I have a 29", tapered steerer, boost and stealth dropper routed 1x11 full suss but my most recent purchase was a 26" 1 1/8th hard tail with 3x9 and qr all round. My favourite however is a fully rigid, 1" steerer, 3x7, 26" equipped with Suntour Microdrive gears. I'm confused.
The 9 speed lasting better than 8 speed is an interesting observation. Is it because the 8 speed stuff now available is really poor, but half decent 9 speed can still be got ?
Northwind - Member
Seems I've taken offence at 650b and Boost hubs. OTOH I managed to reverse a downgrade this year and get back to a proper 20mm front axle.
I remember asking if I should go with a normal weight QR/9mm/15mm/20mm hub or save a bit of weight and go for the lighter QR/15mm only one. A certain someone said go with the lighter as would be unlikely i would go 20mm...I had some Reba solo airs with 15mm axle so went with the lighter hub, having given away my older dual air Reba RL QR forks. I have now ended up picking up a set of nice dual air black box forks so I can get the tune-ability of the dual air back and guess what axle they have....fortunately I have a spare brand new fully convertible front hub as I ended up going Pro2's on my other bike.
I have 20mm on my 26" too (Rev RLT-Ti/blackbox/carbon jobbies) and it's so much better than 15mm.
I can't say I'm that fussed by new stuff really. All our stuff is 26" and 20mm/QR because that's what we bought years ago and it still works entirely adequately so there's no need to jump on the upgrade bus.
I refuse to drink the 650B Kool-Aid though, that's so much balls it's unbelievable. 29ers, yes, I can see how they'd be more useful in certain situations, but 650B can get [i]right[/i] in the sea.
2013 Soul here, one of the last 26 ones. Would quite like to change it next year, but to what and how much ! Also have a 650b Anthem SX, so would likely get another Soul type bike for winter and mud. Given that my current one is worth not very much I will probably just keep riding it till I can't get parts. I have a new spare Reba already, so that bit is covered 😀
I don't think I've ever "upgraded" as such. But I do like to change my bike from time to time, so I run with whatever it has already fitted. When stuff wears out it just gets replaced like for like. Currently both my bikes are 29er's which I do like, my newer one is 1x11 which is fine but I do prefer the 2x10 on my other bike, not so much that I'd change it though.
I suppose if all I wanted was a functional bike I'd be like the Op, but I get bored well before anything I've had gets obsolete.
Just test my latest upgrade - 26" rigid forks, suspension forks just don't survive daily commutes and no maintenance. It's a bit trigger's broom but f&!@ it.
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[quote=flap_jack ]The 9 speed lasting better than 8 speed is an interesting observation. Is it because the 8 speed stuff now available is really poor, but half decent 9 speed can still be got ?
Dunno. The bikes we buy each year are around the same price point.
I'm not claiming it's any sort of scientific study, but the bikes are all maintained to the same standards and are ridden on a variety of terrains, in a variety of weathers by a variety of folk.
some people love new tech, some people don't. Some folk love to see what effect (if any) a new design or bit of whatever will change their ride or how they ride, or how fast they can go, or if it will let them ride longer without something breaking.
personally I honestly genuinely can't see the difference between 8 or 9, 10 or 11 speed cassettes, it's just a number. It doesn't ever stop the sun coming up, or the smell of fresh ferns or how mud makes your rear wheel slide of an off camber section on that downhill corner that always makes you hold your breath.
Go ride, no matter how or on what; whether it's a 20 year old steel Kona, or a fantastic plastic "price of a car" SC Bronson.
