$4K Trail Bike

**El Chupacabra** · 04-21-2022, 12:07 PM

That Rossi is a pretty decent deal by today's standards. $3400 for the SLX - microspline 12-speed, 4-piston brakes, good suspension, good tires, nothing really bad on that whole build.

Another $1K for nicer XT bits, a nicer dropper and tires, and a Pik7e Ultimate (rather than Select -- which is totally a fine fork anyway).

Is this basically an aluminum Felt Decree?

NT · 04-21-2022, 12:51 PM

If you end up trying the Fezzari, I can attest that they are straight up on the 30 day no questions asked return. I tried a delano and while it's a great bike I didn't jive with it (think mostly the fit was too big) so I ended up returning it. I even dented a rim and they didn't say anything. Their customer service is outstanding- easy to get someone on the phone and they work with you. So: buy it, demo it for 30 days, then decide? The upgrade frame protection they offer is far from complete ride wrap level but I'd say is worth the extra $.

Alternatively, you could try demos straight from the brands based on the front range, if that's where you are, like Guerilla Gravity, Spot, (who else? Yeti?). I bought a Spot Ryve last year for my wife- they were struggling with delays on a few parts and ended up being super cool with selling it to me in an incomplete state for a reduced price so I could source the missing parts elsewhere. Small brands seem to be pretty flexible like that.

Not sure if they still do it, but Revel does free demos in Carbondale (that's how they hooked me). If you buy from them without a demo they say they do a 30 day return. They're spendy new but quite a few Rangers seem to pop up used. I ended up with a rascal but it was a very difficult choice between it and the ranger. My previous bike was a decade old so I was used to older geometry- Revel bikes seem to be a little conservative on the latest geometry trends and this suited me well.

Also, as others have said, calling around to shops to ask about stock within a tolerable driving radius will sometimes net surprising results.

**adrenalated** · 04-21-2022, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by NT

Alternatively, you could try demos straight from the brands based on the front range, if that's where you are, like Guerilla Gravity, Spot, (who else? Yeti?).

Yeti, Commencal, Alchemy, maybe some others I'm not thinking of?

I know for sure Spot has Mayhem 130s laying about, buddy of mine demoed one recently.

**Danno** · 04-21-2022, 01:51 PM

Yeah, Spot has cheap demos, Commencal doesn't have a bike I want (plus demos are $100), will look at GG, Alchemy, Yeti.

**MakersTeleMark** · 04-21-2022, 07:16 PM

A new jacket, now bike. Are you going to buy some skis next? Baller.

**Danno** · 04-26-2022, 11:57 AM

I got to take a Pivot 429 for a short spin this weekend, although it was a large frame (I'm a medium) and the suspension was set for someone probably 30 lbs heavier than I am. It felt great on the climbs, no adjustment for me, and I rolled over all sorts of rocks that would have concerned me otherwise. I was surprised to feel a little squirrelly on the down, which I attributed to a few things, that I was stretched out more since the frame was too big, the suspension was too firm, and I've grown pretty accustomed to ripping on my old 26er and it will take some adjustment for a slack 29er.

**XXX-er** · 04-26-2022, 12:09 PM

did you toy with danger by leaning out over that front wheel ?

**skaredshtles** · 04-26-2022, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

I got to take a Pivot 429 for a short spin this weekend, although it was a large frame (I'm a medium) and the suspension was set for someone probably 30 lbs heavier than I am. It felt great on the climbs, no adjustment for me, and I rolled over all sorts of rocks that would have concerned me otherwise. I was surprised to feel a little squirrelly on the down, which I attributed to a few things, that I was stretched out more since the frame was too big, the suspension was too firm, and I've grown pretty accustomed to ripping on my old 26er and it will take some adjustment for a slack 29er.

Saw this recently posted from someone that cased a jump out east...

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**El Chupacabra** · 04-26-2022, 12:29 PM

^^^ "I was just riding along, and..."

**VTskibum** · 04-26-2022, 04:34 PM

Danno - was it a 429 SL or trail 429? If the former would make sense for more squirrelly descending. Recent trail 429s should be pretty confident descenders.

That musta been a hell of a case! That looks like it’s a firebird or switchblade.

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**Eluder** · 04-26-2022, 04:39 PM

Light bikes even with dialed geo get bounced off line and can feel squirrely. Being too big shouldn't have made it squirrely.

**Danno** · 04-26-2022, 05:08 PM

It was a Trail 429. And maybe "squirrelly" wasn't the right adjective, I just expected to instantly feel like the bike was a better descender than my 14yo 575, and I didn't. I wasn't super comfortable descending on it.

**joetron** · 04-26-2022, 09:17 PM

Feeling too stretched out with too stiff suspension will feel sketchy on descents. You should try again with suspension set up in the ballpark. Can you take a medium out for at least a parking lot rip to confirm size?

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**skaredshtles** · 04-27-2022, 07:50 AM

Danno - apparently there's a demo day at VBP on May 1st. Just a heads-up.

**Danno** · 04-27-2022, 08:05 AM

Who is running it? I may be skiing but...

**skaredshtles** · 04-27-2022, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by Danno

Who is running it? I may be skiing but...

Looks like it might be going on all weekend: https://www.facebook.com/ValmontBikePark/

**Danno** · 04-27-2022, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by skaredshtles

Looks like it might be going on all weekend: https://www.facebook.com/ValmontBikePark/

No, the Saturday thing is just a bike swap (don't know why it says demo), it's the same organization that runs my kiddo's ski racing. Rocky Mountain on Sunday. Would be cool to throw my leg over one of those, but I'm not going to stay in town just for that. Corn Harvest at LL on Saturday, and either ABasin or MJ on Sunday.

**Danno** · 04-27-2022, 09:54 AM

Thanks for the heads up, though! I appreciate it!

**XXX-er** · 04-27-2022, 10:43 AM

from what i notice the old fuckers write its not that unusual for the modern Geo to feel foreign, you wana lean out over the front wheel with your arms out to the side which is not how you would ride an old 26'er

if you rode solo you might have been going faster than you think, I told shop bro the big wheels didnt feel any different but he said from swapping bikes & riding behind me I was defintley going faster on the bigger wheels

I would also try another brand and definalty try a medium, the 1st modern geo bike I tried was shop bro's Large yeti 5.5 and it definatley felt long, I bought the medium which felt just right

**simple** · 04-27-2022, 10:55 AM

All this will push Danno to be a Strava endurbro soon enough

**adrenalated** · 04-27-2022, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by simple

All this will push Danno to be a Strava endurbro soon enough

We somehow need to convince him that what he REALLY needs is a 160mm bike with a coil shock and a fender, a helmet with a big brim, some kneepads, and a pair of Pit Vipers. And a mustache and calf tattoos.

**skaredshtles** · 04-27-2022, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by adrenalated

We somehow need to convince him that what he REALLY needs is a 160mm bike with a coil shock and a fender, a helmet with a big brim, some kneepads, and a pair of Pit Vipers. And a mustache and calf tattoos.

I'll help.