Not sure it's worth an article, since I am already mining the shit out of the 120-130 travel vein. But, to your points:
The Smuggler is definitely a more heavily built frame and to my senses it felt like there was less lateral deflection in the chassis. I tested the large Smuggler and a Large Top Fuel. The Smuggler has a longer reach by 8mm, 485mm vs 477mm on the Trek, but the effective seat angle on the Smuggler is almost two degrees steeper, so that negates the reach difference. Fit doesn't feel massively different between the two, but personal preference in effective seat tube angle will dictate things for most people. I prefer the Trek because my femurs are not super long and I am finding that steeper seat angles are great for steep techy climbs but I don't like the way my hips and knees feel when spinning circles for extended periods otherwise. But that is just me. Nearly everyone else I know is firmly in the "steeper is better" camp.
Wheelbase on the Smuggler is 20mm longer than the TF. That is the big tell between the two. And it is very noticeable. The TF does not feel like an XC bike. Until you get off the Smuggler and climb straight onto the TF. The Smuggler does fine at all-around trail riding, but it really punches above its weight in rough stuff at speed. The TF by contrast feels a lot lighter and more agile when it comes to tight going and climbing, and it does a great job all around but it will run out of comfort at speed before the Smuggler will.
Jan. 3, 2025, 7:20 p.m. - Mike Ferrentino
Not sure it's worth an article, since I am already mining the shit out of the 120-130 travel vein. But, to your points: The Smuggler is definitely a more heavily built frame and to my senses it felt like there was less lateral deflection in the chassis. I tested the large Smuggler and a Large Top Fuel. The Smuggler has a longer reach by 8mm, 485mm vs 477mm on the Trek, but the effective seat angle on the Smuggler is almost two degrees steeper, so that negates the reach difference. Fit doesn't feel massively different between the two, but personal preference in effective seat tube angle will dictate things for most people. I prefer the Trek because my femurs are not super long and I am finding that steeper seat angles are great for steep techy climbs but I don't like the way my hips and knees feel when spinning circles for extended periods otherwise. But that is just me. Nearly everyone else I know is firmly in the "steeper is better" camp. Wheelbase on the Smuggler is 20mm longer than the TF. That is the big tell between the two. And it is very noticeable. The TF does not feel like an XC bike. Until you get off the Smuggler and climb straight onto the TF. The Smuggler does fine at all-around trail riding, but it really punches above its weight in rough stuff at speed. The TF by contrast feels a lot lighter and more agile when it comes to tight going and climbing, and it does a great job all around but it will run out of comfort at speed before the Smuggler will.