Nice video, looks like a fun trail network, fast and flowing. I’m considering adding a HT back into the mix and the DV9 seems to fit the bill. Been 20 yrs on FS bikes so I’m hoping I’ll enjoy it and not get too beat up (back issues. lol). I’m 5’9” (shrinking with age, haha), what size you go with?SE Pa trails seem similar to what you are riding. Ibis says M (despite their size chart) but my height says L and where I’m considering buying says the same (L).
Yes, this park is really great with good variety, but nothing truly difficult: mostly green XC trails, of both tight and open varieties, with a couple of blue berm/jump flow trails. Great place to have close by. I am a returning MTBer after 20+ years away from it, so it has been a good place to progress. I’m over 60, so I don’t expect to ever do huge drops or jumps. Anyway, I can somewhat relate to your situation. When I started MTB around Y2k I moved from a fully rigid to a FS (Cannondale SuperV). When I got back in recently, I started with a Santa Cruz Heckler then added a Fezzari Signal Peak, so continuing with the FS theme. I rode a friend’s Santa Cruz Chameleon and that got me interested in a hardtail, esp given the nature of our trails. I will say that every time I start on the DV9 I am reminded pretty quickly that I’m not on a FS. But by the end of the ride I’ve forgotten and the only thing I remember is the good time I just had. I recently went out on the Fezzari and had a really bad day (there is a video here). I think it was just a down day for me, not the bike itself, but 🤷🏻♂️. Regarding getting your back beat up, what I found is my LEGS get beat up. I stand a LOT more on the DV9. That’s not a bad thing, IMO, but I definitely felt it big time after the first couple of rides. My back has been OK, or at least no worse than usual. This ride with Chuck was a killer because I was working to keep up with him (because he’s super fit), but also constantly standing and sitting, whereas he could just pedal over most of the small stuff. Still, I love the DV9. It’s very immediate and involving to ride. I did swap the saddle out for an Ergon SMC Core, which has a bit of “suspension” built in (like a layer of running shoe cushion, and not too clunky-looking or heavy). That did make a difference in chatter when pedaling while seated, though it is no replacement for FS of course. I also swapped to Ibis carbon bars recently, but that was just for fun and they were on sale (and they have the cool screw-in extensions to change width in a heartbeat). I think I feel a difference there, too, but that has nothing to do with hardtail vs FS. I’m toying with trying some Spank Vibrocore wheels, though I’m alternately considering compliant carbon fiber wheels and a lighter cassette to lighten the bike even more. Trade-offs 😆. I haven’t bothered much with upgrades on my other bikes, so the fact I’m putting extra $$ into this bike that should indicate I see a future with it 👍. OK, finally: FWIW regarding size I would have guessed you’d take a M. I’m just under 6’ tall and the size L DV9 seems just right. I toyed for a moment with going XL since I’m on the borderline on Ibis’ chart, but there is a pretty huge size jump into XL. The best thing to do, IMO is make a geo table of bikes you’ve felt really good on and compare to the geo of the M vs L DV9. I did that, and the L is right in line with my Fezzari, and close enough to the Heckler, which are both L. I consider the fit to be perfect.
Hey Mike! Great reply and thank you for it as well as the info!! That’s awesome you got back on and I hope I’m still mashing pedals in my 60’s and beyond. I’m 55 so I’m getting close!! lol. Yeas so I had a bunch of years I was way into mtb, jumping off all kinds of stuff (thanks to seeing the Movie Kranked!) and got into some DH racing as well. I road ride and got hit my a car back in the mid / late 2000’s. Sold all my Freeride and DH bikes but one day after a visit to San Fran and seeing all the bikes.., I got back in and it’s been a train wreck since (I now have 11 bikes, the Ibis would make 12…, mind you, a few are older ones I never sold after buying a new “replacement “. ). I have a buddy I sometimes ride with that went back to HT but he’s much younger and not the knee, shoulder and back issues I have. I think that sounds like a plan on the checking measurements on current bikes. I have 2 FS I switch back n forth on.., an Evil Following (about 7 ya old) and a YT Izzo (about 4 yrs old). I did reach out to Ibis and gave all my details and they recommended the M for sure, given trails here in SE Pa (bout an hr north of Philly) being more technical and tight n twisty vs bomber trails like out west. However, the bike place I reached out to is saying L (N1 Bikes). Guy there says he is my age and same height and he is telling me M would be too cramped and L is def the way to go. Based on the size chart from Ibis I’m should be on a L, M cutoff is like 5’7” so I’m not sure what way to go. Haha. Where did you get ur Ibis from? Just curious, maybe they have a diff opinion. I will def do some comparison on the geo/size charts of my YT to the DV9 as well. Thanks again and keep mashing the pedals and posting videos!! Great to see some rides more like mine (and not 25’ gap jumps and 10’ drops 😂. That shit is def impressive but the only way I’m launching off something like that is by a big mistake in reading the trail and I’m pretty sure it won’t end well. Haha).
@@scottmcsloy9554 Well, I’m no fitting expert, but looking at the chart there are definitely some advantages to the M vs the L, IMO. Much lower stand over, shorter wheelbase (arguably good on your trails, from the sound of it), lower weight. I guess the important thing is the reach and how it compares to your other bikes. I was also on the borderline between sizes, but as mentioned, the XL is just gobs larger than the L and larger than either of my other bikes in all the relevant dimensions. I picked up my DV9 (“NGX” build) from Jenson, and the transaction was flawless except for a badly bent front rotor (packing/shipping damage). I picked up a replacement at an LBS and Jenson cheerfully and quickly reimbursed me for the expense. N+1 bikes is actually arguably local to me (1hr+ drive). I never really considered going there - a 1+ hour drive to look at a bike, which they may not even have had in stock, was just not a thing for me. I’m also pretty introverted/analytical and just prefer to do research, buy, and live with my decision (I also consulted with Steve from Hardtail Party on the selection). I’ll throw out a wild guess that you talked to Will at N+1, who I know has a DV9. He’s pretty active in the MTB community around here and is an Ibis ambassador. Back to sizing, I think anatomy comes into play in these borderline situations. If Will is your height, but has a long upper body, maybe the L fits best. I must admit that’s where a local shop is invaluable, provided they have multiple sizes of the bike you’re interested in that you can ride. I’ve probably owned 20+ bikes in my life (also mostly a roadie), but never a dozen at once 🤣. I have five ATM: the three MTBs and a couple of road bikes (older, beautiful lugged steel Colnago and Serotta, with the latter converted to single-speed). I’ve only ridden the Colnago once in probably 10 years, and the Serotta has gone longer without love. Hard to let go of them, though. Good luck in the search. Def just do a geo comparison and see where that lands you. Let me know how you go…
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Nice video, looks like a fun trail network, fast and flowing. I’m considering adding a HT back into the mix and the DV9 seems to fit the bill. Been 20 yrs on FS bikes so I’m hoping I’ll enjoy it and not get too beat up (back issues. lol). I’m 5’9” (shrinking with age, haha), what size you go with?SE Pa trails seem similar to what you are riding. Ibis says M (despite their size chart) but my height says L and where I’m considering buying says the same (L).
Yes, this park is really great with good variety, but nothing truly difficult: mostly green XC trails, of both tight and open varieties, with a couple of blue berm/jump flow trails. Great place to have close by. I am a returning MTBer after 20+ years away from it, so it has been a good place to progress. I’m over 60, so I don’t expect to ever do huge drops or jumps.
Anyway, I can somewhat relate to your situation. When I started MTB around Y2k I moved from a fully rigid to a FS (Cannondale SuperV). When I got back in recently, I started with a Santa Cruz Heckler then added a Fezzari Signal Peak, so continuing with the FS theme. I rode a friend’s Santa Cruz Chameleon and that got me interested in a hardtail, esp given the nature of our trails.
I will say that every time I start on the DV9 I am reminded pretty quickly that I’m not on a FS. But by the end of the ride I’ve forgotten and the only thing I remember is the good time I just had. I recently went out on the Fezzari and had a really bad day (there is a video here). I think it was just a down day for me, not the bike itself, but 🤷🏻♂️.
Regarding getting your back beat up, what I found is my LEGS get beat up. I stand a LOT more on the DV9. That’s not a bad thing, IMO, but I definitely felt it big time after the first couple of rides. My back has been OK, or at least no worse than usual. This ride with Chuck was a killer because I was working to keep up with him (because he’s super fit), but also constantly standing and sitting, whereas he could just pedal over most of the small stuff. Still, I love the DV9. It’s very immediate and involving to ride.
I did swap the saddle out for an Ergon SMC Core, which has a bit of “suspension” built in (like a layer of running shoe cushion, and not too clunky-looking or heavy). That did make a difference in chatter when pedaling while seated, though it is no replacement for FS of course.
I also swapped to Ibis carbon bars recently, but that was just for fun and they were on sale (and they have the cool screw-in extensions to change width in a heartbeat). I think I feel a difference there, too, but that has nothing to do with hardtail vs FS.
I’m toying with trying some Spank Vibrocore wheels, though I’m alternately considering compliant carbon fiber wheels and a lighter cassette to lighten the bike even more. Trade-offs 😆. I haven’t bothered much with upgrades on my other bikes, so the fact I’m putting extra $$ into this bike that should indicate I see a future with it 👍.
OK, finally: FWIW regarding size I would have guessed you’d take a M. I’m just under 6’ tall and the size L DV9 seems just right. I toyed for a moment with going XL since I’m on the borderline on Ibis’ chart, but there is a pretty huge size jump into XL. The best thing to do, IMO is make a geo table of bikes you’ve felt really good on and compare to the geo of the M vs L DV9. I did that, and the L is right in line with my Fezzari, and close enough to the Heckler, which are both L. I consider the fit to be perfect.
Hey Mike!
Great reply and thank you for it as well as the info!! That’s awesome you got back on and I hope I’m still mashing pedals in my 60’s and beyond. I’m 55 so I’m getting close!! lol.
Yeas so I had a bunch of years I was way into mtb, jumping off all kinds of stuff (thanks to seeing the Movie Kranked!) and got into some DH racing as well. I road ride and got hit my a car back in the mid / late 2000’s. Sold all my Freeride and DH bikes but one day after a visit to San Fran and seeing all the bikes.., I got back in and it’s been a train wreck since (I now have 11 bikes, the Ibis would make 12…, mind you, a few are older ones I never sold after buying a new “replacement “. ). I have a buddy I sometimes ride with that went back to HT but he’s much younger and not the knee, shoulder and back issues I have.
I think that sounds like a plan on the checking measurements on current bikes. I have 2 FS I switch back n forth on.., an Evil Following (about 7 ya old) and a YT Izzo (about 4 yrs old). I did reach out to Ibis and gave all my details and they recommended the M for sure, given trails here in SE Pa (bout an hr north of Philly) being more technical and tight n twisty vs bomber trails like out west. However, the bike place I reached out to is saying L (N1 Bikes). Guy there says he is my age and same height and he is telling me M would be too cramped and L is def the way to go. Based on the size chart from Ibis I’m should be on a L, M cutoff is like 5’7” so I’m not sure what way to go. Haha. Where did you get ur Ibis from? Just curious, maybe they have a diff opinion.
I will def do some comparison on the geo/size charts of my YT to the DV9 as well.
Thanks again and keep mashing the pedals and posting videos!! Great to see some rides more like mine (and not 25’ gap jumps and 10’ drops 😂. That shit is def impressive but the only way I’m launching off something like that is by a big mistake in reading the trail and I’m pretty sure it won’t end well. Haha).
@@scottmcsloy9554 Well, I’m no fitting expert, but looking at the chart there are definitely some advantages to the M vs the L, IMO. Much lower stand over, shorter wheelbase (arguably good on your trails, from the sound of it), lower weight. I guess the important thing is the reach and how it compares to your other bikes. I was also on the borderline between sizes, but as mentioned, the XL is just gobs larger than the L and larger than either of my other bikes in all the relevant dimensions.
I picked up my DV9 (“NGX” build) from Jenson, and the transaction was flawless except for a badly bent front rotor (packing/shipping damage). I picked up a replacement at an LBS and Jenson cheerfully and quickly reimbursed me for the expense. N+1 bikes is actually arguably local to me (1hr+ drive). I never really considered going there - a 1+ hour drive to look at a bike, which they may not even have had in stock, was just not a thing for me. I’m also pretty introverted/analytical and just prefer to do research, buy, and live with my decision (I also consulted with Steve from Hardtail Party on the selection).
I’ll throw out a wild guess that you talked to Will at N+1, who I know has a DV9. He’s pretty active in the MTB community around here and is an Ibis ambassador. Back to sizing, I think anatomy comes into play in these borderline situations. If Will is your height, but has a long upper body, maybe the L fits best. I must admit that’s where a local shop is invaluable, provided they have multiple sizes of the bike you’re interested in that you can ride.
I’ve probably owned 20+ bikes in my life (also mostly a roadie), but never a dozen at once 🤣. I have five ATM: the three MTBs and a couple of road bikes (older, beautiful lugged steel Colnago and Serotta, with the latter converted to single-speed). I’ve only ridden the Colnago once in probably 10 years, and the Serotta has gone longer without love. Hard to let go of them, though.
Good luck in the search. Def just do a geo comparison and see where that lands you. Let me know how you go…