OLDF150 profile

I had a 2016 Process 153, not the DL version.  While I loved that bike, it too was a bit short on the quality parts, especially the rims.  Still, I loved that bike and only sold it due to a broken leg.  When it was time to re-up, a new Process was on the shortlist, but the RM Instinct BC had a better parts spec for the similar price range so gave the Instinct the nod.  I love this Instinct but still kinda lust for the Process.  They are kinda quirky but super fun bikes and would ride one again in an instant.

I'm not a prolific purchaser of bikes, only replacing my 1 ride every 3-5 years, but I'm always keen to see if a new offering might be my next purchase.  I love my Instinct BC but mullet bikes have always seemed quite an interesting option for someone who only has 1 bike.  The Bronson could just be my next love, LOL. Time will tell.

Thanks NSMB and Matt for showing there are more than heterosexual males and the odd females that love this sport.  The world will be a much better place when we openly accept all individuals.  That can only happen with more stories like this.

I was lucky enough this past spring to pick up a pair of GR9's at half price. They've had the good grip and fit that you talk about with the GR5 with the added bonus of a great footbed that isn't too flexy.  I've done some of my biggest rides ever this year wearing these shoes and finished the rides with no foot pain at all.  When I was looking at Shimano shoes, one sales person advised exactly what you've said Cam, that the soles on the GR5 are very flexible and so not suitable for longer rides. Shimano makes great shoes and so it's a matter of whether or not they're the right shoes for your feet. Great insight sir.

I've been riding for enough years to have had a few things interesting parts over the years.  I don't keep much now and tend to ride things until they no longer work, or I've sold the bike.  But, one thing I only let go of a couple years ago was a 2000 Marzocchi Mr.T fork.  Dual crown, 5" travel, spindly legged thing from the days I was learning to drop off stuff.  I kept it as a backup until I got to the point where it was never going to be on another bike of mine, and I had nowhere to display it.  Sturdy little fork though representing a time of standing around watching friends trying to push their skill levels without dying, LOL.

I fully admit, the reason the XL works for me at 5'11" is because the Rocky's up until this year were sized on the smaller side of the spectrum.  I sure like how much more in the bike I feel when on a larger framed bike, so long as the reach doesn't make it weird for me.

There's so much more to fit and bar height than where you ride, in my old opinion.  I too ride the Interior and am only 5'11" on an Instict XL.  I'v added tons of spacers to make it work for me, but the guy I bought it off of is about 6'4" and he had it slammed with only 1 spacer.  It depends on your body shape and also where your body strength comes from. Some people have strong limber backs, some do not. Hope you've found a bar height that's working for you Lu.

This is a very topical story even if you don't want an Answer Protaper.  I'm only 5'11" and on my XL Instinct run a ton of spacers to get the bars to an acceptable height.  The only question I have is, is it because I'm now over 50, or is it younger people too, who are finding current bars are quite often too low?

Fully agree.  Another bony arse here and, as proof, just yesterday I did my biggest ride in years, 40 kms, 5 hrs all dirt roads and trails and the worst part was riding for about 40 minutes on a flat dirt road. This used to hurt even when I wore a chamois because I rarely spend that much time going neither up or down and it puts a different kind of pressure on the old behind. My Jockey long leg briefs are the ticket!

Thanks for the honest story Lee.  Even if we don't all have the issues, a lot of us can relate.  For myself, even at 51, I'm still stoked when I get that confident loose feel on the bike.  The loose confidence doesn't happen every ride because of past injuries to myself and friends that can stick in the back of mind, but I love being outside and when the good feelings come, there's nothing better.  And, congrats on tackling the big line.

Fabien Barel has been messing with this geometry stuff since his Kona days. There was an article back then written in Dirt mag about all the testing of different geos for the Kona. The main thing they found was that the rider was in the best position when they were in the centre of the bike. Head angles weren't as important as get that centred position on the bike. My guess is that is what they are going for with this new geometry. Get you in the centre of the bike. They didn't touch on it but I wonder if the seat tube is less angled as well to get you in the centre of the bike. It'd be really interesting to compare two Foxy's, 2012 and 2013 to really see if there is a difference.