All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

Super stoked. Pedals incredibly well, the geo is pretty slack for the steeps too. I haven't ridden my full susp since I've gotten it. My buddy built it up nicer than from the factory, GX vs NX, code rscs, and lyrik ultimate.

Making me a hard tail guy for sure.

 

^^Yup, 100%
Especially the last bit

That would be rad, but I honestly don’t love them on the front (kinda washy and not locked in). So many better options.

Anyone tried a Tacky Chan?

 

Thanks man! I’ve got 30mm wheels so I think the 2.4 should be fine in that respect. What are your thoughts on MaxxGrip vs MaxxTerra for a front in our area?

 

I want all the grip on the front. Maxx grip every time. The harder compounds don't make up enough anywhere else for how much they give up on that one wet root that sends you tumbling.

 

Krf was definitely squirmy and uncertain on the limit to me. Haven't tried Argotal but no interest until it's in a super soft.

I think I posted before about the Tacky chan, it's basically a HRII. Lots of edge hold but with a massive channel to cross to get there. I liked them but Schwalbes never lasted long for me and they're expensive.

 

Thanks! Saved me $100. Not a big fan of the HR2. I've run them in the rear if I find a good deal on em, but really only for earlier season when things are wetter and I want more grip from the rear.
The Argo does look good though. At the end of the year I was really liking the Mazzas, and I've been meaning to get back to the Mary's to try them again since it's been a while.

 

Yesterday was NBD - have been debating on either upgrading my entry level gravel bike (Poseidon Redwood) or spending a little more and go for a new bike. Fezzari had a smoking deal on a full carbon Shafer that was too good to pass up (helps that I fit on a fringe size of XL which they were trying to offload - all other sizes are sold out). The weight savings is significant; went from around 29 pounds on the Poseidon to a tad over 20 pounds with this. The geometry is set up more like a mountain bike with a bit of a slacker head tube which helps from being hunched over in an 'aero' position. Waiting on my new frame bags to complete the set up; reused my old bag and had to put it on backwards to work with the layout in the meantime.

Took about 45 minutes of setting it up in the basement then went out for a night ride. Massive ride and quality difference from what I am used to.

 

I’m a big of the Conti Kryptotal Front and the Assssssegai. Currently running the Conti Argotal on the front and I hate it. The knobs are too tall and too spaced out for Colorado trails. It’s very unpredictable on hardpark, loose over hard or chunky stuff.

It needs deep “loam” or sludge to have grip.

 

I'm leaning MaxxGrip for sure. Also leaning EXO for front for a bit of weight savings. That's got me thinking DHR2 since there is no EXO MaxxGrip Assegai. Though one potential advantage of MaxxTerra and EXO+ is the ability to shift it to the rear once it has lost the bite up front.

 

I’d personally go compound over pattern on those two. Front tires deserve all the Gripp if you’re riding wet.

 

agreed, i'd prefer grip on the front over anything else.

 

I actually recall seeing an interview with a top engineer at Maxxis in which they said they'd pick rubber compound over tread pattern every time.

 

MaxxGrip it is. I've actually only had one MaxxGrip tire (current DHF) but it came used on my bike and wasn't exactly fresh, so I probably don't even have a good feel for what the compound offers. Good insight though on the importance of compound.

 

Congrats on the new bike! Enjoy it

 

Alright this is for the roadies out there. WHats your opinion on Force vs Ultegra? It'll be a 2x setup. Shifters/brakes/cranks/F&R derailleurs.

For reference, I do have mechanical Force on my 1x gravel bike and love it. MTB is SS but brakes are Shimano. I'm not brand loyal. I did test ride Ultegra for a full weekend and 100 miles and by the end was used to it and felt it was totally fine.

Reason I ask is that I'm getting a new road bike and building it frame-up. 12 speed. I can get the new Force or go w/ Ultegra. This will be my first time owning a fully electronic groupset. Rear cassette is going to be Dura-Ace, regardless of group. I want the 11 cog rear and I prefer HG cassette body.

I've heard the SRAM issues are more common when mounted to Specialized and Scott. And of course, I'm getting a specialized lol.

TBH, the chain dropping is a major concern for me. I do not think we should be so accepting of chain drops this often w/ new tech like this. If I ultimately go w/ SRAM, I'm going to have to use a chain guide b/c I do not want to mar the paint on this thing.

Overall, I prefer the aesthetics of the new Force and I might give a slight edge to shifting w/ one shifter per lever vs shimano stacking two on each side.
I prefer shimano for a quiet driveline and more accurate shifting. I also kinda like the minor weight savings, too. And lets not forget the shimano chain is faster than sram to the tune of a couple watts. Of course, the tradeoff is durability w/ sram chains outlasting shimano by a long shot.

Battery I'm indifferent to. Although popping out a battery seems more convenient for charging purposes. And price on the SRAM batteries is a little nicer and so is the fact that it's totally wireless.

 

i only have experience with older (5 years oldish) and think force looks cooler but ultegra feels better. im on ultegra 2x11 on my bike right now after upgrading from sora 2x10, so dated. the ultegra stuff feels great once i got it dialed and setup my bars right.

force is one paddle too isnt it? not dual like shimano?

 

I agree, I think force wins in the looks department. Especially the new stuff.

Correct, one paddle per side. You can customize them to your liking. Ie: right paddle shifts up or down, and vice versa. Shimano can be changed through the app too afaik, so it can mimic the sram style of shifting, but I cant confirm that since I haven't personally done it.

 

Pulled the trigger on the Revel Tirade frame Tue.

I'll try to figure out how to post pic's for the build, if not I"ll just list parts and you'll need to use your imagination...

 

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Shoulder rehab is going slow but steady improvement - hoping to get some extremely light riding in by end of March.