Kiowa008

@Inertiatic: They ship with a drive and non-drive spoke just fyi. Still not cheap or convenient at $7-8 a spoke but I’ve only managed to brake one doing a nasty stoppie on a 24 spoke front wheel in the last 10 years. I unthreaded the long end from the hub (way more convenient than a j-bend spoke unless you get really lucky) and rode it several times before replacing it. There’s definitely something to those spokes (the easiest rim swaps ever, unique ride feel, colors if you’re into that) but if Onyx made a compatible hub I’d be all over that. I think Onyx has a superior design despite the weight. Just food for thought.

I’d like to hear more about the stem issues you heard of/witnessed if you have the time. I had the base of one stem (31.8, 30mm) either not machined correctly or somehow developed a stress riser on the bottom side of the steer tube clamp. It had a slight high spot in it that caused the headset to constantly come loose. Plenty of headroom between top of steertube and headset cap. What did you run into?

@Saidrick: Vegas has an incredible amount of bike paths at our disposal. The plan is to connect all of them to create a massive loop around the whole valley and it’s coming along nicely but there’s already lots of high speed electric travel (including one wheels and others) which is causing tension. Road bikes aren’t the fastest thing anymore and lots of the alt mobility users I’ll call them ride far too fast for other users and also their ability. I personally haven’t had issues in part because I keep an eye out In front and behind on the paths. Just had a buddy almost get T-boned by a dude on a class 2 absolutely hauling ass-like Way more than 35mph. Thing looked like a cafe racer (admittedly cool) with a full headlight and all. I appreciate that more people are ditching cars but there has to be education and communication between these user groups. The speed differential is far too great between these vehicles and walkers. Roadies at full speed already scare folks just walking their dogs (who are usually taking up the whole 2m wide path with a cool tripwire in between). Jokes aside it’s a multi-use path but it still says no motorized travel. Obviously everyone feels entitled to use it and no regulation will fix that but people gotta come together a bit. It’s a small problem at the moment in part because there’s miles of uninterrupted path that isn’t full of people yet but it’s coming. When the paths are congested and people are weaving through traffic someone is gonna get the sucker punch of a life time. You know it’ll be a hit and run too assuming the rider doesn’t crash. Preaching to the choir it sounds like but haven’t heard of anyone else having this issue online and I got excited. Thanks for listening lol

@meata: I always felt a bit gross selling/installing them but yeah, 99% of buyers had AARP cards. Older backs and wrists need extra consideration but apparently also a design that stays put. Who knew? Always thought it looked janky but the custies sure loved them.

I cringe when someone misuses there ;)

@notsosikmik: That’s how my franken fork came to be. Started with a pre’21 36 Rhythm (kinda sorta a Z1 Air), installed a grip2 damper and later a Zocchi coil kit. Heavy but so good. Good while later I picked up the ‘21+ CSU/lowers and a push coil kit and then stripped and painted the lowers. Cheap would be the last thing I’d call it but it was a fun experiment at the time. Your route would be far more intelligent lol.

@Lostrodamus: No doubt. I figured the reference was more to full suspension frames based off the price comparison pisgahgnar made. Still a bit exaggerated though

@Lostrodamus: also @pisgahgnar didn’t say top end…so excluding sale frames there are plenty around that mark. Although you may have to “settle” for a metal frame *gasp*

@Muckal: Absolutely, this stuff is super expensive and if you keep your equipment for any length of time the maintenance is worth the cost. If you don’t factor maintenance cost into the price of the fork you’re fooling yourself too.

At the upper end of the product lines sure (pick a manufacturer) but there’s plenty of excellent forks for ~500USD these days as I’m sure you’re aware. I love my current fork but I’m certain I’d be just as happy on a coil sprung marzocchi with the basic grip damper. Give me a few rides to adjust and I’d still be just as meh as before. I think those Z1 coils are on sale under $400 somewhere too…