Using the auto-sag again now gave me a rear shock that felt a lot better. Specialized's phone app lets you set the amount of assistance, and the speed of response from the pedals. I dropped the lower setting from 20% to 15%, and tried the different levels of response, settling on the middle. I don't have a reliable gauge for presta valves, so didn't change the tyre pressures at all, but the last job was to fix my lights on as summer has officially ended.
Andy arrived early, keen to try the bike out before we set off, as he was away last week, and he was very impressed.
Last night's conditions were nigh on perfect, dry nearly everywhere, so we were able to try some of the downhill tracks through the trees which are often very greasy. The bike now performed as well as the demo had, the extra weight and fat tyres providing confidence inspiring grip, and keeping momentum through the corners. At 15% assistance I am only slightly better off than the majority of the people I ride with (except Kevin, I need 50% to keep up with him) and can have a decent work out without holding them up. Once the speed increases, or the tracks head downwards, the assistance is negated and the bike shows that Specialized put a lot of effort into making sure it handled well, and they succeeded in my view.
So now I can go out with the same bunch of riders without dreading some of the more "climby" routes they want to do because of my crawling uphill pace, the only fear I have now is of routes with stiles to climb over!
Mark
