SB 165 Alternatives/Thoughts?
After being on my '18 Slayer for 4 seasons, I was pretty sure I'd be heading in the 29 direction. I've been riding more and more bike park, I still like to do trail rides buts its all winch n plummet style trails now. As much as I love being out in the woods I don't have a ton of time to ride so its pretty focused on the adrenaline side of things, and progressing to bigger jumps and drops.
I've had some demo time on a couple 29ers including the Specialized Enduro (arguably still one of the most highly regarded of the burly 29ers ready to ride park), and definitely felt the advantages of the larger front wheel especially in steep technical chunk.
Then I rode the sb165 and it blew my mind. I've never felt so connected to a bike, it literally felt like it was made for me. While it didn't steamroll in the same way the as 29" bikes it seemed to just float over tech in a different way, and I've never felt so comfortable in the air, (even compared to the awesome, Mx V10 which I got to ride in Whistler recently ).
As far as I can see there's not much else out there right now in this pretty niche category of small wheeled long/travel park ready bikes. With the exception of the v5 Nomad, and the new Evil Insurgent, is there anything else on people's radar? Anyone been on the the Nomad v5 and the SB 165?
The Yeti is crazy expensive and seems by all accounts to be pretty high maintenance, but its haunting my dreams.
SB 165 Alternatives/Thoughts?
Agree with Toast, but I’m also a big big fan of dat Rail. If you can find one to demo or borrow, I highly recommend givin it a go. Speaking of linkages, that CBF is very very good.