The build is finished for my DK200 weapon - just finished 20 miles of Utah mountain single track and I am extremely pleased with how it turned out. Added the aluminum Cirrus BodyFloat seat post and a Lauf Grit fork, and 40 mm Gravel Kings. For gearing I'm using the stock compact crank with an 11-36 cassette with the Wolftooth extender so I can use the stock dérailleur. Lauf is giving a discount to DK entrants, but it still cost $612.50 shipped. That's a lot of scratch for such a radical frame modification when you don't know if it's going to work.
There's a weight penalty, particularly for the post, I'd say three pounds added between the two.
Besides looking like it's mounted backwards, the Lauf Grit is seamless in execution. What I've noticed primarily is the impacts that try to knock me off the hoods on fast descents are far less in number.
The BodyFloat is super tuneable with an allen wrench, it's extremely easy to dial in firm road work or soft trail rides. I find that if my pedal mechanics are off I bounce on it on the road, so it's helping me focus on fully engaged round strokes.
The GK's rub on the left chain stay at max pressure (60 psi), but I'm running them at 30 and that's probably still too high. Experiments continue.
IMHO, this works. The control added on descents is phenomenal, and it takes the harsh edge off so you don't take such a pounding - and hopefully the added comfort translates to a finish at DK200, which is all I'm shooting for at 53 : )
PM me if you want an email address for the Lauf rep who set me up with the discount.
