No offense taken Andeh. Writing a bike review is hard. Writing a hundred of them (I have no idea what that number actually is over 18 and a half years) is more difficult in some ways, and I certainly don't purport to have answers to every question. One issue here might be format. I need to change things up to remain sane, so rather than speaking about suspension feel in a section all its own, that info is scattered throughout the three sections, making it likely more challenging to recall and certainly tougher to reference. It's entirely possible that info was omitted as a well. I'll try and add some detail here.
I didn't mention out of the saddle efforts, but I did mention the ample support, and I spend a lot of time out of the saddle climbing. I'd say this is one of the Bronson's strengths because of the excellent platform. As mentioned, I rarely used the climb switch and this includes climbing out of the saddle. Very responsive to inputs and it doesn't dive into the travel noticeably when pushed hard.
As for suspension performance, I mentioned traction, big hits and repeated high intensity impacts, which is what I would consider roots and rock gardens. I could add that it has a very planted feel and it doesn't sit too low in its travel, keeping it ready for more serious obstacles. I wouldn't describe it as lively as much as ready to react. It doesn't have the springy feel some bikes exhibit but none of the dead wallowy feel of an earlier VPP bike. Tracking I mentioned as well as cornering grip. One thing I noted several times, that I believe has an influence on the suspension feel, is the stoutness of the frame. I think this is one reason it feels so good on big hits - it's easy to predict where the bike is going to go once you hit the ground. Composed is an apt descriptor.
While I haven't ridden the three bikes you mentioned enough to compare how the ESTA influences pedalling, for me the climbing position was excellent, both on fire roads and single track. I didn't want it to be any steeper, but it's possible taller riders would. (I'll add the length of my exposed seat post when I get a chance to measure it).
The size change part way through was a complicating factor and it's made comparing the bike to others difficult. Comparisons are something we have been doing more lately (with Mano a Mano) and we realize its value but there were too many variables at work for me to make a meaningful comparison. Apologies for that. That was a snafu but I don't think I could have given the bike its due without going a size up once it became clear that was the way forward for me.
Oct. 23, 2018, 9:59 a.m. - Cam McRae
No offense taken Andeh. Writing a bike review is hard. Writing a hundred of them (I have no idea what that number actually is over 18 and a half years) is more difficult in some ways, and I certainly don't purport to have answers to every question. One issue here might be format. I need to change things up to remain sane, so rather than speaking about suspension feel in a section all its own, that info is scattered throughout the three sections, making it likely more challenging to recall and certainly tougher to reference. It's entirely possible that info was omitted as a well. I'll try and add some detail here. I didn't mention out of the saddle efforts, but I did mention the ample support, and I spend a lot of time out of the saddle climbing. I'd say this is one of the Bronson's strengths because of the excellent platform. As mentioned, I rarely used the climb switch and this includes climbing out of the saddle. Very responsive to inputs and it doesn't dive into the travel noticeably when pushed hard. As for suspension performance, I mentioned traction, big hits and repeated high intensity impacts, which is what I would consider roots and rock gardens. I could add that it has a very planted feel and it doesn't sit too low in its travel, keeping it ready for more serious obstacles. I wouldn't describe it as lively as much as ready to react. It doesn't have the springy feel some bikes exhibit but none of the dead wallowy feel of an earlier VPP bike. Tracking I mentioned as well as cornering grip. One thing I noted several times, that I believe has an influence on the suspension feel, is the stoutness of the frame. I think this is one reason it feels so good on big hits - it's easy to predict where the bike is going to go once you hit the ground. Composed is an apt descriptor. While I haven't ridden the three bikes you mentioned enough to compare how the ESTA influences pedalling, for me the climbing position was excellent, both on fire roads and single track. I didn't want it to be any steeper, but it's possible taller riders would. (I'll add the length of my exposed seat post when I get a chance to measure it). The size change part way through was a complicating factor and it's made comparing the bike to others difficult. Comparisons are something we have been doing more lately (with Mano a Mano) and we realize its value but there were too many variables at work for me to make a meaningful comparison. Apologies for that. That was a snafu but I don't think I could have given the bike its due without going a size up once it became clear that was the way forward for me.