It's all about saddle position. I think @JohanG is probably right. With a zero setback post they couldn't get the seat far enough back so they switched to a setback post with the seat forward.
On the subject of seatposts, can someone please explain in what circumstances one would wish to reduce the travel of a dropper post ? Maybe I'm just being dumb but I can't really think of an advantage- surely you would just run a smaller drop post? Or is it a sponsorship situation.
@seppe80: Thanks. I guess if you are racing that makes sense but I have a KS Lev dropper and it can be set to any height. I suppose the duct tape is there more as a safety net so as not to drop too far.
Compliance maybe? I feel a difference in saddle flex when mounted forward/ backward. Plus, if the saddle and post were designed as a system, you'd want the ranges to link up tidily with minimal overlap.
All of you take another look - the clamping bolts are hanging loose and the top clamp isn't even there! The seat has been merely placed in position for the photo.
@tremeer023: I could see limiting the travel if the SA is such that the bike feels odd with the seat too low. My Fuel is like that, when slammed the seat is so far ahead between my legs that the bike feels shorter... like too short.
The setback post offers a level of compliance ans she can still run the saddle where she wants it. A streight post would be harsher. And let's not forget that racers and their mechanics do not have to be "real world" practical. They can get away with doing things for minimum gains and ot worry about ruining parts as long as they last the actual race. Most parts are swapped out after each race.
At my weight it's just best not to ride XC bikes... I have a titanium eye socket as a lifelong reminder of what happens when you push XC bikes beyond their capabilities. I think "aggressive trail" is as light-duty as I'll ever go again. But damn, they're beautiful to look at. Glad someone can ride them.
All Sram need is a frame, a headset, saddle, grips and some tyres, then they could sell the full Sram bike. Imagine that; Super-Hyper-Boosty-McBoostFace and compatible with no other manufacturers products. I called it first.
But I agree, odd that they don't have any higher end pedals or anything clipless. Thought they'd be all over that with a proprietary cleat interface. #notbitter
@codfather1234: Specialized and Cannondale are the kings of proprietary. I think its funny that Shimano sponsors an UCI event that 90% of the riders run Sram drivetrains.
Couldn't find the g-string clamp in the article, do you mean the Tune Wurger? I think it is clever. In fact, I think most conventional clamps (except for the integrated ones) are designed wrong. Most conventional (non integrated) clamps are designed to be loaded under bending whereas they should actually be loaded under tension exclusively. By getting that right, these modern XC seatpost clamps can actually be both lighter and stronger than what we've come to trust. And to be honest, worst that could happen is that the clamp snaps and the post slides and twists. There are loads of more critical components on these race bikes I'd trust less (with me both riding as well as handling the spanner).
At least we''re seeing droppers now. Hopefully next season we'll see those damn negative rise stems as long as an aircraft carrier go and the bikes will look like real mountain bikes.
I guess if you are racing that makes sense but I have a KS Lev dropper and it can be set to any height. I suppose the duct tape is there more as a safety net so as not to drop too far.
Cycling is so f*cked.
www.sram.com/truvativ/component/pedals#sm.012mnmqw170mef8104s1znfrq7hn4
All Sram need is a frame, a headset, saddle, grips and some tyres, then they could sell the full Sram bike.
Imagine that; Super-Hyper-Boosty-McBoostFace and compatible with no other manufacturers products. I called it first.
Totally forgot about the Truvativ flats. But yeah,after SRAM come up with wheelsets I thought they would be going for full components domination.
(Apart from BMC...)