Comments on: Interbike Outdoor Demo 2009

By: 2009 Gear of the Year - FeedTheHabit.com

2009 Gear of the Year - FeedTheHabit.com — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:24:47 +0000

[...] SRAM has really come up with a killer component spec in the new XX grouppo. While the full meal deal doesn’t come cheap (it costs more than XTR), it is without a doubt the smoothest shifting drivetrain I’ve ever pedaled. Add on top of that the weight savings and simplification of a 2×10 design and there’s no way I could overlook the new SRAM XX this year. Read full review… [...]

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:48:13 +0000

Needlenose Ned… I know… only so much of me to get around. There are a lot of brands that I wasn’t able to get to in my 8-hour stint like Specialized, Kona, Cannondale, GT, Ellsworth, Rocky Mountain and many others. I only had so much time and did my best.

By: ned ryerson

ned ryerson — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:57:45 +0000

Notably lacking: Giant.

By: JD

JD — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:34:00 +0000

east coast – lots of rock (loose baby heads and bigger ledgy stuff at times), not so much rooty – mix of fast flow and tight and technical

I’m a big fan of my 29er HT, but just not 100% on the dualie – think its more of a geometry issue than a wheel size issue though. The Fisher and Specialized FSR are in my price range…..unfortunately tallboy has blown past it!

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:23:56 +0000

Good point on the Small Block Eight tires… very fast rollers, but there’s no way getting around the fact that the Tallboy just felt dialed in all conditions both up and down.

The Rumblefish did descend well, but it wasn’t as nimble heading down as the Tallboy. I felt like I was guiding a battleship. It does power through anything though.

For really rough terrain, I do still like the Mojo. I’m hoping to ride the Roscoe to have a comparison, so I can’t say for sure.

BTW… where do you ride?

By: JD

JD — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:03:13 +0000

Jason -thakns for your comments!

2 things:
do you think most of the difference bet the rumble and Tallboy was really due to their design, or did the smaller fast rolling small block 8′s on the tallboy have a significant effect on what you felt – Small blocks 8s roll like no other and cause a big difference in feel compared to tires that have actual tread.

Second – 575 is awesome – I used to have one. Was great for chunk stuff at speed. Amazing. Tried a RIP – hated it. Angles were steep, BB waaaaaaay too low, and suspension was not active enough for local terrain (climbed great though). I guess I was hoping that 120mm of 29in wheel up front plus a new ABP design would make it descend sweet – still think 575/mojo/roscoe type bike would win in your mind for the way down in chunky stuff?

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:59:54 +0000

Let me be a straight shooter here… the Tallboy and Rumblefish aren’t even in the same league. I thought the Rumblefish was a fun bike, but it was a bit of a pig on the uphill. Yeah, it descended pretty well, but not with the precision and prowess of the Tallboy or other class-leading 29er full suspension bikes (Niner Jet 9, Niner RIP 9 and surprisingly the Kona Hei Hei 29).

I’m hoping to get on a Roscoe, but as far as great trailbikes in the 26er category, the Ibis Mojo stands supreme with many others just a hair behind, like the Yeti 575, Santa Cruz Blur LT, etc.

By: JD

JD — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:02:50 +0000

Thoughts on the Rumblefish vs Tall Boy?

Very curious how you think the Rumblefish compares to a Roscoe or a “AM” 26in bike that sees much a ton of technical climbing and descending. Is the BB too low to be an issue in east coast logs and rocks? I’m sold on 29 HT, just still on the fence for 29er dualies
Thanks!

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:06:55 +0000

The Yeti 575 and ASR 5c are completely different animals. One is born from an XC bike (ASR) and the other is really a trailbike from the get-go. While the 575 can be raced XC (I wouldn’t do it), it’s really more of a durable trailbike. The ASR 5c is really a long-legged XC bike that can climb like a goat and power though the rough stuff… BUT, you definitely have to choose your line wisely on the 5c, whereas the 575 can really power through about anything.

Suspension rates on the 5c are really linear while they are ramped on the 575 for a more plush feel.

The 5c was decked out to the hilt with XT/XTR and a Fox F-Series 32 RLC up front. It’s a great trailbike for those wanting to climb fast and long, but can still pick their way through the rough stuff.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:35:47 +0000

How do you think the new ASR5c compares to the Yeti 575? How was it spec’d?

Thanks for all the info. Keep it coming!