That’s funny. I’ve actually gone no dropper at LV for the opposite reason. Not only the weight, but so that I don’t bomb the descents too much. Reason being is that the descents, if taken too aggressively, are the only spots on the course that can either end your day or severely impact your time because of wheel or tire issues. The percentage of time spent climbing is so much higher, basically half of ride time, so I protect the tires going down and try to go faster on the ups. Risk/reward in my mind. But at home, I use my mtb w the dropper on any kind of xc race because I can just go faster with the dropper than I can without, no doubt about it.
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There are, or at least used to be, some dangerous water bars on Kevins. Easy to get bucked on a rigid post if not paying attention. Safer for sure to have a dropper, especially when tired.
Still there and that section is steep and fast but wide open and non-technical enough that people tend to let it roll. That’s where the guy died a few years back, RIP.
This whole thread has gone off topic
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Haha.. for sure! It’s funny because I just noticed another post on Reddit recently where someone posted a picture of their bike without a dropper. Before you know it, a dropper vs non dropper debate broke out and derailed a simple post in which someone was just showing off a new bike.
Just let the non dropper crowd setup our bikes how we wish and let your legs do the talking.
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100 pct.
Not exactly “the topic", but perhaps closer to it than we have been, I’m looking for wheel advice.
I was looking at a new XC bike that came with 25mm internal wheels and had a set of HUNT Proven on order at Black Friday pricing to get lighter and wider at the same time.
I’ve ended up paying more to get one of the new Anthems instead with the 30mm alloy wheels. At this point I don’t really know that spending the extra cash on the HUNTs is worth it for the ~200g weight savings.
On MTB am I really missing out that much if I stick with the alloys?
I’ve had factory built carbon (HollowGram/DT Swiss for Cannondale), HED Emporia & hand built at my LBS (Onyx, CX-ray, Astral) and hand built are the best by a mile despite being the heaviest.
For 200g I wouldn’t upgrade. Maybe take the to the local wheel builder for a full check including spoke tension and be happy.
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To me it is not all about weight but also how they ride. I am no expert but one of the benefits of carbon wheels is that they are quite tuneable in terms of stiffness and flex where it matters
I wouldn’t bother for 200g. Tyre choice/rolling resistance is far more important IMO. I have a second (spare) wheelset for racing that is 250g heavier than my ‘good’ wheelset and honestly can’t feel any difference. Having said that I’ve never tested it against the clock or anything.
Do we think Trek is going to release a new XC bike this year? Possibly a more capable SuperCal? Gwen Gibson appears to be riding a new bike on her recent instagram story (bike was greyed out).
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They badly need to. A nice 120/120 bike w two bottle capability finally would be welcome. Cmon Trek!
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The biggest benefit of carbon wheels for me has been durability, so I would just run your current wheels and if you wear things out or break things faster than you’d like it might make sense to consider carbon
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Problem with Trek is it will still be 2kg heavier and 2k more expensive. 
Def on the heavier, but unfortunately equally expensive as everyone else’s overpriced bikes.
Saw that posted by Riley the other day. Sure looks like a new XC bike. He and Payson were talking a lot about new mtb technology coming too….which has to mean 32’s. I’m not saying the bike in the pic is a 32er, but just that they are for sure testing those too.
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Finally!!! A solid, modern XC bike. 
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Apparently the Supercaliber is updated for 2026 - this I imagine is it. The Fuel will be adjustable…not sure what that means beyond travel. Time will tell.
Probably following the Epic 8 with a flip chip to alter the geometry a bit based on preference and travel setup.
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