So I got my bike yesterday. Putting it together was cake.
Put on wheels... Check
Put on bar... Check
Seat, post, pedals... Check
Pump up wheels... Check
The brakes weren't rubbing much, shifting was ok but needed some finetuning. Total weight was right around 30lbs. The seatpost, stem and bar were not stock though, but comprable to what it came with.
Today I brought it out to a local XC'ish area, China Camp.
Here are my ride impressions:
First off, the geometry was a little more XC than I was used to, being on a DS and DH bike for over two years, but it wasn't totally laidout like my old HT.
On the climb up to the top, I was really supprised at how well it pedals. Now it's not a HT, but better than any other FS bike I've ridden. Sitting or standing, I could crank on it no problem and it got up to speed quite fast. All this and it was still fairly compliant over the bumps. This was also my first time on an air shock, and it seemed quite nice.
The handling was quick but not overly twitchy, and I had no trouble with any of the tight switchbacks.
Once the trail started pointing down, the bike really started to rip. My tires were overinflated so I lost some traction, but the whole bike seemed VERY solid. I didn't notice any flex. The suspension was fairly plush and I never bottomed it. I also did a little hike up a steep-azz hill, lowered the seat, and bombed down pretty fast; almost as goods as on my other more agressive bikes.
Overall, I couldn't be happier with this bike. Oh... there isn't a whole lot of clearance in back for a large tire. Maybe a 2.35 at most. For the $$ though, I have absolutly no regrets.
Here's a few pics for ya...
Oh yeah, and I'm gonna give DW more props than NY has rooftops for this one.
Put on wheels... Check
Put on bar... Check
Seat, post, pedals... Check
Pump up wheels... Check
The brakes weren't rubbing much, shifting was ok but needed some finetuning. Total weight was right around 30lbs. The seatpost, stem and bar were not stock though, but comprable to what it came with.
Today I brought it out to a local XC'ish area, China Camp.
Here are my ride impressions:
First off, the geometry was a little more XC than I was used to, being on a DS and DH bike for over two years, but it wasn't totally laidout like my old HT.
On the climb up to the top, I was really supprised at how well it pedals. Now it's not a HT, but better than any other FS bike I've ridden. Sitting or standing, I could crank on it no problem and it got up to speed quite fast. All this and it was still fairly compliant over the bumps. This was also my first time on an air shock, and it seemed quite nice.
The handling was quick but not overly twitchy, and I had no trouble with any of the tight switchbacks.
Once the trail started pointing down, the bike really started to rip. My tires were overinflated so I lost some traction, but the whole bike seemed VERY solid. I didn't notice any flex. The suspension was fairly plush and I never bottomed it. I also did a little hike up a steep-azz hill, lowered the seat, and bombed down pretty fast; almost as goods as on my other more agressive bikes.
Overall, I couldn't be happier with this bike. Oh... there isn't a whole lot of clearance in back for a large tire. Maybe a 2.35 at most. For the $$ though, I have absolutly no regrets.
Here's a few pics for ya...
Oh yeah, and I'm gonna give DW more props than NY has rooftops for this one.
Whew! For a second there I mis-read the subject and thought you said you just broke your new Hollowpoint 
