This is a crazy fast bike...I'm really impressed.
I am surprised at how much I have managed to re-create my 1990 Klein Pinnacle. I bought this frame and built up from old/new parts. Build was very easy. Subsequent adjustment period is going well, with no major size issues. My height is 191cm/6ft3in, between the L and XL, and I usually prefer the smaller size for handling. The adjustments I make to fit the L (slightly longer stem, saddle slightly further back) have not adversely affected handling for this bike.
I'm looking forward to throwing on racks/bags and taking a little trip.
Note on Campfire shipping: Website says free shipping to lower 48 states. Did not expect free overnight FedEx!!! It's not at all necessary, but it was a nice touch, and earned them some tasty treats. Thanks, Campfire!
Note on dropout adjustment: Campfire, without my asking, ordered the superior full-range dropouts, rather than the 2-hole 420/437 version. Thanks! I started at the 420mm setting, which yielded very sharp and crisp descending, but front end wandered too much in climbing. I changed to 430mm and regained stability on the climbs, with better overall tracking and not much decrease in sharpness. The adjustment range actually does something useful!
Note on chainline: I have read other comments, and now experienced the chainline issue. If 12-speed drivetrain is installed, the chainline is ~3mm too far outboard when using the standard Eagle 3mm offset chainring for Boost. This makes the lowest gears (1-3) somewhat noisy unless under heavy load. It may also cause wear issues over time. I managed to adjust using the spacers supplied with the BB, but I now have a 3mm leftward offset for the whole Q of the crank. I will experiment with a 6mm-offset chainring next. Once I made this adjustment, shifting improved over the whole range, so it's a cheap/easy fix for a potential warranty call.
Note on build: This build turned out to be ~11.5kg/25lbs, which includes Salsa Anything Bracket and bag, with spare tube and multitool. I expect to trim more than another 1kg/2lbs with new fork and wheels more suited. Also, seems like the stock tire size 2.6 on the full builds of this bike is overkill for my riding area/style. The 2.4 is plenty, and keeps the weight down and the gearing up. I suspect this 'weights' some online reviews that have rated the bike poorly in the climbing category. I found mine to be a veritable goat!
PERSONAL:
Height: 191cm/6ft3in
Weight: 89kg/197lb
Age: 56
Style Pref: XC/trail
Norm Ride Area: San Gabriel Mtns (CA), Santa Monica Mtns (CA), Southern Sierra Nevada (CA)
BUILD:
Wheels: DT Swiss EX-1700 (32h enduro, 350 J, 6B)
Freehub: DT Swiss HG steel
Cassette: Sunrace CSMZ91X 11-51t
Rotors: Magura Storm HC
Brakes: Tektro Orion (4P/2P)
Shifter: Shimano SLX
Derailleur: Shimano SLX (new)
Crank: Sram GX Eagle 175mm
Chainring: Sram Eagle XSync 2 3mm 30T steel
BB: Sram DUB BSA 73mm (new)
Pedals: Shimano XT SPD
Fork: Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140mm
Stem: Thompson X4 80mm 0d
Bar: Ritchey Trail Flat 740mm
Seatpost: Thompson Elite 410mm x 30.9mm (new)
Seat: Selle Italia Flite Ti Boost
Grips: Oury lock-on
Tires: Maxxis Ardent 29x2.4 (new)
