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

Maybe it's because my bikes slack enduro, but you guys do lean forward a lot when climbing?
It may be bad technique, but it's just how I do when approaching techy climbs if I'm still sitting.

 

You should take a serious look at the Epic Evo. It is super fun.

I was in the same boat as you...a 160/140 bike to do it all. It was great, but I found myself in a position to get a 2nd mtb. So what I did was:
(1) Sold the 160/140 bike (Pivot Mach 5.5)
(2) Bought a slightly used 170/160 enduro bike (Pivot Firebird 29) for less than I sold the 160/140 bike! And the enduro was in better shape than my trail bike
(3) Bought a Specialized Epic Evo 120/110 for bike #2

I find myself reaching for the Evo 80% of the time. It does everything. And it's a riot. I do love the Firebird but it's more of a bike park/Moab bike for me these days. And I'm ok with that.

 

FIREBIRD

Also, if I could. I would love a new Mach4 to compliment my FB.

 

Oh yeah. Gotta keep that front wheel on the ground.

Id imagine how steep the climbs are has an impact..in Utah the climbs can be soul crushing steep.

 

these are looking really good! if anyone here has a frequent commute over a rough road to get to ride their bike with one of those 3 axle sizes, please speak up. I may be able to get you a Beta version to do some testing for me.

 

That... makes a lot more sense.

It's still the equivalent of $290 USD, though, so they still be clownin' IMO.

 

Yeah it was a 26” Ragley Blue Pig. Which is why I don’t completely drop the idea of a 29er HT being a good option. Just lean towards the short travel FS as the better fit. Though if I end up with a mid travel bike I could see a HT as a compliment. Probably going to be my 130/150 27.5 Scout for at least another year.

 

Lolol. Soul crushing steep...idk what you're talking about. ;P.

 

With regards to bike set ups my road bike and mountain bike specs pretty much mirrored each other.
Same seat check. Same seat height check. Distance from seat to handle bars check. I wanted
both bikes to feel the same. So I never needed to worry about different riding positions. My
cross county bike was a medium and my road bike was 54 cm. I made the mistake of trying a shorter
stem on my mountain bike one time and boy did I regret it. My shoulders and back were done after
one ride. Through the old stem back on and at that time said I would never change my dimensions
ever again.

 

Nice to be home again... Annadel for jet lag relief.

 

Nice part of my Sentinel having a shorter reach for how slack it is is it makes climbing so much comfier. My bronson def felt like I was really stretched out trying to stay planted.

 

Thanks for the link! Was curious how it would turn out. Love the new look and that they kept their design language. When it's time, I'll get one for sure!

Damn I miss Moab, need to get my ass out there. Getting my vaccine this weekend, so planning on some desert time soon.

Absolutely! Can't see my self getting back on metal, but the Commencal bikes are attractive. Gotta say though, not all carbon bikes are designed properly, and some are just stiff without any 'programmed flex'. I was really close to getting the Megatower this fall, but couldn't resist trying an Evil Wreckoning when it dropped. When SC redoes the Mega, I think I might have to swap out.

I had some small issues with the Wrecker I just bought, they weren't super supportive over there. I had a shock bolt work itself loose and get lost on the trail. Crazy shocking to get to the trail head and seem my shock head held on by one bolt. I let them know, and they said it was probably not torqued right (never took the bolt off, this was from the factory) and that I should order a new bolt set. I did, it cost me $30, and it's fine. I don't know, maybe I'm off here, but I feel like they should've at least sent me the bolt. I could have been injured, bike wrecked. I removed all frame bolts and put Loctite on them. Some were definitely off torque spec.
The rear triangle also holds water inside somehow. Again, I let them know. They said "that's weird, just try and put the frame upside down to drain out." No shit... I did, still in there, you can hear it sloshing around. No response other than more "try this way, and that way" BS. Whatever, I plugged the brake and derailleur housing ports with plugs from YT and it's fine now.

Yes! If it's steep you need to get weight over the front, which means leaning over the bars and shifting your butt forward on the saddle.

 

Woke up today and for some bizarre reason, forgot it was going to be like 30 degrees and snowing...I had legit thought it was supposed to be like 50s for some reason and was excited to go ride my bike. Brains make sense.

 

It was freezing for this morning’s ride in Colorado Springs but no fresh snow. I had to hit it before the thaw.

 

Anybody watched Accomplice on Netflix? Currently doing so.

 

Getting the mindset right to get super steezy on some sick gnar brah.

but, my main show has been AoT on Hulu.

 

I don’t have Hulu, but yes these type of things definitely get you wanting to be steezy haha

 

Somewhere in Santa Cruz, CA. One of my favorite non-sanctioned trails looks like a war zone after last year's burns.

 

I was looking at the Mach4SL, Trail 429 and the Epic Evo as a second bike to the Firebird. I rode them all and the Epic felt the best. Trail 429 was a close second, but I also knew that the Trail 429 V2 was about to be launched (I believe it came out last week), so that skewed my decision a little bit. I really didn't like the Mach4SL at all. It just didn't feel good to me. ??? Anyway, the Epic Evo is a perfect fit for me and I'm happy.

This is the first time in my MTB riding career (started in 1990) that I've had 2 mountain bikes. I wouldn't say that I neglect one or the other. However, the weekday rides close to my house are a much better fit on a smaller travel bike, dare I say "Downcountry or Upduro." Call it whatever, but it's fun as hell.

 

New to Tacoma World, just starting with our 18 Cement Sport. Ordering the RTT this week and ready for the woods!