LWK profile

Excellent article.  I've wondered about this as I used to be pretty set on "boutique" bikes but I'm not sure I see the point much anymore.  I don't know if that is just that my personal preferences have evolved or that that the bikes themselves have evolved or some of both.

I have a hard time buying the argument that a given boutique bike is objectively better than big brand bikes like the new Stumpy or Slash.  Reference last week's review on the Knolly Warden - good bike, had some quirks, did some things really well, maybe not so great at other things and certainly not the be all end all for an aggressive trail bike.

not totally convinced on the adjustability thing - I know I'd never fuss with it after setting it up how I liked, but not sure how representative of the overall market that might be.

I understand the Wardens are the same frame (different shock) but the Delirium is a different frame, isn't it?  I am pretty sure it was around before the current gen Warden's.

As a former Knolly owner and bit of a fanboi, it pains me to say this but the seat tube, creaking and cable rattling issues are unacceptable. Especially for a brand that tries to market itself as taking an engineering first approach to its business and positions itself in the premium end of the market place.

as others have stated, its nice to see NSMB continue to provide thorough and honest assessments of the bikes it reviews

Good article as usual and I'd echo the sentiments above.  No love for VC but honestly, MEC started to die about 10y ago and that's on the people who were "leading" MEC, not the buyer.  They went from something unique and special to just another poorly executed big box retailer in the urban wasteland.

I had two.  the first one was bomber.  the second one had issues out of the box and was sent back to 9.8 to no avail.  I've just dealt with it but I'm done.  the rebuild kit might help but at this point I'm just not willing to spend more time and money for unknown outcome

I also really liked the 9.8 seat bolt system.  but that may be mainly because the thing will not hold any air and so have had to take the seat off constantly to pump up the air chamber.

good read!  I previously saw this video but this was really good additional info.  In my experience cornering seems to be the hardest of all MTB skills to become truly proficient at.  every corner is different, there are several things to think about and apply (as you explain) and often in varying amounts depending on the type of corners, terrain, etc.

this was really interesting - I knew golf was born in Scotland but had no idea the extra details and info provided here.  the shared use land use paradigm is also a pretty cool perspective.

another geo related question for you - I didnt see anything in the comments above.  I noticed you kept the rather "normal" STA of 73.5.  I understand steep STA in the context of FS bikes where the rear sags and the steeper angle accounts for that.  I dont understand why you'd want a steep STA on a HT?  I observe that pretty much all the new Chromags have something like 77 (or steeper).  Road bikes also seem to have ~73* STA.  I know a road bike isnt a MTB but if seated pedaling power is the priority it seems like that is about where the STA should end up?  curious your thoughts.

cool bike and write up!

First, I am ambivalent about whatever we're calling a bike with a motor and a battery. I've never ridden one but its obvious they are only going to become more common.

I thought the previous article about riding the Santa Cruz was reasonable, thoughtful and entertaining, only to have that destroyed by the author going on a pinkbike worthy rampage in the comments in response to what I thought were some pretty innocuous observations and contributions to the discussion. Not sure how all that helped anything.

The Heckler isnt a CRF450RR; its also not exactly a bike anymore either though. And if you look at media for other areas like motorbikes (real ones!), hunting, overlanding and the like there seems to be a growing number of things called "ebikes" that, in fact, do seem to have more in common with mopeds and motorbikes than bicycles. So its a bit of a messy discussion almost by necessity.

FWIW, a couple of the early lessons in the wheelie course are specifically targeted to get it ingrained in your head to use the rear brake to prevent looping out, and getting comfortable jumping off the back of the bike. Ryan's progressions are very good at addressing safety and building skills in small, safe, incremental steps.  Each to their own risk assessment but I'd suggest this is actually a pretty low risk activity if you follow the program.

If any sort of trail riding turns into a no-go (which I suspect will happen as people just dont seem to understand the concept of "social distance"...) I know my garage and backyard will turn into a makeshift trials zone to practice beginner level trials riding.  I do this all winter in the garage as it is and I've found it to be a fun challenge and a surprisingly good workout!

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!