hbelly13 profile

I scored a set of A4’s last year after listening to the guys at my lbs and my best riding mate rave about them. In particular my pal decked out his monstrous S5 Kenevo and said if they could stop his galoot ass and that bike they’d be the brakes to beat. They felt great right outta the gate, but it was a long weekend at Snowshoe last year just prior to the UCI race that made me a convert. Like coastal BC, Snowshoe is always wet and steep AF. The brakes handled dozens of runs each day without a hitch. They howled nonstop, but never flinched and saved me from plenty of bad decisions. The noise was pretty bad though, but since I swapped in some MTX red pads they have remained silent. The only reason I could see anyone not liking them would be their weight, but that’s about it. I tell others that they have Saint power with Code modulation.

"Linkage driven single pivots with coils can be incredible bikes……"

100%. As an previous owner of both the V1 and V3 Wreckoning I have little to nothing bad to say about them. However as previously noted, they have some quirks that don't let them work for everyone. Not that you or anyone else cares, but sometime just after Guerilla Gravity introduced their "Revved" Carbon I visited their shop and demoed (well just pedaled around the parking lot) one of the first ones in my size they'd made. I immediately thought about small US companies like Evil licensing that process as their front triangles and likely the swing arms could be made in that manner. I even asked GG about them licensing it, however they remained coy. If GG's significant higher strength claims are true this seems like a no brainer for a company that previously had many issues. Granted those have mostly dissipated, but still.

Since I'm solving all the world's problems here, I'd make the following changes to the Wreckoning LS (and the rest of their line up as applicable): A longer reach and a slightly longer size-dependent chainstay, a cup-based headset adjustment to change up the head angle (like what Specialized has for the EVO), a straight seat tube that comes directly up from the BB at an actual measurement of 76 degrees or more and lastly internal frame storage. Oh wait, one more thing...ditch the 157 spacing as it wouldn't matter in the above design and you'd have much simpler cross compatibility with the zillions of other 148 bikes.

I've owned both the V1 and V3 Wreckonings. They are super playful fun bikes. However, if you are taller than 5'8" (freedom measurements) or 173 cm (every other sane place on the planet's metric system) I'd recommend looking elsewhere if climbing constitutes any larger percentage of your riding. At my 'Murican 5'7" I had no problem climbing with either Wreckers and I ran both of them in X-Low all the time. Meanwhile my 6'3" pal never got used to his. Now I'm aboard a Stumpy EVO/Banshee Paradox V3 and both are much easy to ascend on.

Very cool heads up on these. Georgia, while not as wet things up yr way is routinely sloppy (ATL has a higher yearly avg rainfall than SEA, but it's in random deluges rather than a constant mist). I switched to Hayes Dominion A4's last year and love their incredible power, but they are really loud with both their stock pads and the TruckerCo ones I've used for quite awhile. Look forward to giving the Red MTX's a spin.

Esthetically bar/stem combos are great. However, functionally they just suck. I had Bullmoose bars which at least were strong for their time. On the contrary I broke/bent two Mission Controls and a third set was stolen off my otherwise locked bike forcing me into a two mile hilly walk of shame after my elective photography class let out. I recall getting my first threadless stem and bar (profile/control tech) and never looking back. Those latest Scott bikes look great, but they are way over and unnecessarily  complicated for me, but that is Scott's hallmark. However, maybe just maybe I could be swayed back to the one-piece bar/stem deal if I was to acquire one of these which I'd want to buy just for the name...   https://theradavist.com/btchn-bikes-jerk-stee l-enduro-full-suspension/

I love riding in flat pedals and this is after years of riding clipped in. I honestly see almost no downside. The one place where I could see these providing an added benefit would be having the ability if possible to pull up and through a janky ledge, rock, root on a climb which I cannot do with flats. Obviously doing so requires more gymnastic body English than I have acquired, but maybe these could help. I've yet to see anyone reference this scenario in reviews of these or other magnetic pedals. Any thoughts? I've plenty of time as these are sold out until next spring.

NSB makes dope shit and Supersuckers FTW!

The bike looks good. A question I've yet to see answered since GG dropped these Revved carbon bikes is their warranty rate. GG claims that these bikes have 300% higher impact resistance than tradition carbon bikes. The handful of people I know that have owned CC's have only mentioned bearing wearing out as a maintenance issue, but I'd love to know if any of these things have broken and if so how many and where. Secondly, if the warranty rate is in fact low it would seem like another small US frame manufacturer would consider licensing the process. This is a valid opportunity, but as one builder told me it is just cost prohibitive at the moment for them.

Both this and the steel version are dope-looking bikes. I would not buy either though as I just do not feel like the benefits to move to 157 spacing is worth the extra hassle. I've owned a bike with 157 spacing and it was great. However there are tons of other bikes that are just as good without it and 148 is much more readily available.

Killer review and exactly what I was hoping to read. I am this close (tiny fingers emoji) to buying a frame. I have a full kit ready to go, but the bike I have wanted seems to be back ordered into eternity. Additionally my friend went from an Enduro to this and says for everyday fun this EVO is superior. Meanwhile I can get this nearly instantly at half the cost of the frame I was going to order. My fork is a Zeb 170 which figured with all the geo adjustments and that I'll run the bike as a mullet shouldn't be problem. The couple things I'm going to do have it be my bike is get it custom powder coated and put a coil shock on it. I think running said shock with a MRP progressive spring should add plenty of progression that could be lost.

There are numerous stories/interviews out regarding Evil's past and how those days are behind them. My friend is a local dealer and they've been great to work with the past three years. We've seen exactly two bikes require warranty service (both of which were due to improper rider set up; improper torque, etc.). Evil took care of these promptly. 

As far as the bikes go, nothing rides like them. Go read the reviews. I've ridden all of them and my daily driver is the Wreckoning. The Insurgent is a fantastic bike and if you already have the parts and wheelset that will go on it (142 rear axle/27.5 wheels) then picking up the current frame at it's reduced price is a no brainer. Otherwise, pick one of the newer models that turns you one. If you want further specifics ask away.

• Banshee Rune V2 -An absolute all around rager. Could be lighter, but who gives AF when it rips like it does both up and down.
• Santa Cruz Butcher -Super fun bike that was dumb simple and just a blast. Too bad SC didn't bring this one into the new school geometry/27.5 wheel world.
• Evil Insurgent -The ONLY bike I've pedalled around (and I've demoed everything) that gives the aforementioned Banshee a run for it's money. Could be my next whip.
• Kona Honzo -The first 29'er I rode that didn't suck. The only other 29'ers since then that I've liked were the Ibis Ripley LS and Evil Wreckoning.
• Surly Instigator 1.0 -I had mine for 13 years(!!!). I rode it built up every way to Sunday and was bummed when it finally cracked last year. Ridiculously killer steel beast.

:devil:

I am sure there are other decent options, but the Ironcase is the most bombproof case I have ever seen or used. It has been around longer than anything else for a good reason. I have had mine for over 16 years and have never had ANY issues with a bike that I traveled with it. I would look for a used one as they are not cheap.

…Triple 8 wrist gaurds. I have used these for more than fifteen years. I go through about three sets a year +/-. I put my gloves on and then these over top of them. As my hands are my job, I wear them all the time off road. Sure, I know how to fall, but these have saved me countless times. They are inexpensive, easy to get used to, make you look like a Terminator, provide tons of support/protection and will always be cheaper than surgery. Believe me, I tried every guard/brace out there including custom orthotic numbers. These are WAY more durable, protective and economic. I do not ride without them. I have taken plenty of nasty falls, but zero wrist injuries. :devil:

I do not own a Darkside, but I have been aboard a Rune V2 for more than a year and half. The Darkside on paper appears to be a Rune on steroids. I would surmise that like the Rune the Darkside is going to be amazing pedaling bike, making it very fun and playful on messy trails or in a park. I agree with Porkchop in so much that if you are looking for a more DH mow-over-everything kind of rig that it's not likely going to suit you. "Freeduro" or "Superenduro" …that sounds about right. :evil:

Oh, hey alright, let's do this again! Note that I did not say "one more time" as that utterance always precedes a crash. Here you go…

1. What eyewear do you currently use when you ride (goggles, glasses) and for what kind of riding? I current employ a couple of pairs of Oakley glasses for both my mountain and cyclocross riding (mis)adventures. They both have pink lens with black frames. This provides me with nice contrast in the deep forests of my southern surroundings and a reminder of my New Wave/Punk roots.

2. Have you had any experience with Ryders eyewear? I have a ten plus year old pair of Ryders lurking in the bottom of my gear bag. They were inexpensive and worked fine when I bought them in a pinch upon forgetting my usual go to's. They make a nice spare for my occasional forgetful cohorts.

3. Are fogged up glasses a problem for you when riding? Is this a joke? I generally refer to myself as a schwettefatf*ck as I sweat like the proverbial pig. They don't call it "Hotlanta" for nothing. Most of the time, my glasses stay perched on my helmet save on exceptionally (rare) sunny rides or if it's a particularly nasty descent. Otherwise, it is very tricky to see through them. I could rant on about how one of the main reasons I like my Bell Super is how well it holds my glasses beneath the visor, but I will save that for another contest.

4. Where do you live and ride? I live in Alpharetta, Georgia a small city just north of Atlanta. I have a number of local trails I frequent including one I can pedal too. In addition, about once a month I hit trails up in N GA/W NC/E TN including my favorites up in Pisgah.

5. Most importantly: Provide an example of a 'gear shots' style review: **I considered providing a link to some of the dental articles I've penned, but I figured you can find more engaging sources for your boredom. Nevertheless, here is a schpeil I wrote about the Nomad 3 and an older piece NPR published of mine.

Party. Now to check my messages**…

Is bold the new all caps?

Good info. I've got to say, I'm kind of curious about these things. Do they help with clearance over obstacles too (when your pedals are at approx 3 and 9?

**I just happen to like the way bold looks.:|

Clearance? Maybe, but I am old school and still run a bash guard.** :devil:

**I run a Black by Absolute Black 32t driving my 10 speed cassette with a OneUp 42t hack. It works great as my legs are much less tired/sore after big climbs and it is easier to remain on the gas throughout any ride. I had a 30t round ring prior and I more comfortable climbing with the Black and it's higher tooth count.

I began mountain biking 28 years ago when the original Biopace came out. The modern ovals are completely different. I do not notice any pulsing effect or really anything weird while pedaling it. In fact everyone who has hopped on my bike had to look at it to notice that it was oval as you feel nothing out of the ordinary. Several of my friends picked them up too and love them. I ride clipped in, but my friend who rides flats said that it helps him stay glued to the pedals even more than ever on climbs. **:devil:

Is this happening? Are there any updates? Thanks.

I am pretty sure that the editors and/or DT Swiss found the responses so remedial and sub-Pulitzer, they decided this was not such a great idea. Perhaps this exercise was not unlike being a shopper at the Sunglasses Hut and thinking you are qualified to perform opthalmic surgery. Fun, however the results will be less than optimal. :devil:

OMG!!! Thank you all for this great honor!!! :devil: