I think I learned to hate marketing from being an alpine skier for years. Some of the stupid shit I’ve seen and heard over the years. With bikes I often think the reviewers don’t finish their sentence. "This bike climbs well" they say but leave out " for what it is." I’m sorry but there is no 180/170 travel bike with a 64° Head Nile and 80° seat angle that will climb better than a shorter travel bike with better angles that weighs far less. But they it’s written you’d think you would keep up with Shurter when you’re on a good day and he’s not feeling well. The whole seat tube angle thing too. It’s more efficient. Why? Because it’s steeper. Why is steeper better? Because it’s more efficient. Circular logic prevails. My friend just test rode a Hightower and ended up buying one. Except the one she rented was the previous model and the new one is current with a steep seat tube angle. Her hands got so numb she couldn’t feel the brakes. I’m sure the shop will help her make changes to get the bike to fit better but still. I think she’ll end up more upright to get the weight off her hands but more upright is less efficient as it’s harder to generate power.
Oct. 6, 2022, 1:18 p.m. - Andy Eunson
I think I learned to hate marketing from being an alpine skier for years. Some of the stupid shit I’ve seen and heard over the years. With bikes I often think the reviewers don’t finish their sentence. "This bike climbs well" they say but leave out " for what it is." I’m sorry but there is no 180/170 travel bike with a 64° Head Nile and 80° seat angle that will climb better than a shorter travel bike with better angles that weighs far less. But they it’s written you’d think you would keep up with Shurter when you’re on a good day and he’s not feeling well. The whole seat tube angle thing too. It’s more efficient. Why? Because it’s steeper. Why is steeper better? Because it’s more efficient. Circular logic prevails. My friend just test rode a Hightower and ended up buying one. Except the one she rented was the previous model and the new one is current with a steep seat tube angle. Her hands got so numb she couldn’t feel the brakes. I’m sure the shop will help her make changes to get the bike to fit better but still. I think she’ll end up more upright to get the weight off her hands but more upright is less efficient as it’s harder to generate power.