IluvRIDING

@atestisthis: The new XTR hubs use cartridge bearings.

@hllclmbr: Except since BMX we have been on the way back to 622mm (28/29 rim) which has been the road/commuter bike de facto standard for the past 50 years or so. Also we have not seen any conclusive data over various tracks. And I am not saying 32" may not be faster on any specific track. My argument is, that it's just not worth it for 99,9% of the population even if it was fractionally faster for the racers on some specific terrain. Once this "trickles down" to consumer bikes, we are having huge heavy monsters completely inappropriate for the general public. Plus another “common” standard, which we just don’t need.

@GZMS: There is little to no evidence for this claim. There have been multiple races where 29ers have beaten 32s, so it’s far from clear-cut. 32s have more rotational inertia, meaning every deceleration and acceleration costs more energy, and they are slower to get back up to speed. They also have more unsprung weight and generally worse handling in tight sections. On the other hand, 32s may have an advantage on rough surfaces at relatively steady speeds..more like gravel riding than XCO, in my opinion. That said, I think it would be better to have a 622 mm wheel-size limit, simply to reduce the number of standards and make the sport more approachable. Many local bike shops are already closing or becoming less relevant, and part of the problem is that they cannot reasonably stock enough parts to cover all the common standards without tying up excessive amounts of capital. Adding yet another wheel standard could be another nail in the coffin for many of them.

More like 33.5 ...the 35/36 is ready for 2030, so keep quiet, will you.

No, average. I am the same height. Czechs are one of the tallest nations in the world with average height in the Czech Republic is 181 cm (approx. 5'11") for men and 168 cm women.

He was already the best rider long before the race even started. Surprisingly, he won...put him on a new wheel standard, and we have ourselves a great new article.

I would like to see timestamps of the downhill parts or technical features. The rest (90% of time) is boring, if its not a race.

I don't think the average ebike consumer cares if they have the motor that just came out or something a few years old ("outdated"). I'm guessing that 95% of the e-bike market are commuters or recreational cyclists. I don't see why Shimano would exit.

@Marquis: I’ve used both extensively over the past two decades. For any gravity-focused riding, I much prefer the 56s because of their multidirectional release. I can unclip not only by twisting my foot, but also by tilting it to the side. However, I dislike them for one specific reason: they can release when pulled directly upward, and no amount of pedal tension can prevent this completely. This is both dangerous and frustrating, especially when they release during a maximum-torque effort.

Regarding release tension, does anyone use the SM-SH56 rather than the SM-SH51? With the 56, you can crank up the tension and still get away with it.