I was recently lucky enough to pick up a legacy peak, and was even luckier to pick up a first run 28 stories peak a few years back. I thought a few people might enjoy a comparison between the two, so here it is. If you have any questions or want any specific pictures, feel free to ask.
Visually, they’re incredibly similar. The original obviously has a slightly different finish, which is less glossy, but BT have done an amazing job at recreating the original colourway from Pioneer. I’d say it’s the closest recreation I’ve seen to date.
There’s no change to the response, and the legacy ships with a pleasingly nostalgic flat bearing (a 10 ball to go along with the One Drop machining). The most noticeable difference here is that the original axle post curves down in the middle, whereas the legacy is flatter. I assume this change was one of the alterations made by the original machine shop.
A look at the inside walls makes the legacy appear slightly more high-walled, but I think this is mostly down to the light reflecting differently on the less matte surface.
The rim on the legacy appears to be a hair wider, and the inside edge is just slightly sharper on the original. The outside rim has the same familiar roundedness, rather than the flatter design of the second run. The nipple feels a little sharper on the legacy, which I figure is down to more precise machining (the original 28s was known for having one flat nipple, and one pointed).
As there is no obvious change in specs (I don’t have a scale or any way of providing precise measurements), the minute differences don’t translate to a major difference in play, but there are subtle nuances to each.
The original has a certain thunk to it, which combined with the floatiness it somehow carries creates a fairly unique feeling. The legacy maintains the balance brilliantly, feeling just a touch lighter, and more nimble as a result. While both play excellently, the legacy has a little more purpose to it, and ends up playing a bit more like a third run (arguably the best playing peaks).
Overall, I’d have a hard time guessing which I was playing if blindfolded, and unless you’ve spent years obsessing over peaks, the minute differences are easy to miss. All in all, the legacy peak is the perfect celebration of the original design, and I can only hope they run some more in years to come (I know another 50 are already on the way).
), rest tbd. allegedly more will be made next year at some point but also tbd.