I finally got the tallboy on the 10th August, just in time for my birthday, after ordering it in mid April.
I think I’ve ridden it enough now to give a decent review.
In short, believe the hype. It is a superb bike.
The expense is forgotten about once you are enjoying it, although I do find myself more paranoid about leaving it lying around as I would struggle to afford to replace it.
I’ve had it on long Torridon loops 3 or 4 times, local singletrack and a week in Spain with Ciclo Montana.
I’ve found it really capable on all terrain and really well balanced. I’ve never ridden another bike where I can get into a two wheel drift and both wheels go together and still feel quite controlled.
Fast rocky descents are where it is really ridiculously fast and stable.
The myth about 29ers not being good at techy tight trails is just that, a myth. Look up some of the ciclo vids on youtube to see the switchback trails I had no problem with.
My build is:
Fox 34 float CTD – no need for TALAS, it just seems to work well at 140 everywhere
Reverb
Flow rims on Pro 2/ Superstar Trizoid
RP23
70 mm stem/ Salsa pro moto 17 degree sweep
SLX brakes
Hans Dampf 2.4/Ardent 2.4
1×10 30T ring on SLX cranks, XT shadow Mech
Enve rims would be nice but I’d rather have two holidays instead.
I’ve been a Rockshox fan since forever but this fork is in a different league. I rode a demo LTc with the new Revs. They do the job, but the Fox is miles better.
I’m going to stick some skinnier tyres on for the winter mud.
Bad bits –
the cost obviously
Weird SC sizing. I had to get a large frame, first time ever. TT is perfect but ST could do with being 1.5 inch shorter.
Not as easy to manual/pop off stuff as my old Honzo. But the Honzo is particularly short for a 29er
The bottom link is a bit exposed, although it doesn’t seem to be a problem. It seems to look worse than it is.
Good bits –
Stiffness, lightness, VPP, Grease nipples! (why doesn’t everyone use them?) Adjustable bearings in pivots.
It’s just a really good all rounder.