After a less than stellar getting to know/dialling in ride at the Tour of the Fireflies, in which the sliding dropouts did just that (slide around), I decided to shave off the paint on the dropout area and move the sliders all the way to the front. I also slapped on a shorter stem and moved the saddle forward a smidgen. I figured this would unleash the vaunted voodoo handling and ride quality that I had been hoping for.
Today was the real test at PFA, Nursery, etc in Maarat. Real dirt, real mountains. All I can say is.... A+
:) :)
Its a hardtail, but there is nothing hard about the ride. I can spin away rough sections in the saddle, or swoop through choppy fireroads seated! Granted, the excellent WTB saddle has its own merits, but it was never like this on my other hardtails. Before today, I was thinking of a carbon bar and a carbon seatpost to take the edge off. I guess I wont be needing them.
As cherrybomber said, it carves. There is no other word to describe the feel on corners. Its also flickable and responsive. Sure, it will shake you if you slam head on that baby head in the trail, but the handling is so superb you can easily flick the bike around it. Amazing. Ok, so my old stumpjumper HT was also flickable and responsive. But my stumpy was not as compliant. on my Stumpy, on certain stutter bumps and sharp hits, you'll feel the vibrations resonate through the bars to your hands, arms and teeth. I feel I can ride this bike for a whole day.
It climbs. It carves. It absorbs. Overall, its a funtastic ride. Bombing down the trail to the nursery, Mang Boy behind me on his Moment was prompted to say that it was like I was riding a full suspension rig since I was going so fast without minding the bumps. :) :) :)
I love it! :D