had a conversation with a reliable source, who has access to supply chain ordering for new bike builds at a well known company. He advised me not to order any SRAM Force, as they are being updated in March 2023." Dunno if they're going to release all AXS stuff at the same time, but that's in-line w/ what other folks have posted for the new Eagle release...

Long time listener, first time caller. Really enjoy this nerdery when its not derailled by eebs. Grabbed a few screen shots of the new sram derailleur for everyones enjoyment! Cheers!

29” wheels, and frames strong enough to be ridden on modern trails with 29” wheels are obviously going to be heavier than 27.5” wheels and frames. It seems like many consumers don’t believe or understand that bikes, especially the previous few versions of the carbon Fuel EX, have been woefully underbuilt for real world users for generations. As someone who has worked at a few Trek dealers over the years, the amount of time i’ve spent swapping cracked swingarms and shockstays or changing front triangles for people is hard to account for. A big or mixed-wheel shred machine is gonna...

Such a good point! I feel like most Colorado riding is similar in terms of dealing with roughness but fewer g-outs and high speed hucks

Will going back to non-headset cable routing the new threaded BB? Companies jump on the integration trend now and then in a few years some company will go back to the "old, better style" of external routing and be lauded for finally listening to the consumer and then over the next three years most companies will return to where we are now in the ever cyclic world of... Well, cycling.

Putoline?

You know it mate.

Re: The wandering bite point, I got curious as I had two SLX units develop it after a bit over 2 years of use. Warranties be damned. I installed a set of aftermarket phenolic caliper pistons and the problem went away at a slight cost. The AM units slip more than the ceramic ones, so the pad gap is reduced, but if you've set up a Formula brake it's much the same. From what I could figure looking at the pistons under 15x, the ceramic pistons have a rougher surface finish which held a lot of debris in the pores...

So a 32ish pound bike with a 52 rear cog and a potential 63.5 degree head angle is heavy? Last time i checked a bike needs to weigh at least 32 pounds to survive even 10 minutes of modern, brutal trail riding. Good brakes and survivable 29” wheels aren’t light. If you can actually survive a ride on a 28 pound fs bike in 2022, congratulations, your trailcrew has worked mighty hard to eliminate the good stuff, or your trails suck. Which is it?