Featherbrew

Slight hijack: I've been doing research for a new wheel-set and Arch on Hope or Sun Ringle has been stand out for my purposes so far. Anything else I should be looking at in the same strength / quality line that could be better value?

I also recently went from iPhone to Garmin Edge 500 (I think the GPS, HR monitor and cadence / speed sensor bundle might still be on takelot.com for R2999). I was also doubtful how useful HR monitoring really is but now that I've used it for a while I can strongly recommend. Use case -> On climbs I try to keep my cadence at 80 RPM and control my HR with the bikes gearing. That way I'm not nearly as tired at the top of the climb, I can climb much longer / further and I don't need to rest at places where I needed to in the past. You can only do that with a device on the bars and all the info immediately at hand.

Glad you're enjoying the bike! Sounds like a beast. Mine's also from Linden incidentally. Still my favorite LBS.

I have the 2013 Elite (think it's the same frame, cheaper components). Love the bike but rims, if its the AlexRims md19s, aren't great. I had to replace the back already and the front is also on the way out. Other than that the bike is bombproof and great fun.