I'm doing the same... Shimano 11-42 cassette, SRAM shifter and derailleur and it works great. 30T up front gives a true granny option on steep climbs.

Probably too late... but this is a killer deal and they have an XL:
...

There are so many great bikes out there these days... this isn’t really that difficult.

Forget where I saw it, maybe Cambria cycles.

Disadvantage of needing an XL is shops rarely carry them. On the other hand companies always end up with leftover stock in that size (and small). You can find most Santa Cruz models in that size...

I've been buying maxxis 3C Exo tires for around $50 - $65 (max) for the last few years. Shop around a little.

Fuck Specialized...

This. So annoying.

Everything is pretty good / reliable these days. Don’t pay top dollar for the high end, it’s not really worth it.

Agree completely. I took out my old 2000 Rock Hopper hard tail the other day just for kicks (and perspective) and the first thing that stood out to me was how much better disc brakes are. With my...

For the casual rider who isn't putting in enough time to notice the nuances of suspension and really push their bike to its limits, it's tough to beat Giant or Kona in terms of value and they come...