'been working and writing a lot this month for the magazine and some other publications i work for. don't get me wrong, i love my job, but writing is somthing that comes from within, and writing that much takes a lot out of a person. you need to use words, you have to write an article, you have to beat the deadline. some times i'm too tired writing for my blog... this is why this month's crop is rather low. sorry.
anyway, its been a tired week, my body is recovering from the load i put it through last week. but next week is a nice one, coaching for 3 days in kids bike camp up north, and then, its straight down south for a 2 day technical riding course that i teach. a busy one, once again.
and now, for that short XX review.
the system works really well, even under heavy pedaling loads. having 10 cogs in the back, with a 36 tooth being the largest, and a 29\42 chainring setup at the front gives more than enough spread of gears for any situation. the shifting feels very positive, and the lever throw is shorter than it used to be on the X.O triggers. i use a grip-shift for the left hand (front mech) shifter- just because i like it that way. the front XX deraileur is a work of art, and shifts flawlessly at all times, right now, no questions asked. its the best i've ever used.
all in all, its a very nice setup, but if you ride a 29er and like to ride all over, and race somtimes, i'd go for a 26\39 chainring setup, and have all the gears i would ever need.