quixoft Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 (edited) *edit*Went with the Guerrilla Gravity Smash! Now just to wait 3-4 weeks... Thank you everyone for your ideas and help!*edit* Currently on a beginner hardtail with 100mm travel up front and I bottom out frequently on Deception in Brushy Creek. Going to a full suspension and I've chosen to pick up a Guerrilla Gravity bike to replace the hardtail and I'm trying to choose between the Smash(150mm and more all mountain/enduro) and the Trail Pistol(130mm and more XC/trail oriented). The Trail Pistol seems perfect for my main riding area(Brushy Creek) but I do want to start going out to Spider Mountain(never been) and get into more jumping and drops which seem to be more all mountain/enduro. https://ridegg.com/products/trailpistol?option=Ride https://ridegg.com/products/thesmash?option=Ride I'm going with the base model(budget) of whichever one but I do have some room to upgrade one item. If you could only upgrade one, which would you choose? Suspension, brakes, drive, wheels? Edited April 20, 2020 by quixoft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bestbike85 Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 (edited) If you ride Brushy or similar 80% of the time, buy something that is fit for Brushy. If you ride spider mtn or similar 80% of the time, buy something that is fit for spider mtn. IMO buying a bike for the 3 weekends a year you go to spider/Moab/Durango is a bad decision. Been there, done that. Edited April 18, 2020 by bestbike85 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notyal Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 There is no one answer. It's all personal preference. I'd go with the Smash if it were me even without Spider MTN being a consideration. That's just icing on the cake. Brushy has some pretty big jumps and chunk too. I've never been overly concerned with weight our efficiency. Again, just my preference. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circuitbreaker Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 In general, the answer to this question: What travel do you use for Austin trails? i think the answer is 130 is plenty. But if you want a smash, get a smash, they are awesome bikes. and the weight penalty is minimal. If you're into long rides, and pedaling more, than TrailPistol might be a better fit. Either way you're getting an awesome bike, that will be able to handle more than you can throw at it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browndog Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 I ride a Smash. I have one of the last aluminum ones they made. To me, it’s perfect for Brushy Creek. It pedals better than my 120mm Camber I had before. I’ve also ridden it quite a few times at Spider Mountain, even the double black trail, and it’s awesome there also. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4fun Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 I don’t think you can go wrong with either. I rode a 130 trail bike for two years out at brushy and it was great. I also rode all the trails at spider on it and didn’t feel under gunned. That being said I crack the rear triangle on that bike (I think from a rock strike) and used all the parts to build up a steel hardtail that rides great at brushy, so my next bike will be a longer travel enduro bike to have a little more cush for spider, days, when I do shorter rides at brushy that will include sessioning the 10ft drop on snail, free ride 512 trails and Enduro races. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamsloan Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 145-147mm. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 A 120-130 bike is plenty for most of Centex riding. I'm on a 120 and ride Brushy regularly, have also been to Spider with it and I was definitely not under biked. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throet Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 12 minutes ago, Chief said: A 120-130 bike is plenty for most of Centex riding. I'm on a 120 and ride Brushy regularly, have also been to Spider with it and I was definitely not under biked. Speaking of downcountry bikes, the new YT entry is looking might sharp and has some intriguing geo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 23 minutes ago, throet said: Speaking of downcountry bikes, the new YT entry is looking might sharp and has some intriguing geo! I was just thinking about this. Seems like a pretty good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 29 minutes ago, throet said: Speaking of downcountry bikes, the new YT entry is looking might sharp and has some intriguing geo! Looks clean (lines and cabling, not lack of dirt.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATXZJ Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 (edited) Think i mentioned this in your other thread but 100-120mm 29" FS is tough to beat in CTX. Id look for closer to 120mm as the suspension is easier to tune because you aren't working with so little shock stroke. Plus it'll give you a little extra cushion for fast chunk and drops etc. Stick with an aluminum frame featuring better components than carbon with cheap stuff that'll wear out in 6 months. Hard to beat for the price plus can be had local. House brand components aren't the best but a good start. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes-trance-29 Killer price on an often overlooked brand/option for CTX. Some local dealers too https://www.treefortbikes.com/Salsa-MY19-Horsethief-SLX-Bike?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplp33322243554813&sc_intid=33322243554813&gclid=CjwKCAjw7e_0BRB7EiwAlH-goJZM7bfBRuV1kj_oboS0IlP86OnrCQ6ckZLbtk9A9q92qKU22QOIsxoCpNQQAvD_BwE Deservedly one of the current "cool kids" for modern short travel 29 progression. https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/tallboy Pushing the limits for weight and travel but great bike for the price. mail order only https://www.commencalusa.com/PBSCCatalog.asp?ActionID=67174912&PBCATID=3717907 Great all rounder https://www.norco.com/bikes/2020/mountain/trail/fluid-fs-aluminum/fluid-fs-1/ Edited April 19, 2020 by ATXZJ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olddbrider Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 On 4/18/2020 at 11:08 AM, quixoft said: Currently on a beginner hardtail with 100mm travel up front and I bottom out frequently on Deception in Brushy Creek. Going to a full suspension and I've chosen to pick up a Guerrilla Gravity bike to replace the hardtail and I'm trying to choose between the Smash(150mm and more all mountain/enduro) and the Trail Pistol(130mm and more XC/trail oriented). The Trail Pistol seems perfect for my main riding area(Brushy Creek) but I do want to start going out to Spider Mountain(never been) and get into more jumping and drops which seem to be more all mountain/enduro. https://ridegg.com/products/trailpistol?option=Ride https://ridegg.com/products/thesmash?option=Ride I'm going with the base model(budget) of whichever one but I do have some room to upgrade one item. If you could only upgrade one, which would you choose? Suspension, brakes, drive, wheels? I am in the process of moving from a 130mm to a 160mm travel bike. For me, it wasn't solely about travel, but also about moving from a bike with slightly outdated geometry to something with "modern" geometry. Since you are trying to choose between 2 new bikes you really don't have the issue of modern vs. dated geometry, so it's really going to boil down to personal preference and what trade-offs you are willing to make. Longer travel is going to be heavier, probably a bit less efficient, but is going to give you the possibility of hitting bigger features without bottoming out or stressing the limits of your suspension. Even though I'm going to a longer travel bike, I rarely felt like I was being held back by my suspension on my old bike. Granted, my travel indicators were maxed out after just about every ride, but I never really felt like I was bottoming out. I love Spider and bought a season pass early on, so I've probably made 15+ trips out there over the past year. If I was only going out there a few times a year, I certainly wouldn't worry about getting a bike that's better suited for that style of riding. As for your question about upgrading, it's hard to answer because the options you mentioned are pretty different, price-wise. Suspension and wheels are pretty costly upgrades ($1000 range), but brakes and drive train components are relatively cheap in comparison. Are you thinking you will upgrade from the manufacturer, or are you thinking you'll do this once you get the bike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Txduc Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 Not knowing what your upgrade budget is it's tough to pick one. Is GG giving you the okay to upgrade by selecting one of the items off of the higher builds or would you be buying the upgrade yourself and replacing? If it's the former then my personal order would be suspension, wheels, drive then brakes. If it's the latter then olddbrider is right while you can find some deals suspension and wheels are going to be expensive. I would purchase, ride then upgrade later. Both of those builds are good. High end suspension and wheels can make a big difference but they are costly and the rider is still the most important part of the equation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quixoft Posted April 20, 2020 Author Share Posted April 20, 2020 2 hours ago, Txduc said: Not knowing what your upgrade budget is it's tough to pick one. Is GG giving you the okay to upgrade by selecting one of the items off of the higher builds or would you be buying the upgrade yourself and replacing? If it's the former then my personal order would be suspension, wheels, drive then brakes. If it's the latter then olddbrider is right while you can find some deals suspension and wheels are going to be expensive. I would purchase, ride then upgrade later. Both of those builds are good. High end suspension and wheels can make a big difference but they are costly and the rider is still the most important part of the equation. GG allows for the upgrades. I went ahead and upgraded the suspension as that seems to be the most bang for your buck. Ordering today! Thank you everyone for the info! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notyal Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 15 minutes ago, quixoft said: GG allows for the upgrades. I went ahead and upgraded the suspension as that seems to be the most bang for your buck. Ordering today! Thank you everyone for the info! Congratulations on the new bike. You gonna let us know which you decided on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quixoft Posted April 20, 2020 Author Share Posted April 20, 2020 10 minutes ago, notyal said: Congratulations on the new bike. You gonna let us know which you decided on? Haha! Sorry. Went with the Guerrilla Gravity Smash. 3-4 weeks of waiting now. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Txduc Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 2 hours ago, quixoft said: GG allows for the upgrades. I went ahead and upgraded the suspension as that seems to be the most bang for your buck. Ordering today! Thank you everyone for the info! Excellent what did you do fork and shock or just one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quixoft Posted April 21, 2020 Author Share Posted April 21, 2020 (edited) 18 minutes ago, Txduc said: Excellent what did you do fork and shock or just one? Both. I looked at the costs of the upgrade if I bought them later and decided adding a few hundred now and going over budget is better than $1500 later to upgrade. Not that I'm actually a good enough rider to push the limits! Edited April 21, 2020 by quixoft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcarneytx Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 On 4/19/2020 at 10:12 AM, throet said: Speaking of downcountry bikes, the new YT entry is looking might sharp and has some intriguing geo! Been waiting for them to reveal. If I didn't have a 2018 YT Jeffsy, I'd like one of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looking for help Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 On 4/21/2020 at 6:12 AM, jcarneytx said: Been waiting for them to reveal. If I didn't have a 2018 YT Jeffsy, I'd like one of these. Question for the group, YT Jeffsy which is more of an all mountain bike with 150mm or the new Izzo which is 130mm of travel and is 2-3 lbs lighter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throet Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 On 5/15/2020 at 6:36 PM, Looking for help said: Question for the group, YT Jeffsy which is more of an all mountain bike with 150mm or the new Izzo which is 130mm of travel and is 2-3 lbs lighter? I'd be taking a very close look at that Izzo if I was in the market for a new everyday bike. The Canyon Neuro and Pivot Trail 429 would probably also be on the short list. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bestbike85 Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 On 5/15/2020 at 6:36 PM, Looking for help said: Question for the group, YT Jeffsy which is more of an all mountain bike with 150mm or the new Izzo which is 130mm of travel and is 2-3 lbs lighter? Izzo and it’s not even close. The lowest end model for 3k is a ridiculous deal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throet Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 Wow the downcountry category is getting downright crowded these days with recent new entrants from Yeti (SB115) and Transition (Spur). Nice to have choices, especially considering how well suited these short-travel rigs are for our Centex terrain. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamsloan Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 (edited) What I find incredible is how we can have short travel rigs capable of hitting above their weight class on chunky downhills while at the same time we have long travel enduro rigs that can darn near keep up with the XC race machines on the techy climbs. You truly can have it all now, so pick your poison (or get both 🙂 ). We live in a great time. edit: But put that Revel Range on my shortlist for my downcountry pick. If I didn't have my Ripmo, their Rascal would be in my garage. Their suspension linkage is great. Edited July 3, 2020 by Teamsloan 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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