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

I want that new red color they have. That with the Kashima coated shocks looks awesome!

 

Impressive...another option on the list..

 

The Rascal was one of the top bikes in my hunt. Probably my biggest negatives for it were size as I'm right between sizes and the reach/ETT are a bit off from industry standards making knowing the right size tricky. That and the slacker STA (related to the geo issues) was a bit of a turn off on paper. I was never able to ride one, so they might not be real issues. I like what I read about the rear end and its downhill capabilities, but was also a bit concerned it might be too ground huggy and not very poppy. Thoughts? I would have bought one if the right deal popped up at the time.

 

You're correct that the sizing is actually a little tricky with the Rascal. Just as you summed up, the geometry was a little concerning when I first considered buying one - but that all flew out the window in the first minute I tested it out! For some reason, everything just felt right to me and I instantly connected with the feel of the bike. I'm about 5' 9.75" tall and 185 lbs, 30" inseam, and I ended up on the Medium Rascal. I was previously on a medium Spur and spent a good deal of time trying to find a Large to swap it with. I always felt extremely cramped on the Spur and really thought that a large version of that geometry would have been the answer... but, it wasn't. For some odd reason, the medium Rascal is just perfectly dialed in for my riding style. It handles everything I've thrown at it, and then some. I pop off everything I see now (within reason), and get lower in the turns with every ride. My climbing times have actually all increased, and the downhills are a lot more fun and comfortable than they ever were on the Spur.

I know it's extremely tough to buy bikes without a test ride, though, so I completely understand the hesitation. I wish I could be more helpful and somehow articulate exactly how/why it feels so dialed in for me, but I really don't know. It simply clicked, which hasn't happened with any of my previous full suspension bikes. I had a large mojo3 that was fun, but it always felt a little too big and less nimble for that reason. As I said above, my medium Spur was the exact opposite - it was always a little too small and cramped for my liking. The Rascal just ended being the perfect porridge for me.

If you're ever near Raleigh, you're always welcome to take it for a spin!

 

Buy the X0 and sell/swap some parts

Doing some research on the brand/model. If the XT medium isn't available in a color of choice, that may be a scenario I'll be entertaining.

Another plug for activejunky.com 3% cash back with Alchemy at the moment.

 

Yeah... still a lot of money though so not quite...

 

We are a similar height, but my inseam is 33". My guess is the reason you like the fit is with a longer torso that longer ETT (seated reach) works well for you. Which also explains why you feel more cramped on the Spur. Where as I'm always slamming my seat forward because I have a pretty short torso. What's harder for me to conceptualize is how different body compositions affect fit while standing. But at any rate I think the long front and steep STA (long reach but short ETT) work well for my body type. But for someone that has a longer torso, you'd be forced to go up in size to get the ETT you like, then be on an overall too large of bike. Maybe, who knows haha. I felt a bit stretched out seated on the L Optic I bought, but it was great while standing. I really liked that extended reach. Didn't get enough ride time to really understand the finer points of the fit though.

For sure the best way to know is to ride them. I haven't been able to ride a large number of modern bikes though so my data points are limited.

 

After 5 years of use, it was time to get a repaint. The clear coat has mostly peeled off and the matte finish is not really conducive to keeping the bike clean. I'm going for Lunar Green in a glossy finish. For the Evil folks out there, the front triangle and rear triangle, minus all the suspension bits and main bearings (but including the hanger and rear axle) weighs 5.43 lbs. Not the lightest bikes out there.

 

So that's why Evil started doing flat paint jobs haha! My first flat finish bike, and I love the look but it really does hold the dirt.

 

That looks like a lot of prep work.

 

IKR? It will be a lot of sanding unless you have access to a carbon friendly sandblaster. Which is why, I'm sending it out for paint instead of my usual DIY approach.

 

Super curious about this. Would love to repaint my frame since I've decided to keep it long term (ya right). Any recommendations on painters?

 

In Boise, I built a steel frame a long ago and had a local powdercoater paint it (he had white paint in the can to paint a fence so I ended up with a white frame). I did all the sanding of my welds myself for that frame.

This is my first carbon repaint so I'm sending it out to Cleveland Carbon: https://clevelandcarbon.com

I have no affiliation with him but he is great with communication when I was in the research phase. I should find out in a few weeks how it turns out.

 

I ride with a guy with an Alchemy. He loves it!

 

My guess is you could contact some local auto body shops and they could do what you want (if they'll take the work). Pretty easy degrease, scuff, mask, and shoot job. Especially if your paint is in decent shape minus chips and dings (clear coat not peeling like flipnidaho's).

 

Anyone in the market for a full 12sp SLX drivetrain (cranks/shifter/cassette/chain)? It’s a brand new takeoff set, not new in boxes.

Kind of a feeler so I don’t even have a price in mind. Hit me up if interested. Can post/send pics as requested. Will be going to PB over the weekend most likely.

Potentially SLX 4 pot brakes too. Unsure if I’ll let these go though, but same situation. New takeoffs. Rear will need bleed and new olive/barb.

 

If you end uo splitting some things up, i may be interested in the cranks and chain depending on the crank length and tooth count. I just bought a new XT cassette and deraileur so i don't need those.

 

the GX build for 4800 is looking very tempting

 

Added a used Ergon SM Enduro that’s 8mm wider than that SDG Bel-Air, and I realized I needed this photo. Hoping for no more tender cheek meat.

 

Would prefer to keep as a set for now, but I’ll let you know. Cranks are 170 length, honestly can’t recall the ring. It’s 30 or 32 I think.