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I love the idea. I already reached out to Truewerk and maybe they didn’t read my email but they told me, “our ambassador and sponsorship program is paused for 2024.” 

Pretty funny.

There are some interesting things happening with PFAS* being banned in the EU. GoreTex has begun releasing PFAS-free fabrics but apparently continues to use them in their DWR coatings. 

*aka “forever chemicals”

As a result of the EU ban, I was told that  Neoshell - Polartec’s answer to GoreTex - is being discontinued. As Apple found out with their lightning cables, the EU carries a big stick. 

This article about what’s happening with GoreTex and PFAS sheds some light on this stuff but there is obviously a lot more to learn.

Re. a 100% waterproof ass, these were great for a very long, very wet Shore ride. As mentioned earlier, the only stuff that approaches true waterproofing is like the stuff you see on outdoor job sites - which seems to be made of rubber. I used to wear something similar when I fought forest fires and I don’t see how it would be compatible with being between your saddle and your ass. It would suck against your under layer and would be even worse against your saddle unless it could be coated in some way to allow it to move smoothly in contact with other surfaces and materials. It also cracks over time in high wear areas. I love it in theory but I don’t think it’s necessary for me based on my recent experiences with these pants and others.

Yikes. Those dimensions must be quite rare. If you can’t find jeans that fit, outdoor gear must be very difficult indeed.

Thanks Martin. And to you as well!

I’m with you Perry. I used to ride like a pack rat, almost like Andrew, but now I love riding pack-free. I probably wear the fanny pouch 40% of the time in winter and a little less in summer.

After all these years and all the rides down Gargamel, the most recent one was up there with the best. Thanks for reminding me of that stellar day Pete, and for describing it so eloquently!

Thanks for the detailed contribution David! Very well expressed as well.

Floating axle still required. Here’s what Fitzy said; 

“Justin is correct. Meaning if the inverted fork axle isn’t floating, the alignment issue would be the same. The difference is, without a stiffening brace on inverted forks, the sliding tubes are dependent on the floating axle and crown for their alignment. It removes an additional misalignment variable.”

Nailed it.

I believe I said that! Excellent suggestions otherwise. ;)

Any updates? I’ve been out of commish for awhile.

Whoa. I've missed you guys. 

I'm on day 14 of quarantine but as of midnight tonight I can get poked. I just need to find a poker.

Insurance for a kid as primary driver is fucking absurd.

LOL. Nothing too dramatic POZ but a couple of scrapes for sure. We might have hit a stone wall with me riding shotgun. Luckily the sidewalk wasn't littered with babies and we didn't hit too hard. 

Thanks Andy. Mike is a friend of a friend so I'll get in touch with him. A good start.

Just bolted a 170 mm Fox 36 to the front of the Honzo ESD for the final chapter of the test. Looking forward to trying it but I wish more of my buddies rode hard tails. That would make it more fun, and less punishing trying to keep up. It’s pretty rewarding when I do though.

Does anybody know a keen mountain biker who owns or works at an auto body shop and is interested in contra? I currently have a lot of great stuff to trade, and a daughter who is learning to drive!

I cut grooves in a couple of regular valves and they worked just fine. But if you buy a set of Cushcore valves are included.

If you look at how easy trials motos are on trails the answer may be no Mark. Improved grip means less sliding as well.

Had my second ride on these yesterday and I’ve been blown away. I think there is a lot more going on than the Tannus PR indicates. It seems the insert acts like suspension and when there is an impact to the tire it increases pressure so air that is within the insert stays put until it is slowly released by the 4 slits. It acts a little like Procore st first and it allows outrageously low pressures to provide ample support.

I’ll have to check but I think I was under 14 psi front and rear on a top to bottom that included TNT and Cambodia yesterday. Sidewall support and grip are ridiculous. And this was with DHR2s with exo casings.

All this for 160 grams. I was on Rimpacts before this and they are very good aside from the sidewall support, but they don’t come close to the new Tannus.

I'm late to this thread but this may not have been mentioned. Tips from pro rider etc. about how to deal with a slump. 

https://nsmb.com/articles/15-tips-dump-slump/

I just did a rebuild with Jeff at Bikeroom on a set of XTR 9100 hubs and before I publish my article I wanted to hear some opinions from the big brains in here. And the small ones actually. 

Do cup and cone hubs scare you? Do you love cartridge bearings? Do you run Chris King to get the best of both worlds? 

Personally I'm a bit of a traditionalist so I appreciate them from that perspective and I like the user serviceability without special tools, aside from 22mm cone wrenches. I also like never worrying about my hubs getting destroyed because of a lack of maintenance which tilts me toward cartridge bearings. 

I'll add a poll question.