Originally Posted by
r3ccOs
Its been a fun year of riding, and I've found myself to definitely favor flowy XC trail, but that may mostly be due to my bike... even with 1x, solid brakes, dropper, wide handlebars and 2.35 x 29 tires, that you just can't do things you can with a midfat or let alone full suspension
I picked up a Dirt Jumper, and its been fun working on my air sense and playing at the pump tracks. I have definitely have found riding pump tracks to be beneficial to maintaining good rhythm, learning to really push through berms and timing for jumps.
My jumping is something I've done since a kid, and its improved as I've spent more time in the saddle... however my wheelie and manual skills are definitely left to be desired, and as I was getting comfortable with roosting, the last time I ended skidding on my elbows lol...
On my buddy's Scott Genius, I am a roosting machine... but I think that's to do with the long wheelbase and being able to really load up the front wheel in a turn... on my short wheelbase 29 hardtail, it just seems to want to pivot and turn.
So, I think this leads me onto looking for a new bike for 2020... but my checklist is pretty simple. I'm a bit strange but I like climbing, and as you spend 2/3's of the time gaining elevation most of the time, I need a bike that can climb. Though I'm not one to just bomb down rock gardens and roots, or clear big tables... I want something that is stable even if I hit bad lines, and a bike that I'm not always feathering the rear brake.
I need something that can give me more confidence with climbing or descending off camber with roots...
I think that a trail bike would give me good practicality and forgiveness, so I can go ride a XC trail, or even shuttle it down moose, but I think I'd rather lean more towards a good FS XC bike than a trail geometry bike.
I'm thinking that a good 120/100 "down country" 29er with good Fox 34 forks, 68.5 deg head angle and 29x2.4/2.5 tires would be pretty much ideal for my style of riding... perfect for flowey XC trails, and good enough to go down technical descents as long as I'm careful with the lines.
Also... I want to improve my manual and wheelie skills... watched all the youtube, and with my DJ as the wheelbase is so short, I find I flip back way waaaay too fast. Anyone here recommend if there are good bike schools or coaches I could ask to give me lessons?
Also, just rode a buddy's new Chromag build... full Chromag fubars, stem, seat, grips (all the bling), X01 drivetrain & crank, Fox factory 36 150 and 27.5 x 2.8... WOW... it doesn't feel like any midfat I've demo'd or road at all... from my bud's Pantera elite (with upgraded bars, stem and brakes), Marlin Pine, to the Honzo... and yes I was obsessed with mid-fats for a while, this Chromag felt just different. This bike felt, even with its insane slack angle, very agile, fast and lively. Maybe its just a combo of these parts, but I think the frame is really something else.