LWK profile

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!

"producing 50 or so frames each year" - the frames are expensive but that sounds like a "business" that could barely support one individual, let alone 7 employees?  They're beautiful bikes; honestly curious.

interesting read!  the 2nd paragraph in your pre-ramble was quite interesting.  I'm not one to complain about prices and I dont know anything about the economics of bike industry sales but the notion of $7K bikes with at best a mediocre spec and ebikes now costing twice that amount, I wonder if/when the whole business may have a major correction.

You touch on it at the end of the review but if you guys are looking at a few of these types of bikes some general discussion of where/why owning these sort of bikes makes sense would be great.  

I seriously considered this bike for the upcoming season.  But actual "mountains" requires a committed weekend for me to access and I have a modern DH bike for bike parks.  And so I went with a more AM style bike.  If I lived in the Van - Pemberton area (or similar) and/or didnt have a modern DH bike, I'd be all over this.

sorry if I am a bit daft but I dont quite follow the comments re shifting.  "... SRAM has Shimano licked in the shifting game.." but then XTR "...is the new standard for shifting".  So you like the SRAM feel but the Shimano actually works better?

good info!  Its good to know the recommended settings are likely not far off from "ideal", especially for an average rider.  Also interesting that a bit more PSI resulted in a better ride - I found the same in my limited experience to date with the Float X2.  

I've also observed the difference in pressure when checking.  I suspect it may be a combination of temperature and elevation changes, any small internal pressure changes with heat while in use, maybe lose a bit putting the pump on/off.  As said above, I doubt the pressure change is solely due to the small ambient temp range we're talking about.

A similar article on the rear shock would be great.  and what sort of digital pressure gauge do you use?

excellent review as usual Andrew!  Curious on your thoughts re the pros/cons and why you'd pick this over the Trek Stache (which also comes in alu and carbon flavors)?

Andrew, you've talked about cold hands and carbon levers enough that it seems like a bit of an obsession! :)  I live in the prairies and so I am well versed with cold.  I just wear my big Hestra lobster claw mitts and I'm good.  Why do decent gloves not work?  I am assuming its wet weather riding for you in the winter - is that the problem?  Tech nature of Shore riding that requires frequent and hard braking? poor blood circulation in your hands?  All the above? Not poking at you, just honestly curious!

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!