nick profile

Ah, your right! I was sure the spec was listed as Evol, but I was wrong. Thank you for clearing that up. I honestly don't really have any complaints about the standard can as of yet. I took the bike out and it was fun as hell! That was was the only criteria that had to be satisfied! Next year I'll see about getting an evol air sleeve to see if it's as good as they say.

I've honestly only had it a couple of weeks so right now it's a completely stock 2017 730MSL. Standard can DPS shock (Not really sure why this isn't the evol, I've got an inquiry into RM. Don't really mind as it's working well.), and stock tires (DHR front/Crossmark II rear). Tires wise I'm torn on which way to go for exactly the reason you mentioned. Do I put tires on it to extend it's trail capabilities as far as possible, or do I play more into the XC side of the bike and keep them light and fast? It's a tough call. It would be easy to throw DHF/DHRs on here and forget about it. The new maxxis forekaster looks cool too. What sucks is that soon I'll have all winter to stare at it! I'll say that the Crossmark II has actually been fun in the fall conditions!

Great Review. I’ve got two rides on a new Thunderbolt and I have to say I really really enjoy it over my Heckler for the majority of my riding. It's just so fast and light feeling. It pedals great, gets up to speed quickly. It wants to pop off of everything which makes it a blast to ride. This was my first Rocky Mountain purchase and I have no regrets. The bike is pure fun.

There are already durability issues with the alloy 42T on an XX1 wearing out well before the rest of the cassette. I can only imagine it being an even bigger issue with more alloy rings like this.

Steel chainring on the single-ring. Me likey.

now let's move on

yourself

it's a business, you must sell your product. it's that simple.

Since when is 750mm narrow? Jerome Clementz runs 750mm. Jared Graves runs 740mm. Francois Bailly-Maitre runs 740mm. Adam Craig runs 750mm. I'm sure there are others running wider bars, but 750mm is not narrow.

Some great tips! On point 19. My Garmin 510 sends my current ride out to my wife via my phone, live while I'm riding. So she knows where to send the chopper should I be late for dinner.

MRP forks. Best service in the bike industry.

just wondering... not sure why I was thinking of him today.

Ha!

Just to be clear, it has nothing to do with Chinese people but with Chinese government. That type of government is not compatible with ours. We believe in democracy and the law. They seem to do whatever suits them. How about you Google Nortel and Chinese espionage. Funny I haven't heard anything about that in the news...

Stop buying made in China crap. I try the best I can, have for years. Not everything but most.

Remember it's just my opinion. Some people think those things are good, I don't. One thing I can recommend is a level 1 instructor course if you have time. If you want to teach your kid how to ski, it's the best thing and it will improve your skiing as well regardless of level. There so many tricks to get kids turning, stopping/slowing down etc. Anyway, I'm a bit of a ski weirdo...

Anything flattish and seriously loose the harness. Better for them to ski between your legs as you can adjust their mistakes and let them figure out there balance, it's a bit like learning how to ride a bike. Better for them to learn proper balance first as it the basics for everything else. If balance is shit, nothing will work and it will be frustrating.

BTW it can be a long process but it worth the effort. Nothing like skiing to keep a family together.

It depends on the kid..

The first thing I did was boots on their feet at home, let them walk and get comfy with them. After that, boots and skis. Walk around with them on flat ground (no slopes!) CAUTION When you see they have enough, stop!!! Play in snow with boots, build forts, dig holes, etc.. (get them used to the equipment without them knowing)

When you see they are keen, start with flat ground and push/pull them, get them used to the feeling of gliding. I would never use harness or other devices, if they need that stuff they are not ready. And it gives them bad habits from the start (as in lean back)

2-3yrs is still a bit young for "actual skiing", at that age, all you can expect from them is to get used to the gear.

If/once they like it and are comfortable with the skis and boots, then and only then should you bring them on a slope.

my 2 cents, I'm sure others will have their own opinions.

...and that's how you start rumors!