jdcowboy

I am starting to look for a new mtb in the $5-6K range. I want a 29er that I can use for general riding and some XC racing. I like to do the endurance racing, like some of the Epic rides and other 50 mile races. I want to climb quickly and don't jump or pretend I'm a downhill racer because I'm not. I have a 2013 Trek SuperFly 100 that I like but its wearing out and I'm ready for some new geometry, etc. I want a SRAM Eagle drivetrain. Suggestions from personal experience would be helpful. Thanks.

qclabrat

seems like the new slack XC bikes out now are right up your alley
Have you checked out the SC Blur, Intense Sniper and new Pivot Mach 4? These come to mind at the moment but sure there's more, the Trail geo is moving towards to XC travel which continues to blur the segments. I'm wonder if the market when ever go back to steep front ends?

jdcowboy

Thanks. Intense Sniper is a good buy with good specs!

Ryder1

I'm sure it'll happen just as soon as trail riders give up their dropper posts and wide bars.

qclabrat

Also check out the Sniper Trail model the non-Trail Foundation builds come with a Fox 32 fork which may feel noodly to you if you ride hard or a heavier rider. Trail model comes standard with a Fox 34 and 20mm more travel. I was about to pull the trigger on the non-Trail (I'm about 160lbs and not an aggressive rider) when a Pivot fell on my lap and was more of what I wanted. I already have other slacker longer travel bikes so was looking for that "twitchy" feel that bike companies are trying to sell that they are terrible. Find out for yourself and get to one of their demo days.

qclabrat

haha, at the end of every year I'm just trying to guess next year's push by the mtb manufacturers.
When you think there's nothing else they can squeeze out they find something to poop out.
Remember Trek's "announcement" earlier this year? ouch a revolutionary helmet.... lol

see you have a new Evil, did you upgrade from another Evil?

prj71

https://spotbrand.com/collections/mo...16399285714978

https://spotbrand.com/collections/mo...ts/ryve-115-29

Best climbing suspension on the market.

qclabrat

Have you ridden the bike? The Living Link concept is interesting and makes sense to not have an additional pivot but still behave as another linkage
Since the Rollik came out a few years back, I got to say I've never seen one in person where I ride. Looks like they expanded the model range quite a bit since the Rollik.
Spot made solid steel frames, nice to see the Rocker is still around after all these years.

prj71

No I have not ridden it. But it gets rave reviews about it's ability to climb because of the suspension design.

Do a google search on the Spot Mayhem which uses the same suspension design. The Spot Mayhem will be my next full suspension bike.

Kapusta

...and short stems.

qclabrat

I hear long stems are making a come back, some are move back to 70-80mm stems to help keep the front planted better
lol, I remember when 70 was considered near slammed.

Out of the 3, I think droppers or some way to drop the seat will stick around the longest.
My personal favorite are the wider bars, I can't see going back to below 700mm, I have 740 on a XC bike so I don't get tossed bya tree gate, but normally I'm on 780-800s.

Ryder1

No, it's my first foray into Evil. I moved parts from a 2016 Pivot 429T which I'd become unhappy with, mainly for fit/size reasons. Love the Evil.

Ryder1

Agree, narrower bars now feel so...awkward. Getting used to wide bars takes 1-2 rides, then you're converted. Tried 810mm last night - too wide, but like 800 or just shy is great. I'm 6'2".

qclabrat

for the Pivot was it the short reach and high seat tube which bothered you?
I have a 2018 SL and decided on a Large despite Pivot telling me I was medium. My friend rides a medium Trail and it felt cramp even with a 90mm stem.
I've been on IR for a few weeks but should be cleared by late August to ride again, if the Pivot doesn't workout, I'm going to consider an Intense or SC.

Ryder1

I wrote a long response. Apparently it didn't display.

Short version: 429T has a slack seat tube angle and short reach. Then I bought Catalyst Pedals which made the 429T feel ever smaller than it is. Had to move to a longer bike. Evil has 1.8" longer Reach, and14mm shorter stays. So it got the nod.

Interestingly, switching to platform pedals has changed my focus. I previously wanted to ride as fast as possible, with "tech ability" a secondary. priority But now I'm simply not motivated to churn any faster than a moderate pace, instead seeking to simply cross the land by bike, as if surfing; taking it as it comes and shaping myself to it.

"It's a way of looking at that wave and saying, 'hey bud, let's party.'" - Jeff Spicoli`

Good time to be buying. As long as the bike fits well and suits your purpose, I'm sure you'll be happy.

I will add that my Evil has demystified dw-link/VPP bikes for me. I think my Evil climbs better than the 429T, despite what I had expected. Pivot's have more "throttle response" but are hardly faster.