Ride report
Disclaimer: I have a few dollars in this bike and my last ride was a 2007 Superlight, so my view is somewhat tainted. I am also a shit wussy rider.
I am now more familiar with the bike, have been playing around with the cockpit and suspension and whilst not exactly where I want them to be its pretty close. I've mostly ridden it at Ourimbah, a track I've ridden heaps.
Climbing: I think it climbs better than my superlight, rocks and obstacles don't bother me as much and I'm encouraged to attack sections that are technically difficult (to me). I've finally conquered a section of track I couldn't clear in one go ever. I notice no wasting of effort on the climbs with the rear shock in firm mode. I have no issue keeping the front end on the ground. For context I was able to climb from the bottom of the enduro track to the top of demtel in one hit, something I've never done before.
Flat twisty stuff: Set a pb on graveyards, a flat twisty pedally section, the bike is way longer than my superlight still I notice no lack of agility at all. The eagle drive train is sweet as for this stuff.
Downs: I can charge techy bits I used to pick my way through and I'm jumping stuff I've always wondered about, the superlight never encouraged jumping but this bike does. I prefer jumps that are like a trail feature as opposed to a jump specific run ala OMV. Took on a jump that went into a berm (I think after magic carpet), the way the bike popped of the jump and landed so settled to rail the berm was a quintessential moment for me.
I'm not completely confident in the front end yet, maybe a 60mm stem (up from 50) and still running tubes so maybe tyre pressures will help there or maybe cojones will grown larger and I'll just stuff er in.
I reckon I could have put myself on a large frame (I'm 5'11) but wanted to keep it nimble, I'm running an offset seat post to keep my knees back from the pedals enough, seems to be working pretty well for me.
Its like an XC bike that wants to charge the downs, I'm 3mins off my best loop of Ourimbah without trying and taking a minute or two breaks to rest / perve. Not sure why there is so little written on this bike that I can find, maybe its not that good compared to the other bikes out there and my reference point (as per above) is low, but I don't care coz I have no intention of riding anything else.
C'mon Rev, where's that frame, I'm sick of waiting !!!
