Finally had to replace the chain on my-057, and I got a new cassette as well.  I thought about going to 1X, but didn't want to replace everything else so I went with a straight replacement of what I had before, XT cassette and chain (HG whatever it is) to try to keep it simple.  Well not so simple- the chain skips.  Just about everything I've read says that worn chainrings are not as likely to cause skipping, but I can't see what else the problem might be.  Anybody else have this problem when replacing drivetrain parts?

I guess I should have just gone to 1X11.

I can still beat my son on the bike, but part of that is because he has a crappy bike.  His next one will probably be a Chiner, so I may be in trouble.  On foot he's been faster than me for a few years- we did a 5k and I told him not to worry, I would stay with him.  He beat me by about 3 minutes.

Definitely can do it, there's another thread about making a Workswell 062 (very similar frame) more "trail".  Get some wide carbon rims (~30 mm internal width) and 2.4 tires (the fattest that will fit) for the rear, and get the fattest tire that will fit in your fork.  With a dropper that's about all you can do, but that bike would handle any trail I'd be comfortable riding at speed.

Trails in the Atlanta area are similar to the trails at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte- lots of short steep climbs, some tight and twisty routes, some trails have lots of rocks and roots while some are quite smooth.  Several also have the 'chopped up' feel from trying to cram in as much trail as possible.  The benefit is that you don't have to walk as far back to the parking lot if something goes wrong .  FATS seems a bit like the North GA or Western NC trails with less vertical- you actually feel like you are going somewhere.

I might try it on the rear brake first

Thanks for sharing all the pics and reports on your conversion!

Kid's science projects.  Even if you don't have kids, you can use this as a justification for buying one.

Bit of an update- no real changes to the bike (since the two sets of carbon wheels- been a long time since this was updated!), but I snapped my chain last night.  It was still the original one, 2.5 years old though I have no idea how many miles it had on it.  I was doing a night ride with a local group, and was leading when I went off the trail on a sweeping curve.  Everything is covered in loose leaves so it's hard enough to follow the trail in daylight   No danger of crashing, I just followed the wrong line.  Grabbed the brakes hard then tried to get back on the trail, but stalled out and wound up with all my weight on one pedal at a dead stop.  Then Snap!  My eggbeater popped out immediately and I would up just standing there.  The worst part was that everyone got cold waiting on me to fix it- it was about 45°F/7°C at the time.  Hopefully the rest of the drivetrain is not too worn and the new chain won't skip.  If it does, I guess it is time to go to a 1X.

That looks too easy!  Awesome stuff.