What did you think of the Sb4.5? I was somewhat in the same boat as you and just decided to rebuild my Ripley, but couldn't find a 4.5 to demo.
Second kid finally arrived last Monday (another little boy) and so looking forward to getting on the bike after the family clears out.
The SB4.5 was the most "flickable" 29er I've ridden. On the down hills the frame just disappeared and it was super fast edge to edge. However, I had to choose my line carefully which is not the case on the Hightower 27.5+.
The HT just blasts through and over everything. It was the most interesting bike I tried. I know pj09 races a lot so I can see why the plus bike might not have fit his style.
The Trek felt cheap and unsturdy. The TB3 was the fastest of the bunch but I just wasn't blown away enough to replace my TB1 at this point.
I tried the hightower with the plus wheels and a bronson. I was underwhelmed by the hightower, but really enjoyed the bronson. I would love to see how they would fare on the standard rooty/rocky CT trails as opposed to buff, flowy KT
If sticking with SC, IMO, based on what you've said -
the 5010 is you man.
I'm extremely happy with mine for CT and other various northeast riding.
I caught up briefly with buttahflake after he completed the RAS ride in town yesterday. 45 miles of dirt road, class 4 trail, and other horrors. I've got respect for all those that finished. Well done!
Good to see you, G. Awesome course, I was shredding it for the first 25, and going backwards for the last 20. Under-hydrated from the start, ran out of water, on a day where the dew point was over 70 degrees. Needless to say, I went deep into the pain cave..That's a great event, fundraiser for Rare and Serious diseases. That little fella, Shane, cute as hell. Rock Art keg and good food, brought me back from the depths of hell. Still managed to hold off the KMS and SMS kids, finished 8th. Muddy, sloppy fun times on a bicycle. Good scene over that way, Peru is kind.
Dirty-Road-a-Coaster in Brownsville/Woodstock/Hartland. We did the "beginner" course, 30 miles and 3200ft of dirt, class four and some grassy backyard. I a little bit want to die still. There was some walking up hills involved. It was not pretty, but I finished. Buttah and the rest of that scene are wicked haaaard core.
I also walked a few times yesterday. It's all part of the game. I love the old school, grassroots vibe at these gigs. Reminds me of MTB racing in the late 80's, early 90's. Keep this one on your radar. Best after party going. Hill country NH hippies, know wood fired pie! https://www.bikereg.com/the-dirty-pizza
Took me bit to get over the mind fuck and commit to this one, but riding it confidently now
Nothing like pedaling uphill in your granny gear into a see saw to build confidence haha.
Rode Thunder for the first time this weekend. Awesome, awesome trails. Really great mix of flow and tech, and thankfully the two mixed together on the same trail in many cases. Not a braking bump in sight anywhere, hRdly seems like they get enough traffic too.
Took my first timer friend up and he fell HARD multiple times at the start. Couldn't believe how bad he was slamming. Checked his tires, they were basically rocks. So sketchy and in the wet. Dropped some pressure which made his afternoon a lot betternhaha.
Only got to try the XC ride on the Thunder side this am. Technically still pretty demanding so new dude buddy was struggling. Found a guy with a busted shoulder we helped to patrol and that was the day! Def will have to come back.
"We're in the eye of a shiticane here Julian, and Ricky's a low shit system!" - Jim Lahey, RIP
Nice job grinding out the gravel guys. Maybe I should get out on the CX bike and train for some pizza. Trail running on off days now, but some mellow bike miles might be good.
Picked up 3 1/4" of rain Thursday night through Saturday 9am bob. Trails were damp Sat. evening.
I also walked a few times yesterday. It's all part of the game. I love the old school, grassroots vibe at these gigs. Reminds me of MTB racing in the late 80's, early 90's. Keep this one on your radar. Best after party going. Hill country NH hippies, know wood fired pie! https://www.bikereg.com/the-dirty-pizza
That does look fun, we'll see if I can get my fitness in better order by then. And yes- the vibe is cool, roadies WITHOUT the superiority complex. Lots of 6'2", 150lb dudes, but all super nice and encouraging. I had a lot of fun in spite of a constant feeling of horror and pain.
I must say, the best thing about these events in the UV is the regular sponsorship of McNamara Dairy- their chocolate milk is what gets me through the final miles of these things. Oh my god that shit is good after crushing one's body completely.
We got out for an hour and a half and back to the trucks just before the rain started. We ran into a black bear along the trail but I didn't get my phone out before it was deep in the woods.
Novice Enduro is supposedly coming to Woodstock soon, so I think that may be my destiny. Also rumors of some local lift-served being developed, pm rontele for details. Kidding again, but not about the lift-served... Rontele- come to Ascutney some time.
70 miler today, wondered if I could make Harvard from Melrose, but decided on a U-turn at Littleton Common. That Oak Hill Rd. climb to Harvard will have to wait a spell.
Right on man, I'll be holding down my breakfast as best I can. Pretty bummed I couldn't make the enduro, love racing Killington in July, its always a wet struggle-fest. I'll be back in the area Monday/Tuesday, tomorrow's a quick trip.
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