Right...I must have missed in my comment above where I said I was the first and exactly the date of the first time I strapped a set of DH bars on an XC bike. You sir...are a moron.

Man...somebody is insecure about his little ring. Nobody cares man, ride whatever works for you. 1 ring, 2 rings, 3 rings...it's all mountain biking. If you think it's useless technology, don't buy it. You probably though full suspension bikes were just a fad too.

iamamodel...I wouldn't know, I only have 1 ring. :)

Man...big day for you on Pinkbike. Congratulations on the obvious enormity of your success.

Ha...so far I've been lucky enough to get out everyday this week. (I'd be happy to send you the Strava details of each ride, d-bag.) The trails I ride start with a 1300' climb....and then you start the ride. So yes, pushing the big ring. And yes, 1x9 on the Stumpjumper Evo I currently ride. Same on the Enduro, other Enduro, Cannondale Jekyl and Cannondale Rush I had before it. Only one at a time unfortunately. Gotta save money to spend on the big fun bikes. I, along with a lot of other people have also been putting short stems and wide DH bars on little bikes for years as well. It's nice that the industry is now catching on and selling bikes spec'd like the people who work in bike shops build their personal bikes.

Amazing it's taken companies so long to catch on to 1x drive trains. I've been running a 1x9 set-up with a chainguide, 34t and an 11-34 cassette for years on all my XC bikes. Gotta be in shape to push the big ring!!!