I just completed my first 100 miles on my 8.5. While it's nothing like my Emonda, it IS a excellent trail bike. The shifting is smooth and precise, the fit is relaxed and the freewheel is silent so there's no obnoxious "clicking" when in the woods. I'd say 2/3 my miles are trail/single track and the remaining 1/3 on pavement.

It's really relaxing to just roll over small potholes, roots and road debris on the DS vs avoiding all those on my road bike.

After completing 400 miles on the road bike this month, I was surprised to check my stats and see I did 100 miles on the DS.

Glad i'm not ignoring it.