Ridenfool

We have adapted to the way the fork works and won't "feel" it unless the experience changes. Like the way we don't notice the blind spot in our vision the optic nerve causes where it attaches to the retina. I don't think I could tell the difference without riding both back to back. This video shares the perspective of riding a new linkage fork on familiar trails. The rider, Ali Clarkson, ain't no slouch either. I'd buy one of these if I were within the weight range for the one size of Wave spring currently being offered. Now, back to the regularly-scheduled Hardtail build suspension fork discussion.

Cost is a factor of production, as determined by demand. If production levels of linkage designs made it to those needed to bring the price into a competitive range with telescopic, the functional aspect would favor the linkage design, would it not? Sure, it isn't worth considering in any practical sense on a budget build at the current prices, but, price won't keep me from following the development in hopes that the tech might break out into the mainstream as riders realize the advantage improved rear suspension designs have brought over the years now being applied to the front as well. Features such as no/reduced brake dive, constant wheelbase, unchanging steering angle in turns, and so on are enticing.

The effects of the flexy bits on telescopic fork operation do bolster the advantages linkage forks like the Trust and Motion products offer.

Signed up for the last sweep (Cat 3) on Sunday.

After lookitg it up in the TMW rulebook there is a Good Dad clause that not only offsets the performance penalty, it adds bacon. With this clarification, your bacon rations should only be affected in a positive way. 🥓🥓🥓

All Awesome. However, your bacon rations should be temporarily reduced for missing the race after such a spectacular build-up.

Would you go so far as to say these profusions could ascend to the level of being Magnum PI?

To be clear, you are absolutely right. I am embarrassed for having used the word twice. Not offended in the least. My sad above was me being sad for having done that, and particularly for getting caught at it by a cunning linguist. 😀 Always enjoy a good pun-off, just not enough to have ever made it to O'Henry's for the annual Masochistic event hosted there, but just enough to be aware of its existence.

Is it safe to say with that volley you got all remaining puns over the net? Perhaps not, but you gotta love how this derailment has taken this into foul territory.

If there were no Tennis Court precedence someone would have made a racket about it just the same.

WHAT? We're out of Poison Ivy already? The season just started. (I was just itching to make a smart-ass comment)

fixt

Fixed/updated

As a PSA, the Brand-X replaced an X-Fusion dropper that had the seal fail, oozing lube down the seat tube. My choice came down to buying the $40 rebuild kit for the X-Fusion post, then having to expect to do that each year, or, buy the cartridge style Brand-X and not worry about it. It was an easy choice.

An excellent point! Whenever it is possible, creative design of the B-line to offer a different type challenge (narrow, twisty, longer, etc.) can still make the "easy" way fun and motivate folks to aspire to ride the A-line.

Have y'all considered doing this ride weekly instead of just when the time changes? Oh yeah, weather ... nevermind. I hope to get into the big city more often for a Tuesday night'r. Not this time though.

So, beggars can be choosers after all? Oh goodie! Does anyone have a Revved Carbon GG Megatrail frame in large (or a full build, I'm not picky) laying around that they would like to pay forward? Anyone have some I9 hubs (the latest Hydra model) laying around gathering dust? I'm not particular about the color, but would prefer the black ones. If they are already attached to a 27.5+ wheelset with a minimum inner width of 35mm, that would be great! 🤣

As the OP above indicates, such a thread as this is for generous people who have been the beneficiary of another's kindness to offer up to others as a gift that which they might otherwise sell. Often enough giving again something because something was once given to them. Pay It Forward defined A thread built around such a concept would not be the right place to post up asking for specific things. Doing so would be akin to looking the gift horse in the mouth. The one posting such a request is not paying forward. Perhaps another thread for those seeking such things could be started for folks who are looking for specific charitable freebies from their fellow riders. (BTW, Kudos to Seth for asking for what he is looking for more effectively, time and again! 👍🥓)

A constant in threads about trail building and maintenance are the stories of favorite features being molested by newbs, slackers, and ner-do-wells who are clearly bent upon a mission to ruin the rides of a handful of hard-core local riders who only appreciate a trail that offers the most challenge they can find on every ride. Something every trail builder should consider is how one of the most successful trail systems ever devised has B-lines for most of the technical features offered. These trails are found in Bentonville. All the best trails will have a flow line beside a challenge line to keep the seasoned rider entertained because choice is always better than no choice. B-lines that are designed into the trail are the mark of a craftsman who understands how their creation will serve a wide variety of riders with as wide a variety of skills. B-lines will prevent people from taking apart TTFs (Technical Trail Features), because they already have an option that works for them. The B-line allows riders to build the stamina and experience to want to try the A-line some day, and allows them to learn and expand their skill set at their own pace. If those riders don't have any other choice except constant frustration with features they aren't ready for they will modify the trail again and again. The frustrated trail builder will rebuild it again and again as well. It might not even be the same person or persons doing the unauthorized work each time. I've seen this happen to trails I've built and found it frustrating. It took some time (years) for me to finally get to the point that I realized I'm not the only one riding that trail. Trails will evolve of their own accord if they aren't built to accommodate the majority of users. Having both lines doesn't make the A-line any easier, nor does it take away the option for any rider looking for it. Two lines lets you have your cake and eat it too. No constant battles putting things back together wasting time that could be put into more rewarding efforts. This in no way condones folks messing up a trail or ruining a feature that is enjoyed. It is only a strategy that offers the opportunity to do something about it beforehand by nipping that urge in the bud. As an Exercise, sit quietly in the woods for a few hours a day over several days while counting the riders at any given feature that is without an alternate line. Then, separate the riders as they are counted into: a) those that clear the TTF; b) those that try and fail; and c) those that don't even try This might build perspective about who the users are, and what their skill levels are. From there, thoughts may migrate onto how building a trail in a way that encourages riders, by offering the choice of progressive lines to work toward as they improve their skills is a good thing, and it is the best way to preserve the features that offer challenges. Cheap insurance is what I'd call this trail design strategy. Murphy's Law says that any B-line that can be made, will be made, so the bottom line is more about who gets to decide how the B-line is made.

Was he running flats or clipless?

I'm enjoying one as well. I purchased it under the Brand-X moniker from Wiggle / Chain Reaction for about $130 https://www.wiggle.com/brand-x-ascend-ii-105mm-125mm-dropper-seatpost/ Also saw it hanging at Performance Bike S.Lamar a few weeks back under their house brand label and discounted to $60 or so.

Pool noodles?

Just hold your cell phone in one hand to video your ride. 🚲

I recently picked up a Seral as well. Still getting used to it, but have had no lower back pain. From what I understand Osprey's waist packs are designed to ride in the lumbar region, above the hips. Higher than normal belt height. One of the adjustments for me to learn is getting the belt tight enough, then loosening it when I want to spin it around to get some goody out. The two pulls for tightening make it easy to snug up when done. It should become second nature eventually and I'm really liking the ease of access to stuff. Another adjustment I made was to put a small pack on the top tube / steer tube area and it now contains a spare tube, levers, patch kit and I may put a folding tool set in there though it is getting crowded. This reduces the number of things I need to move back and forth from fanny pack to backpack, as well as takes some of the heavier things out of the fanny pack. So far I'm pleased with the experiment and the more I ride with it the better I like it. I keep the Raptor handy for longer rides, and may need it more for Summer as the 1.5L in the Seral won't last long once the temps get up to broiling. Also, I hung a carabiner on it that the handle of my Fiskar's 15" Loppers fits just about perfectly, but have yet to try this in the field.

Happy Pie Day The missus picked up an HEB Curbside order, and sent a pic of the slice of fresh baked cherry pie they gave her, with "Happy (insert Pi symbol here) Day" written on the package.