Heinous profile

Why not make it 35 even, like modern bars?  One thing I do like about old road stuff is the consistency of dimensions. It’s just nice aesthetically

> Having two seat post sizes is a pain in the ass for everyone; bike shops need more stock, consumers often can't use their old seat post with a new bike, and manufacturers have to make more models, increasing cost for complete bikes and after market parts.

It's arguable that this is more of a positive for customer focussed outfits like BikeYoke than some of the larger OEM players, where obsolescence and incompatibility drive sales and the tolerances and accelerated wear ensure cheaper design elements aren't an issue as the posts don't last long enough.

I'm running BikeYoke posts on all my bikes and the quality and design is a step up from the rest.

That's a pretty thorough review, thanks! 

How is the Capra longevity and YT support now? I had one of the first Capra's and it was probably one of the few bikes worthy of the ubiquitous 'game changer' tag. It was awesome, except every time (3 consecutive frames over 12 months) it cracked and I had to wait for YT to mess me around, or the final time when the new warranty seat stay snapped clean through, hurt me badly in the process, and then it turned out to be a known issue at YT that they'd not recalled.

I've wanted to consider a YT a few times since giving up on that one, but just can't find it in me.

My Moots CX bike was stolen last year, and even though I didn't sell it it's probably the only bikeI've parted ways with that breaks my heart still. God knows it spent more time on mountainbike trails than lapping races.

After that, I feel the occasional twinge for my steel Voodoo Bakka circa 2001.

A lot of the new Pikes have been getting stuck down when new - probably some grease blocking  the equalisation port (and hey, most of the older Rockshox stuff came devoid of any lube at all!)  but definitely a hassle for a few people I know.

I've been on the new XTR for a while, with a Praxis crank / ring, which sadly means an Eagle chain. 

It's been flawless, I'd warrantied 2 Eagle rear derailleurs in the same period last year. My experience with the brakes mirrors yours - they're standout. Better than the 8050 4 pot, saints, and Saint to XTR XC lever combos I've run.

That bike is a super smart spec at a sharp price. Would ride. Most amazingly the SLX bike is cheaper than the GX bike. If other companies can replicate that, the end of Eagle has arrived.

What's nice is that the spec on site tells you the casing, TPI etc, so you know what you're getting.

So, I'm putting one in my 36 next week and might start at the HBO stack used here. After a winter on my SS with a DVO, I jumped on my big bike w 36 the other day and honestly thought it needed a warranty, it felt rubbish coming off the DVO's OTT coil spring for early stroke. Even after warming it up and a day of shuttling a 10min DH run it just didn't feel like I wanted. 

I think the only long travel air forks I've used that have really blown me away with feel were the BOS Deville, and the previous 36 with an MRP Ramp+Fulfill negative conversion, so I've got really high hopes for the Smashpot.

Hey, it looks like MRP heard you!

https://mrpbike.com/products/loop-sl

1 1/8th straight steerer right there.

I’ve been really digging my Spartan 29 of late. I’ve said it before in here but have found it so versatile recently it’s stuck me as a near perfect example of the breed. Coil front and rear, just does what it should. It’s taken a load of abuse too.

So many  of the 'trail' hardtails are so overbuilt they're like the DH / Dirtjumpers of old and the ride reflects it. There are a couple of steel options that  ride light and lively similar to Ti, and in my experience the way each frame is put together can mean it's hard to compare Ti and Steel from different builders.

I’d take a Zerode Katipo if I was going gearbox...

I have a Spartan - it’s awesome. Pedals really well, descends awesome. It’s overall really balanced. I’ve put a coil in it, and wouldn’t go back.

The DVO's feel great - the negative coil spring (OTT) gives a lot of the suppleness of a full coil fork. I hopped back on my big bike (Fox 36, Grip2) after riding my SS a lot with a Sapphire 34 and I honestly thought the 36 needed a warranty. It feels rubbish off the top compared, although the Grip2 damper is pretty refined. 

The new 170/80mm DVO Onyx SC 29" fork is available in a couple weeks, but with a big trip planned I decided not to wait and have a Smashpot for my 36.

My BTR. It’s custom and splits the difference between a Chaser and a Ranger geo wise. The seat angle is ever so slightly slacker than is in vogue because I like 180mm cranks for SS. 

Super happy with how my geo design turned out, and really liking the fact the tubeset is slightly lighter and more comfortable than most of the newer style hardtails I see. I’ve since swapped out the DVO post for a Bikeyoke, the DVO post is pretty disappointing.

@Xorrox - I hear you on trying new stuff. I’ve only used the Ramp cartridges (and older Ramp with independent negative spring conversation for 36 - still the best feeling fork I’ve ever ridden) and the mrp forks seem really well like by friends riding them hard.

Isn't this what the MRP Bartlett was designed for?

My Helm was good, but maxes out at 160mm and I did manage to blow one up in short order (and I'm only 83kg in kit).

I've found DT and Praxis the most durable, and it the event of dents, they tend to pull out ok without cracking.

Some more recent research showed they weren't working quite as expected - transferring force and causing vertebral fractures lower (which isn't a bad outcome, assuming same force would have caused one higher). I think this was exacerbated where set up was poor, and especially in kids (because set up is harder). The rise of more things like MIPS might play in to less neck braces being around too.