Well it's taken a while but finally got this out for a proper ride today. There's been a few minor tweaks from the original spec since the first ride though.
@The Duckmeister got the front wheel built up for me (Nextie Premium 40 - 36mm int. 32 hole onto P321 hub) a while back, and over the weekend I've fitted a V4 front caliper, fixed the previously too-short front brake line, re-lubed the front caliper and brake master seals, fitted a set of Slik Graphics "Real stealth" decals to the fork, and swapped a 2.5" Aggressor on the back.
Anyway so today myself and a couple of mates went to You Yangs (stockyard side) and rode some of the "
black diamond" and blue trails. First run (Cressy) I was still feeling things out, I felt a little awkward in corners (I was being too upright/hesitant in truthfulness) but the bike coped well in the rocks (a lot better than I expected to be honest). 2nd run was a longer run (Junction Track) - naturally it ate up the flow section at the start (starting from the top of the hill) then about a third of the way down the black section something just clicked for me and I was suddenly just 'in the zone'. Bike felt confident and compliant, predictable (enough) through rocks and I really started to get off the brakes and let it go a bit more. Third track (Lactic Acid) was steeper and bermy and an absolute blast. Then a repeat of the opener (Cressy) which was a whole different feeling now the confidence was there. Followed a mate down on an SB5, and while he wasn't giving it 100% I was able to hold even with him even through the rocks without really having to push.
Probably the biggest surprise for me though is how nicely the bike jumps. Obviously it's pretty light - so it's easy to get airborne, but it's also noticeable that the frame has enough spring in it to be able to be pre-loaded a touch to help it pop evenly with the front, and doesn't bounce the back-wheel when returning to earth. In some respects it feels more like jumping a really short-travel dually rather than a
hardtail.
Only thing I stuffed in the whole build is I've cut the steerer a bit short (CoTFW). On paper I'd compensated for it with the stack height when deciding on geometry, and left the steerer about 10mm longer than I expected to need even still , but something about the higher BB makes me want the bars a fraction higher to feel balanced. The bars are maxed out on the steerer as-is now though, so I might have to admit defeat and swap the CSU at some stage. It's definitely rideable in the meantime (and still damn good fun) though, so it's not a "must-do" just a want.
Didn't really get around to any action shots, but it was a good day out and I was pleased to find the frame performed well above my expectations on steeper and rockier trails than I expected it to cooperate with. I'm a happy man.
PS: The shift ramps in both-directions on Shimano 12 speed are sex. Love how it doesn't "slap" when changing to a harder gear. Microspline might shit people to tears, but I'll credit Shimano for doing a bloody good job of designing what was a long time coming.
