Who's excited for this one? I know we've had a TON of first look videos lately. I promise some actual reviews of these products are coming soon, thanks for your patience. I've been fortunate to have a bunch of amazing products sent in for review lately (and more coming soon).I'm cranking out 2-3 vids a week as fast as I can. Many onboard ride reviews are coming... What do you think of this bike? Which color would you order? How would you set it up?
Looking forward to seeing you ride this. I'm loving mine right now, and planning my first bikepacking trip with it. I did build mine with a short offset fork and haven't experienced the twitchy front end on climbs that I've heard others talk about on the 51mm offset forks. Also sometimes it's very nice to be tall and have to not worry about the bottle cage bolts interfering with the dropper post. I'm sure that is frustrating. I have a large frame with a 170 dropper run all the way down. I do run the PNW loam dropper, which has a short insertion depth, so I don't know if that makes a difference or not. Keep up the great videos.
sweet! I and others encouraged Esker to send you one of these in the PB comments section, glad they did! If it had existed at the time, a Japhy would have been my top contender when I was bike shopping last year (snagged a Ti Cotic instead, so no regrets). Love the geo, love that it's steel with good rust protection, love that it's $2k, love that they spec'd it with Deore and a Z2.
Could I just say since I started watching your videos I've learned so much about bike geo, frame material, ride feel, etc. Thank you so much for making such great content.
Esker is making some moves. Their FS bikes with the Orion linkage broke my dang brain. All I'm waiting for is a more value (and green) Rowl in Alu frame.
As you may remember, I have the Esker Hayduke frame that I built up custom. I have 2 wheel sets. My 29er wheels have i35 RaceFace ARC and Maxxis 29x2.6” tires. My 27.5 wheels are WTB i40 rear, i45 front with 27.5x2.8 Teravail tires. Man, I loved this bike and how well everything came together with my build that I bought the Japhy frame when it became available. My Japhy is the “Dusk” color, it’s a deep blue/green with sparkling ✨ gold and silver in it. One of best paint jobs I’ve ever seen. This Esker will be built up as a SS with i35 rims and 29x2.6 Maxxis at first but I may build up i40 hoops and use 29x2.8” tires. I actually have an i40 front wheel now so I just need to build the rear SS wheel. Anyway, thanks Steve! As you said the guys at Esker know how to design bikes. I don’t have as much experience as you with trying different hardtail’s but when Esker sells a really nice steel frame for only $700 I think it’s worth trying. I think my Hayduke was only $600. Plus their frames come with a Wolf Tooth HS. Nice bonus.
Ride4life, are you running your SS with 142 or Boost 148 spacing? I’m very interested in getting the Japhy frame and building it up SS as well by just swapping my RaceFace wheels but they’re 142 rear spacing. I read on the Esker site that you could get different size drop outs. Thanks
@@stevenortiz2915 my SS specific hub wheels are 142 spacing so I ordered that drop outs with my new Japhy frame. That’s one on the things I like about Esker is they give you a choice with the “frame only” option.
@@stevenortiz2915 Esker is a great company and in my opinion, nobody else has the really nice geo, lighter quad butted steel frames that come close to their prices. Plus they’re not heavy duty overbuilt steel frames that many bigger company sell.
Please keep being honest and talk about the things that can be improved with these bikes. Hopefully, the industry listens to you and improves their offerings to the benefit of their customers! Great video - as always. Thanks Steve
I didn’t get my notification of a new video 😖 grrr!!! Another great first look!!! Steve you got so many reviews yet to be aired it’s awesome!! Can’t wait for the next video!!!
We're here for the honest reviews Steve. There's plenty of spinsters here on YT for the opposite. I'm not subbed to those channels, who are mostly sponsored by bike manufacturers or shops. If I want bulldust, I step into my backyard. I don't want it with reviews on my biggest hobby.
I was so excited to hear about this bike on the Bikes or Death podcast the other day that I started researching it, and then a day or two later I see it on your channel.. Super stoked!!! I can’t wait for the ride review! ;)
Agree. If I ever buy a Full Sus bike, it will likely be an Esker Rowl. I had a hayduke in the cart when they released the Japhy, and decided to take a shot on the Japhy. Haven't been disappointed.
Good review and a nice looking bike.... especially for the price. FYI, butting usually is done with a mandrel or a rolling and drawing process which actually strengthens the tube, whereas shaving would actually weaken the tube. I like the critical reviews rather than the 'everything's awesome' reviews from the main stream bike media. Keep it up.
29+ is an awesome size, I got a wheelset for my fattie and i LOVE the adaptability, it's 2 entirely different bikes. my favorite is actually mullet, i go, 26x4.8 up front to mash over the chunk, and that 29x3 in the back is no slouch either it is beefy but fast and tall too, BUT the 26x4.8 in the rear is much easier out here with a hardtail on the gnarly trails, so I have only swapped out once since getting here.
Steve like be your reviews and I ordered one of these the day they were released the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I had been poking around for a new trail bike for a year and so wanted a ti bike but ultimately couldn't afford it. Then this came out. Then I got it. Surprised they sent you the deore build. My Xt build came in at 28 lbs. I can't wait to get rid of that water bottle boss you mentioned also though. Just did a 100 mile ride on it and so comfy
Yeah, I'm excited for this review. It'll be really interesting to see how it compares to the Timberjack. Also, I just saw that Kona revised their alloy Honzo and added sliding dropouts! It could also be a great option...
This was on my short list, but with the lead times on everything I ended up with the Timberjack. Still happy with the choice, but I think once supply catches up with demand this will be on my list again.
@@hardtailparty That's good to know. I actually had different styles/types of riding in mind for each one based on tire clearance and frame materials, but I'll just have to wait for your reviews to find out if my thinking was right!
I'd definitely be interested in this bike, can't wait to hear your review. The day you design a frame please don't forget about the tall riders and include a size XXL with proper stack. So many great reviews coming, but those wheels can't be good for that bike.
interested to see impressions on that z2. looks like a great value fork. SDG dropper is so good. smoothest actuation of any post I've used and zero seat play compared to my OneUp v2. love your reviews!
Esker makes some cool bikes. Totally agree with you on internal rim width. I ride 34mm internal with 2.4-2.6 tires and I think it is perfect. Any bigger and you should have 40mm internal width rim...IMO. As always, another great walk-through. Are you going to review the new Giant Fathom X? I picked up one for my daughter back in January. It came with their new Crest fork. Yeah, I know, she's spoiled. I'm the guy that bought my other daughter the Spesh Fuse last year. \m/ She is joining the MTB team so it looks like it paid off! :-D Hoping to get down to Sedona later this year. That place looks amazing. Cheers!
Was wondering how you felt about 29+. I just built a 29+ so I only have my 1st impressions, but fun fact, you can run 29x3 front and rear too on a Honzo ESD, the thing feels like bottomless grip..... But, very nice to see another brand catering to the 29+ market. Saw my 1st esker in real life last fall, and they seem very nice, had do ask the rider about it cause I had never seen one before, glad you're giving them some love on the channel!
Looks like an interesting bike. Too bad about the dropper post. I wouldn’t want to go back to a shorter post after being able to run a 150-175mm drop. Looking forward to your ride review.
Can't wait, this one looks great. Again, great video and thanks for the education! I can't wait to see all these first looks out on the trail. You must have 20 bikes in storage right about now. Stupid question though... How do you get the rear wheel to spin for so long? As soon as I tighten the axle to the recommended spec, it slows down much faster than this. Is my SLX hub that bad?
I have a large (I am 5'10") Japhy coming in May/June. Really looking forward to your thoughts on its ride attributes. Nice channel as well with lots of nice content. Arron
@@hardtailparty Just curious how tall are you for the medium? At 5'10" kind of fell almost in the middle between the medium and large. Maybe just a ever so slight lean towards the medium but ended up choosing the large.
Always take into account if the rims are hookless. If so, you can get away with a 5mm narrower rim easily. You loose the double direction point for the tire where the hook is thus the tire is a lot more free to expand after the rim.
Planning to buy orbea laufey H-LTD ( blue version ). Since you rode more hardtails than stars in the sky do you think it will be enough for me? I do jumps, rough terrain and fast speeds so I need a good bike but my budget is still not good for a full sus. Can you tell me will that bike be enough?
A steel frame sadly isn't in my budget but the design of the rear seems very interesting to me. Looks a bit like double wishbone suspension in a car. Isn't a steel frame indeed cheaper to make as an aluminum frame? BTW: What do you think of 31,8mm vs 35mm bars?
I really like the way this bike looks - it's not flashy, but it has a nice, well-designed simplicity to it. And that price/spec is amazing...I also like the font of their logo. :P Shame about the dropper, though.
Wow, I just looked at the colors - all of them look great. I think I'd have to go with that blue, though I also like the green and burnt orange as well.
If only they had given it true 29+ clearance! If it doesn't fit a 29x3 on i45 slammed, it's not a 29+ bike. I missed out on the initial order and had a pre-order slot reserved for the second round of frames, until I found out the clearance wasn't near what it was originally stated to be. Killer geometry and price, just needs a little more clearance.
I strongly considered buying one of these to convert to single speed, but the low stack (even taking in to account that their geo numbers are sagged) ultimately led me down a different route. I don't want to run 80 mm of spacers!
I could see this as being a bike I buy, but unsure if that geo as I've yet to ride a bike that slack. Sometimes I ride road to the trails. But the fact it can weight can get to 30lbs(my knees will thank me) & it fits 29+ wheels is legit. Will you at some point be testing it with wider wheelset?
Wow a bike designed for Steve's tastes in this class for the most part . I remember the days many moons ago I would buy a bike from Wallymart . The cheaper bikes were made from steel and the more expensive were the aluminum . Not sure how that works nowadays . Of course they were heavy like tanks.
It might just be the frame I’m looking for , do you think a 27.5 4.0” would also fit ? I’m trying to build an “agressive” hardtail that I can easily convert into a fatbike for winter
I've ridden one before. I even filmed a video of it, but decided not to edit it. It was pretty vanilla for me. Not bad at anything, but it didn't really excited me either or do anything exceptionally well. A nice, vanilla bike with good quality.
It really depends on rim width. With a properly wide rim, I'll go 12-18 psi. Ona narrow rim like this, ineont go lower than 16 for fear of rolling it and burping it.
Hey man, in the last video you talked about how you've been riding singlespeed a lot. Any plans on making a video explaining how to convert, get the right chainline, chain tension, etc?
Same answer. I’m afraid. Old and Outdated My girlfriend has one. The Geo is old. The frame doesn’t even have rear thru bolt, has a mount for a front mech and even a mount for a kick stand. It weighs a ton too. If you’re considering a new bike, I’m sure Steve could point you in a much better direction. If you own a Roscoe, enjoy it and start dreaming about a new bike 🤩🤩
@@rufuswainwright8171 I have one! I agree for the weight, it’s too much.. but why do you think the geo is old? Yes, 67 degrees head angle it’s not so slack but for me that I do not so much tough dh and pedal a lot should be nice, no? Just trying to understand more. Yes, I have a roscoe since august, it is my first mtb and I’m enjoying it a lot: I feel it very comfortable and versatile, I can pedal up and go down everywhere and I like it. I like the position I have on it! For now I keep enjoying it, maybe I will just upgrade the fork because on the 6 it is pretty garbage. And I’ll change the axle and hub too when I will kill the one that I have, I don’t do jumps (because I have no jumps where I live) so for now it’s ok. I just wish opinions and thank you for yours.
Not an educated reply as I have ridden neither one, but I have heard a ton of good feedback on the Scout. Maybe take a look at Ragley, they have Aluminum hardtails with more modern geo
I thought for sure an Occam was going to be my next bike, and I was so relieved to have made up my mind. You have ruined that. This bike looks amazing for that price point and I'm conflicted all over again and I hope you're sorry.
The lighter you make the bike, the more weight your wallet will lose as well. It won't be a $2000 once it weighs 27 lbs. LoL. But, yes, it could be done! My wallet would die of starvation before I got there...
Who's excited for this one?
I know we've had a TON of first look videos lately. I promise some actual reviews of these products are coming soon, thanks for your patience. I've been fortunate to have a bunch of amazing products sent in for review lately (and more coming soon).I'm cranking out 2-3 vids a week as fast as I can. Many onboard ride reviews are coming...
What do you think of this bike? Which color would you order? How would you set it up?
its a great bike, id set it up tubeless with rear inserts and its gonna be ready to shred
Looking forward to seeing you ride this. I'm loving mine right now, and planning my first bikepacking trip with it. I did build mine with a short offset fork and haven't experienced the twitchy front end on climbs that I've heard others talk about on the 51mm offset forks. Also sometimes it's very nice to be tall and have to not worry about the bottle cage bolts interfering with the dropper post. I'm sure that is frustrating. I have a large frame with a 170 dropper run all the way down. I do run the PNW loam dropper, which has a short insertion depth, so I don't know if that makes a difference or not. Keep up the great videos.
Haha I like the first looks better than the reviews
sweet! I and others encouraged Esker to send you one of these in the PB comments section, glad they did! If it had existed at the time, a Japhy would have been my top contender when I was bike shopping last year (snagged a Ti Cotic instead, so no regrets). Love the geo, love that it's steel with good rust protection, love that it's $2k, love that they spec'd it with Deore and a Z2.
Busy man!
Could I just say since I started watching your videos I've learned so much about bike geo, frame material, ride feel, etc. Thank you so much for making such great content.
100% agree. Same here.
YES!! Been waiting for Esker steel reviews!!
It's amazing Steve, every bike you review is sold out! ;)
just wanted to say thank you for uploading such informative vids, your vids helped me a lot when i got my bike
I'm so glad to hear it. I try to add an educational element to all my videos.
Esker is making some moves. Their FS bikes with the Orion linkage broke my dang brain. All I'm waiting for is a more value (and green) Rowl in Alu frame.
As you may remember, I have the Esker Hayduke frame that I built up custom. I have 2 wheel sets. My 29er wheels have i35 RaceFace ARC and Maxxis 29x2.6” tires. My 27.5 wheels are WTB i40 rear, i45 front with 27.5x2.8 Teravail tires. Man, I loved this bike and how well everything came together with my build that I bought the Japhy frame when it became available. My Japhy is the “Dusk” color, it’s a deep blue/green with sparkling ✨ gold and silver in it. One of best paint jobs I’ve ever seen. This Esker will be built up as a SS with i35 rims and 29x2.6 Maxxis at first but I may build up i40 hoops and use 29x2.8” tires. I actually have an i40 front wheel now so I just need to build the rear SS wheel.
Anyway, thanks Steve! As you said the guys at Esker know how to design bikes. I don’t have as much experience as you with trying different hardtail’s but when Esker sells a really nice steel frame for only $700 I think it’s worth trying. I think my Hayduke was only $600. Plus their frames come with a Wolf Tooth HS. Nice bonus.
Ride4life, are you running your SS with 142 or Boost 148 spacing? I’m very interested in getting the Japhy frame and building it up SS as well by just swapping my RaceFace wheels but they’re 142 rear spacing. I read on the Esker site that you could get different size drop outs. Thanks
@@stevenortiz2915 my SS specific hub wheels are 142 spacing so I ordered that drop outs with my new Japhy frame.
That’s one on the things I like about Esker is they give you a choice with the “frame only” option.
@@hardmtnbiker Thanks for your response! Now I’m definitely looking forward to picking up that Japhy!
@@stevenortiz2915 Esker is a great company and in my opinion, nobody else has the really nice geo, lighter quad butted steel frames that come close to their prices. Plus they’re not heavy duty overbuilt steel frames that many bigger company sell.
Please keep being honest and talk about the things that can be improved with these bikes. Hopefully, the industry listens to you and improves their offerings to the benefit of their customers! Great video - as always. Thanks Steve
29+!! I love it. We need more 29+ in the world.
100%
I didn’t get my notification of a new video 😖 grrr!!! Another great first look!!! Steve you got so many reviews yet to be aired it’s awesome!! Can’t wait for the next video!!!
The Z2 is super underrated, tremendous performance for the price
@@gkelley77 The fork was awesome enough to have FOXF buy out Marzocchi
We're here for the honest reviews Steve. There's plenty of spinsters here on YT for the opposite. I'm not subbed to those channels, who are mostly sponsored by bike manufacturers or shops. If I want bulldust, I step into my backyard. I don't want it with reviews on my biggest hobby.
There is some pretty good looking trail hardtails at that price rn which is great, like this, the growler, the big al, the stoic
I was so excited to hear about this bike on the Bikes or Death podcast the other day that I started researching it, and then a day or two later I see it on your channel.. Super stoked!!! I can’t wait for the ride review! ;)
It has pretty similar components and geo to a nukeproof scout (comp). I would love to see you review one of those!
Bought a 16 degree back sweep bar, I love it. Great video as always!
Esker rocks. Ive got a hayduke with 29x2.35s built light as an xc bike. Looking at this for the big brother trail bike!
Agree. If I ever buy a Full Sus bike, it will likely be an Esker Rowl. I had a hayduke in the cart when they released the Japhy, and decided to take a shot on the Japhy. Haven't been disappointed.
The spec on that bike sounds very similar to the Ragley Big Al (1.0). This could be an interesting review!
I can’t wait to see all these reviews!
I always appreciate your brutal honesty. On another note I bet we’re about to get a ton of review videos after all these first looks
Brace yourself. So many reviews coming.
It’s not Titanium, but you’ve got my attention! Can’t wait for the review!
Esker Ti Japhy (and Hayduke) are coming...
Good review and a nice looking bike.... especially for the price. FYI, butting usually is done with a mandrel or a rolling and drawing process which actually strengthens the tube, whereas shaving would actually weaken the tube. I like the critical reviews rather than the 'everything's awesome' reviews from the main stream bike media. Keep it up.
Great review! Esker is on 🔥
I agree about the water bottle bolt critique!
29+ is an awesome size, I got a wheelset for my fattie and i LOVE the adaptability, it's 2 entirely different bikes. my favorite is actually mullet, i go, 26x4.8 up front to mash over the chunk, and that 29x3 in the back is no slouch either it is beefy but fast and tall too, BUT the 26x4.8 in the rear is much easier out here with a hardtail on the gnarly trails, so I have only swapped out once since getting here.
Steve like be your reviews and I ordered one of these the day they were released the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I had been poking around for a new trail bike for a year and so wanted a ti bike but ultimately couldn't afford it. Then this came out. Then I got it. Surprised they sent you the deore build. My Xt build came in at 28 lbs. I can't wait to get rid of that water bottle boss you mentioned also though. Just did a 100 mile ride on it and so comfy
Nice vid as always. Would be nice to see a video where you cover the best value brands on the market.
Yeah, I'm excited for this review. It'll be really interesting to see how it compares to the Timberjack. Also, I just saw that Kona revised their alloy Honzo and added sliding dropouts! It could also be a great option...
Looking forward to the review on these big wheels, should be a trail smasher!
This was on my short list, but with the lead times on everything I ended up with the Timberjack. Still happy with the choice, but I think once supply catches up with demand this will be on my list again.
They ride EXTREMELY different, despite their similar geo appearance.
@@hardtailparty That's good to know. I actually had different styles/types of riding in mind for each one based on tire clearance and frame materials, but I'll just have to wait for your reviews to find out if my thinking was right!
@@hardtailparty I ended up going for a 2021 timberjack as well. How does the riding compare?
I'd definitely be interested in this bike, can't wait to hear your review.
The day you design a frame please don't forget about the tall riders and include a size XXL with proper stack.
So many great reviews coming, but those wheels can't be good for that bike.
interested to see impressions on that z2. looks like a great value fork. SDG dropper is so good. smoothest actuation of any post I've used and zero seat play compared to my OneUp v2. love your reviews!
Esker makes some cool bikes. Totally agree with you on internal rim width. I ride 34mm internal with 2.4-2.6 tires and I think it is perfect. Any bigger and you should have 40mm internal width rim...IMO. As always, another great walk-through. Are you going to review the new Giant Fathom X? I picked up one for my daughter back in January. It came with their new Crest fork. Yeah, I know, she's spoiled. I'm the guy that bought my other daughter the Spesh Fuse last year. \m/ She is joining the MTB team so it looks like it paid off! :-D Hoping to get down to Sedona later this year. That place looks amazing. Cheers!
The giant is on my list, but it's been impossible to get in touch with giant.
Honest, informative....learning from Steve!
Looks great. Great job (as always)!
Was wondering how you felt about 29+. I just built a 29+ so I only have my 1st impressions, but fun fact, you can run 29x3 front and rear too on a Honzo ESD, the thing feels like bottomless grip.....
But, very nice to see another brand catering to the 29+ market. Saw my 1st esker in real life last fall, and they seem very nice, had do ask the rider about it cause I had never seen one before, glad you're giving them some love on the channel!
Wow, a 29x3.0 on an esd would be rad. I assume the dropouts have to be all the way back?
@@hardtailparty yeah, pretty much. Its kinda close, may go down to 2.8 out back, but we’ll see how it rides. I have like 0 time on it so far.
Looks like an interesting bike. Too bad about the dropper post. I wouldn’t want to go back to a shorter post after being able to run a 150-175mm drop. Looking forward to your ride review.
I do like your honesty 👍
Pumped for the ride review!
Can't wait, this one looks great. Again, great video and thanks for the education! I can't wait to see all these first looks out on the trail. You must have 20 bikes in storage right about now. Stupid question though... How do you get the rear wheel to spin for so long? As soon as I tighten the axle to the recommended spec, it slows down much faster than this. Is my SLX hub that bad?
I have a large (I am 5'10") Japhy coming in May/June. Really looking forward to your thoughts on its ride attributes. Nice channel as well with lots of nice content. Arron
Thanks for the kind words.
@@hardtailparty Just curious how tall are you for the medium? At 5'10" kind of fell almost in the middle between the medium and large. Maybe just a ever so slight lean towards the medium but ended up choosing the large.
Always take into account if the rims are hookless.
If so, you can get away with a 5mm narrower rim easily. You loose the double direction point for the tire where the hook is thus the tire is a lot more free to expand after the rim.
Planning to buy orbea laufey H-LTD ( blue version ). Since you rode more hardtails than stars in the sky do you think it will be enough for me? I do jumps, rough terrain and fast speeds so I need a good bike but my budget is still not good for a full sus. Can you tell me will that bike be enough?
Have you ever had comments asking for a review on the planet x, on one hello dave? It's a super radical geometry steel bike
A steel frame sadly isn't in my budget but the design of the rear seems very interesting to me. Looks a bit like double wishbone suspension in a car. Isn't a steel frame indeed cheaper to make as an aluminum frame? BTW: What do you think of 31,8mm vs 35mm bars?
I really like the way this bike looks - it's not flashy, but it has a nice, well-designed simplicity to it. And that price/spec is amazing...I also like the font of their logo. :P Shame about the dropper, though.
Wow, I just looked at the colors - all of them look great. I think I'd have to go with that blue, though I also like the green and burnt orange as well.
I agree. The "less is more" aesthetic of this bike REALLY appeals to me.
This bike looks pretty epic. I'm newer to your channel so I'm curious if you've ever gotten dipped into fatbikes??
If only they had given it true 29+ clearance! If it doesn't fit a 29x3 on i45 slammed, it's not a 29+ bike. I missed out on the initial order and had a pre-order slot reserved for the second round of frames, until I found out the clearance wasn't near what it was originally stated to be. Killer geometry and price, just needs a little more clearance.
I strongly considered buying one of these to convert to single speed, but the low stack (even taking in to account that their geo numbers are sagged) ultimately led me down a different route. I don't want to run 80 mm of spacers!
I could see this as being a bike I buy, but unsure if that geo as I've yet to ride a bike that slack. Sometimes I ride road to the trails. But the fact it can weight can get to 30lbs(my knees will thank me) & it fits 29+ wheels is legit. Will you at some point be testing it with wider wheelset?
Yes
Great video! Are you interested in bike light? I want to send you a sample but don't know how, can you advise?
If there is the possibility you should definitly check out the Stif Squatch ;)
Wow a bike designed for Steve's tastes in this class for the most part . I remember the days many moons ago I would buy a bike from Wallymart . The cheaper bikes were made from steel and the more expensive were the aluminum . Not sure how that works nowadays . Of course they were heavy like tanks.
They were a different type of steel. You can still get budget steel bikes, but they're nothing like these.
Great looking bike.
Hi hardtail party, what do you think about the Canyon stoic? Will you make a review of it?
I'd like to. It all depends on whether they send me one or not.
It might just be the frame I’m looking for , do you think a 27.5 4.0” would also fit ? I’m trying to build an “agressive” hardtail that I can easily convert into a fatbike for winter
No, it definitely wouldn't fit. Take a look at the new rsd sergeant
@@hardtailparty yeah that’s was my first option also , juste waiting on the v4 release
Great video and breakdown. Any chance you can get the Esker Hayduke to test?
I've ridden one before. I even filmed a video of it, but decided not to edit it. It was pretty vanilla for me. Not bad at anything, but it didn't really excited me either or do anything exceptionally well. A nice, vanilla bike with good quality.
Has someone experience with the Nordest Bardino2 frame?
I'd like to do a mullet build with 140mm travel and both 2.6 wide tires.
I just use layers of clear Gorilla tape for a chainstay protector it works out great when it starts wearing outI just peel it off and replace it.
So how does it compare to the 2021 salsa timberjack ?
Will you ever get a chance to review a surly karate monkey? Kinda surprised you haven't yet....
That's up to surly. I haven't been able to get in touch with them.
Any other modern 29+ hard tail Trail Bikes out there?
Not many. Fortunately I'm designing one...
Could u please review saracen mantra elite lsl 2021
Single speed that bad boy and good luck with that 51mm on a 64.5 HA.
Giant fathom review 🙌🏻
Talk to giant, i haven't been able to get ahold of them.
@@NorthernSkiAndCycle if you have a point of contact i can reach out to at giant, I'd be greatly appreciative. I can't get in touch with anyone there.
Hmmm...might be a way to update my stache..
I want to find two old staches, a med and an xl, and cut the tubes up and reweld them into a modern stache... One day...
What tyre pressure will you run on this size tyre?
It really depends on rim width. With a properly wide rim, I'll go 12-18 psi. Ona narrow rim like this, ineont go lower than 16 for fear of rolling it and burping it.
2k for that ? Thats a good deal if u ask me, my alloy gravel bike was more than that.
🔥🔥
I like the fact it can be run as a SS
Hey man, in the last video you talked about how you've been riding singlespeed a lot. Any plans on making a video explaining how to convert, get the right chainline, chain tension, etc?
Maybe. There's a ton of info on the web for those willing to search. It's pretty straightforward.
What do you think about trek roscoe?
Old and outdated. Needs an update desperately!!! Trek have fallen asleep.
@@rufuswainwright8171 I agree on the componets, but I was asking more for the frame geometry
Same answer. I’m afraid. Old and Outdated
My girlfriend has one. The Geo is old. The frame doesn’t even have rear thru bolt, has a mount for a front mech and even a mount for a kick stand. It weighs a ton too. If you’re considering a new bike, I’m sure Steve could point you in a much better direction.
If you own a Roscoe, enjoy it and start dreaming about a new bike 🤩🤩
@@rufuswainwright8171 I have one! I agree for the weight, it’s too much.. but why do you think the geo is old? Yes, 67 degrees head angle it’s not so slack but for me that I do not so much tough dh and pedal a lot should be nice, no? Just trying to understand more.
Yes, I have a roscoe since august, it is my first mtb and I’m enjoying it a lot: I feel it very comfortable and versatile, I can pedal up and go down everywhere and I like it. I like the position I have on it! For now I keep enjoying it, maybe I will just upgrade the fork because on the 6 it is pretty garbage. And I’ll change the axle and hub too when I will kill the one that I have, I don’t do jumps (because I have no jumps where I live) so for now it’s ok. I just wish opinions and thank you for yours.
Has anyone riden or owned a whyte 909 hardtail or nukeproof scout? I’m trying to decide between the two
Not an educated reply as I have ridden neither one, but I have heard a ton of good feedback on the Scout. Maybe take a look at Ragley, they have Aluminum hardtails with more modern geo
I have a Whyte 905 and it bombs. Highly recommend.
I ride a scout and the one bad thing about them is they are not making more of them check it out and my ig @reny_navas
thanks guys
Full deore groupset on a bike in 2021? WOW.
Hey, anybody here have any experience with the entry-level Vitus hardtails under about 1,100
Esker Hardy?
Besides being steel to aluminum
I thought for sure an Occam was going to be my next bike, and I was so relieved to have made up my mind. You have ruined that. This bike looks amazing for that price point and I'm conflicted all over again and I hope you're sorry.
The lighter you make the bike, the more weight your wallet will lose as well. It won't be a $2000 once it weighs 27 lbs. LoL. But, yes, it could be done! My wallet would die of starvation before I got there...
I think I’m selling my gravel bike to get this one