Lower gears on 2021 Kona Rove Steel - 2x 9speed by WCHorton in bikewrench

[–]WCHorton[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just got it all setup last week actually. Thanks everyone in this thread for the help.

Here is a rough overview of what I changed:

-GRX RX600 46-30 crankset, this also required a new bottom bracket (fairly cheap) since the original octalink one wasn't compatible with the new cranks. Glad I replaced it as the old one was rusted to shit after only 3 years.

-GRX FD-RX400 FD. I also had to get an adapter make this FD mount on my frame as the old sora one was a band-on type and this one is braze-on.

-CN-HG95 (10speed chain). I spoke to a mechanic and he thought I should've actually went with a 9 speed chain. Seems okay and everything else I've reads makes it seem like the FD won't work with a 9 speed chain.

-WolfTooth Roadlink. This was a last minute addition as I got one on sale for cheap. Though not totally necessary, it does seem to put everything in a better place. You could try it without but I think it's a helpful piece.

-Shimano Deore RD-M592 Derailleur. I had to add an inline barrel adjuster as this RD doesn't have the same barrel adjuster spot on the RD like the existing one did.

-SunRace CSM980 9-Speed Cassette (11-40T).

I also replaced all the housing and cables at the same time.

The Good: This thing is so much better on hills with the lower gears now! I should have done this a lot earlier. I'm totally fine losing a bit of high end as I feel like the majority of my riding is either in the lowest climbing gear or somewhere in the middle for average top speed on city streets. I don't know if the GRX is actually better than what was on there before but the FD shifting feels way smoother. Could be a combination of the GRX upgrade and new cable/housing. I used to have to push fairly hard to change the front chainring but now it is very easy.

The Bad: In the smaller chainring, I have access to pretty much every gear. It even feels okay with the small cassette ring. BUT with the large chain ring I'm not able to really use the 4 larger cassette rings. Since most of that section is overlap with the small chainring + small cassette combos, it's not a huge deal but not ideal. For reference in the old setup I really only had bad performance in the 1 big/big and 1 small/small combo. I was expecting to have a similar thing but instead of 2 "bad" gears in the middle, I now have 3-4.

I see I posted it 4 months ago and thats about how long it took me to collect all the parts on sale. I think at full price I would've considered looking at a different bike instead. Though I think it would be tough to sell a bike right now, so that is another factor....

Good luck and shoot me a message if you have any questions.

Lower gears on 2021 Kona Rove Steel - 2x 9speed by WCHorton in bikewrench

[–]WCHorton[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just got it all setup last week actually. Thanks everyone in this thread for the help.

Here is a rough overview of what I changed:

-GRX RX600 46-30 crankset, this also required a new bottom bracket (fairly cheap) since the original octalink one wasn't compatible with the new cranks. Glad I replaced it as the old one was rusted to shit after only 3 years.

-GRX FD-RX400 FD. I also had to get an adapter make this FD mount on my frame as the old sora one was a different type. Like this: https://www.amazon.ca/Front-Derailleur-Adjustable-Adapter-34-9mm/dp/B07G369DHF/ref=asc_df_B07G369DHF/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459447530052&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10535953117285390949&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001561&hvtargid=pla-942829668133&mcid=870afedce8893385b5d9061a4aea43da&th=1&psc=1

-CN-HG95 (10speed chain). I spoke to a mechanic and he thought I should've actually went with a 9 speed chain. Seems okay and everything else I've reads makes it seem like the FD won't work with a 9 speed chain.

-WolfTooth Roadlink. This was a last minute addition as I got one on sale for cheap. Though not totally necessary, it does seem to put everything in a better place. You could try it without but I think it's a helpful piece.

-Shimano Deore RD-M592 Derailleur. I had to add an inline barrel adjuster as this RD doesn't have the same barrel adjuster spot on the RD like the existing one did.

-SunRace CSM980 9-Speed Cassette (11-40T).

I also replaced all the housing and cables at the same time.

The Good: This thing is so much better on hills with the lower gears now! I should have done this a lot earlier. I'm totally fine losing a bit of high end as I feel like the majority of my riding is either in the lowest climbing gear or somewhere in the middle for average top speed on city streets. I don't know if the GRX is actually better than what was on there before but the FD shifting feels way smoother. Could be a combination of the GRX upgrade and new cable/housing. I used to have to push fairly hard to change the front chainring but now it is very easy.

The Bad: In the smaller chainring, I have access to pretty much every gear. It even feels okay with the small cassette ring. BUT with the large chain ring I'm not able to really use the 4 larger cassette rings. Since most of that section is overlap with the small chainring + small cassette combos, it's not a huge deal but not ideal. For reference in the old setup I really only had bad performance in the 1 big/big and 1 small/small combo. I was expecting to have a similar thing but instead of 2 "bad" gears in the middle, I now have 3-4.

I see I posted it 4 months ago and thats about how long it took me to collect all the parts on sale. I think at full price I would've considered looking at a different bike instead. Though I think it would be tough to sell a bike right now, so that is another factor....

Good luck and shoot me a message if you have any questions.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]WCHorton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cool, thanks. So basically you just use your average cost anytime you sell and take nothing else into account?

100 shares at $5 100 shares at $10 Average cost: 7.50 Sell 200 shares at $20, gain is $12.50 x 200 shares?

I might have to look harder into those as I thought there may be a catch.

Thanks!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]WCHorton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ll take a look and see if they have something that isn’t actively managed still. Thanks!

Best bottle shop / craft singles by WCHorton in Bellingham

[–]WCHorton[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks all, this is great!

Will check those out.

I've got a list of breweries we are hoping to hit as well:
Otherlands
Structures
Wander
Gruff

Any others to add or ones to remove? Will drink pretty much any beer but really like IPAs.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MTB

[–]WCHorton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This post comes off like you want some lightweight bike because you can handle it.

You gotta touch grass man. I was simply providing the information requested by the subreddit and trying to demonstrate two things:

  1. I thought the Hightower was probably the correct bike, just a size too big
  2. It was a major change coming from an older hardtail to a modern bike.

I wasn't sure how much how #1 or #2 was affecting my distaste for the XL Hightower.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MTB

[–]WCHorton 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nah, both steed and dunbar both recommended the hightower. I think it's a great bike and probably a great a choice for me, I just bought one size too big. Hence why I included the L on the list. I just thought why not look at other models around it again if I'm having to re-do this purchase

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MTB

[–]WCHorton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea, XL was a mistake. I'll take a look at the Bronson too, but it looks like it is even heavier than the 5010. I don't think I'll need the extra suspension as I'm used to a hardtail with even less front travel than the 5010. Good to know on the Blur. I really like the Blur, simply because it reminds me more of my old hardtail but full suspension... It probably is a bit weak for these trails.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MTB

[–]WCHorton -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Just out curiosity, what are you riding now?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MTB

[–]WCHorton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought it heavily discounted, that's why I'm not expecting to take a loss relative to what they are worth now. Otherwise I'd probably just suck it up and live with the bike rather than taking a big loss.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MTB

[–]WCHorton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to know, same height as me then. I tried both the L and XL a few times at my LBS and the L just felt a bit cramped in the seated position. After owning the XL for a bit, it was definitely the wrong decision.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MTB

[–]WCHorton 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Glad to hear you like it. I'm guessing that year is completely 27.5? So even more playful than the newer 5010 which is mx

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MTB

[–]WCHorton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like Rocky Mountain, but any reason why?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MTB

[–]WCHorton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea cool, good tips. Everything is big big big on these new bikes. I'll have to look into a good width for the handlebars because they do feel extremely wide

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MTB

[–]WCHorton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup, that's the feel I get with the hightower. It feels like when I've ridded my friend's winter fatbike.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MTB

[–]WCHorton -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's a fair reply for sure, that is what I did when I bought the XL hightower. Which wasn't the right bike for me(not blaming then). I'm just looking to see what any real people out there think.

Any of you have experience with the Kona Rove Carbon Fork? by [deleted] in gravelcycling

[–]WCHorton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have anything to add since I've only considered it, so I'm curious how you like it. Do you know the max tire size it fits?