AM Knolly Tyaughton

Asininedrivel

caviar connoisseur
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Frame – Knolly Tyaughton Ti, Large
Front shock/fork – 2023 Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate, 150mm travel
Handlebars – OneUp carbon 20 degree rise, cut to 780mm
Stem – Industry 9 A35, 40mm
Headset – Chris King 44/56
Grips – ODI Elite lock ons
Saddle – WTB Volt
Seatpost – Fox Transfer 200mm
Front brake – XT M8100 4 pot; Galfer 203mm rotor
Rear brake – as above
Cranks – XT M8100 170mm; Wolftooth 32T zero offset chainring
Chain - XT
Pedals – Burgtec Mk5s
Rear derailleur – XT M8100 long cage
Rear shifter – XT M8100
Cassette – XT M8100 10-51
Front hub – White Industries CLD
Rear hub – White Industries C157
Front rim – We Are One Faction
Rear rim – We Are One Faction
Spokes – DT Swiss Competition
Nipples – DT Swiss Proloc Brass
Tyres – Maxxis DHR Exo 2.4 (F/R)
Total weight – Dunno, feels a lot lighter than anything else I have. 13ish kg maybe?

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I’ve only had this for a couple of months (and owing to Christmas / family stuff / blah have probably put less than 200km on it) so a more detailed review to come but initial impressions are very positive. Geometry does not reflect its large size - reach and stack mirror my XL Forbidden (chainstays are 35mm shorter though o_O).

Despite what may sound like totally munted front centre heavy geo the handling is pretty benign, and doesn’t feel like an understeering tank if you’re over the back wheel (except on faster, flatter corners, obviously). It’s also very adept at making me think it can be ridden at speed through reasonable chunder right up to the point my paper mache ankles give out. But it doesn’t feel big or inert either, more mellow stuff is a riot too.

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Will update with more feelings after it’s been ridden more, but currently it basically makes rougher trails doable (within reason) and boring trails fun. These modern geo hardtails are a lot more capable and versatile than I thought.

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Brings back memories of GT Xizang lust in the 90s.. Just lovely!

I reckon your bike weighs around 12.5kg. My Ragley was 14kg with Nukeproof wheels and a Suntour Xeron coil fork.
 
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Took advantage of some pretty sweet Marketplace deals recently to partially upgrade to XTR for no objective reason whatsoever. Any performance differences between it and the XT that was on it previously are marginal, although the new gear does seem more tolerant of shifting under load or just being stupid. Also the XTR cranks now have a completely different preload adjuster to other Shimano cranks, which is slightly interesting. Um... also it looks cool? Pretty much it really, but given this bike is most definitely a keeper there is some justification to shower it in tinsel. Otherwise this bike has remained a huge amount of fun to piss around on, and while a 10-15mm longer rear centre would likely make it more composed through rougher stuff (paging Dr @beeb?) I wouldn't want to change it given how agile and responsive it currently feels. It's weird, I've ridden (and not really gelled with) several FS bikes with disproportionately short CSs paired with a long front, but on this it's great.

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Random picture of it with the car given they were both clean at the time.
 
I agree on hardtails being better with shorter chainstays. My favourite Waltly had ~425mm chainstays. It was demanding to ride but great fun. The most effective Waltly had ~444mm chainstays, but felt 'heavier' to try and throw around or pop up/over things. Could rail berms so well though! But yeah, give me a choice on a dual-susp frame and I'd be back around that 445mm chainstay length in a heartbeat. I think with the rear suspension you can 'pivot' the bike around the BB easier, but on a hardtail you're effectively trying to pivot the bike around the rear axle, but with all your weight forward of that point.
 
Yeah, I feel the same. Short stays on the Paradox feel amazing, on the Smuggler they feel slightly out of whack.
 
I agree on hardtails being better with shorter chainstays. My favourite Waltly had ~425mm chainstays. It was demanding to ride but great fun. The most effective Waltly had ~444mm chainstays, but felt 'heavier' to try and throw around or pop up/over things. Could rail berms so well though! But yeah, give me a choice on a dual-susp frame and I'd be back around that 445mm chainstay length in a heartbeat. I think with the rear suspension you can 'pivot' the bike around the BB easier, but on a hardtail you're effectively trying to pivot the bike around the rear axle, but with all your weight forward of that point.
My Ragley Big Al XL had 435mm chainstays, it was fun :)
 
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