Just venting here a bit. A while back, purchased my 2011 SX Trail. Awesome bike, but on a bad word of advice from someone in-the-know, I purchased a frame one size too small for my height. So I'm returning to the market to potentially sell mine off and find something else. Spesh just doesn't seem to make enough bikes/frames to find a size Large.
What I'm finding is remarkable. Looks like the industry is moving away from the self-shuttle 180mm bikes? A notable option was the Trek Scratch, but that is now gone, replaced with the 160mm Slash, and much more unattractive to me (not just because of the lack of travel). Devinci has done away with the Frantik. I checked out the Scott Voltage, but upon looking, it doesn't look like it has an option for a front derailleur. Looks the same for the Cove bikes. I the HTA of the Giant Faith seems steep (unless you're Kurt Sorge who could ride a Huffy on the terrain that he does), and although the Reign X looks cool for most stuff, I'm not sure it would do well at the Whistler bike park. One viable option seems to be the Norco Truax. But are we really running out of options? Or is this being phased out due to such a niche not making any money, or is it up to me (us) to do more with a smaller bike? I can't include a bigger bike, because I can't pedal a Demo up the Mtn Hwy on Fromme (though someone probably could).
I want a bike that can handle rough terrain (granted, the technology of bigger suspension helps out an average guy like myself who wants to go to the rough terrain of the Shore) and still pedal, although it might be laborous.
What am I forgetting about? Truax, SX Trail, Giant Faith. Dying breed? What say you.
Chad