ryan-smith's comments

My last Snowmobile used 50L of gas plus 1L of 2stroke oil in a 150km day of backcountry sledding. Skiing and sledding are worlds apart compared to mountain bikes and Ebikes. I was dead set against Ebikes but after talking with other riders about them I was able to relax about their arrival. I ride to stay fit, I dig trail to give back to the sport I love and I also try not to get my back up on my fellow riders no matter what trend they jump on.
The rapid growth of the sport is contributing staggering amounts of traffic in my riding area. Our local association is doing a great job but we all need to pitch in, more trained volunteers maintaining existing trails. Ebikes will add even more traffic but that could be counteracted by more cooperation and involvement from our growing community. Less keyboard more moving buckets.

In Whistler their trail association is called WORCA in Squamish Its SORCA i dont know about other places but you guys made a little mistake. I lived In Emerald Estates in 2002'ish and there was very little flow then either. But what It lacked in flow it make up for by being just outside my front door. The highlight back then in the FR days was a small gap off the water tower to the bank and the sections in your photos. I resisted the no-flow back then by heaping logs onto the flat drop landings, this gave me localized satisfaction but I was unable to bring any sustained flow or squeeze much satisfaction from my efforts . It was so un-inspiring I would ride my FR bike to A River Runs Through It, just to bring a smile to my stone cold mug. Eventually I discovered Gargamel, Thrill Me Drill Me, and my fav, Young Lust at least they had a nuance of "The Bro Flow" where I could get my huck on.
I've never been there back to ride.

This is a great piece of wisdom. Too bad I have so much pain inside that I can't listen or relate. I feel dejected and separated from my community and government. I know its better in the long run to forgive and forget but the cuts run deep.

I ride and dig. I know digging on somebody's trail is forbidden. But we all change over time we all grow and evolve or decompose. I think in the long term changes that are done with consideration to the original can be beneficial.Those old lines will start to regrow and in time get rejuvenated but at some point they will be reworked that's the situation for all existing lines.
We all need to realize there's been a big shift in power and structure the municipal and provincial governments are recognizing MTB organizations, not individuals. So if you want to give back to the riding community (build sweet jumps} join one. Or you can dig on your own and have your work destroyed by just about anyone.

I've been riding the rapid changes in bike teck to a point but I live to ride. I just picked up a 29r to try something different and its way different. The main thing that's holding me back from really enjoying this new ride is the reliability of the back wheel. Now here comes 148 Boost to save the day, a year too late. Looks like I'll have to buy a truing stand and tighten my wheel every ride.

Chain suck, remember that! Both you guys are right about 1x systems being beneficial for beginner riders. Until they face a long grind.Too bad all the mid level bikes coming out in 2015 are 2x.

To me the pedal drive-train evolution should be in the front, its always been problematic. But mostly on downhills. So far the advances have been to add a cog on the cassette. Its time for something really innovative. Its past time to innovate this vital bicycle component, the front transmission. If we want to go faster, further, steeper that is the key. We don't want to compromise do we.

One thing i like about a 2x setup is getting to the top of a climb then pushing the front shifter and then getting the same gearing as i have on my dh bike. One shifter click and its a 10 tooth difference 24/34. Another positive for 2x is on little undulations of terrain its so easy to gain a little, big ring boost with the slightest downhill then switch right back to the gear you were just grinding away in.
Don't get me wrong, I have and hate my drive train issues, i'm still clutch- less 9 spd back there. But the cost of the 11spd/10 spd-hack parts and down time to install them (and get it right) just doesn't turn my crank, right now.
I like the simple option you put forward here of 28 tooth ring. But for me it just don't sing. I believe it would limit my max Dh speed too much, on the trail and on the street.

Great photo's of the LT Tuned. I've read some tests and watched some video review's but this is the first time I could actually see the bike in all its glory.