So the company who doesn’t load its marketing with abstract even if measured percentage gains and focusses on real tangible benefits also says their MTB cranks have a series of indented slots that QO says boosts arm stiffness and improves impact resistance by acting as a sort of temporary crumple zone should you smash the end into something.
My main interests in a review of the State would be the ride quality of the straight gauge frame and steel fork, and the brakes. State sells the brakes separately, F&R for $100
I want to be stoked about the CUES drop bar stuff, but after digging around for way too long on Shimano's compatibility charts I feel like this is a sloppy job all around. Not a great choice of crank options, redundant and confusing rear derailleur options, incomplete compatibility charts (does a Linkglide 11-speed derailleur work on a 9 or 10-speed Linkglide? The documentation seems to say no, even if the marketing copy seems to say yes)
Regardless, I am glad there are more wide-range 1x (and 2x) drop bar options out there, even if it makes for now 3-4 different Shimano shifter/derailleur standards for 9, 10, and 11 speed. Good grief.
I couldn't vote in the poll, says I'm not subscribed? But yes, review a State. I see so many folks on the older version, and State seems to have listened to customers with the updates. The sizing continues to be confounding (a size small fits up to 5"10"?, reach gets shorter between small and medium?). I was tempted to pick up a frame to temporarily replace my broken gravel bike while I decide what I want in a new gravel frame, but the geo charts really turn me off.
I was really bummed about the compatibility thing, too, until I remembered that it's probably less of an issue than I think it'll be, mostly because it'll be almost exclusively found OEM on complete bikes. No question, CUES would also be appealing for the enterprising DIYer that is on a tight budget and knows what they're doing, but I think it's safe to say Shimano wasn't primarily concerned with that market.
As for the State, yeah, their frame geometry has a history of weirdness in general. They have incredible reach in the budget space, though, so I'm inclined to bring something in from them.
Have not! It's an interesting bike, but I'm hesitant to bring one in now. Given Obed has put all of them on sale, it makes me wonder if an updated version is pending.
Hi James. Your mention of the eeWings made me want to ask if you had ever looked at the 5Dev Ti road/gravel cranks? 5Dev cranks are made in San Diego with Ti arms and AL spindles. The spindles are available in a number of diameters and lengths. I have had a couple of sets of eeWings and now have two sets of 5Dev (anodized to match my bikes). Having used both for quite a while i am much more of a 5Dev fan for a number of reasons. First, the 5Dev use the 8 bolt SRAM direct mount pattern while the eeWings use the 3bolt. The problem is that the eeWings bolt pattern is rotated 180 degrees compared to SRAM. This was a problem because my spider power meter interfered with the crank arms since it was rotated 180degrees relative to the arms. Second, the drive side Hirth joint on the eeWings is super short so the drive side spacers stick out (and fall off) past the Hirth joint and it is a pain to line things up. The 5Dev has a 6 lobed interface that is plenty long and easy to install. Finally, and most annoying to me, I got my Assioma SPD pedals and discovered that the 17mm thickness of the eeWing pedal threads left the antenna for the PMs inside the Ti crank arm and reduced the signal strength almost to zero and caused all sorts of PM dropouts. The 5Dev is about 5mm thinner and the antenna is flush with the backside of the arm and I get 5 bars of signal versus 1 bar with eeWings. Both sets of cranks are nice looking and nicely made. Just some practical things made me like 5Dev better.
I've looked at the 5DEV cranks for sure, but have never inquired about a set for review. In addition to the more modern look and interfaces, I believe the Q-factor is a lot closer to typical on the 5DEV cranks, too.
To be clear, the unique feature of the Attaquer jersey is that it’s knit to shape, like socks, gloves, some arm and knee warmers, sweaters and old school cycling jerseys.
Most jerseys, shorts, and all tshirts use knit fabric (flat yardage) for its natural stretch.
Chuckled at their use of “woven”.
I love the application. With modern equipment it could lead to easy customization in sizing and graphics.
I could see a sock company getting into this space.
Spot on about pretzel buns. They are just better
So the company who doesn’t load its marketing with abstract even if measured percentage gains and focusses on real tangible benefits also says their MTB cranks have a series of indented slots that QO says boosts arm stiffness and improves impact resistance by acting as a sort of temporary crumple zone should you smash the end into something.
Okay then…
Pretty much.
Keep it up!
Hi, just a thought, wondering if/when SRAM t-type mechanical comes out if it will be compatible with apex 12 speed mechanical levers….
My main interests in a review of the State would be the ride quality of the straight gauge frame and steel fork, and the brakes. State sells the brakes separately, F&R for $100
I hope those brakes at least work well, because they sure are huge! I'm amazed at how much the cable arms stick out from the frame and fork.
I want to be stoked about the CUES drop bar stuff, but after digging around for way too long on Shimano's compatibility charts I feel like this is a sloppy job all around. Not a great choice of crank options, redundant and confusing rear derailleur options, incomplete compatibility charts (does a Linkglide 11-speed derailleur work on a 9 or 10-speed Linkglide? The documentation seems to say no, even if the marketing copy seems to say yes)
Regardless, I am glad there are more wide-range 1x (and 2x) drop bar options out there, even if it makes for now 3-4 different Shimano shifter/derailleur standards for 9, 10, and 11 speed. Good grief.
I couldn't vote in the poll, says I'm not subscribed? But yes, review a State. I see so many folks on the older version, and State seems to have listened to customers with the updates. The sizing continues to be confounding (a size small fits up to 5"10"?, reach gets shorter between small and medium?). I was tempted to pick up a frame to temporarily replace my broken gravel bike while I decide what I want in a new gravel frame, but the geo charts really turn me off.
I was really bummed about the compatibility thing, too, until I remembered that it's probably less of an issue than I think it'll be, mostly because it'll be almost exclusively found OEM on complete bikes. No question, CUES would also be appealing for the enterprising DIYer that is on a tight budget and knows what they're doing, but I think it's safe to say Shimano wasn't primarily concerned with that market.
As for the State, yeah, their frame geometry has a history of weirdness in general. They have incredible reach in the budget space, though, so I'm inclined to bring something in from them.
James, State fits the N-1 ethic. If it is fun, functional, versatile and affordable it’s worthy
Hey James - have you done an Obed GVR review previously? If not, maybe one for the in-the-future list.
Have not! It's an interesting bike, but I'm hesitant to bring one in now. Given Obed has put all of them on sale, it makes me wonder if an updated version is pending.
Obed is always running a sale, so unless it's clearing out stock before a groupset launch I doubt it means anything.
Ah, ok, good to know. That said, I think the GVR has been in the range for a few years already, so I'm still hesitant to bring one in for a review.
The Warmfront chest warmer is just what I’ve been looking, for but didn’t know existed. Can’t wait till mine arrives.
The father of a riding buddy makes a similar “Dickey” for himself and his son. My buddy swears by it
Hi James. Your mention of the eeWings made me want to ask if you had ever looked at the 5Dev Ti road/gravel cranks? 5Dev cranks are made in San Diego with Ti arms and AL spindles. The spindles are available in a number of diameters and lengths. I have had a couple of sets of eeWings and now have two sets of 5Dev (anodized to match my bikes). Having used both for quite a while i am much more of a 5Dev fan for a number of reasons. First, the 5Dev use the 8 bolt SRAM direct mount pattern while the eeWings use the 3bolt. The problem is that the eeWings bolt pattern is rotated 180 degrees compared to SRAM. This was a problem because my spider power meter interfered with the crank arms since it was rotated 180degrees relative to the arms. Second, the drive side Hirth joint on the eeWings is super short so the drive side spacers stick out (and fall off) past the Hirth joint and it is a pain to line things up. The 5Dev has a 6 lobed interface that is plenty long and easy to install. Finally, and most annoying to me, I got my Assioma SPD pedals and discovered that the 17mm thickness of the eeWing pedal threads left the antenna for the PMs inside the Ti crank arm and reduced the signal strength almost to zero and caused all sorts of PM dropouts. The 5Dev is about 5mm thinner and the antenna is flush with the backside of the arm and I get 5 bars of signal versus 1 bar with eeWings. Both sets of cranks are nice looking and nicely made. Just some practical things made me like 5Dev better.
I've looked at the 5DEV cranks for sure, but have never inquired about a set for review. In addition to the more modern look and interfaces, I believe the Q-factor is a lot closer to typical on the 5DEV cranks, too.
Maybe I'll revisit the topic sooner than later.
To be clear, the unique feature of the Attaquer jersey is that it’s knit to shape, like socks, gloves, some arm and knee warmers, sweaters and old school cycling jerseys.
Most jerseys, shorts, and all tshirts use knit fabric (flat yardage) for its natural stretch.
Chuckled at their use of “woven”.
I love the application. With modern equipment it could lead to easy customization in sizing and graphics.
I could see a sock company getting into this space.
Yes, thanks for pointing that out. And hadn't thought about how this might relate to sock companies! Time will tell, I guess.