MORNE

I can tell you that yes, it will “look nicer”, but you’ll be left utterly disappointed by the shifting performance going from XT to GX 90 mechanical imo. I honestly feel the normal eagle GX shifts better than the 90. Almost all the reviews support my opinion too. I kind of feel Sram rushed 90 to the market after the industry imploded and they quickly realised not all of us want superficial, overly expensive, electronic stuff on our mountain bikes. Then, there is nothing wrong with the hanger concept and its purpose as a sacrificial part on especially a mtb. How on earth did we make it through the past few decades?? I personally have only ever bent one in a fall that had the mech hit the trail. I replaced the hanger and the mech was fine for years after that. Also, you are considering transmissionn, that means your bike is UDH and uses the sram UDH hanger. They are plenty strong, and i swear you can buy one at McDonalds probably, they are available anywhere. There are stronger, blingy-er versions available too from Burgtec etc if you really are bending them as you claim. But it sounds more like you have upgradetitus and WANT a sram fix if you ask me😇 this is valid too…i get it. Just dont do it blidly, try it out first. As slready mentioned. XT is working class hero, the gold standard against which value vs performance gets benchmarked for a reason. XT is rock n roll. PS: XX1 axs also wont solve your hate for the hanger either.

I always used the biggest most visible cable lock in addition to the claws on those racks. Those claws / clamps are so easy to break and their locks mean nothing. So easy to just slip a frame out too, these days with carbon bikes most people wont crank those down hard anyway. A visible 10-12mm cable lock snaked through the frame, wheels and rack should at least serve as a deterrent for opportunistic traffic light shoppers.

Shhh. Stop broadcasting this…especially in a forum topic aimed at the local distros lol BUT… Historically merlin have always opened the gates around this time of year to move stock. Enjoy it, keep it on the low down…they will ‘pause’ it again 😉

Ask the suspension guys. @droo i’m ignorant towards anything hydraulic lockout. The only thing i know is that i dont want one😅

Cut it up into 160W sections and give each one.👀 Thats the max size/capacity lithium battery airlines who allow it (not all do) will let you bring on a plane in a fireproof container. but seriously, as above…realistically not possible by air.

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We moved here literally this week after a few months to and fro. As such i’ve also already been scoping out whats on where cycling wise. There is even a small gravity scene in Hatta and Fujairah. Road cycling seems huge though. Al Qudra has already been mentioned, there are others. Think ive read it is now the longest purpose built/dedicated cycling route in the world? But there seems to be plenty to go around in most disciplines, plenty of pump tracks too. find all the routes/trails here: https://www.cyclingtracks.ae/index.html Biggest mindset adjustment for me at least will be the accessibility factor. Everything here is a highway and the city is not pedestrian friendly in general. Driving, at this stage seems daunting. There are tons of cycling related rules of course…but in general ive seen plenty of people riding around even where there are signs saying they cant. (Hey, easier to say sorry than ask for permission right😇) The general rule seems to be no bicycles on any road with a speed limit over 60kph Anyway, im here now, family and all. My bikes will only be here in a few months (container). But i thought thats a perfect excuse to buy something new😂 Drop me a DM once you decide to make the move. Im still figuring crap out myself, flats, schools, what to choose between the 400mil options at the grocery store. But hey, maybe we can stumble around in the dark together😂🤘

Go watch Theo’s Les Gets recap… i personally found this super entertaining and insightful. The official coverage is garbage and content like this bucks that trend. He deffo has a knack for it. We all love Rob Warner…i guess he gets a free pass because nostalgia? He casually swears in all his videos. Then after you watch the linked video, remember to come back here and badmouth your top elite athletes, yes all your Bruni’s, Goldstones, Perrions for their potty mouths too…. Its the nature of the sport. Extreme atletes being extreme. They are just words. Keep being yourself @Pinned_1 Rather a passionate, emotional Verstappen than a boring corporate drone Russel….

GX = mid range X01= more expensive XX1= most expensive You would need the following to use that 1299 (XX1) cassette: - 12 speed eagle rear derailleur (GX, X01 or XX1 will all work) - 12 speed shifter (GX, X01 or XX1) - 12 speed chain (GX, X01, XX1 or KMC 12speed…NOT shimano 12spd) The crankset can stay and will work fine on 12 speed. You currently have 11 spd XX1 on your bike…ie top of the line previous gen… You have a 10-42, 11 speed casette. Widely regarded as o e of the best/lightest available 11speed cassettes. Hence suggestions that it will likely be better than getting peasant level 12spd(GX) and that you need to consider if you really need that 50T granny gear. Its a whole lot of money to make that R8k casette work.

Arguably wrong place - wrong(right?) time. Gravity riding in this country predominantly in KZN and WC. WC enduros pull 200-300 entries depending on venue and the new organisers are doing a good job. The crowd is young wgich is also good for longevity. Sounds trivial in comparison to a fun race that pulls 1000s but when you consider waiting your turn in line at stage starts…thats about as close to the limit as you’ll get imo. I wouldn't enter an enduro with 500 riders…

100% Valid. Then i think you’ll prefer the caramel brown on the Panaracer imo.

Reavers also on special at sportsman's if you can find. If its purely between rambler and GK, id go GK…rolls faster than rambler..and they look nicer imo. Reaver will feel a bit better in corners on gravel - my only real gripe with the GK.

@NGM If you need additional info on the bike, it used to be @V18’s. I think he sold it to OP the week before this incident. If I recall, those pics are from his original listing still.

Because you have nothing left to prove😜

Well if you really want to get that technical..what is your rim width? Because that will also determine relative rolling speed between the two sizes. A 2.35 tyre on a 30mm ID rim MIGHT square up just a tad too much and therefore provide more tread contact on the ground…and therefore more rolling resistance. The 2.3 minion SS was s perfect example of this. A 2.4 or wider on a narrow rim..say 25mm ID will be more rounded…and run on the centre thread more…and so offer less rolling resistance depending on tread pattern. More volume = more comfort, less hangup over small bumps. less hangup on all the junk means you’ll also roll faster. Lots of variables to consider other than just thinner = faster. Then Maxxis tyres are so inconsistent size wise..i doubt there is any real difference between 2.4 and 2.35. Or maybe the 2.4 is closer to s 2.3 and the 2.3 is more like a 2.1. Thebonly Rekon i remember running close to size on a 30mm rim was the 2.6. if speed and semi comfort is your goal…other than just absorbing the scenery and having jol….get 50c gravel tyres. They’ll make you mtb feel like a rocketship and offer SOME comfort. if not. Just get whatever is cheaper. 2.35/2.4….it wont matter.