I really don't like it when things don't run smoothly. Take for instance the fact that any 2.4" tire on a 35mm rim buzzes the Reba Team's brake brace in corners, or when you are out of the saddle. Too bad too, because the combination is otherwise pretty dreamy. Smooth doesn't have enough "O"'s in it. Well, until you lay it over in a corner. Bzzzzzt!
Man! That bugs me. I can't live with it, so I'm taking this down and re-building the bike as a rigid rig with a different fork and wheels/tires. Maybe then it will realize its potential and be a bike I can not have drive me nuts. It isn't the frame's fault, by any stretch. I know what would fix it up right quick: A 100mm Manitou Minute. Unfortunately, I don't have one of those. I'll have to fix that here soon. Hmm...........
On the other hand, I love it when you hit upon a combination that is happy-happy, joy-joy. Such was the case when I set up my Singular Gryphon with the Bontrager Race X Lite wheels shod with XR-1 1.9" tires, tubeless, of course.
These were the perfect combo for me to use at the Gravel Worlds last weekend. The sandy gravel never even phased these tires, the MMR sections were no match, and the XR-1's just ripped along as long as I had the legs to push them. (Sadly, the leg part was sorely missing!) Well, gravel and smooth dirt roads are one thing. What about the single track? I aimed to find out.
I took the Gryphon over to Geo Wyth today, and I was absolutely flying around the single track. I was on rails and it was the fastest I have ripped through there since the 90's. Really. It was pretty dang fun. I would say that as long as things are dry, these are the tires to use on Mid-West single track if you want to go really fast. On grass sections- fahgeddaboudit! This tire smooths over grass so well you'd swear you were on pavement, and the grip is like being on a Velcro track. Crazy is what it is.
So it was a day of two extremes. One disappointment, one total high. Good thing the good ride was the last one!
6 comments:
What size Gryphon is that G.T.??
Looks like a great setup and I am guessing the position is similar to a fargo??????
Ari
@Ari: It is a size Large, just like my Fargo. And yes, the position is very similar, maybe a bit more aggressive on the Gryphon.
Man, that Gryphon is sweet. You're making me want one, Mark. Seeing it in person last weekend when you were here kind of sent me over the edge. ;-) Talk about overkill -- to have that and a Fargo would be decadent!
I'm really hoping that the Ardent 2.4" will fit through a White Brothers crown on that rim. I'm not holding my breath, but I'll be very pleased if it does.
I'll second the comments on the Gryphon. I really do need one of those....
@MG: Hey, knowing your past and how you like to shred single track, I know you'd really like that bike.
@Ben: I think it'll work fine in a White Brothers fork. In fact, I just checked the Gordo/Purgatory in an Origin 8 fork, and it clears with about 3/4" on either side. You should be good to go.
Mark, I was thinking of that new susser fork I have coming from them. I think clearance was fine on the big F135 and F150's from them, I just hope they transfer over the crown clearance onto this particular fork.
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