NSMB 2020 - Full Suspension Bike Thread

Well I no longer own the Trance 29 posted several pages back. I've moved onto this plastic Sentinel, which will likely be overkill for most of my local riding but enough for some Whistmas shreddy shred. I'm running it mullet with a 27.5x2.8 in the back because slacker HA is better. Also had to pull put on my 165mm cranks because this bb is looooow once sagged down

The Senti pedals nowhere near as efficient as the Trance even with the shock in firm, but I'm also expecting the bike to absolutely rip up the park. And I dont think there's much of a weight difference compared to my build on the Trance either.

On the geo note, I sized up to a large because I had tried a friend's medium Patrol and found it cramped. The reach is way longer than medium Trance, ETT 10mm longer which I negated with a 10mm shorter stem. Cockpit position feels very good for me and virtually identical to the Trance.

After selling my Kona Explosif earlier this month, I bought a 2018 Kona Process 153 CR 27.5 on clearout. The bike is a size XL. A little short in the seat tube (in the photo my dropper post is not fully extended) but overall a really good fit.

I haven't owned a full suspension bike in over three years, so it's been a LOT of fun returning to something with some major squish. I have more confidence, feel safer and am less sore and rattled. Going to the bike park is now actually enjoyable.

Parts are stock except for the TRP G-Spec DH brakes that I swapped from the Explosif, my old Chromag Squarewave XL grips, Specialized Power Arc saddle and a new Race Face SixC 35 handlebar in 35mm rise. Oh, and One Up pedals.

Both those bikes above look nice, clean lines on both.

Process looking great. Such an undervalued bike sometimes.

But not others?

Posted by: DanL

Process looking great. Such an undervalued bike sometimes.

But sometimes overvalued too.

Dollar for dollar for sure - no way I'd be getting anything other than a new Process frame/shock.

Big year for Mr & Mrs Heathen.

Mrs Heathen got a 2020 Sight C7.3 with a full tailored Ride Wrap, full GX drivetrain, Code R brakes, Chromag Cutlass carbon bar HiFi 40mm stem with ti bolts, Kona WahWah plastic pedals, DT Swiss 350 hubs 18t, 30mm rims, DHF MaxxGrip EXO, DHR MaxxTerra EXO tires. 34lbs.

Mr Heathen got a 2020 Scout GX. Full tailored Ride Wrap, X01 cassette, 40mm Turbine stem, OneUp bar, Kona WahWah plastic pedals, DT Swiss 350 hubs 36t and XM481 rims, Assguy MaxxGrip DD, DHR MaxxTerra DD. The bike will stay 150/140 till fall then I will bump it up at the first suspension service. Action pictures to come. Haven't weight yet but my guess is 32lbs.

Its crazy how geometry is changing.

I had a 2016 Sight with a 66.9HA 415 reach 60mm stem. Loved it but knew I wanted a longer reach and more raked front.

So I bought a 2018 Range. 65HA 430 reach 40mm stem. Hurt my back to climb with a 50mm stem.... The Range was a bruiser!!!! Crushed everything this bike blew my mind. But I knew I wanted a steeper seat angle to alleviate the back pain while climbing. I also figured a reach of 440 or 450 would be about the limit.

As i have owned 10 Norcos (fan boy) so I thought for sure i would get the new Sight. But then I saw the Scout!! Few pounds lighter, threaded BB, best cable routing in the business i knew that was the bike. With Covid-19 demos are hard to come by so I bought the Scout on blind faith. I was worried the 30mm jump in reach might be too much. I have two rides on it and it feels great. Did and 11km mixed XC all marketing ride. 11km enduro steeper ride. The seated climbing position is awesome. And it is stable going down but I can still manhandle it was ease. Running three tokens in the front. Going to add a token to the rear tonight, as I find it way too linear.

Congratulations Mr and Ms heathen. Nice rides. Not too late to enjoy some summer riding either. 

Does Ms H notice that your bike is lighter than hers. Ms RAH would never let that stand in our house ;)

Posted by: RAHrider

Does Ms H notice that your bike is lighter than hers. Ms RAH would never let that stand in our house ;)

She definitely knows. As her 2015 Sight we had it down to 28lbs. First time she picked it up she said "somthing is wrong" lol. The funny thing is her climb times are actually faster now. She loves the steep seat angle.

Posted by: heathen

I also figured a reach of 440 or 450 would be about the limit.

I was worried the 30mm jump in reach might be too much. I have two rides on it and it feels great. 

So awesome, if I remember you had the trance 29 as well right?

Geometry wise, I was very much like you preferring a 430-445 reach in my traditional mediums. I also had a medium Range 29 that felt too cramped, so I bumped up to a large which felt great. I was also worried about a 475 reach which sounds crazy long to me, but so far has not felt out of place at all. I'm probably just not a good enough rider to notice the nuance of an increase in 25mm reach

Like yourself I also worried that the sled-like length of the Sentinel and the noticeably harder/slacker steering on the flats would make it cumbersome on trail, but in reality it feels quite reasonable -- just a lot more stable all around as well.

Posted by: UFO

If I remember you had the trance 29 as well right?

A 29er Giant would be the last bike I would ever buy. Although I am sure a few of my bikes came out of one of Giants factories. LoL . I come from a BMX background so I love 650B.

I religiously buy Canadian bikes. This is only my second (2012 Stumpy EVO) Yankee bike.  10 Norcos, 1 Brodie, 1 Cove, 1 Chromag, 1 Rocky, 1 Kona, 1 .243 Racing

Posted by: UFO

Geometry wise, I was very much like you preferring a 430-445 reach in my traditional mediums. I also had a medium Range 29 that felt too cramped, so I bumped up to a large which felt great. I was also worried about a 475 reach which sounds crazy long to me, but so far has not felt out of place at all. I'm probably just not a good enough rider to notice the nuance of an increase in 25mm reach

Like yourself I also worried that the sled-like length of the Sentinel and the noticeably harder/slacker steering on the flats would make it cumbersome on trail, but in reality it feels quite reasonable -- just a lot more stable all around as well.

Now I am sure 460 reach is the limit for me. LoL 

I know 430 is my limit for chain stays as I love to manual and play around.

I can't say what my limit of head angle or seat angle will be. With the new short offset forks the 64deg HA feels awesome. The 65HA with 46mm offset on the Range was very flopping and wandering on steep tech climbs. The Sight has 63.5 and I am sure the Scout will be about 63.5 when I bump the bike up to 160/150.

Almost done. Just waiting to find an is 183 rear brake mount to finalize. 

Banshee titan with CCDB coil and manitou meZzer 

:o

Oh hell ya. Nice looking Titan.