#!markdown
I read Levy's piece, and unknowingly sort of did that when I bought a new
trail bike last year. Everything in me said to get a longer travel bike, but I
climb like a loaded tractor trailer, and the longer travel bikes felt like
they handled that way going up from my perspective. I ended up with a '16 Fuel
EX 9 (very similar to the TB, 130/120 travel) and could not be happier. I'm
still slow going up, but it doesn't feel as bad, and handles tight east coast
switchbacks and tech with ease. I added a large volume spacer to the rear
shock for my weight, and never feel uncomfortable descending (I'm much better
at that) either. It's a great do it all bike for where I live.
Feb. 3, 2017, 8:24 a.m. - WNCmotard
#!markdown I read Levy's piece, and unknowingly sort of did that when I bought a new trail bike last year. Everything in me said to get a longer travel bike, but I climb like a loaded tractor trailer, and the longer travel bikes felt like they handled that way going up from my perspective. I ended up with a '16 Fuel EX 9 (very similar to the TB, 130/120 travel) and could not be happier. I'm still slow going up, but it doesn't feel as bad, and handles tight east coast switchbacks and tech with ease. I added a large volume spacer to the rear shock for my weight, and never feel uncomfortable descending (I'm much better at that) either. It's a great do it all bike for where I live.