throet

Ha good question! I really didn't even look over that way to see if there's been further clownin' in the concrete.

@Ridenfool and I cleared it as best we could with no tools. At least you can ride through there now. Trails were still in great shape by the way, despite some dampness. A few slick rocks on Deception but not too bad.

I'd be happy to show you around this afternoon. I'll PM you to see if we can make it work.

Darn - no 60+

Just got an email from Intense yesterday announcing this promo in case anybody is interested. Applies to the Carbine, Recluse, and Tracer on the build kits that don't already have carbon wheels. This is not an upgrade - you actually get an entire second set of wheels. So for example I saw their 2018 Tracer Expert Build - which is a really nice spec - at $4299, and then you get a set of e-thirteen Carbon Wheels at no-cost shipped separately. https://intensecycles.com/collections/enduro-race/products/tracer-expert-build?variant=3120180953111

But then I'd need to sell my sweet workbench to get some XTRs for my Primer 😉

Just wait till The Sustainable Texan gets wind of this

Rode Picnic, Double-Down, Up-and-Over, Rim, and Snail - all in great shape. Was cold and damp, but no slick spots. Get you some now as it looks like chances for more rain later today and tomorrow. Put my new Remedy 27.5 through the paces out there today, and it lapped that shit up like a stray dog on carnival puke.

OK so I couldn't wait for 50 degrees knowing that we might get heavier rain over the weekend - so I anxiously ventured out in the damp cold this morning and rode for an hour at Brushy - Snail (twice), Rim, Up-and-Over, Double-Down, and Picnic. Didn't even bother replacing the showroom pedals since I was in a bit of hurry. For my first run, the Lyrik RCT3 was set at 85psi with rebound 6 clicks out and the Deluxe RT3 thru-shaft shock at 200psi with rebound at 4 clicks out. Didn't even check to see what the LSC setting was on the fork. All I can say is WOW!!!! What an amazing performing bike and well-engineered suspension system. Rocky descents that would have me controlling my speed on the Primer were just soaked up like I was rolling down smooth terrain - and it's a good thing since those Guide RS brakes don't work near as well as my XTRs on the Primer. Getting height on bunny hops is more effortless on my Primer, but once I realized that I needed to put more effort into bunny-hopping the Remedy, I instantly realized how much better my form got. The bike just seemed to tuck into my body the way it's supposed to when transitioning from manual to full extension forward. Similarly with manuals it was harder to get the front wheel up, but easier to find the balance point. I still suck at holding them for more than 15 feet, but I think this bike is going to make it easier for me to practice them. Also seemed much easier to maintain proper body position on drops and jumps. This being my first 27.5, I'm amazed at how well it handles tight corners, slow or at speed. Overall my body remained in perfect position when out of the saddle at all times, which I never really felt when riding the long, slack Mondraker Foxy 27.5 Both climbing and acceleration were surprisingly good on this bike too - much better than expected although not quite on par with the Primer and its carbon rims. Components are great on this bike, although I will likely eventually upgrade the GX Eagle derailleur and Guide RS brakes (been spoiled with XX1 and XTR on the Primer), but probably not until they wear out. The Bonty 780 carbon bars felt right on this bike even though I've always ridden 740 on my other bikes. Will just keep those the way they are. Bonty 29mm internal wheels and 2.4 tires are fine too, although I might want to try some 2.5 or 2.6 tires eventually. Loved the way the Bonty dropper worked and the lever is super cool. However, it did stick some, where I'd have to drop it all the way down to get it to pop back up. It was 42 degrees though; so I'll see what happens when it warms up. Anyway it goes, I know BSS will make it right.

I did actually see that when you first shared it, and I was awfully tempted. I've ridden that same carbon frame and loved it. Not a great build but at that price I could have just started replacing parts. Have you bought through them before? Interesting concept, and with 30-day return policy, seems like pretty much no risk. Still, I got a good deal on a brand-new bike that I like; so no regrets. Just need to replace the showroom pedals and remove reflectors and I'll be ready to ride. Well at least when it stops raining and gets back up to 50 degrees!

Nah I don't have any regrets. I would have still opted for the Remedy over the Rail. This is the bike I really wanted, but nobody was willing to deal on them. 2019 Mondraker Foxy XR 27.5 Bike

$4K brand-new. List was $5K.

Good input. Got antsy and just pulled the trigger on this. Closeout deal at BSS made it even better. https://m.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Bikes,3/Trek/Remedy-9-8-27-5,19227

As I continue my research, one bike that is sort of sticking out as a wild card for me is the Transition Scout. While not in the enduro/all-mountain class that other bikes being discussed are in, it appears to be much burlier than it's 130mm travel might otherwise imply. And with the slack HTA and 150mm fork, I'm pretty sure it could handle whatever Spider / Cat could throw at it. The short chainstay provides the added bonus of playfulness, easier to manual, etc, and the price point is spot on. The other bike I've added to my list to check out is the Pivot Mach 5.5. Part of my criteria, which probably seems silly to most folks, is that the bike has to have straight lines and an open front triangle. I just think aesthetically those characteristics give bikes a sportier, cleaner look. For that reason all of the bikes I'm looking at have trunnion mounted shock or shock directly under the top tube. Definitely narrows the list, but there are still plenty of top contenders to choose from.

Perhaps but there is certainly nothing wrong with having a stable of purpose built bikes either. Just comes down to taste for variety, budget, how much room you have in the garage, etc.

I had asked this same question last week on a separate Spider Mountain thread and got similar responses. Still, I'm moving forward with the purchase of a slacker, longer travel 27.5. At under 26lbs with 130mm front and back and 67.5 HA, my Primer isn't suited for the type of gravity riding I want to start doing at Spider and Cat Mtn. I'm also not at all interested in monkeying around with it because it is perfect for everyday use at most of the trails I ride. If anybody knows where I can get a used 2017 Canyon Strive CF 9.0 Team Bike, I'd likely write a check today (unless somebody here tells me something horrible about that bike). Also interested in the 2019 Jamis Hardline A1 but have no clue where to possibly find one to try. Looking at a couple of others in this category as well.

Can't really speak to the parking since I always ride from my house, but I suppose if I had to pick a place to park it would be either 1) Twin Lakes YMCA for W-E looping as I described or 2) Brushy Creek Lake Park for E-W looping with Peddler's / Candyland mixed in.

Starting from west end (YMCA or 183A Trailhead), I like to drop in at Dave's Ditch / Glitch off the BCRT and take the first sharp left up that connects to Rim. Stay to the right at the top and ride through a couple of g-outs before looping back in the opposite direction to stay on Rim. Follow Rim to the end, and take the climb on the right, which is the beginning of Up-and-Over, which leads to Deception (Double Down). Ride that first section of DD W-to-E until you hit the Picnic Bailout. Bail to your left to jump on PicnicX, and go right at the first fork. Follow Picnic X all the way to Picnic, and then stay to the right to follow Upper Picnic. Stay on Upper Picnic and either follow it all the way to the end or you can choose from a number of drops on your left and then follow the rest of Lower Picnic to the end at BCRT. At this point, depending on how much you're wanting to ride, you can follow the BCRT to hit Mulligan, Peddler's Pass, and the Candyland section of trails. When you're ready to head back east, enter Deception (1/4 Notch) at the easternmost end and follow it all the way to the end (1/4 Notch turns into Double Down at the Swag bail). You'll now be back on the jeep road that separates Deception from Up-and-Over, and you will have ridden the westernmost section of Double Down in both directions. Now take Up-and-Over back to Rim and ride it in the opposite direction from where you started. When you get to the end of Rim though, climb up the hill to your left and loop back around into the very top of Dave's Ditch, where there is a really fun swooping descent. Caution here though that if it's wet and slimy, it can be very dangerous. You'll end up coming out of the ditch back at the BCRT where you started. Now if you still have something left in the tank, head over to any number of ascents up to the ridge sitting behind the YMCA. At the top, to the right of the cement drainage ditch that is near the 183A trailhead, you'll find the Snail Trails that are great fun with a few challenges mixed in. Just riding the Rim, Deception, Picnic loop that I described will give you 1.5 to 2.5 hours of riding depending on your fitness and abilities. Adding in any combination of the other stuff can give you another 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on various factors, such as how many laps of goodness you choose to consume at Peddler's Pass.

Well … I never said dude couldn't shred! It actually looks like he's riding without a dropper but with his seat lowered. His brother clearly is sporting a dropper. Great story and vid BTW. When you're as accomplished as Nino, I suppose the whole family get's outfitted with sponsored gear.

It wouldn't be so with a dropper

If you take away the argument surrounding terrain and what's safe with or without a dropper, then it really comes down to riding style. If you wish to emulate Nino Schurter, you don't need a dropper. If you wish to emulate Bernard Kerr, you need a dropper. Really just comes down to how you want to ride.

Bingo!

Speaking of endos, what do you think the chances are of one occurring here?

Wait a minute! If that was a jogger, they're definitely minimalist. Maybe a baby bigfoot going in circles?

Especially if you have a rotator cuff issue!!!