Finally had a test ride of the t130 and g150 today. Both were the works versions (which has spoilt me a bit as it is the S versions I was intending to buy).
Only got to test them at Ashton Court, which is pretty tame, but plenty of swooping singletrack and small rock steps to get an idea of how they handle.
G150 was first. I expected it to handle like a barge and be wallowy in the slow-ish paced single track. But it was incredible. Very planted and confidence inspiring and felt amazing through turns. It was also surprisingly manoeuverable. Pedalling uphill and along flatter bits of trail was ok, although I definitely noticed the weight and draggy tyres. But it was still perfectly acceptable. Felt amazing down the mini downhill bit of the course. It would be an amazing bike for bike park Wales. After that, I was almost loathe to try the t130, as the g150 is in stock now but the t130 not until November. Was so tempted to slap down the money for the g150s there and then. But to satisfy curiosity and to rule one out, I had to try the t130.
So next was t130 works. Firstly sizing, medium felt spot on for my 5’10” height. Definitely wouldn’t want bigger, with either bike. Low bottom bracket-absolutely no problem with pedal strikes, unlike the 905 I had once, which was appalling.
It too was pretty planted and confidence inspiring in corners, all the components felt good too. It pedaled noticibly better than the g150 but not significantly so. The key difference, was a markedly big difference in agility. It was just much more poppy, allowing me to work undulations in the trail and spring out of corners better. It also turned in a more snappy manner, while remaining planted and confident. And that front wheel was much easier to loft into the air.
The whole experience left me very confused. Ultimately I think both bikes will do a great job and cover all the same basics, allowing me to have fun at all the riding I do, which is nothing too gnar! But, both will just excel and suffer slightly in certain ways. The G150 is that bit more stable, confident and fast, and that extends to being in the air or taking a series of rock steps. Yet it remains manoeverable enough to make riding fun, even in the twisty stuff. It also has that extra travel in reserve for any big hits I might very occasionally encounter. The T130 meanwhile has that playfulness and poppy agility that I think will make MOST riding more fun and engaging.
So…on balance I think it’s going to be the t130, although I’m gonna sleep on it. And naturally, it’ll have to be the works version. 😉