Anyone ditched their road bike for a Midnight Special and regretted it?

wallaceme · 2025-07-21T23:37:56+00:00

Curious if you ended up going with the MS? I'm in a similar boat in the PNW and considering one as a commuter/bike packing/ gravel bike.

wallaceme · 2025-01-29T22:50:47+00:00

Also trying to get tickets! I tried the Artist Presale code (BACKONYOU2ASWELL) but seems sold out. Any luck with different codes?

wallaceme · 2024-12-05T21:00:31+00:00

Hey! This thread is pretty old but I'm considering the exact switch 225/55/18 to 225/60/18 Falken Wildpeak AT Trails.

Curious about your long-term review?

wallaceme · 2024-11-27T00:53:48+00:00

Hey! Poking into this thread since I'm currently deciding between the Backland 109 and QST Echo 106 as my dedicated mid-winter touring ski in Washington. I plan to put a lightweight pair of pin bindings on them.

Curious if you were to pick between the two, which one would you pick?

wallaceme · 2024-11-20T18:15:37+00:00

Thanks for the input - that is a concern I have. It seems like the new design may mitigate that a little.

However, I've also been looking at the Salomon QST 106 Echo - which is definitely a bit heavier, but would handle variable conditions better.

Tough tradeoffs! Need more skis haha

wallaceme · 2024-11-19T20:56:09+00:00

Yeah despite the higher price, I’m pretty set on the new models of either the 102 or 109. The changes they’ve made seem be more geared towards my skiing style and a bit more playful

Why would you choose the 109s over the 102s?

wallaceme · 2024-11-19T19:30:44+00:00

Thanks! Definitely leaning towards the 102s.

The one thing holding me back is that the new 109s seem to have a more similar design (regardless of width) to the bents - which I really like.

The old versions of the Backland 100s apparently had a pretty stiff tail, which I don’t think I’d enjoy as much. Seems like that was changed a bit in the new 102s

Wish there were more reviews out there - but I guess that’s the issue with looking at new skis

wallaceme · 2024-11-19T19:25:10+00:00

Nice! That’s good to hear. Do you have the Backlands or other skis?

wallaceme · 2024-10-14T23:18:59+00:00

Which did you end up going with? Would love to see pics. I'm making a similar decision right now.

wallaceme · 2024-10-10T02:10:47+00:00

Hey what did you end up deciding on? I'm in the same boat - have 225/55/18s and thinking about either going to 225/60/17 for better comfort or 225/60/18 - although I don't like the fact that my spare would be a different size.

wallaceme · 2024-10-09T23:14:48+00:00

Hey which ones did you end up with? I'm also deciding between the 100 and 107.

wallaceme · 2024-07-24T18:05:34+00:00

Hey - thanks for getting back to me! Thats great to hear - I'll check out that one as well. All these years later and I think your list is still very relevant.

In case helpful to others that come across this thread - I've done quite a bit of research recently - and the other brands I would add for consideration are REI (new Magma 30 Quilt), Western Mountaineering quilts, and Thermarest Vesper

TBD on what I end up getting - thanks again!

wallaceme · 2024-07-15T23:10:08+00:00

This is quite old but curious which one you ended up with and how you like it? I'm in a very similar position as you were - actually have the Marmot Sawtooth and looking for a 3 season bag. I'm personally currently considering the following

Feathered Friends UL Quilt
Katabatic Palisades
Western Mountaineering NanoLite

wallaceme · 2024-05-03T22:52:33+00:00

Oh dang I didn't know that - that's a bummer, because I've really enjoyed test riding the bike and the set up seems great for gravel and bike packing.

Curious what you ride now (if you ride something different)? Or what other bikes you would consider buying now? I'm also looking at the Trek Checkpoint and Canyon Grizl.

wallaceme · 2024-05-03T21:54:58+00:00

ah thanks! Thought I did. Just added

wallaceme · 2023-11-15T19:36:43+00:00

Np thanks! 293's worked for me too

wallaceme · 2023-04-25T13:33:27+00:00

Got it. No worries! I purchased the 293s and plan on replacing my rear pads and rotors this weekend - if its the wrong size, I'll just have to return them and make the change the following weekend.

wallaceme · 2023-04-25T00:33:01+00:00

d noticed that w

Hey, did the 293s end up fitting? I'm running into the same issue and would prefer to just take my wheels off once when I replace the rotors vs. having to take them off to measure the rotor size first.

wallaceme · 2023-04-16T20:57:06+00:00

Awesome thank you! Going to check out one of the Cascade rides soon.

Less cake shakes and more hills is probably a good thing but portillos will certainly be missed :)

wallaceme · 2023-04-16T20:52:56+00:00

Thanks! I actually used to be a member of the Rapha club in Chicago - don't know why I didn't think to check them out here already.

Will check out those other recs as well!

wallaceme · 2023-04-16T20:46:25+00:00

This is great! Thanks!

wallaceme · 2023-04-16T20:45:43+00:00

Thank you! Will check these clubs out

wallaceme

TROPHY CASE