Originally Posted by
Lawrence08648
My recommendation is try to swing the extra money and buy a 9 speed bike. You'll appreciate the extra gearing to find a more comfortable riding speed and cadence each time.
Very good recommendation. I would suggest this as well but I think the 8sp bike will be plenty for him right now and the option to upgrade down the road is always there. Just a cassette, shifter, and a chain and he will have a 9sp.
Originally Posted by
Zephyr11
The Safire was a cool bike. On paper, it was perfect for what I wanted, and it was on sale too. Riding it was fine as long as both wheels were on the ground, but as soon as I wheelied or jumped the bike, it just felt awkward. This was outside the bike shop too, so it was inches of curb air...God only know what it would have been like with actual jumps. This is despite the fact that I ride a Specialized's women's road bike, so it's not like my proportions don't work with any Specialized WSD bikes. I ended up with an AS-R, so no big loss.
I compromised a little on the travel, but when I sat on that bike, it just felt like an extension of my body, and honestly, I'm happy with the purchase. But I guess the moral of the story is when the bike is perfect, you know as soon as you sit on the bike.
Well the AS-R is no downgrade. Glad you are liking the bike. I sold Yeti for awhile and rode both the AS-R and the 575. They were both nice bikes. I was into only downhill at the time and already had a way to expensive Demo 8 so I wasnt even going to spend for a 303. Thought about it but just could not bring myself to do it.