Done a lot of searching. 90% of riding will be Houston trails. I enjoy the technical bits as much as the flowy jumps and drops. Will do a few (less than 10) bike park trips a year but I want it to still be capable. I am 240lb
I have a longer travel fork I'll be putting on either of these (150mm fox36 factory)
Current bike is a 2024 Trek Roscoe 9 size m/l (I want size L 480mm reach for the FS)
Ari's customer service has been fantastic when I have contacted them. Same with DVO when I asked about their suspension when I saw it on the Ari.
I want to sit a little more upright and feel part of the bike. Don't want super hunched over. Ari has lower stack which can be offset with higher rise bars.
Bikes I've test ridden: Rode a 2023 sight carbon and it felt nice but was put off by the leverage. Shop had tough time dialing in the suspension for me to even test ride.
Polygon T8 and the steering felt twitchy for some reason.
Marin Riftzone 2: didn't feel special. 485 reach but felt short.
Haro Daley: this bike is booty. Heavy, twitchy steering. Hub engagement was appalling.
Transition Smuggler: can't afford. Felt great though. Similar geo to Ari.
Pivot switchblade: expensive, felt okay.
Salsa Cassidy and Blackthorn: good actually. Peddled well. Sadly don't want super boost rear.
Jeffsey: didn't like the feel. Felt cramped.
Norco would get switched to Shimano slx
Pretty torn on which way to go. I feel like Norco will be suggested purely for tribal mentality reasons but let's see! I've taken the hardtail to spider mountain without issue.
Thanks guys!
by FoxTwoX