I think you were dead on about the wheels and tires. I built up an Ascent when they came out with and upgraded the wheels n tires, carbon frame, cliffhanger half cab, brass steering knuckles, brass hub weights and rings, fusion pro and it almost hangs with my VRD Carbon. Needless to say the last time at Del Breako i carried the Ascent (broke front link 3mm threaded section) back to the car but drove the VRD. I wish they would have gone straight to the fusion model.
I think you were dead on about the wheels and tires. I built up an Ascent when they came out with and upgraded the wheels n tires, carbon frame, cliffhanger half cab, brass steering knuckles, brass hub weights and rings, fusion pro and it almost hangs with my VRD Carbon. Needless to say the last time at Del Breako i carried the Ascent (broke front link 3mm threaded section) back to the car but drove the VRD. I wish they would have gone straight to the fusion model.