Hi guys! I’m stuck…
I’m 27, into the MTB since 16 but mostly have ridden a cheap old cross country bikes and hanging out with “cool dudes”. Most of the time me and my family was “not rich” so spending more than 100-150$ on a bike was not the option. I’ve always wanted to be a part of the cool MTB community but figured that “you must have some value to fit in”. While being on my first “true MTB”, I’ve spent HELLA TONS OF TIME on the forums, google and other stuff to become a bike-nerd so I’ve could have a conversation with guys on a really good bikes. I was helping them to set up their bikes, fixing it on-trails and they’ve let me borrow their bikes and test em out. Then I’ve become a part of a trail builder’s team, have worked on local bike shop, so theory meets the real world and with time I’ve build my own preferences on bikes and “what I want to ride”.
In 2022 I’ve bought my first “good full sus” that was a 2017 Canyon Strive CF. Great bike with its own personality. I’ve been experimenting with it, thrown the coil, overforked, made it mullet, having fun in general. But the annoying kid inside wants “BIGGER. SLACKER. BURLIER”, so this summer I’ve gone with another Canyon Strive but 2020, full 29. Made it full custom, put a DVO JadeX Coil there, overforked with Zeb 190, it becomes a hella confidence inspiring train and I loved it.
But recently I’ve tested the Santa Cruz 5010 v4cc, and BOY THAT RIG IS SICK! So alive, so cool, so… so well-suited to my riding style. Comparing to it, my Strive felt like a lifted Hillux to WRX STI. The freeride balls won’t growing fast enough so I’m more “wheels on the ground” rider, love some tech stuff and flying nothing more than 6-8 meters long. And the big enduro bike was too much. The 5010 went crazy on local trails, but it tickling me with lack of feeling “I have enough travel remaining”. You know when the trail requires 140-150mm, but you’re overbiked so thinks like “If I’ll make a mistake or somehow will decide to go crazy – the bike will provide some forgiveness and the travel will save me”.
And now I’m confused. On the one hand I’m excited and truly want the Transition Scout or 5010/Bronson, accept my “lack of balls for big stuff” and be happy with what I can do. On the other side, I want to have some big “just in case” that will treat my brain when I’m looking at it like “You own a big cool bike just like a true big boy”
What should I do guys?..
by Ol_Sheve