The Delirium-T is dead. Long live the Delirium-T.
After January’s bike tragedy, the Knolly was reborn in a slightly burlier incarnation. Thank you to Farmers, Gigi, and Roaring Mouse Cycles. There are three differences:
- The Michelin Mountain X-trem tires I had on v1.0 were discontinued so I went with a Maxxis DHF 2.5 in front and a Kenda Nevegal 2.35 in the rear. Both are UST tubeless with Stans. The difference is major. The whole bike is heavier, and is much more stout feeling and glued to the ground during descents at speed. There’s more rolling resistance to contend with on uphills, but the tradeoff is reasonable. It’s a lot like outfitting a pair of Volkl Mantras with light AT bindings (i.e. Diamir Fritschis) and then swapping to the same skis but with Marker Dukes. The resulting experience is 30% more bomber, despite the seeming subtlety of the change.
- I tried to get an e13 DRS chain guide/bashguard on v1.0 but they were back-ordered for months so I ended up with an MRP system instead. It was my first chainguide so I didn’t know any different. On v2.0 I got the e13 and it is SO MUCH BETTER. The MRP was very noisy and (perhaps as a result) draggy-feeling. The e13 is almost completely transparent. I’m a fan.
- On v2.0 I ended up with a Crank Brothers Joplin-R adjustable seatpost with a remote up on the left handlebar. If the terrain changes from steep downhill (where you want the seat down and out of the way) to steep uphill (where you want the seat up high for maximum pedaling efficiency) you don’t have to stop, disrupt your flow, and adjust your seatpost. You just hit the button on the handlebar and the seat rises. If you crest a steep uphill with a big descent immediately following, you hit the button and the seat drops out of the way. This sounds like a laughably small difference from a normal seatpost, but once you try it it’s hard to imagine going back.
So the Knolly’s back and badder than before. But it only matters if you get out on it. There’ve been a few worthy outings so far. Tamarancho-to-Loma Alta/Solstice — a combo of Tamarancho’s fun XC single-track plus a grinding climb up Gunsight/Loma Alta fire road to a downhill that feels like Pacifica (Crack/Mile) in spots. Unbelievable. The bike was perfect for it.
Last weekend I climbed up to the single track from Twin Peaks to Mt Sutro, then down Glen Canyon, retracing some of the SF Flow course. SF’s urban trail goodness is underrated. (Though admittedly there are some tricky access issues if you’re riding on SFRPD property.) After what turned out to be a 20 mile ride through the city with 3K feet of climbing I stumbled on a few kickers, berms, and a step-up in a beautiful spot.
I was too beat to really explore these but made a note to return with some gas in the tank. I got back to them today during a break in the rain (and the kids’ naptime) and sessioned the area pretty thoroughly. It was empty, tacky, and superb. I finally mustered the courage to try a kicker/gap jump that had been shaming me, and ended up sticking it. Bottom line, the Delirium-T makes scary things feel routine. (Is it embarrassing that a 2.5′ tall kicker/gap jump is scary? Yes. But that’s ok. Gotta start somewhere.)
