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hardtails are just a slow, uncomfortably plod i
Nope, but some riders are slow and plod along in the mud? 😉
I've a slack enduro gnarpoon, and a twitchy light XC race bike (29er, spanky wheels, sids, flat bars and bar ends. Tho the bars are wide and there's a dropper on there now).
Both are fun, so long as you're riding it like you stole it.
I ride the HT more in the winter (with the gears off in SS guise). You can have a lot of fun caning a techy descent on a spanky light bike, on the edge of control, keeping up with/catching folk on big bikes.
The light bike, but wide bars + dropper is an interesting combo, it's the mullet of bicycles really, business up front, party in the back.
So, having accused my FF29 of not being fun I took it out for a night ride last night and had a blast on it. I'm even thinking of treating it to a shorter stem and some wider bars now. Make of that what you will. It's all a mystery to me.
nice bike....leg hair is a disgrace though!
Does no one else think hardtails are just a slow, uncomfortably plod in the winter mud?
Interesting comment. After fast dry summer trails riding anything in winter mud can feel like a slow uncomfortable plod. Though I do feel HTs are a bit better than FS in the mud.
I find that a 29er is fun as long as I can stay on top of it and keep the momentum up. Once I start to tire though I find them to be more of a slog than a 26" bike. It could just be in my head, but I've found it to be the case with a few different 29ers.
That would fit with he summer/winter effect. On dry trails I can keep it spinning along, but once I get bogged down in the mud I find it harder to get going again.
Can a racey XC bike be fun?
Of course! What is not to like? 😀 Ditch the slack DH skill compensator and embrace the "more engaging" ride of a XC whippet 😀 You won't have a dull moment on an XC orientated bike and the extra speed in 90% of situations is pretty addictive
Always got on with mine. Did have a 'trail' bike for a while a few years back, and it served a purpose, but I always find myself missing the pure speed. I have a set of DT240/Alpine wheels for my Top Fuel, but prefer how it rides with the Podiums, so always end up using those. They're no worse for it.
Don't know whether it counts, but I've got a twitchy whippety late 90s skinny steel number which was pretty light to start with and has just got lighter and steeper with a couple of light bits, rigid forks and removal shifters and all but 2 sprockets.
It's flipping brilliant. Feels like a big BMX in twisty stuff, but springy enough to still be nice over long distances, feels better the more you push it - Same deal as the scott scale stories at the top of the page - and the same result!
richP, but isnt pivot your sponsor? If it wasnt your sponsor, would the Anthem be built up?
I love my racey xc bike in the summer, but the only real option for the winter mud and slop is a cyclocross bike! the narrow tyres and cut through the mud and add to the fun! also less moving parts, increased difficulty of riding it and mechanical simplicity of cantis is a bonus!
Are there other bikes then?
andypaul99 - MemberrichP, but isnt pivot your sponsor? If it wasnt your sponsor, would the Anthem be built up?
Posted 1 day ago # Report-Post
I think that you may be overestimating the level of sponsorship involved in the Pivot Boompod team... 🙂
I bought the frame at an incentivised price with the expectation that I would use it for races, but with no expectation to use it outside of this. (Gets ready to be corrected by team captain..)
I have acquired replacement components for the Anthem to replace all the stuff that was transferred to the Pivot when that was built up, just have not felt the need to (or got around to) building it up yet.