My Imperial review.
I finally got mine built up Friday, and was able to get a lot of ride time in this weekend. Saturday was a 4 hour urban ride, as I like to get acquainted with a bike in this setting first. I thought the bike would feel tiny in comparison to my other bikes, but it seemed to be just the right size. The first thing I noticed was that I could actually wheelie, and I did a couple of small manuals, which I have never been able to do before. I did a lot of wheelie drops, which I havent been doing much of, cause I havent had much confidence in that area lately. I didnt have to put much input into the bike (I am used to a Bullit w/ Monster) for any tricks; the total weight is only 36 lbs, so it feels super light to me. I am also surprised the Evil bash guard didnt shatter on a few of the hits it took today. I have bent aluminum bash guards on much lesser hits.
Sunday
Time to hit the dirt. I warmed up with a short trail ride, and then went to my warm-up drop. Its not high, only about 4 feet high to flat, but very fun. I hit it a bunch of times, with nary a problem. Bike felt very predictable.
Next, I crossed the street to a drop park. This little area has 3 nice size drops, all to trannies. The sizes are about 5 ft, 7 ft, 8 ft. The 5 footer went fine; I didnt even think I used any suspension on that one. The 7 footer was interesting I was expecting to hit really hard, but it wasnt bad really. I used up about 4 inches on my Sherman, and for once, I didnt hit my balls on the seat. The 2nd and 3rd attempts were even better. These drops sketch me out on my Bullit, but I was far more comfortable on the Evil.
Now I moved on, because the 8 footer isnt really that big, but it has a sketch take off and landing, plus Im a notorious wuss.
Anyway, did about 3 or so more miles of trails, and was really surprised that I was pretty comfortable, seeing as I am 5 11. But it was doable.
Came to my first skinny log ride. Okay, I need some more work on skinnies. I am usually really good at them, better than most around here actually, but the steering is much quicker on this bike, and I would rather practice on something lower to the ground.
Okay, a few more miles and we hit what we call the creek jumps. These 2 huge jumps over the creek, that are at the end of a slalomy type down hill. Seeing as I have yet to jump this bike, I figured I would hit some smaller stuff first. But, as I got near the jumps, these 2 kids were asking me Arent you the Bike Hell guy?, I said Yes I am. Kid said with a bike like that, you could easily clear the jumps, that was when my wife said He needs to try something smaller first, this is only his second day on the bike.
Well the kids gave me this, "look at the wussy on the fancy bike" look. So I decided to give it a go. I dont want to be labeled a fancy boy.
Needless to say, I was scared out of my mind. I was sitting at the top of this hill thinking am I crazy? So I said to myself, just try a bit@h-run, and feel it out. Well, half way down the hill, I figured what the hell and hit it pretty fast. Did my little Wade Simmons back-n-forth trick and landed perfectly. Went ahead and gave it 2 more runs, with no problems. Still couldnt believe how plush the bike felt.
On down the trail some more, I hit some doubles, and some various other jumps with no problems. Nothing mechanical even happened, besides having to tighten the headset a little.
I have never gotten comfortable on a bike so quickly, and I had quite a few firsts this weekend as well. This is by far, the best bike I have ever ridden. I have finally found something I can do everything on. I will also be doing some DH races on it this year.
The bike is built as follows
White Imperial
Camo Manitou Sherman
Cane Creek headset
FSA bars & stem
ODI Intense lock-on grips
NYC Freeride bar caps
XT rear shift pod
Avid 8 f & r
Avid FR levers
Avid Flack jacket shift & brake cables
Thompson seat post
Sell Italia seat
Profile SS cranks
Evil bash guard
Easton Cully pedals
Ultegra cassette (25t)
Ultegra rear der.
Mavic Dee Max wheels(tubeless)
Michi 2.8 tires f&r
For street Hookworm 2.5 f&r
I finally got mine built up Friday, and was able to get a lot of ride time in this weekend. Saturday was a 4 hour urban ride, as I like to get acquainted with a bike in this setting first. I thought the bike would feel tiny in comparison to my other bikes, but it seemed to be just the right size. The first thing I noticed was that I could actually wheelie, and I did a couple of small manuals, which I have never been able to do before. I did a lot of wheelie drops, which I havent been doing much of, cause I havent had much confidence in that area lately. I didnt have to put much input into the bike (I am used to a Bullit w/ Monster) for any tricks; the total weight is only 36 lbs, so it feels super light to me. I am also surprised the Evil bash guard didnt shatter on a few of the hits it took today. I have bent aluminum bash guards on much lesser hits.
Sunday
Time to hit the dirt. I warmed up with a short trail ride, and then went to my warm-up drop. Its not high, only about 4 feet high to flat, but very fun. I hit it a bunch of times, with nary a problem. Bike felt very predictable.
Next, I crossed the street to a drop park. This little area has 3 nice size drops, all to trannies. The sizes are about 5 ft, 7 ft, 8 ft. The 5 footer went fine; I didnt even think I used any suspension on that one. The 7 footer was interesting I was expecting to hit really hard, but it wasnt bad really. I used up about 4 inches on my Sherman, and for once, I didnt hit my balls on the seat. The 2nd and 3rd attempts were even better. These drops sketch me out on my Bullit, but I was far more comfortable on the Evil.
Now I moved on, because the 8 footer isnt really that big, but it has a sketch take off and landing, plus Im a notorious wuss.
Anyway, did about 3 or so more miles of trails, and was really surprised that I was pretty comfortable, seeing as I am 5 11. But it was doable.
Came to my first skinny log ride. Okay, I need some more work on skinnies. I am usually really good at them, better than most around here actually, but the steering is much quicker on this bike, and I would rather practice on something lower to the ground.
Okay, a few more miles and we hit what we call the creek jumps. These 2 huge jumps over the creek, that are at the end of a slalomy type down hill. Seeing as I have yet to jump this bike, I figured I would hit some smaller stuff first. But, as I got near the jumps, these 2 kids were asking me Arent you the Bike Hell guy?, I said Yes I am. Kid said with a bike like that, you could easily clear the jumps, that was when my wife said He needs to try something smaller first, this is only his second day on the bike.
Well the kids gave me this, "look at the wussy on the fancy bike" look. So I decided to give it a go. I dont want to be labeled a fancy boy.
Needless to say, I was scared out of my mind. I was sitting at the top of this hill thinking am I crazy? So I said to myself, just try a bit@h-run, and feel it out. Well, half way down the hill, I figured what the hell and hit it pretty fast. Did my little Wade Simmons back-n-forth trick and landed perfectly. Went ahead and gave it 2 more runs, with no problems. Still couldnt believe how plush the bike felt.
On down the trail some more, I hit some doubles, and some various other jumps with no problems. Nothing mechanical even happened, besides having to tighten the headset a little.
I have never gotten comfortable on a bike so quickly, and I had quite a few firsts this weekend as well. This is by far, the best bike I have ever ridden. I have finally found something I can do everything on. I will also be doing some DH races on it this year.
The bike is built as follows
White Imperial
Camo Manitou Sherman
Cane Creek headset
FSA bars & stem
ODI Intense lock-on grips
NYC Freeride bar caps
XT rear shift pod
Avid 8 f & r
Avid FR levers
Avid Flack jacket shift & brake cables
Thompson seat post
Sell Italia seat
Profile SS cranks
Evil bash guard
Easton Cully pedals
Ultegra cassette (25t)
Ultegra rear der.
Mavic Dee Max wheels(tubeless)
Michi 2.8 tires f&r
For street Hookworm 2.5 f&r
neaky: 
:devil:
