Awesome! Just subscribed. A tallboy is my dream bike, I was going to get a tallboy v4 alloy large frame, as it works for the type of riding I do, but ended up getting a used 2020 Hightower v2 alloy XL frame in June as it’s what was the better price at the time. As I do prefer the tallboy as of demo days, I run my Hightower 130/130 instead of the 140/150 mm travel it should have, as that’s what I prefer. I have quite a few retro mtbs so used to the steeper head angle, my Hightower is set in the high position and gives a 66.5 head angle with the 130 fork and it works for me. Also got a short cockpit, 33mm stem, 800x20 bars, and saddle slammed forward to compensate the bigger frame. It rides great in this set up for me and gives me more confidence on jumps and drops. Nice vid 🔥
What travel bike would you recommend. Currently on a transition spire and usually do millcreek, kentlyn and ourimbah every once in a while. Bike is definitely a pig at millcreek and kentlyn though when I’m at ourimbah, wouldn’t want anything less.
I have two bikes, so this is 130/120 which is perfect for Mill Creek and places like it, and then I have a 170/165 bike for enduro racing and bigger trails. If I had to choose one it would be the big bike.
I loved riding my Norco Fluid on a lot of the easier tame trails... but I still found it hard to gain fitness. So I sold the fluid and got an Eeb ahaha.
I would be tossing up which bike I would ride at Mill Creek. Obviously the sight on paper seems best but it's a 27.5 v's the range (bigger bike) but 29'ers 🤔
I think there is 80% overlap between them, and the rest is build. I preferred the geo of the Optic especially the longer reach, but the shorter travel, lighter weight, and better pedalling of the tallboy is what I was after this time. The Optic suspension with the piggyback shock is in another league when things get rough, but it pedals like arse in comparison. They are both great bikes and you could build a snappier optic or a burlier tallboy depending on what you were after. Hope that helps
@@MTBMcPhee I went the other route and endurofied the Optic 😁 with the Cascade Link, RS Deluxe Coil, Fox 36 at 150 it's a weapon on the downs. With the shock locked it still climbs decent but haven't tried long touring days so that's why I don't bother much. I saw the new tallboy gets really good feedback and was wondering where it stands between them
Yeah I did a 150 fork on my Optic and was tempted on the cascade link for the same reason, but I think my other bike would be a DH bike if I did that. Plenty of people over fork their Tallboys and put piggyback shocks on for the same reason. They are both killer bikes, if I had unlimited money I'd own both 😂
@@ireddie I’m 6-0 (183cm) but I’m all legs. I’ve actually swapped to an XL frame and it is much more comfortable for me. If you’ve been able to try both and you have a preference for the Large then go for it 👍
Last question. What’s more fun for you to ride as long as you’re not going over a crazy Enduro track the tall boy or your Enduro bike? I live in Florida and I’m considering either the tall boy or the high tower.
@@ireddie the Megatower really needs demanding trails to come alive, so the Tallboy is a lot more fun if the trails are more chill. That said, I’d probably get a Hightower if I was only having the one bike.
Love my short travel, more grip and faster than my old hardtail. Too much fun.
Awesome! Just subscribed. A tallboy is my dream bike, I was going to get a tallboy v4 alloy large frame, as it works for the type of riding I do, but ended up getting a used 2020 Hightower v2 alloy XL frame in June as it’s what was the better price at the time. As I do prefer the tallboy as of demo days, I run my Hightower 130/130 instead of the 140/150 mm travel it should have, as that’s what I prefer. I have quite a few retro mtbs so used to the steeper head angle, my Hightower is set in the high position and gives a 66.5 head angle with the 130 fork and it works for me. Also got a short cockpit, 33mm stem, 800x20 bars, and saddle slammed forward to compensate the bigger frame. It rides great in this set up for me and gives me more confidence on jumps and drops. Nice vid 🔥
That sounds like a cool setup for the Hightower, I didn't know you could short stroke them
Nice dude - looks like the perfect bike for Mill Creek. Been there once on the old Mega and it was fine but I can certainly see what you mean
Awesome trails. Wish they were my local network
What travel bike would you recommend. Currently on a transition spire and usually do millcreek, kentlyn and ourimbah every once in a while. Bike is definitely a pig at millcreek and kentlyn though when I’m at ourimbah, wouldn’t want anything less.
I have two bikes, so this is 130/120 which is perfect for Mill Creek and places like it, and then I have a 170/165 bike for enduro racing and bigger trails.
If I had to choose one it would be the big bike.
I loved riding my Norco Fluid on a lot of the easier tame trails... but I still found it hard to gain fitness. So I sold the fluid and got an Eeb ahaha.
Haha that’s a bold move Cotton
@@MTBMcPhee Yup, but I do prefer to ride my regular bike... And you've felt how crappy hot it is up here LOL... EEB makes soo much sense lol
Would be interested to see a video about how you use your e-bike (if you still do)
edit: nevermind I wrote this before I listened to the end.
I never really got into riding it. It’s found a new home
I would be tossing up which bike I would ride at Mill Creek. Obviously the sight on paper seems best but it's a 27.5 v's the range (bigger bike) but 29'ers 🤔
I would not ride either of them 😂
@@MTBMcPhee not anymore 🤣
@@DMMTB I remember trying to ride the Sight with downhill tyres there once and had to rest before the end of methane alley 😂
The torrent goes alright at mill creek. Less travel is more fun there. My range made the whole place feel pretty flat.
@@MikeOnaBike hardtail down turps is sick!
How you would compare this to the Optic ?
I think there is 80% overlap between them, and the rest is build. I preferred the geo of the Optic especially the longer reach, but the shorter travel, lighter weight, and better pedalling of the tallboy is what I was after this time. The Optic suspension with the piggyback shock is in another league when things get rough, but it pedals like arse in comparison. They are both great bikes and you could build a snappier optic or a burlier tallboy depending on what you were after. Hope that helps
@@MTBMcPhee I went the other route and endurofied the Optic 😁 with the Cascade Link, RS Deluxe Coil, Fox 36 at 150 it's a weapon on the downs. With the shock locked it still climbs decent but haven't tried long touring days so that's why I don't bother much. I saw the new tallboy gets really good feedback and was wondering where it stands between them
Yeah I did a 150 fork on my Optic and was tempted on the cascade link for the same reason, but I think my other bike would be a DH bike if I did that. Plenty of people over fork their Tallboys and put piggyback shocks on for the same reason. They are both killer bikes, if I had unlimited money I'd own both 😂
@@MTBMcPhee well that's my case, a great buddy for my DH bike, blends quite well. Just did Finale Ligure again and was awesome
are those gunshots im hearing??
Yes there is a clay target range nearby which gives the trail the name Pump Action 😂
I have a Tallboy and it is my least favorite
You talked about sizing issues. How tall are you? I’m 6-1 I have demoed the XL and the large tall boy. I believe I like the large more.
@@ireddie I’m 6-0 (183cm) but I’m all legs. I’ve actually swapped to an XL frame and it is much more comfortable for me. If you’ve been able to try both and you have a preference for the Large then go for it 👍
Last question. What’s more fun for you to ride as long as you’re not going over a crazy Enduro track the tall boy or your Enduro bike? I live in Florida and I’m considering either the tall boy or the high tower.
@@ireddie the Megatower really needs demanding trails to come alive, so the Tallboy is a lot more fun if the trails are more chill. That said, I’d probably get a Hightower if I was only having the one bike.