The alu bronson is excellent IMHO. Although haven’t yet ridden the carbon version, there is only 1.5lbs of difference in frame weight. OH gets his carbon one this week hopefully so that may be the catalyst for me to sell the alu frame and get a carbon. Initially I didn’t get a carbon because I was worried about breaking it in falls (currently sporting a broken elbow from a crash 12 days ago). Apparently very strong except if specific hits all concentrated in one place. Kinda convinced myself being stupid on that front since my carbon bars stand up to all sorts and not a mark on them.
On the VPP v single pivot, OH has a Five. Night and day between the pedalling efficiency for that versus VPP. would also say the same about giant maestro platform. My previous bike was a giant trance x1, an okay bike with great spec for the money; pedalled well but shit on descents with really steep head angle. On technical climbs didn’t find it as well balanced as the bronson, back wheel would often spin out and front end lifted a lot. I found it impossible to fully weight both wheels at the same time although don’t have this problem at all with the bronson.