Love it so far, but it is my first real XC bike. Nice to have the two bottle capacity and the squidlock. Much much lighter and more agile than the Ripmo, but obviously not nearly as plush and as good a descender and in the real chunky stuff.
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Ostro looks fantastic 
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so jealous of the cabling on the new one. mine just sit out in the wind and occasionally hit my knee when climbing. Also, the seatpost set up is so much more versatile.
What saddle and bar tape are you running? Looks very clean - trying to figure out how it might look on my 2019 “Rage Red” version.
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Sweet 
those pedals on the Ridley though… gave me the heebie jeebies. Also, not looking to get cancelled for not being a fan of flat pedals on race bikes 
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I remember a GCN episode were they tested that there was not much difference in power output. But surely cleats are far more comfortable.
Anyway this is still at the store were they had just put these pedals on for a quick test ride.
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Checkpoint SLR7 eTap. At almost 46yo, it’s my first drop bar bike I’ve owned. Giving this gravel thing a go.
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I’m in the same boat coming from mtb and have been considering this and several other bikes for a while now. I’d love to know your thoughts when you get a few rides in.
I’ve had it for about 3 weeks and have 450 miles on it, to include a gravel century. I don’t have anything to compare it to since it’s my first drop bar. However here are my impressions.
I love the 1x and electronic shifting. It was definitely the right choice and I can’t imagine using anything else. The Explorer cassette has been great as well. I don’t think I’ll need anything more (40 x 10-44), but I have BWR (Michigan) coming up in 2 months that consists of 142 miles and 9k of climbing, so I’ll know more after that.
I swapped out the seat and put the same one from my MTB (WTB Volt carbon). It’s always been comfortable and weighs much less. I also added the same pedals (eggbeaters) and cages (Arundel). I’ve kept the TR1 tires and they measure about 42.7mm on the 25mm id rims which are set up tubeless. Race ready it comes in at 19lbs, 6oz.
I’ve had a bike fit and that got me close, however I was having some pain in my hands. I’ve since raised the hoods and that’s helped. It’s not perfect but I’m close. I’ve purchased some softer bar tape that I need to install. I’ve also recently tried some padded gloves that I’m liking. Compared to my MTB I’m just not quite used to the hand positions. I’m sure that’s something I’ll just need to get used to and tweak. The drops feel completely foreign and I’ll likely spend 99.9% of the time on the hoods.
As far as the bike/frame itself, it feels good. I have no complaints but I also have no comparison.
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Padded gloves are nearly a must on rough rides with drop bars for me, where I run unpadded gloves on my MTBs.
Bar tape may help with that some.
Drops come in handy when you want more power on the brakes, but out on the hoods is where is spend 99.9% of my time on road/cross/gravel.
This is very helpful. Thank you. My one and only drop-bar was about 25 years ago, so it is basically irrelevant at this point. I’ll be interested in what you have to say after the BWR as longer rides with lots of climbing is my main reason for wanting to add this kind of bike. Thanks again, glad you’re enjoying it!
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This bike is just so darn good…
Edit / Story: Just upgraded my trusty but aging 2014 Epic S-works (Brain, SRAM, Magura) to an Epic Evo Pro. (Fox suspension and dropper with full XTR group and carbon wheels) and have been riding it in Park City Utah for a week now.
I’d been looking to get an EVO but had no luck earlier in the year. This bike happened by chance and I grabbed it. In addition to the older Epic S-Works, I ride a Mojo 3 and a Chameleon single speed.
Am absolutely convinced that these 120/120 +/- type bike are perfect for my riding. Couldn’t be happier with this EVO and even happier to be De-Brained.
(P.s. For non-skiers, the machine is a snow-cat groomer without tracks.)
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2017 Diamondback Haanjo. Picked this up at a pretty steep discount courtesy of my employer’s sponsorships. Think I paid around $850 out the door. Came with mechanical Ultegra front and rear. Made a commitment to myself and my wife that I was/am going to work on upgrading my motor as much as reasonably possible before I worry about a better bike.
Originally came with a pair of private label (brand only) HED wheels that were junk. After the rear cassette blew up somehow – I decided to get a pair of GR1600. Yes, yes, I realize that I spent almost as much on a pair of wheels as I did on the whole bike originally, but I think it may have addressed the greatest weak spot of the bike. I’ll start looking for something better next year or whenever I feel more flush with cash.
It will continue to make a good back-up, knock around, trainer bike. But until then, it’s my daily driver.
I live in MN. Salsa Beargrease is my other bike. Bought it during the pandemic to maintain my sanity during winter.
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genesis flyer from 2016 - converted to straight bar, gravel king tyres, 46 x 19T - brilliant ride - first bike I go to for a quick blast.
Condor potenza from 2008 - 46 x 17T - (medium gear) twitchy, looks great, and quick
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+1. Given my experience with my Evo I am wondering if I really need the long-travelled Enduro standing next to it in the garage. The Evo works just fine under all the conditions and on all the trails I usually ride. Only on park days and real rough terrain I opt for “the tank”.
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It’s my old university building - flashbacks 
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My “bigger” bike is a Mojo3. Am going to sell it. Evo is all the bike I need for going down and need all the help I can get going up.