UFO profile

My 5.5 year old kind of fits our macride still, she's about 44" tall. I'm 5'8" and I've sized up to a 445-455 reach now (for my own riding preferences), whereas I was previously comfortable with a 430 reach, so that also helps with the kid carriers.

I once had my car broken into Nov.2. They jacked my stereo with the detached faceplate safely stored in the door's side pocket; my school bag (though they kindly dumped out and left behind my Bible); most annoying loss was the fresh box of unopened Halloween I had bought the day before at 50% off. Absolutely savage

I was kind of hoping to believe what Andrew posted on the internet, as I usually believe everything he posts on the web.

The IVA uses a similar clip in system, at that IS at the top cap. I'm sure you know this already, but perhaps the travel spacers and the IVA spacers look similar ;)

I'm curious about the travel adjust spacers, you write that all is needed is to remove the air side top cap and clip the spacers in. If I am understanding the pictures properly, it looks like the IRT assembly is located at the top cap end. The travel adjustment spacers look to still require removal of the lowers then the air spring assembly (with the special slotted cassette tool), and then popping the travel spacer under the air piston. Please correct me if I'm wrong?

FWIW, the internet conjecture seems to be that as well as the Mattoc's IRT worked, it was a system put in place after the fact. The Mezzer with the IRT designed in allows more appropriate tuning of the respective air springs from the get to.

The Rooty got updated for 2019, not sure if you're aware. It's now 64 HA 76 SA, reach is basically same as before. It keeps the ultra short 415mm CS if you're into that sort of thing. So the geo is virtually on par with the Norco, but the Rootdown uses the PF92 bb shell ugh.

Really impressed with the evolution and value. Really happy they moved away from the Boost QR rear end, and also took the plunge into proper geometry and fit for 2019--sounds like they undertook your Growler challenge and then some. Way better value IMO than Norco's recently announced chromo Torrent, $1250 for a complete functional no frills hardtail would make a great winter or downtime option for any Endurbro

Any word on weights, especially for the 20?

My interweb research has recently revealed that Marzocchi Z1 uses the Fox Rhythm uppers, 6000 series aluminum and marginally smaller ID vs. the higher end 7000 series aluminum of the Performance and Factory lines. Fox ebike forks are supposedly 7000 series and significantly smaller ID vs. the non-ebike forks

I have to totally agree with this train of thought. As a previous Chromag Primer owner and for now a Specialized Fuse rider, there's nothing that my Norco Range 29 enables me to ride that I can't ride on my hardtail.

Sure my line choices are different, my speeds are vastly different, and finally my body also feels very different the next morning.

Riding the hardtail is just a different, more engaging and interactive experience. Maybe if I had the cajones to ride bigger or faster, things would be different on the big bike

Posted by: Mic

In 2021...I am probabl going to buy a new hardtail and am really curious what is going tohappen until then. I read the article/feature/paid ad by Cotic about their new BFe - and I would love to testride one as well as a Stanton Switchback (frame size 18" and long), and compare these two with the current Stylus. I still ride my old-ish 26" Stylus and it feel slike a BMX.

29 and sorted geometry have made the whole class sooo versatile and capable without giving much if any playfulness. No reason to not go 29 on a hardtail IMO unless it is predominantly for dirtjumps.

Yes! I've been trying to figure out what was wrong with that junction and that is exactly it

Good value for a boutique brand, undercuts the Hightower equivalent by at least 10%

Posted by: Brocklanders

I'm leaning towards buying the DVO Diamond in the spring.  Just wanna see the review on the mezzer first.  Who sells the DVO in town? After exchange/duty could get a bit spendy.

I'm really happy with my DVO Beryl--it's got simpler internals than the Diamond but same chassis.

I also had the Auron 34 as part of NSMB's test program. I liked it more than the Fox 34 Performance Grip. For my uses, I felt it was on par with my Fox 36 Performance Grip. The Beryl has the same external adjustments as both of the above, but the OTT (internal in the Beryl) offers a really supple start to the stroke and better overall control of the travel. I'm not overly picky about my suspension, but even I can tell the DVO works better.

This is my Surface in it's final form. I usually try and get a WBP day a year in on the hardtail just for giggles. And because I seemingly like to torture myself

Posted by: nouseforaname

Hardtails are weird niche bikes already so plus tires are the right choice for the rear at least. You're going slower than an FS bike so less loading on the tire during cornering?

No, its just me going slower in general

All 'kidding' aside, the popular 2.6" tires of today aren't really much different dimensionally than the 2.8's back when Plus was being pushed hard--especially when you consider all rims these days are 30+mm ID. So I would argue we're basically there today already, just for some reason 2.8's are a mental roadblock for consumers.

Posted by: nouseforaname

Great for beginners and folks looking to build a little confidence.

5 years and it will be relegated to weird niche bikes. Tops.

Pretty bold statements, I beg to differ. 

Plus tires get squirmy because their sidewalls are typically thinner to keep the tire in a reasonable weight. If we accepted a 1200g + tire it would be fine. There IS a narrower sweet spot in terms of absolute air pressure in PSI, but in overall air volume its not a big deal in real life. 

I'm currently running a Nobby Nic 2.8 in the rear on a i38 rim at between 14-15psi, but the Schwalbe 2.8s I find are succeptible to sidewall cuts because they are so thin. Love the gobs of traction and bit of give on my hardtail, and I don't push the rear end enough to notice tire squirm. I much prefer a normal tire up front because that is where I find there isn't enough feedback/precision in steering with +

Posted by: grambo

I wince riding my trail bike in the park outside of TOTW/Creekside laps where it's a bit softer. Definitely looking forward to getting a DH bike again in 5 or 6 years when the kid is old enough to try the park. 

I'm also hoping my offspring will be park ready in the next 3'ish years. I was close to bringing one up this year after I bought a Macride, but then my common sense took over.

I just recently started looking into a DH/park bike for the first time and pretty amazed at some of the deals available in this space especially if you're willing to consider 26's still. I've moved on from my Range 29 which while I quite enjoyed it was plenty of bike for the ~5 days of park riding I do a year, but then I also barely touch it the rest of the year for local rides as I'm a hardtail guy. While it would be nice conceptually to have a big bike that I could ride locally, I've come to terms that with where my lifestyle is at right now and for the next few years, I really don't need  a FS bike locally.

^ that thing weighs less than my road bike which has skinny tires, no suspension, amd rim brakes

Well there is a bigger chance generally with Shimano and SRAM. I've also had the shop take bits off their floor bikes to get me on my way, while they order in the part and replace it on their floor bike when it arrives. Which bike specs Magura as OEM? It's all about giving yourself the biggest chance of success IMO.

That's why for me after I tried and enjoyed the TRPs, I swapped my 2nd bike to the same setup. So I 'stock' my own emergency replacement parts on the 2nd bike. I try to do the same with my drivetrain, dropper posts, and wheels.

By accessible I meant break something on a Saturday, be able to get replacement parts and back riding the next day or 2