AZ BS Thread 4²0

Yeah the Reign 29 is a new bike for 2020. Not very many of them are in stock yet. The Maestro rear suspension geometry rides/handles extremely well, even big brand haters tend to agree. If you look up the travel profile of the DW link on the Ibis its very odd, the rear wheel does not follow a smooth arc through its travel. It can be tuned to work extremely well but its not for everyone. The reality is every brand has been trying to work around a few rear suspension design patents for decades now and some just plain work better than others.

As for the Trance 29, most people(even magazine reviews) that have ridden it have a hard time believing its only 115 in the rear because it feels almost bottomless. Ive ridden the Trance 29 and Reign 29 and they are both too much for my weenie xc ass to get the most out of ha! They sure are fun though, if only I wasn’t such a wuss these days. I may or may not be a Giant corporate employee.

 

@BillW I read this article recently and found it interesting. https://www.outsideonline.com/2402806/its-almost-impossible-buy-bad-bike
Just getting back into biking after more than a decade of rest I was surprised of the amount and quality of the bikes out there. I was a huge Titus fan boy when they were around and believe they were purchased by Pivot. Originally looked at Pivot for the new bike but they were out of my price point. Have had Specialized in the past and test rode some and they were solid but not that exciting. Never considered Giant until I test rode the Trance and Anthem and ended up with the Anthem. So far it I really enjoy it and it is smooth for what I like to do which is rolling xc trails.
You go bug the crap out the local bike shops and test ride some bikes. Many have rentals you can try too for a fee.

 

Where are you shopping for these other brands? Most I've found here in phx is Pivot (also out of my price range) or Specialized ( also found it unexciting)

 

Got mine at Bike Masters in ahwatukee and they had Pivot, Giant, and Santa Cruz. Landis in Tempe is mostly Trek and Specialized and Global bikes is almost all Specialized. Slippery Pig bike shop on 7th ave had some Moots and Intense bikes in stock. Cool little shop to check out. Those are the main places I went too.

 

Ok. So it looks like I need to drive to the Tukee

 

I think Bike Masters has other valley locations but all in the east valley. Landis has two locations I believe. I went to a few more places but was either umimpressed or saw the same shit so left quickly.
If you need any help spending money on a bike, I can help!

 

That was a good read. It looks like I need to research the drivetrain's more. I don't really care about weight that much, if it has the same performance for cheaper I'll go that route.

 

Not in the market, but with all this bike talk, has anyone been to Exhale Bike at 27th and Bell? Maybe an option for the north valley folks.

 

Been there. Decent shop but not much selection. They carry specialized

 

I prefer the VPP of my Santa Cruz after riding a metric shit ton of full squishers prior to buying mine. Really tough to buy a bad bike nowadays...

Chris Cocalis actually started Titus Cycles in 1991, sold his interest in 2006, then founded Pivot in 2007. Action Ride Shop in Mesa is my go-to LBS, and they have a pretty large rental fleet, as does Rage Cycles in Scottsdale.

Pivot is pretty ubiquitous in AZ due to having their HQ in Tempe...pretty much everyone I know has one!

 

It's nice and the perfect time to be back on Dayshift, but I hate that its beautiful at 6am but by 12pm its hot(ish) again. I'll think "Eh, I wont need a gallon of water" and then I rue that decision come noon.

 

I like the way you operate sir.

 

Rage is where I got my Haro and they're a great shop. Always very helpful and that they live blocks from my house is a plus.

Cruising on their website introduced me to Pivots and... I wish I hadn't known. Should be getting a raise in the future so its closer than I think!

Of course I've also been lusting after gravel bikes now...

 

Why are people so stupid. Took Kara to the little community park near our house so she could play outside in this amazing weather. Some idiot (kid or not, still really stupid) decided they would try to make a campfire in one of the plastic tubes. Shit like this drives me crazy.

 

Because people are stupid

 

Brilliant idea! thank you so much, definitely will do that when I go back at them again! I was trying to use a cut garbage bag taped around the edges but i gave up after the time staking process on the first tire. Just went naked from there with over spray and said fk it cause i know it'll flake off as time goes lolol

 

Today's PSA: Never do anything you wouldn't want to explain to the paramedics.

The shit I see sometimes

 

I was taught: If you won't eat it, don't stick your dick in it...

 

That was pretty much the standing order right after the weather report in the military...else you get the peanut butter shot from dudes like @DevilDocAZ!