What rims and hubs did you use on your berd build? Would you build it that way again and do you think the ride quality is worth the extra cost? I’ve been trying to make a decision on wheels for my epic World Cup for a while and haven’t pulled the trigger..
I was after a little bit of an unusual build as it was for my Rocky Mountain Element Carbon that I ride a lot on terrain it perhaps isn't really meant for. I used Reynolds Black Label 329 rims and Project 321 hubs. Can't remember the total weight off the top of my head. It's definitely not an ultralight build, but it's quite light for what it is and it does ride really well. No regrets.
If I wanted something a little more XC-like, it'd be pretty easy to build something much lighter.
Awesome. I am in the market for a 120/130 XC/trail bike, and Pivot has the best fit and finish in the business. Very attracted to the Tallboy, but there’s a lot of options out there.
As fun as Interbike was I very much disliked going to Vegas. I assume costs were a driving factor for locations.
Can’t say Florida sounds very appealing either. Why don’t they have it in Colorado? So much of the industry is already there and it’s in the middle of the country so travel times are a fair split between the east & west.
There was a movement to get Interbike moved to Colorado ages ago, but clearly the show organizers didn't seem much appeal in that for whatever reason. Regardless of the actual reasons behind Orlando, I guess we'll see sooner than later how this all pans out.
You haven’t been forgotten! I’ve got some reviews of road gear coming up (nothing that I can divulge at the moment), I have that Ari Suncrest here already, and Scott has a new Addict RC inbound.
I recall reading somebody’s wind tunnel measurements of cx-ray vs round spokes (November, maybe?) and the delta was 1w. It makes sense that it’d be in that range for a 2mm spoke.
That's definitely an interesting post, but I'm not sure I'd consider it an apples-to-apples comparison. Those Sapim Laser spokes are round, but they also have very thin 1.5 mm-diameter centers with standard 2.0 mm ends. The Berds are 2.0 mm in the middle and 3.0 mm at the rim ends.
Also, Josh Poertner seemed to me to imply that the difference between aero and non-aero spokes was more substantial than in November's test. He was discussing testing that Aeromind did for clients, not public testing. (Aeromind is the parent company, and they own Silca.)
I’ve had the Remco lift for about six months and love it. Even for light bikes it is super convenient for raising and lowering height working on a bike. For a 60lb e-bike it’s a real back saver. Very sturdy and, so far, perfectly reliable.
What rims and hubs did you use on your berd build? Would you build it that way again and do you think the ride quality is worth the extra cost? I’ve been trying to make a decision on wheels for my epic World Cup for a while and haven’t pulled the trigger..
I was after a little bit of an unusual build as it was for my Rocky Mountain Element Carbon that I ride a lot on terrain it perhaps isn't really meant for. I used Reynolds Black Label 329 rims and Project 321 hubs. Can't remember the total weight off the top of my head. It's definitely not an ultralight build, but it's quite light for what it is and it does ride really well. No regrets.
If I wanted something a little more XC-like, it'd be pretty easy to build something much lighter.
Loving your work on Substack James! Don’t stop the lead-in storytelling, it’s so so good. So human. Great read as always!
Thanks so much!
Would love to read/see a review of the new Pivots. By my read of the geo chart, the chainstays are tragically short.
Sounds like I’ll be able to get a Trailcat SL pretty soon, so hopefully the trails don’t get completely buried in snow.
And yeah, the chainstays are short, but we’ll see how big an issue that is.
Awesome. I am in the market for a 120/130 XC/trail bike, and Pivot has the best fit and finish in the business. Very attracted to the Tallboy, but there’s a lot of options out there.
As fun as Interbike was I very much disliked going to Vegas. I assume costs were a driving factor for locations.
Can’t say Florida sounds very appealing either. Why don’t they have it in Colorado? So much of the industry is already there and it’s in the middle of the country so travel times are a fair split between the east & west.
There was a movement to get Interbike moved to Colorado ages ago, but clearly the show organizers didn't seem much appeal in that for whatever reason. Regardless of the actual reasons behind Orlando, I guess we'll see sooner than later how this all pans out.
Lots of gravel bike content coming. Don't forget the roadies!
You haven’t been forgotten! I’ve got some reviews of road gear coming up (nothing that I can divulge at the moment), I have that Ari Suncrest here already, and Scott has a new Addict RC inbound.
I recall reading somebody’s wind tunnel measurements of cx-ray vs round spokes (November, maybe?) and the delta was 1w. It makes sense that it’d be in that range for a 2mm spoke.
Edit: found it. https://novemberbicycles.com/blogs/blog/from-the-vault-spoke-aerodynamics?srsltid=AfmBOoqLntDRXudFH6WDLFvdMJfIfD3eLg5J_MnoiQVruOIsnIc1NXNc
That's definitely an interesting post, but I'm not sure I'd consider it an apples-to-apples comparison. Those Sapim Laser spokes are round, but they also have very thin 1.5 mm-diameter centers with standard 2.0 mm ends. The Berds are 2.0 mm in the middle and 3.0 mm at the rim ends.
Ah, fair. It’s been awhile since I’ve read that one and forgot they used lasers.
Also, Josh Poertner seemed to me to imply that the difference between aero and non-aero spokes was more substantial than in November's test. He was discussing testing that Aeromind did for clients, not public testing. (Aeromind is the parent company, and they own Silca.)
I’ve had the Remco lift for about six months and love it. Even for light bikes it is super convenient for raising and lowering height working on a bike. For a 60lb e-bike it’s a real back saver. Very sturdy and, so far, perfectly reliable.