All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

That's the golden question. And I have the answer; "it depends"

How sensitive are you to climbing efficiency?

 

That would be pretty sick

 

5010 / Smuggler are much lower travel than the rest. That said, having a 160/150 F/R Bronson, I'll be the first to tell you you don't always NEED all that travel let alone want it.

The Ripmo is probably the most fun bike I've ridden on that list. I haven't ridden the smuggler, but I did ride its big brother the sentinel and it was A LOT of bike for the Galbraith trails in Bellingham. Honestly, probably too much.

Hard to beat the direct pricing of Canyon and YT though.

 

I just looked at that GPX file. Those trails on the route aren't for the faint of heart. I have no shame saying I walked the top of Black Mountain. Those boulders are huge!

 

Yeah quick math and 30 miles a day about 15 of those on rough trails...idk if I’m my fitness is at that level haha.

 

Mine def isn't.

Although a Pisgah trip that just happens to involve a shit ton of beer would be ok by me. That's what I did last time and it worked out pretty sweet!

 

I’m old and out of shape, so I just hope to make it up the hills without walking too much. I grew up down in Monterey riding Toro Park, Did a couple Sea Otter XC races on a shitty hardtail. I’m looking to get a workout and fun, no plans to race XC, Enduro or anything. I race enduro on my KTM dirt bike.

 

Correct, the Ripley, Smuggler and 5010 are mid travel and a bit better peddling. The others have more travel but seem to climb ok based on reviews. My old trek HT only has 100mm front travel all of them will be way more then I’ve ever ridden.

 

I can only speak to the ripely (V3) and the smuggler as they’re the only ones on your list I’ve ridden.

Ibis if pedal efficiency is important.
Smuggler if you want perma-smile.

Rider perception is subjective. If you can demo any/all, do it. If you can’t, buy what ‘speaks to you’ on paper and have fun with it

 

For the travel, the Ripmo is a pretty fearless climber. If I was looking for a bike that could push envelopes, that's what Id chose.

 

It sure does sound like a fun bike from all the reviews. Will probably look for a used one if I decide on the Ripmo since it’s the most expensive bike on my list.

 

Oh, I am SOOO doing this once I get the Hayduke sorted and finish buying my gear! Already have most of the frame bags, just need an inner triangle bag to complete the package and then sort out an upgrade to 11 speed w/ Gripshift.

 

Single speed it like the hero you aspire to be!

 

A man has his limitations...

 

I’ve been wanting to make a trip down there, a truck camping with biking trip would still be fun. Maybe some camping at The Oskar Blues Reeb Ranch!

 

Well... Talked my wife into a 2019 Roscoe 6! She was riding a 25 year old Gary Fisher. Got to do some playing at Rocky Knob in Boone. She loves her new bike!

 

Basic tubeless pressure formula is kitted body weight/7, +2 rear, -1 front. If, for example, you're 175 that works out to 24 front, 27 rear. That's a basic starting point. Tire casing, suspension travel, riding style, wheel size, tire size, and terrain will all change things up a bit.
I run 19/24 on Maxxis DHF/DHR 2.5 EXO+ casings on a long travel 29er.
I think I'm going to try out the CushCore XC inserts soon. I was always curious, but the high weigh penalty of the original put me off. The "XC" version is 150g. per and that's not bad at all. It should allow a little lower pressure, but still plenty of support and puncture resistance.

"Which bike?" questions require a lot of information to be helpful.
How much climbing do you do? Is it technical or fire road?
What kind of downhills are you riding? Flow trail, jumpy, technical, loose and steep?
How much do you like climbing?
How much do you like downhills?
Do you consider yourself an aggressive rider, mellow, or just cruising around?
Do you want your bike to be poppy, or plow? Do you pick lines, or just like to point it and hold on?
How fit are you? You can climb most long travel bikes up anything nowadays.
Do you like snappy handling, or a stable at speed bike?

That can help us give you some better advice, or at least point you in a direction.
**My immediate standout from that list is the Ripmo or Hightower. In my experience, Santa Cruz bikes have the best fit and finish, and incredible customer support, so the Hightower would be a go-to.
And just because I'm a Devinci fan, take a look at the Troy. The LTD Eagle build is excellent and crazy good at everything.
http://www.devinci.com/bikes/bike_1192_scategory_274

 

I'll keep my comments to myself. You got a chuckle out of me though.

 

Support local companies - Ibis or Santa Cruz. That’s my advice Aside from everything else, customer Service is great from those companies if your LBS can’t help.

 

I'd have to hitch a ride with someone since I'd have to fly in, but that could be cool.