dbozman profile

Beautiful. I guess I did expect a lot more detail on ride quality differences, than basically a throwaway line. Although, if reality is that there’s no discernible difference, I suppose that’s just the answer.

I very nearly purchased a steel complete last month during the “big and tall” sale or whatever clever name Knolly gave it. Despite Phoenix being so hardtail unfriendly. But I didn’t and the price went back up to a level where I’m happy just to buy another short-travel trailbike.

The original Urge Enduromatic helmet remains my favorite helmet of all time. For whatever original fits my nugget better than anything before or since.

Just ordered a set with the handy discount. Thanks. Not a lot of trees here in Phoenix, but a lot of nasty rocks that fingers take a beating on.

Both Trek and Specialized currently offer two years’ warranty with receipt for subsequent owners.

I second the Yelli Screamy motion that Vik made!! Not really a hardtail person, but the original YS was one of the most fun bikes ever.

I’m fascinated by user experiences. Clearly a lot of riders like new Shimano stuff. My experience is distinctly opposite. Of the bikes I’ve owned this year, one was full XT 12-speed and one was full SLX. Surprisingly for someone who prefers Magura, both brake sets performed much better than previous Shimano brakes.

For me, the drivetrains were OK. SLX even more so when upgraded to an XT shifter. I wouldn’t immediately pull it off, but I definitely don’t see a performance advantage over Eagle. I have experienced no performance degradation with any SRAM drivetrain GX level or higher and my experience is they Eagle mechs take rock strikes much better than Shimano ( an issue in Phoenix). And I strongly prefer the solid shifting action vs Shimano’s more, uh, delicate approach.

I, too, didn’t have a negative reaction to the PB article, and I make a real effort not to fall down the curmudgeon rabbit hole. I’m perfectly happy to buy or build a couple bikes a year as I enjoy that process and it’s the only hobby that costs money for me so I have the means. Mostly, these bikes all ride really frickin’ great. 

Better than 15 years ago? Yes. Better than 10 years ago? Yes. Stoked to be alive and riding  awesome rigs.

I say it to anyone who’ll listen: I have a harder time finding a proper helmet than a bike! I’m a tall mammal with a child-size head. And a somewhat long neck. Which makes the majority of modern half-shell helmets look ridiculous.

The original Urge Enduromatic is still the best-fitting helmet I’ve ever worn. No longer available. Now I’m stuck with a TLD A1 and, when it’s cool enough to tolerate, a Fox Dropframe.

One thing that would be super-helpful in this type of review, is to take all product photos from the same angle and distance. 

And, at the risk of being pedantic, the word you’re looking for is “jiggly,” not “giggly.”

Those cranks, though. Take my $$$ …

Another data point. I had two Titans, one with the 2020 X2 and the other with the ‘21. The 2020 version was definitely noticeably superior in all aspects.