Dem bicicletas, doe

[troyguitar]

I haven't touched my bike in a couple of months now. Got the trainer wheel all built up and ready but have been too lazy to clear space and actually use it. Maybe next week to burn off the turkey.

[Apex]

My NX Eagle stuff seems to work well?

Guide T brakes could be beefed up a bit doe.

[Johnny_P]

I think it's also a case of lower-tier equipment getting a lot better in the last couple years. Carbon wheels used to be for the elite. Now a pleb can rock out with his carboner out.

Interesting to see Giant ditching 27.5, though.

That's a good point too. Years ago, you had 3 sort of good component groups. XTR, XT, SL (X later). Outside of those 3 and Sram equivalents nothing would hold up to real trail abuse.
Now Sram has added more components to the lower end, and Shimano Deore is acceptable for trail usage. And those lower sets get good reviews saying it's a bit more plastic or not as smooth feeling but still durable with good shift quality, so not much to lose.

And yeah I bet Giant (world's largest bike manufacturer) has figured out a way to quickly mass produce a shitload of mid-quality carbon wheels, hence you're seeing it on a lot more of their lineup. And the reality is, a carbon wheel provides a lot more bennies than stepping up from Sram SX to Sram NX.

Wish they wouldn't be cheaping out on the forks quite as much though.

[Johnny_P]

My NX Eagle stuff seems to work well?

Guide T brakes could be beefed up a bit doe.

yeah! exactly. GX was their lower end groupset for a while. Now they added NX and one lower SX but everyone seems happy with them which is awesome.
Sram brakes have been meh for a while. Serviceable, but not quite industry leading power.

The interesting part, to me, is seeing NX on a $4500 build which used to be GX/X0 territory.

[Johnny_P]

If anyjuan is considering getting some nice high quality lights, Action LEDs is having their annual 25% off Gloworm sale.

https://www.action-led-lights.com/

Code: FRIDAY25

I have the XS and Alpha lightsets. The batteries last a long time and are somewhat compact. Handlebar mount for the XS is great, it's a quick release and stays put. XS is a triple LED unit with 3 power settings, it's almost good enough to use on its own but for trail work you'll probably want another spotlight on your which is why I got the Alpha to go with it.

For my 50% night ride yesterday I only had the XS and even on MTB trails on my CX bike (read: cautious riding) the middle power level was adequate.

Apparently you can change lenses from spot to flood and whatnot but I haven't 'd with that.

5/5 purchase, would buy again.

[Johnny_P]

ALSO also. If anyone wants my old LED light you can just have it. Venmo me a few $ for shipping.

It's a 700 lumen JetLites A-51. Mount it to your helmet and it's usable off road although you'll need to go a bit slower than in daylight. I replaced it because I was out-riding it too often but it works fine. Has a bit of a dark spot in the center of the beam.

[fledonfoot]

My NX Eagle stuff seems to work well?

Guide T brakes could be beefed up a bit doe.

Interesting to see your Guides doing the same thing as wifey’s.

They’re 4 piston junk. I’m ditching them for XTs.

[fledonfoot]

I think it's also a case of lower-tier equipment getting a lot better in the last couple years. Carbon wheels used to be for the elite. Now a pleb can rock out with his carboner out.

Interesting to see Giant ditching 27.5, though.

That's a good point too. Years ago, you had 3 sort of good component groups. XTR, XT, SL (X later). Outside of those 3 and Sram equivalents nothing would hold up to real trail abuse.
Now Sram has added more components to the lower end, and Shimano Deore is acceptable for trail usage. And those lower sets get good reviews saying it's a bit more plastic or not as smooth feeling but still durable with good shift quality, so not much to lose.

And yeah I bet Giant (world's largest bike manufacturer) has figured out a way to quickly mass produce a shitload of mid-quality carbon wheels, hence you're seeing it on a lot more of their lineup. And the reality is, a carbon wheel provides a lot more bennies than stepping up from Sram SX to Sram NX.

Wish they wouldn't be cheaping out on the forks quite as much though.

The New Marzocchi Bomber z2 line is a Fox 34 rhythm internal with different lowers and a slightly different crown. The Rhythm is an OEM only fork so now they can offer it to end users in the $500 range.

The giant AM rims on her Intrigue are the same as my Bontrager Line Comps. It appears their carbon hoops are almost identical to the Line Pro rims too.

Which makes sense, seeing as Giant are an OEM for so many major brands.

[Apex]

My NX Eagle stuff seems to work well?

Guide T brakes could be beefed up a bit doe.

Interesting to see your Guides doing the same thing as wifey’s.

They’re 4 piston junk. I’m ditching them for XTs.

[Johnny_P]

Ain’t never heard anyone say anything good about Guide anything.

Yeah sadly. The codes seem to review ok but all the Shimano brakes at SLX or above are so damn good anymore there’s no reason not to get them.

[Johnny_P]

That's a good point too. Years ago, you had 3 sort of good component groups. XTR, XT, SL (X later). Outside of those 3 and Sram equivalents nothing would hold up to real trail abuse.
Now Sram has added more components to the lower end, and Shimano Deore is acceptable for trail usage. And those lower sets get good reviews saying it's a bit more plastic or not as smooth feeling but still durable with good shift quality, so not much to lose.

And yeah I bet Giant (world's largest bike manufacturer) has figured out a way to quickly mass produce a shitload of mid-quality carbon wheels, hence you're seeing it on a lot more of their lineup. And the reality is, a carbon wheel provides a lot more bennies than stepping up from Sram SX to Sram NX.

Wish they wouldn't be cheaping out on the forks quite as much though.

The New Marzocchi Bomber z2 line is a Fox 34 rhythm internal with different lowers and a slightly different crown. The Rhythm is an OEM only fork so now they can offer it to end users in the $500 range.

The giant AM rims on her Intrigue are the same as my Bontrager Line Comps. It appears their carbon hoops are almost identical to the Line Pro rims too.

Which makes sense, seeing as Giant are an OEM for so many major brands.

Yeah that was a good move on Fox’s part. Bringing back the bomber name and making it a lower entry cost burlier version of the 34 and 36 chassis.

And I bet you’re right on the ramz. The Bonty ones likely come from Giant.

[D Griff]

ALSO also. If anyone wants my old LED light you can just have it. Venmo me a few $ for shipping.

It's a 700 lumen JetLites A-51. Mount it to your helmet and it's usable off road although you'll need to go a bit slower than in daylight. I replaced it because I was out-riding it too often but it works fine. Has a bit of a dark spot in the center of the beam.

I’ll take it, Venbro incoming.

[Johnny_P]

ALSO also. If anyone wants my old LED light you can just have it. Venmo me a few $ for shipping.

It's a 700 lumen JetLites A-51. Mount it to your helmet and it's usable off road although you'll need to go a bit slower than in daylight. I replaced it because I was out-riding it too often but it works fine. Has a bit of a dark spot in the center of the beam.

I’ll take it, Venbro incoming.

I’ll get it shipped out this week!

[Johnny_P]

Anyone been playing bikes or anything like that?

[fledonfoot]

Too cold and shit weather.

[Johnny_P]

Too cold and shit weather.

True, true. We've officially entered frozen vampire weather mode.

If rain holds of this week, I might try and get out with my buddies for a night ride in Belmont or Wiss.

[D Griff]

I’ll take it, Venbro incoming.

I’ll get it shipped out this week!

Thanks! No rush, really.

I rode Friday, my buddy was a bit so it was a bit shorter/slower than I would like, but still fun. Sherman Branch where we went is one of my favorites around here, quick, flowy, fun.

I am planning to ride Wednesday morning, might freeze my off but oh well.

[coogles]

Too cold and shit weather.

Plus I ditched the roof rack, so no easy way to carry the bike anymore. The weatherstripping where the rack goes over the door on my friend's Jetta, who rocks his 24/7, is drooping down like your grandma's . Decided to pull mine off since I probably wouldn't be riding all winter anyway.

[Johnny_P]

Plus I ditched the roof rack, so no easy way to carry the bike anymore. The weatherstripping where the rack goes over the door on my friend's Jetta, who rocks his 24/7, is drooping down like your grandma's . Decided to pull mine off since I probably wouldn't be riding all winter anyway.

Just get a SeaSucker rack.

Can go on any car, any time, any where.

Car needs to be kept clean for those to work

[Johnny_P]

I've been getting, no shit, about 5 emails A DAY from Competitive Cyclist re: black friday cyber monday sales

[dubshow]

I've been getting, no shit, about 5 emails A DAY from Competitive Cyclist re: black friday cyber monday sales

i cant clear my email fast enough from EVERYTHING.

[Johnny_P]

I've been getting, no shit, about 5 emails A DAY from Competitive Cyclist re: black friday cyber monday sales

I gave up.

198+ emails just waiting for me to unsubscribe from whenever I can get some air.

I don't remember them doing this last year.

[coogles]

Car needs to be kept clean for those to work

GTI is almost certainly getting replaced in the spring with who knows what, but bike carrying abilities will be a factor. I imagine a hitch mount will be option #1 so it can swap between whatever I get and the Atlas.

[Johnny_P]

Car needs to be kept clean for those to work

GTI is almost certainly getting replaced in the spring with who knows what, but bike carrying abilities will be a factor. I imagine a hitch mount will be option #1 so it can swap between whatever I get and the Atlas.

IMO hitch mount is super ideal. Doesn't cut MPGs, easy to remove when not needed, super easy to load heavy mountain bikes on (seriously, every MTB out there is 30 lbs anymore). If you have a place to store it, and aren't worried about getting rear-ended, go for it.

I'm about 90% convinced a rat faced hybrid Rav4 is what I should get. Carries bikes and dogs easily, nobody cares about it, good MPG and low running costs. I'm so upset with everything lately, man. A part of me sort of thinks I should go full retard on the STI and keep it, get a roof rack, get the fancy coilovers, get a tune, etc, and turn it into an awesome brap machine. A part of me thinks I should just give up on everything I like and accept a life of beige blandness because it's impossible to have anything nice.

[Johnny_P]

I'm ready to blow my brains out with bike stuff. I'm so overwhelmed with life that I'm literally incapable of doing things like checking out bikes, talking to salespeople about what's in stock and pricing, etc. Full on overload. Too much stuff out there on the market, and prices are so high and bikes are so darn hard to sell used that it's a losing proposition. You should be able to get a ripper of a bike for $3k brand new. The Pivot 5.5 was great, but $6k for an outdated drivetrain isn't going to fly. Especially when you consider I used my MTB about 10 times last year, total. 95% of my riding was on my Macho Man.