Finally had some time to put miles in on the new bike. It's 110mm travel both front and rear. I didn't know what to expect from the pivotless rear suspension, but it's absolutely buttery and locks out rigid for efficient climbing with the fox float CTD. The pivotless design is very efficient, even in the Trail mode. In it's initial iteration at NAHBS, Black Sheep put a linkage fork on the front.
I wanted to go lefty (that linkage fork was pricey and untested!) so I chose not to take the fork and instead put a lefty max on the front with a new PBR damper.
Many thanks to MendonCycleSmith for the front end.
Mike at Wolftooth components makes a really nice front chainring for the XX1. Despite no chainguide, it hasn't ever dropped a chain.
XX1 is great - the clutch derailleur gives a feeling of immediate engagement much like a singlespeed without all the chain slop.
An after-work ride on our local Socal singletrack. It amazes me that I can be in the 2nd biggest city in the US, but in 10 minutes not see a soul for an entire 2 hour ride.
I guess this would count as a flock of sheep.
I wanted to go lefty (that linkage fork was pricey and untested!) so I chose not to take the fork and instead put a lefty max on the front with a new PBR damper.
Many thanks to MendonCycleSmith for the front end.
Mike at Wolftooth components makes a really nice front chainring for the XX1. Despite no chainguide, it hasn't ever dropped a chain.
XX1 is great - the clutch derailleur gives a feeling of immediate engagement much like a singlespeed without all the chain slop.
An after-work ride on our local Socal singletrack. It amazes me that I can be in the 2nd biggest city in the US, but in 10 minutes not see a soul for an entire 2 hour ride.
I guess this would count as a flock of sheep.