What bike do I want?

[toast2266]

^^^ Agreed that a Stumpy / Stumpy Evo is a good bet. Between the regular or the Evo, I think it's mostly personal preference. That said, some beginner / intermediate riders might struggle a bit with the Evo on descents. It's more bike, and it's more stable at speed, but that also means it takes a little more effort to muscle it around at slower speeds (and beginner / intermediate riders are generally riding slower). My experience has been that less experienced female riders generally have a better time on more maneuverable bikes rather than more stable bikes. They feel like they can make the bike do what they want it to rather than fighting against the bike's inclination to go fast and straight.

Of course, that all varies from person to person. H(er)MMV

[Dantheman]

We got AC the EVO Comp last year. Still running the stock build except we swapped the 36 Rhythm for a Mezzer. She's a good rider but not super aggressive and never gets air. She's never felt like it's too much bike, up or down. We're about the same height so I rode it a few times and concurred. It has a lot of travel but it's not a sled, I found it to be surprisingly nimble. If you're going to be riding the Pass and JH/Targhee regularly I think the EVO is the call. If nothing else you'll want a reservoir shock for those long descents. I'd only get the regular Stumpy if she'll prioritize uphill performance above all else.

[Andeh]

Couldn't you just run the EVO in the steep position to give it geo more similar to the regular, but get a better fork and shock, with the option to make it slacker at the bike park?

[grskier]

Sweet^


Oh, and we happen to have a few LBS in the area that are Spec dealers with these bikes in stock NOW which does play into this a bit.

This should go at the beginning.
I don't have arguments against any of your assumptions.
I'm sure will chime in with everything that's available that fits your criteria but the evo looks like a great bike...
a great bike that gives me a headache at the number things you can change.

[schuss]

Yep, for the type of rider and terrain out there, Stumpy and Evo are both going to be good choices. Evo will be more capable on the down, regular will be a bit of a better climber. I have a regular stumpy and never feel like I compromised at all, but could have easily gone evo if that was stocked first without blinking. I don't really jump off of things often though, so the extra capability would have been lost on me.

[S.B.]

It's here.

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Are you going to stick with the zeb? I'm excited to try out the zeb on my new bike but it will be a while

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[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Are you going to stick with the zeb? I'm excited to try out the zeb on my new bike but it will be a while

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Low quality living room pic. I plan to at least try the Zeb. It's the Select with the regular RC damper. If anything I will probably swap out for the top of the line damper at some point.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Slightly better pics.

[Boissal]

You rear wheel is painful to look at with that 3mm offset, correct your dish already man!!

[J. Barron DeJong]

You rear wheel is painful to look at with that 3mm offset, correct your dish already man!!

He did already!

But he only eyeballed it, so probably still out 0.5mm. Hack!

[Boissal]

He did already!

But he only eyeballed it, so probably still out 0.5mm. Hack!

Great, I bet the spokes are all wound up now and ready to DETONATE the second the wheels hit the dirt.
UR GUNNA DIE!

(see the other thread for context)

[rideit]

Hey, he’ll be able to make sharper right hand turns than left hand turns!

[schuss]

Hey, he’ll be able to make sharper right hand turns than left hand turns!

Hey, not everyone can be an ambiturner.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

I need all the help I can get. Left hand turns are way better for me on bikes and skis. Never figured out why. #NASCAR

[Marshal Olson]

Are you right handed?
it’s the downhill dominate side of a left turn.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Are you right handed?
it’s the downhill dominate side of a left turn.

Yep.

[nortonwhis]

That is so weird. Im right handed, left footed, and from when i was even just a kid riding a boogie board i could turn right way better. Same goes now for surfing, snowboarding and mountain biking. I've always wondered why. (epic thread drift)

[toast2266]

That is so weird. Im right handed, left footed, and from when i was even just a kid riding a boogie board i could turn right way better. Same goes now for surfing, snowboarding and mountain biking. I've always wondered why. (epic thread drift)

If you're left footed, does that mean you ride left foot back / right foot forward?

I think it's easier to snap out of a turn that's the opposite direction of your rear foot. So left foot back makes right turns easier.

[North]

Left handed, left footed, ride right foot forward. Right turns mo betta ski and bike.

Anyway, I need to replace a bike that melted in a fire. Available (now) bikes that are in budget and in the travel range I'm looking for are Stumpy Evo Comp, GG Smash (build tbd), or AL Spire (XT). Sentinel is more inline with the other two, but Spire is in the running because it can be had at a discount now, and from what I've read it doesn't ride that differently than a Sentinel. Sentinel is riskiest proposition because I'd have to snipe one when they become available.

Bike I'm replacing is a very tired 2017 Patrol. Was happy with that bike, only gripe being it felt a bit short at 6'1" on a size L. Locally I ride Left Hand, White Ranch, and Hall most often (in that order). When snow melts up high I like longer alpine rides. Desert trips a few times per season and a PNW trip every other. I don't nerd out on mtbs like I do on skis. What bike?

[smmokan]

If those are the three bikes you're looking at, then I'd definitely go with the Smash... mostly because it's not a Specialized. And considering the recent devastation and what you've been through, I wouldn't be surprised if GG didn't hook you up a little bit if you let them know what happened. They're awesome people, and having support 30 minutes down the road should play a big factor in a new bike decision.

The Smash is the perfect bike for the FR: I ride all the same trails as you (plus a few more, hit me up in the spring) and know them like the back of my hand. The Smash climbs really well, and is more than capable on all those descents. Plus, you can basically order exactly what you want. If it were a few months ago, I'd gladly let you take one of my demos for a spin.

[tellybele]

Does regular and goofy footed apply to MTB as well? I'm regular on boards and goofy on the MTB. Left or right hand turning is virtually similar on boards and bikes but right turns on skis came easier for me.

[skaredshtles]

If those are the three bikes you're looking at, then I'd definitely go with the Smash... mostly because it's not a Specialized.

QFT

[smartyiak]

This is clearly a question without a "correct" answer, but: deciding btwn Fezzari Shafer and Canyon Grizl. Waiting to see if Grizl will be offered in Rival XPLR AXS for '22. The other nod for the Fezzari is a Zipp upgrade (303's). Pricewise they're pretty comparable (and no LBS brand is even close). Grizl is a bit "lower/longer," as a road guy, I don't think that will bug me too much.

Help me pick...bc I'm in analysis paralysis!

As noted in the gravel post, I'm aware that Fezzari is a terrible name.

[toast2266]

QFT

X3. I say this as the owner of a specialized. The smash is a great bike.

[mmmm...pow!]

Left handed, left footed, ride right foot forward. Right turns mo betta ski and bike.

Anyway, I need to replace a bike that melted in a fire. Available (now) bikes that are in budget and in the travel range I'm looking for are Stumpy Evo Comp, GG Smash (build tbd), or AL Spire (XT). Sentinel is more inline with the other two, but Spire is in the running because it can be had at a discount now, and from what I've read it doesn't ride that differently than a Sentinel. Sentinel is riskiest proposition because I'd have to snipe one when they become available.

Bike I'm replacing is a very tired 2017 Patrol. Was happy with that bike, only gripe being it felt a bit short at 6'1" on a size L. Locally I ride Left Hand, White Ranch, and Hall most often (in that order). When snow melts up high I like longer alpine rides. Desert trips a few times per season and a PNW trip every other. I don't nerd out on mtbs like I do on skis. What bike?

https://www.commencalusa.com/meta-am...21-c2x31920211