I have installed all 3 of those tires tubeless on ZTR Arches using sealant and have had no problems as of yet. How quickly they lose air seems to be related to how much sealant I decide to use. The Wolverine and Prowler have a limited amount of sealant as I felt their sidewalls were quite thick…need to pump them up every other day, though. The Nano has a healthy dose of sealant and does not seem to ever need air. I bottom out maybe 1 or 2 times a week and have yet to suffer.

Yes, that is a good part of the issues I have. The rest is whether of not the gearing is correct for your needs. A 26-36 is pretty low but not as low as many might wish and a 39-36 is not very low at all. That is a very individual thing and needs to be taken as such. Besides that, the XX group works very, very, very well, I like the narrow Q factor in the cranks and the cassette is crazy light when you hold it in your hands.

grannygear

The XX group, while amazing in its technology and function, is extremely expensive in a few key areas. Most of these areas have to do with “wear items”. Things an average mountain biker will find themselves replacing one to three times a year, or maybe more, depending upon conditions ridden in and how many miles are put on the bicycle in 12 months time.

In particular, the cassette costs well over $300.00 U.S. to replace. I can buy 3 X-9 cassettes for that price, easily.

Now I think I can speak for Grannygear here when I say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with an XX cassette in terms of function and performance. The cassette, (I pick on this in particular because of its uniqueness), hasn’t let either of us down, and due to its steel construction, it is assumed that the life span of the component is enhanced, but it will need to be replaced and when that time comes, there is currently no other choice but to buy this 300 plus dollar marvel of technology.

That gives us pause on recommending it to “Joe Average” trail rider. If you are a sponsored athlete, or have that kind of money, or are that committed to having the best, regardless of costs, then this does not apply to you.

For the rest of us, it may cause some “reservations”.

And that’s just the cassette…………..:)

Should more choices emerge for 2011 that would alleviate this situation, then I think we could heartily recommend XX as a great mtb group.

thanks…