LWK profile

As someone who provides some MTB coaching and having attended various PMBI courses, I have to cringe at some of the experiences people have had!  The ability to pro-bro-shred does not equal the ability to teach anything.  MTB skills coaching is fundamentally about teaching, not showing off your self perceived pro riding skills.  I've had to really work and practice to improve aspects of my riding and I think that helps my teaching.

Teaching means you understand the fundamentals, know how skills build and progress, and are able to combine that theoretical knowledge with the ability to observe people's movements, understand what they are doing and finally be able to communicate all this to them in a way that they can understand and relate to.

I can imagine its hard to find a "good" coach but I do think the PMBI certifications provide a pretty solid framework and foundation.  And for what its worth, I think cornering is actually the hardest MTB skill to master and/or teach - there is just so much going on, variables to deal with and options to use.

I enjoyed the bits I watched of the event and the coverage afterwards. I think its ironic that the event is held in some terrifying and unforgiving terrain, which is then largely manicured into slope style hits, albeit very large ones!  I also really liked Brendan's run.  But, I wonder if huge tricks are required to separate the riders now. I suspect most riders there could do Brendan's line as well as he did.  Not sure if the opposite would hold?  Rampage seems like its in a bit of an awkward adolescence where its not quite sure what it is.

I found this an interesting review as it sounded pretty much how I would have described the 2018 9.8 Remedy I rode this season.  On paper, the Bronson and Remedy are very similar bikes and my riding experiences were also very similar to Cam's with the Bronson.   Incredibly fun and capable bikes.  Was also interesting to hear positive things about the 2.6 sized tires.

I have a 2018 Trek with this post (not sure if its this "new model" or 1st gen)  and my original plan was to swap it out immediately for the 9.8 on my "old" bike.  I've never bothered...  Its not quite as nice as the 9.8 in that the saddle wiggles a small amount and its not as quick to go up.  But its been more than fine.  been pleasantly surprised/impressed!

appreciate the honest approach from the NSMB folks on acknowledging that bias is real.  In general, I think you guys do a pretty good job on this.  I thought the alu vs. carbon Knolly article a few weeks back was excellent example of at least trying to take an honest look at one of the biggest biases in our sport \(carbon is definitely way better than aluminum\).

Less of an issue on your end, but I think consumers need to acknowledge their own biases as well.  I have several and have always been very picky in what I think is good or not.  For the first time in about 5 years I have a new bike and while its a top end bike, it is full of things I would normally thumb my nose at including house brand wheels, dropper, cockpit, SRAM Guide brakes and the like.  But I approached it with a more open mind than usual and... it is an excellent bike.

and finally, if I dont get to ride the latest and greatest every 6 months then maybe good reviewers and my excellent LBS do actually have some advice worth listening to.

this, exactly.   dont give the manufacturers any ideas!

will be interesting to see how your Knolly Warden carbon vs. aluminum test will play out in this regard

I'd also be curious how tall you are - Nicolai has height recommendations in their geometry chart but Mojo doesn't.  

I agree with your comments about focusing on parts functionality, etc.  But, this is not exactly a cheap frame.  I dont believe there is a distributor in NA?  and so one is looking at over $5K for the frame from Mojo? 

an overall ride or test report at some point would also be great.  You indicate that overall its fantastic but would be great to know its strengths/weaknesses.  Just by the geometry, I assume its better at steep and rowdy and less so in tight or flat but that is an assumption.

great read, thx!

love the rock roll picture!

I imagine Pivot is relieved everyone is simply grousing about the water bottle.  Because a 170mm travel bike that doesnt handle steep, rough terrain sounds like an epic fail to me.  If this type of bike cant do that well, then what is the point?  add to that flexy rear end and blows thru its travel...  it is a pretty bike though.

totally agree with this regarding fitness and skill practice.  I would also say who on earth cares if the "MTB elite" accept you????  what is an MTB elite anyway?   ride for you. with the bike, trails and time you have available.  and  with your friends if you like.  although you might need to get used to riding alone for a few years...  at some point you'll have your kids to ride with which is rather cool even if you are on the most uncool green trails!  and now that my girls are teenagers I am starting to get at least some of my time back and that is also great!

owning a Stache (rigid 5) and providing my 2 cents to the original review I have to say I thought this was a reasonable follow up and that your reasoning for doing so was clearly stated.  I certainly didnt get the sense you were being pressured by someone to change your tune.  I think its a great, but very rider and terrain specific bike in stock form.   that a better fork and  tires better suited to your terrain made a big difference in a bike's utility isnt exactly a shocking conclusion...

I think its pretty clear that 5:10 soles are not particularly durable, esp for heavier riders, lots of bike park riding, etc.  

I mentioned above that I was going to try a pair of Shimano flat pedal shoes (GR9 model, but all their models have the same sole).  I have a couple of rides in now and initial impression is that they are very grippy.  Maybe not as soft and "sticky" as a 5:10 but the combo of the small interlocking tread pattern and rubber does seem to grip very well.  For reference, I have HT and Shimano Saint pedals on my various bikes and have been on flat pedals/shoes since forever.

Time will tell regarding durability but initial impressions on grip and performance are very positive.  So I'm thinking/hoping there is finally an option to 5:10 shoes

I suppose it depends on how much you weigh and how hard you ride, but I would tend to agree.  My experience the past several years is that I get about 3/4 of a season out of a pair of 5:10s.  I  find that I seem to be heavy enough and ride enough that the sole gets chewed through with basically nothing left.  I ride them till that happens and the outer sole starts to tear apart from the mid sole and then I have to discard them.  I am tired enough of the short life and expense that I am trying a pair of the new Shimano GR9 instead.

I cant imagine MTB on an ebike, I'll freely admit I am a snob that way.  Its a pathetic motorbike and a ponderous MTB; neither of which appeal to  me.   I also commute by bike and am fortunate to have a short and pleasant ride; but if I didnt I would have been an early ebike adopter years ago.  I snickered at the plus wheeled MTB ebike I started seeing in my work parkade this past winter, but then saw the owner one day.  she was middle aged and overweight and I though good for her for getting out and riding instead of just driving.  

As stated in previous posts, all the arguments against ebikes are pretty much replicas of the hiker vs. biker or skier vs. snowboarder rants.  I am seeing many more ebikes on the paths and trails this summer, yet absolutely none of them are shredding anything.   The riders are doing well just to stay upright while gently cruising along.  I watched a group of 10 local top riders ride hard down a trail and thought to myself that they likely put more wear and tear on that trail  in 5 minutes than a 100 ebikers ever would.  Why are the top riders "cool" but the ebikers should be "banned"?  I think the concerns about motor mods, improving technology, etc are very valid but I also am at a loss as to how to manage or regulate that in the real world. Why would I begrudge my excellent LBS a new source of revenue, both sales and service?

All this to say that I really think its all shades of grey; the sport will evolve however it will evolve, for better and/or worse.

no experience with the Reverb but I have two 9.8's on separate bikes.  The first one has a solid season of use and zero problems.  Love it.  The second one had a a problem holding air right from purchase (exactly as T-mack describes above).  LBS had an excruciating time getting response/service from 9.8.  By the time I got it back the season was basically over so it has sat in a box since; will put it on one of my bikes as soon as the local trails dry out.  Hopefully it will be fine now but yea, a bit disappointed overall.

any experience or comments on the Bontranger Lithos or Evoke storm shells? I dont need to worry about coastal type monsoon rains but would be for cool/cold fall riding when raining moderately.

Thanks. Maiden voyage was the first PORCA toonie on Saturday. This is now my do-it-all one and only bike after selling my Trance SX to build my dream hardtail, pretty stoked on it!

The Chromag boys sure make some nice products. Love the attention to detail, sweet colour and clean welds.

I have a 2014 Stylus that I love and use for everything from dirt jumping to commuting. However, I have found the relatively short TT and esp the 70 degree seat tube angle to make pedal oriented rides a bit tough. I am 5'11" and ride a size Large.

The new 2016 version has an ~ 1" longer ETT and a 73 degree seat tube angle so I think that would make for a better all around ride? any comments or thoughts? thx!