Highline Setup advice

[cpj.slc]

Ok, I have a Highline as my shuttle service, DH bike. Right now it is set up with a chainguide up front. Altagirl had a deal on an x-9 shifterpod and front derailer that was too good to pass up. I am thinking about throwing it on the Highline. What does the collective think? I have an RFX for trail riding, so I don't really need the Highline to pedal,but it might be fun to be able to take the Highline on Wasatch Crest and Porcupine. Mostly, I am just bored trying to heal up from a shoulder dislocation and tinkering with bikes, althought a sad substitute, is what is filling my riding time.

[Vicious]

My .02:

You have the RFX for pedally shit...leave the Highline single. If you do Porc the right way, you don't really need to pedal anyway.

[cpj.slc]

Yeah, I think that is the right call. I just wanted to hear it from someone else.

[bagtagley]

With a DRS or some other dual ring guide, two rings up front won't make much of a difference as far as DH performance. If you're gonna do any shuttle rides that require some climbing, the granny is nice to have. At least once a year, I liked to roll the Highline on the Crest. For me, that ride wasn't doable on that pig without the granny.

[Arty50]

I climb my Highline a ton, so the granny is indispensable for me. How else am I gonna get that thing up Toads. There are some other rides I do on a reasonably frequent basis that make it worthwhile too. YMMV, but I can't imagine not having it setup with a double. Then again, I don't have an RFX like bike in the middle of the quiver. If I did, I might change my mind.

My .02:

You have the RFX for pedally shit...leave the Highline single. If you do Porc the right way, you don't really need to pedal in granny anyway.

Fixed that for ya.

[cpj.slc]

Alright, I think Arty and Bags have convinced me to throw on the derailer. This bike is a hog and trying to get it to the top of Wasatch Crest without a small ring will be miserable. If the chain feels too floppy on rough stuff like Little Cottonwood I guess I will pull the derailer back off.

[toast2266]

I leave a front shifter w/ the cable routed on my DH bike all the time. Especially w/ X-type cranks and ISCG, it really doesn't take that long to switch between a guide and a FD. If I'm going lift accessed - Guide. If I'm going somewhere with uphill - FD. Its only about a 10 minute switch (although I have a spare crankset so I don't have to mess w/ changing rings, but that wouldn't add that much time...)

[MarsB]

SuperChief runs a front d on his Highline, maybe he'll chime in from Montucky.

[SuperChief]

I've had no issues with the DRS and granny gear, I definately like the option, and haven't dropped a chain yet with the DRS on the HL or the Blackspire dually on the Bullit. lift serve only I'd stick with a single ring, any shuttling other trails the thing will come in handy.

[Arty50]

Yeah, I have the DRS too. Great setup.

[allTandA]

2 or is it 3rd on the DRS, Great system . The HL is such a good pedaler, why not run both rings. No harm no Foul. FWIW!