I bought a 160mm enduro in 2019 which has linear leverage curve and a meh linkage design and by now I run 25% sag with max tokens in my shock and still bottom out from time to time. Was running a trek remedy recently and it felt way more supportive even with 10mm less travel. Well thought out design really is worth a ton.
I think you nailed it. The hightower to me felt squirly and the sentinel felt solid but not heavy. The sentinel really surprised me and I want to buy a E-Spire if they ever make one.
Good stuff. 👍 Still loving my OG HT for the mild midwest stuff around me. Too much bike a lot of the time, but we always aim for the gnarliest lines to make the most of our backyard. 🤘 Extra travel is always a plus for sloppy mistakes that could be OTB in an XC rig.
I bought a new sentinel back in November. Due to northeast weather I haven’t ridden it that much to get used to it. So far I can tell it turns great. Like you said, position over the bars... feels great. Keep up the great work 🔥
If I mute the video and just observe the trails that are being traversed, I've come to the realization that I've been on similar trails, at similar speeds with a cheapo wally-world bike. There is no doubt that my 80mm Suntour fork was sub-optimal, but I honestly believe that could have hit the same trails with a rigid fork. Honestly, my biggest limitation was the rim brakes that would be screwed up at the end of the day after I tweaked the rim.
Rich - since you’ve rode both. What’s your take for an ex bike shop worker turned middle age dad 🥴? Man - I’ve the rode Sentinel couple of times and was just totally impressed. But part of me feels like a poser haha. I live down in CHS, I ride Pisgah throughout the year. But F.A.T.S is my closest decent trail system. But we are planning a move to out west in a year or two once I’m done with military. What’s your thoughts? Transition vs Santa Cruz Transition just has so much soul as a company 👍🏻
As your already robust skill set continues to grow, the Cascade link for the Sentinel will crank it up even more. A buddy here in my area added the Cascade and took his Sentinel to 170F/165R. The geometry feels so nice and keeps the pedaling efficiency that I hear the Spire is lacking. I enjoy your content immensely 🤙🏼
Is that the v1 or V2 sentinel he's got? I just got one and have been wondering if the cascade link is right for me in the future, but I heard transition largely made the link irrelevant on the V2 model by making the curve more progressive than the v1. But that's just what ive heard.
@@theGiver3 here is his post about it: Sentinel! Spire! Stumpy Evo! What to do? I was thinking about selling my Sentinel to buy a Spire or Stumpjumper Evo, but with the Spire I felt like the wheelbase was too long and the bike was going to be heavy for living in Charlotte and I can’t get a Stumpy. I have loved my Sentinel, super playful for a 160/150 29er. But I felt like at really high speed or big hits I was pushing the bike to its limit. So I decided to go out on a limb and get a Cascade Link 165mm and put a 170mm fork on and give that a try. My fear was the bike was not going to pedal as well and I was going to lose the playful input that I love so much about all the Transition bikes. Well 💯 not the case, I went from 33 percent sag on the shock to 28. The bike is way more planted and the bike feels even more playful. I’m blown away about this setup and it’s the first bike I have been on that I think compares to the new Stumpy Evo. If you have a V2 Sentinel you may want to check this setup out. Super stoked about my decision and I think this set up is really good for a workhorse bike that can be good in CLT and also be pushed hard at the bike parks.
@@robbiepage13 Damn that makes it just that much harder for me to pick Spire vs Sentinel because I'd have no upgrade money and could get a Zeb and super deluxe ultimate on the GX Spire available right now, and I know I don't "need" an enduro bike for here, but I need the travel for my body, I just want maximum magic carpet and safety to protect my spinal disc bulge for when I do want to send it down the hill or even just average trails. But yeah then I hear about how massive it is and that the Sentinel is more manageable and easier to pedal. Does the 1259 wheelbase really feel that noticeable over 1233? Just doesn't seem the biggest difference. I just don't have the funds or interest in buying another fork or a ~$360 link even if it feels amazing. Do you think I'll suffer on the Spire's size or that it'd be worth it in my case for max travel without needing upgrades? I wish I could try a Spire vs your friends Sentinel but Transition bikes don't exist in stores here! I just gotta pick one and order it blind
Hi! Tuning in from southern Oregon here and I was excited to see some of my old riding spots in your video from when I grew up in Tennessee 10 years ago. I used to ride up at Raccoon on Chunky with my friends and hit all those steep rock rolls and drops. My family still lives there and I go back occasionally and always love to get back out to my old stomping grounds except on newer and better bikes!
I love that you recognized Chunky from the shots here! That's pretty freaking cool. It's a great spot to get bikes set-up and dialed in. Next time you come back you'll have to check out the new bike park we are building on Signal. It's mega!
Travel may not matter, but the stroke of the shock does. The new 2022 Bronson and the Megatower have a similar stroke to the Sentinel than the Hightower. The 185/210 shocks vs the 205/230 shock is quite a different shock. The Ibis Ripmo, being a 210, is similar to the Hightower. In my opinion, the industry should put as much emphasis on stroke as they do travel.
Thanks for the vid. I currently ride an HT LT, and have been looking at the Transition Sentinel. Your video helped me decide to make the change. Thanks, and keep the content coming!
I had a V1 Sentinel and currently own a Stumpy Evo. The Stumpy Evo has more travel (170mm front 150mm rear) and the V1 Sentinel had 160mm front and 140mm rear. While the Stumpy Evo is still a great bike for plowing and smashing, it has a more "lively" feel than the Sentinel did, and the Sentinel felt more like a mini-downhill bike. The Stumpy seems more well-rounded and is great as a "one bike does it all" bike, but I do miss the Sentinel's ability to just plow and smash everything in its path with no trouble.
I've been riding a V1 Sentinel with a Cascade Link for 2 years and recently bought a carbon 2023 Spire for sillier days. The Sentinel feels far more capable than the freeride bikes from 10-15 years ago with far less travel. It makes me excited to see how the Spire will compare to it this weekend. FWIW, the Sentinel is aluminum.
Sure man when you ride perfectly and know the trails, you could in theory pretty much use a rigid bike on a lot of trails that others use downhill bikes on. It's when you get tilted mid-turn of a drop and land in a wet rock-garden all messed up that you realise that travel do matter. Currently riding both a 130mm, 160/170mm and a DH rig and they all have their uses. At times i'm way faster on the 130mm, but when riding gets sketchy and lines get messy I always feel blessed by the extra travel on my enduro. Or the burliness of the DH Bike.
Currently run a 2017 Trek Slash frame with a 150mm coil rear and 170mm fork. A mate of mine has just brought the alloy GX mod Sentinel. Would probably go for a sentinel carbon frame with the same DVO Jade X shock I currently run if I ever upgrade. Another guy I know who’s a really aggressive rider runs the Santa Cruz Hightower. Nice ride also.
Well, I like HT with Cascade and now,210x55mm fox rear and with 170mm fox 38. Fox 38 slackened a little bit more from the Lyrik 160, I had previous, and with the cascade, the pedaling and progression is awesome, even compared to my Trek Top Fuel, the pedaling is nearly identical. No problems climbing and downhill is a hoot. This coming from someone that lives in SW Colorado. I understand, everyone likes to try something new, look forward to the updates. Keep up the good work, but VPP is where it's at. Check out the Megatower
Good one Rich...I’ll just be over here on my Revel Rascal (Fox36/FloatDPX) rippin’ the mid travel at 140/130. Thanks for more relevant content...keep it up!!! 🤙🤙🤙
Thanks, John! That Rascal is the bike I don't need, but the one I really want! If space and money weren't an issue, I'd be on the hunt for that purple frame. Hope to get a chance to ride that new Rail 29 in the near future too.
Does the Sentinel bunny hop pretty easily or is it a ground hugger. Curious, I have a RM Altitude currently and love it. Similar to the Ripmo but a little more plush
The Sentinel stock has significantly lower progression in leverage ratio than the HT with the Cascade link. So really the only difference is the Sentinel is slightly longer and slacker in the front. Maybe has a different shock tune that causes it to feel different? You could also get an angle headset for the HT to make it slacker. Doesn't seem like a good reason to switch bikes, unless the HT just felt too small for you sizing wise.
According to my discussions with Cascade Components, the LT link only brings it closer to the Sentinel's stock 24% progression. It's much less progressive in an apples to apples comparison. What numbers are you working off of? Also, only slightly slacker? The HTv2, even fully modified, is almost a degree and a half steeper. That's not even remotely subtle.
@@SemiSendy I'm looking at Linkage Design graphs as well as graphs shown by Cascade Components themselves. They seem to agree for HT stock progression (also around the 24% range, pretty close to the Sentinel), and if Cascade's own numbers on their graph for their HT LT link is true, the HT with LT link should have over 30% progression. Both bikes have basically straight line progression so the shape of the progression curve is not really a factor. I'm guessing your new shock on the Sentinel is probably having the most significant effect of making that bike feel different from a the perspective of taking bigger hits. The Slack'R headset could give the HT 63deg head angle :) No matter what you do though, the HT Reach is smaller than the Sentinel, hence my sizing comment.
I'll test out the cascade link sometime down the road for sure. I'm happy with the performance stock, but I'm a fan of what they are doing at Cascade. I already tried out the Zeb at 170, which I really didn't care for. Slowed the steering down too much for my liking. Felt too much wheel flop on the climbs as well. I've still got the air shaft to swap it back. I might do that one day down the line after I've been fully adapted to the bike for a while to see if I feel differently about it. The Zeb at 160 has been awesome though. It's crazy what the sentinel can handle at 150/160. I haven't touched my DH bike since I built it up.
@@SemiSendy I have the older sentinel and just bought the new frame to swamp overc parts! I have ridden my old sent win 140 travel with the biggest volume spacer possible. Loved it. I like a little more travel up front so a 170 is next years purchase and maybe the cascade link. My e bike is 180/165 and it’s like a monster truck on Dh trails! Happy riding! Keep up good informatived videos!
@@worldstallestmidget Hey I'm interested in a new Sentinel or Spire as well, did you get the Cascade yet? My biggest question is if I can't afford a fork upgrade but get a cascade, will the Sentinel feel weird being 160/165? Oh snap, I just read that the cascade won't work with the stock 205mm x 62.5mm shock on alloy frames :\
I have a GT Fury 2017 with 210mm of travel and a Giant Faith 0 with 180mm of travel. Same shock rockshox vivid r2c and same spring rate only with different travel. I have always bottomed out the GT Fury but never did i bottom out the 7 years older Faith 0.
Really love all your videos! I live in the northeast and love watching east coast riding. Lol random question but what are the those tan pants you were wearing in this video ?
Production value is off the charts. No wonder your channel has progressed so quickly dude! Puts our videos to shame. 😅 Keep up the great work. Hope to bump into you again sometime and we can ride something together. 😁👍
I gotta say... your video quality is consistently so good. You definitely know what you're doing here. You deserve more followers for sure and I feel like this could be your year to break through the algorithm. Looking forward to seeing you at Jarrod's place one day!
Just picked up a 2020 HT and it’s pretty good. I don’t have a big reference other than the Polygon T8. From the video, aside from the DH, you seem quicker o. The HT. Maybe it’s familiarity but you flowed better on it vs the other bike. Nice work in the video.
After researching about trail and enduro bikes for months and comparing and contrasting everything between every brand and model, i narrowed it down to transition and finally was able to order a sentinel alloy gx after waiting for a few months. I’m super happy with my purchase and i feel as if it’s the perfect sweet spot in a trail / enduro bike. After watching your video, i feel even more sure of my choice!
@@LastAphelion Not much other than getting a slightly higher rise bar, chain guide and bash guard, a fork fender, and upgrading to a coil shock. The bike feels amazing otherwise, and the float x is actually a really good shock, i just want to upgrade to a coil because the float x has trouble softening high speed chatter and braking bumps, but it does everything else pretty well, along with being poppy, supportive, and nicely adjustable.
@@Yedmike31 I'm always surprised when people respond to me digging up their comments lol thanks. I still can't decide on Sentinel or Spire. Sentinel is all I technically need and there's a GX in stock now, but I've got a bad spinal disc and I still want to send it without fear so I was thinking Spire for more cushion and safety and I can get a GX Spire for 100 less than the sentinel with Zeb Ultimate and SD Ult. shock. Do you think that'd be a softer ride and better for me?
@@LastAphelion I was also deciding between the sentinel and spire, and took the build kit and price into consideration too, but i chose the sentinel because of a few key reasons. The sentinel is already pretty long, and I didn’t want to get an even longer bike, especially as my only bike, the spire has a longer chainstay and wheelbase and it wouldn’t suit tight tech or flow as well as the sentinel. Also, the sentinel climbs better because of it’s lower weight, less travel, and shorter rear end. The only thing the spire has going for itself in the climbing department that’s better than the sentinel is a slightly steeper seat tube angle. Even in the high flip chip mode, its still slacker and longer and lower than the sentinel. Also, the spire just weighs more, especially if you go aluminum. On top of that, i never really got along well with the rockshod sd ultimate shock, and I’ve read many reviews of people saying that they could never get it to feel right. On the other hand, with the sentinel you’re getting a nicer shock, and more adjustability with the 36 PE. Yeah sure, if you add up the price of everything on both bikes and look at the build kits, the spire might seem like a better deal, but the sentinel is just a better bike for most riding scenarios unless ur just absolutely flying down the biggest terrain and huge jumps most of the time, that’s where the spire has the edge of course. On top of it all, the most important thing is, the sentinel is in stock right now on their website, which is a pretty rare sighting, you could be riding within a week if you order that bike.. and you get the TRP DHR EVO brakes with those meaty 2.3mm thick rotors with the black powder color. Get the sentinel, you’ll love it, and you won’t regret it!
I ride a 180/170.... I dunno whether to call it enduro, trail, or park bike, haha!. But lots of park (N*) , shuttle and even trail riding. Travel matters fo sho, but like you mention how the bike fits your riding style and terrain is the primary consideration rather than pure squishy numbers.
Nice video. Where are those trails? Love the rocks, slabs and chunk mixed with flow, I groove on that. UPDATE: I wrote above seeing only the first few riding clips. Looks like lots of diff trails?
I have a trail hardtail that absolutely kills my local trails and can eat a bike park day if needed. The next bike is going to be a long travel trail/enduro bike focused towards bike parks and big mountain descents. Probably a Specialized Status...
I'm looking into the transition patrol mullet for this year. I feel like it will epic for so e the local chattanooga trails and can handle windrock as well
Curious of your opinion on sizing. I'm 6'1" with a longer torso and on the size bubble between Lg and Xl. I have been on Santa Cruz for a long time and rode the original Hightower in Large. When the V2 came out I decided to go XL. I always run low setting with a 160 fork. I recently sized up in the shop on the new next gen Megatower in a LG and XL and I feel like I'm still on the bubble. Super frustrating and bummed as I really like the VPP and the new swat box. I've been considering either Transition (Spire or Sentinel) or Specialized Enduro. As everyone has a different tape measure these days. How does the sentinel sizing compare to santa cruz and what size stem are you running between the 2 bikes.
I think you’ll find yourself feeling pretty similar on the transitions. Cockpit wise they feel pretty comparable. Slightly longer reach on the Sentinel than the Hightower, but very different bikes geo wise overall.
Dude sick! The sentinel has been in my short list actually I fought with myself about that or the stumpy evo. Went with the stumpy evo because i just got a great deal I couldn’t pass up. Great video once again!
If I lived in bigger country, I would do like you did with 2 more specific purpose bikes, rather than than 1 quiver killer. I live in Ohio and don't care for bike parks, so my Stumpy 29er can handle anything around here. You have a great pair of bikes though with that Rascal and the Sent. I ride that bike most of the year and a rigid fatbike in winter, so I guess I sort of did that too.
Did you look at the Spire? Or was it too close to your downhill bike? Just picked up a down country bike and I'm wondering if I should replace my Hightower for a Spire or sentinel?
I did, awesome bike but the added travel does effect the pedaling a bit and the trade off wasn't worth it to me. The Sentinel just hit that sweet spot for me.
Hi mate im considering buying the sentinel i noticed you standing up pedaling in your vid ,could u tell me if the rear of the bike bogs down into the travel when giving it to it standing up or is it supportive enought so you can crank hard and get going as sometimes i ride the xc tracks around home (im looking for a do it all bike )even though im a DH rider mostly, i would really appreciate your thoughts cheers.
Hey Darren, it pedals pretty efficiently in a seated position, but not so much standing and cranking. Based on what you’ve described overall, a sentinel wouldn’t come to mind as the best fit. What is your local downhill terrain like? Is it relatively steep straight and fast? Or would you consider it a little bit more technical with tighter turns or maybe more precise maneuvering?
Fantastic video.! Thanks for comparing the two. I wanted to ask you how much time you spend on each of your three bikes on an annual basis? Do you use one more at certain times of the year? I’ve always been a one bike guy, but recently decided to get a second MTB for a 2 bike quiver- I’m running a stumpjumper (130/140)and an enduro(170/170). I love the idea of a DH bike and watching your video made me wonder if a “down-country” long travel trail and a DH bike wouldn’t be the better combo. I guess I’m wondering if it’s worth it to get a DH bike for the 10ish times a year that I would want that over the enduro.
Do you go to lift assisted bike parks often? Are they near you? If no, a downhill bike makes not much sense. It would be cheaper then renting one, the few times you’re at the park.
The enduro is definitely plenty capable as a primary park bike. Absolute monster on the descents, and that bike pedals surprisingly well too! My DH bike has really taken a lot of abuse off my other bikes, which is nice. It's definitely a different experience, as it's heavy and loves to plow. I haven't ridden the Supreme since building the Sentinel, but mainly just because I've been spending as much time as possible dialing in the new set-up. I'll probably reach for it the next day we're in for a mudder though.
@@SemiSendy thanks for the reply. Good point on taking the abuse off the other bikes. For now I’m going to stick to the enduro/Stumpjumper combo I have, but hopefully in the future I’ll get to live close enough to a bike park to justify the perfect 3 bike quiver like you’ve got!
I've ridden some pretty lousy pedaling 4 bar designs before. With all linkage designs there's tons of room to shift performance around between anti-rise, anti-squat, leverage, etc. and I've felt some other very efficient 4 bar designs as well. I've only ridden the sentinel with the 11-6 on it, so I can't say for certain that it's not partly due to the shock tune, but that can only go so far. I'd be surprised if it didn't pedal as well or better with a well set-up air shock.
I’m liking it, but I’m need to get back on the 36 again for a bit before I can really make a good comparison. Hopefully I can find some time to do a video on this in the near future.
@@SemiSendy great stuff, im tempted by a zeb on mine.....did you notice and extra noise running the GX axs over a mechanical setup? have heard a few folk complaining that the axs stuff rattles more than mech version
I have a 2021 Giant Tranced Advanced Pro 29-1, It came with 34 fox 🦊 fork. I would like to upgrade to fox 36 or maybe Fox 38 top of the line factory fork. What is your thoughts on the matter? I would like a expert/ pro input. I would appreciate it much. Thanks.
With it being a 130mm platform, I'd keep the fork travel somewhere in the 130-140mm range. I don't believe the 36 has a 140mm or smaller air shaft option. The Fox 38 definitely doesn't. Both forks are designed for longer travel applications. A RockShox Pike 130 or 140 would be a good option.
I have a question. I wanna build my own downhill bike i allready know what parts i wanna have. The problem is i live in Croatia and we dont have as much options. Is there any online bike builder with many parts like fox 40, magura brakes, trek, yeti, nukeproof, specialazed and other frames, and other well known bike parts, that i could use or any place or shop where i can buy a propper mtb bike? I would like to do my purchase online so that everything comes to my place. For those who wanna know, i have a bergamont hardtail and have been using a cube all suspension enduro bike. I just need to know how u guys get bikes and parts.
Hi Alex, I don't have any personal knowledge or experience with who might be able to sell and ship those parts to Croatia, but maybe someone who does will see this and reply. That's awesome you have a Cube enduro bike. I really like their designs!
I recently got a Spire, and I was a bit nervous about the weight and size… it’s literally a pedalable tank… but yea the pedaling platform of Transition really surprised me. I don’t feel like I’m struggling on the climbs, and even beating the climb times of my older and much lighter trail bike. One of the big power rides here in the Bay Area is the Soquel Demo Forest in Santa Cruz… despite working out legs like a crazy person and being in what I feel is pretty good shape… historically I’ve never been able to make the brutal climb back without having to stop or walk some of it. Two weeks ago when I took the Spire out, was the first time I pedaled all the way back without stopping… So yea I can imagine the Sentinel being an even more awesome climber!
@@SemiSendy I, a relative beginner, bought my Propain Spindrift 29 with many second thoughts as it's big and heavy, but it's the bike I have enjoyed most in my life
Agreed and agreed! I'd say even 140/160 is overkill for 80%+ of the trails in my region. Unless I'm at our absolutely hardest trail/park networks around here I reach for my 115 travel bike, which is arguably my most fun bike. I'm fortunate to have more than one bike though. I get having a bike with 140-150 rear for a single bike quiver if you're visiting the gnarlier spots whenever you can.
i think only way why you feel this way about new bike is a damper. i had nomad/bullit/heckler and all stock ones was Shiiet. I replaced it with DHX2,Bomber CR and fox X2. You cant tell you had a hightower if you ride with the worst damper on the market for that bike (especially if you not installed megneg). For me it is worthless video in this case but nicely done. keep learning but try to have all thinks to test this out. and never tell about numbers - too much numbers! There is too many proof that company many years ago (focus) made a weird geometry which is standard and nothing crazy right now. you gotta ride it. You did that but didnt know about damper thing. Nobody told you.
"why travel doesn't matter" Then sells his 170 forked enduro bike because its sluggish XD Judging by the trails you ride man they look like they're fit for a 120 or 130 trail bike!
I bought a 160mm enduro in 2019 which has linear leverage curve and a meh linkage design and by now I run 25% sag with max tokens in my shock and still bottom out from time to time. Was running a trek remedy recently and it felt way more supportive even with 10mm less travel. Well thought out design really is worth a ton.
Posting all numbers and charts side by side on screen would make this video Perfect. Thank you.
I think you nailed it. The hightower to me felt squirly and the sentinel felt solid but not heavy. The sentinel really surprised me and I want to buy a E-Spire if they ever make one.
Now that they are in the e-mtb game, I bet it might happen.
Tried the Sentinel, and it was awesome. Just as you described, solid but not heavy
You can now buy the Repeater :)
@@styq64 The incoming Relay sounds even more appealing, I want to get one. The trick is waiting for it...
Good stuff. 👍
Still loving my OG HT for the mild midwest stuff around me. Too much bike a lot of the time, but we always aim for the gnarliest lines to make the most of our backyard. 🤘 Extra travel is always a plus for sloppy mistakes that could be OTB in an XC rig.
Couldn't agree more!
I bought a new sentinel back in November. Due to northeast weather I haven’t ridden it that much to get used to it. So far I can tell it turns great. Like you said, position over the bars... feels great.
Keep up the great work 🔥
Hopefully things thaw and dry up soon for you!
If I mute the video and just observe the trails that are being traversed, I've come to the realization that I've been on similar trails, at similar speeds with a cheapo wally-world bike.
There is no doubt that my 80mm Suntour fork was sub-optimal, but I honestly believe that could have hit the same trails with a rigid fork.
Honestly, my biggest limitation was the rim brakes that would be screwed up at the end of the day after I tweaked the rim.
You were probably going way slower than you think
Great video as always Rich 👍🏻
Thanks, James!
Rich - since you’ve rode both. What’s your take for an ex bike shop worker turned middle age dad 🥴? Man - I’ve the rode Sentinel couple of times and was just totally impressed. But part of me feels like a poser haha. I live down in CHS, I ride Pisgah throughout the year. But F.A.T.S is my closest decent trail system. But we are planning a move to out west in a year or two once I’m done with military. What’s your thoughts? Transition vs Santa Cruz
Transition just has so much soul as a company 👍🏻
As your already robust skill set continues to grow, the Cascade link for the Sentinel will crank it up even more. A buddy here in my area added the Cascade and took his Sentinel to 170F/165R. The geometry feels so nice and keeps the pedaling efficiency that I hear the Spire is lacking. I enjoy your content immensely 🤙🏼
Is that the v1 or V2 sentinel he's got? I just got one and have been wondering if the cascade link is right for me in the future, but I heard transition largely made the link irrelevant on the V2 model by making the curve more progressive than the v1. But that's just what ive heard.
@@theGiver3 it is a V2.
@@theGiver3 here is his post about it:
Sentinel! Spire! Stumpy Evo! What to do? I was thinking about selling my Sentinel to buy a Spire or Stumpjumper Evo, but with the Spire I felt like the wheelbase was too long and the bike was going to be heavy for living in Charlotte and I can’t get a Stumpy. I have loved my Sentinel, super playful for a 160/150 29er. But I felt like at really high speed or big hits I was pushing the bike to its limit. So I decided to go out on a limb and get a Cascade Link 165mm and put a 170mm fork on and give that a try. My fear was the bike was not going to pedal as well and I was going to lose the playful input that I love so much about all the Transition bikes. Well 💯 not the case, I went from 33 percent sag on the shock to 28. The bike is way more planted and the bike feels even more playful. I’m blown away about this setup and it’s the first bike I have been on that I think compares to the new Stumpy Evo. If you have a V2 Sentinel you may want to check this setup out. Super stoked about my decision and I think this set up is really good for a workhorse bike that can be good in CLT and also be pushed hard at the bike parks.
@@robbiepage13 Damn that makes it just that much harder for me to pick Spire vs Sentinel because I'd have no upgrade money and could get a Zeb and super deluxe ultimate on the GX Spire available right now, and I know I don't "need" an enduro bike for here, but I need the travel for my body, I just want maximum magic carpet and safety to protect my spinal disc bulge for when I do want to send it down the hill or even just average trails. But yeah then I hear about how massive it is and that the Sentinel is more manageable and easier to pedal. Does the 1259 wheelbase really feel that noticeable over 1233? Just doesn't seem the biggest difference. I just don't have the funds or interest in buying another fork or a ~$360 link even if it feels amazing. Do you think I'll suffer on the Spire's size or that it'd be worth it in my case for max travel without needing upgrades? I wish I could try a Spire vs your friends Sentinel but Transition bikes don't exist in stores here! I just gotta pick one and order it blind
Hi! Tuning in from southern Oregon here and I was excited to see some of my old riding spots in your video from when I grew up in Tennessee 10 years ago. I used to ride up at Raccoon on Chunky with my friends and hit all those steep rock rolls and drops. My family still lives there and I go back occasionally and always love to get back out to my old stomping grounds except on newer and better bikes!
I love that you recognized Chunky from the shots here! That's pretty freaking cool. It's a great spot to get bikes set-up and dialed in. Next time you come back you'll have to check out the new bike park we are building on Signal. It's mega!
@@SemiSendy will do!
Travel may not matter, but the stroke of the shock does. The new 2022 Bronson and the Megatower have a similar stroke to the Sentinel than the Hightower. The 185/210 shocks vs the 205/230 shock is quite a different shock. The Ibis Ripmo, being a 210, is similar to the Hightower.
In my opinion, the industry should put as much emphasis on stroke as they do travel.
Thanks for the vid. I currently ride an HT LT, and have been looking at the Transition Sentinel. Your video helped me decide to make the change. Thanks, and keep the content coming!
That's awesome! Thanks, Big Mike 🍻
I had a V1 Sentinel and currently own a Stumpy Evo. The Stumpy Evo has more travel (170mm front 150mm rear) and the V1 Sentinel had 160mm front and 140mm rear. While the Stumpy Evo is still a great bike for plowing and smashing, it has a more "lively" feel than the Sentinel did, and the Sentinel felt more like a mini-downhill bike. The Stumpy seems more well-rounded and is great as a "one bike does it all" bike, but I do miss the Sentinel's ability to just plow and smash everything in its path with no trouble.
That makes a lot of sense! I haven’t yet gotten on the latest version of the stumpy since it’s release. Hope to change that sometime this season.
I've been riding a V1 Sentinel with a Cascade Link for 2 years and recently bought a carbon 2023 Spire for sillier days. The Sentinel feels far more capable than the freeride bikes from 10-15 years ago with far less travel. It makes me excited to see how the Spire will compare to it this weekend. FWIW, the Sentinel is aluminum.
Sure man when you ride perfectly and know the trails, you could in theory pretty much use a rigid bike on a lot of trails that others use downhill bikes on.
It's when you get tilted mid-turn of a drop and land in a wet rock-garden all messed up that you realise that travel do matter.
Currently riding both a 130mm, 160/170mm and a DH rig and they all have their uses. At times i'm way faster on the 130mm, but when riding gets sketchy and lines get messy I always feel blessed by the extra travel on my enduro. Or the burliness of the DH Bike.
Great video brother, your voice over game is top notch!
Thanks, Pete!
Just picked up a Ripmo, Love it so far! Bikes are great right on and buying the right bike for the job is the best it's ever been! good clip
We’re so lucky to have all of these great options. The golden age is here!
Nice to hear, just about to order a Sentinel. Can't wait to ride it!!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Currently run a 2017 Trek Slash frame with a 150mm coil rear and 170mm fork. A mate of mine has just brought the alloy GX mod Sentinel. Would probably go for a sentinel carbon frame with the same DVO Jade X shock I currently run if I ever upgrade. Another guy I know who’s a really aggressive rider runs the Santa Cruz Hightower. Nice ride also.
Great video, it answered a lot of questions for me. Looking to upgrade from a giant stance to a Hightower.
Oh hell yes, delivering exactly what I asked for. Dude, thank you!
I’ve got you! Let me know what you think when it goes live. We chat more details as well. 🤘
Great video. I have the same HT and fully agree with your assessment.. now I want to demo the Centennial
Quality stuff! I found out the rear shock on my HT isn't technically compatible and that was an eye opener, too. Love these videos!
Thanks, Justin! Stoked you’re liking them 🤘
gotta say, that's the nicest looking HT i've ever seen. that fork, so good.
I do really love that combo.
Cool video! Love my Hightower 🤘
great video. I'm currently looking to pick up a Sentinel as I try my hand at more aggressive trails. Thanks!
Glad I could help!
Semi-Sendy succinctly seranaded our senses with sensible information about the Sentinel.
😂😂😂😂
Well, I like HT with Cascade and now,210x55mm fox rear and with 170mm fox 38. Fox 38 slackened a little bit more from the Lyrik 160, I had previous, and with the cascade, the pedaling and progression is awesome, even compared to my Trek Top Fuel, the pedaling is nearly identical. No problems climbing and downhill is a hoot. This coming from someone that lives in SW Colorado. I understand, everyone likes to try something new, look forward to the updates. Keep up the good work, but VPP is where it's at. Check out the Megatower
Sounds like a sweet build! Thanks, 2-Stroke!
I ride a hightower lt . You explained the differences quite well. Glad to are enjoying the sentinal and ranger. Poor ht gathering dust in the garage
I need to find her a nice new home. I'd like to think that bikes best days are ahead of it still!
Great job explaining how and why you went the way you did! Good video.
I appreciate that!
Good one Rich...I’ll just be over here on my Revel Rascal (Fox36/FloatDPX) rippin’ the mid travel at 140/130. Thanks for more relevant content...keep it up!!! 🤙🤙🤙
Thanks, John! That Rascal is the bike I don't need, but the one I really want! If space and money weren't an issue, I'd be on the hunt for that purple frame. Hope to get a chance to ride that new Rail 29 in the near future too.
I wonder how the Sentinel compares to the new Revel Rail 29, that would be a good comparison video.
Itching to try that Rail 29. I’m trying to line something up to do just that!
Does the Sentinel bunny hop pretty easily or is it a ground hugger. Curious, I have a RM Altitude currently and love it. Similar to the Ripmo but a little more plush
Megatower is my fav I’ve got one and I’m a very light and fairly tall kid now I want to get my hands on a Mullet
Love your videos man, sick content 🔥🤟
Thanks, Frederick! Glad you like them. 🤘
The Sentinel stock has significantly lower progression in leverage ratio than the HT with the Cascade link. So really the only difference is the Sentinel is slightly longer and slacker in the front. Maybe has a different shock tune that causes it to feel different? You could also get an angle headset for the HT to make it slacker. Doesn't seem like a good reason to switch bikes, unless the HT just felt too small for you sizing wise.
According to my discussions with Cascade Components, the LT link only brings it closer to the Sentinel's stock 24% progression. It's much less progressive in an apples to apples comparison. What numbers are you working off of?
Also, only slightly slacker? The HTv2, even fully modified, is almost a degree and a half steeper. That's not even remotely subtle.
@@SemiSendy I'm looking at Linkage Design graphs as well as graphs shown by Cascade Components themselves. They seem to agree for HT stock progression (also around the 24% range, pretty close to the Sentinel), and if Cascade's own numbers on their graph for their HT LT link is true, the HT with LT link should have over 30% progression. Both bikes have basically straight line progression so the shape of the progression curve is not really a factor. I'm guessing your new shock on the Sentinel is probably having the most significant effect of making that bike feel different from a the perspective of taking bigger hits. The Slack'R headset could give the HT 63deg head angle :) No matter what you do though, the HT Reach is smaller than the Sentinel, hence my sizing comment.
Have you thought about trying the cascade link in the sentinel and bumping up fork to 170? Think that’s what I am eventually doing
I'll test out the cascade link sometime down the road for sure. I'm happy with the performance stock, but I'm a fan of what they are doing at Cascade.
I already tried out the Zeb at 170, which I really didn't care for. Slowed the steering down too much for my liking. Felt too much wheel flop on the climbs as well. I've still got the air shaft to swap it back. I might do that one day down the line after I've been fully adapted to the bike for a while to see if I feel differently about it.
The Zeb at 160 has been awesome though. It's crazy what the sentinel can handle at 150/160. I haven't touched my DH bike since I built it up.
@@SemiSendy I have the older sentinel and just bought the new frame to swamp overc parts! I have ridden my old sent win 140 travel with the biggest volume spacer possible. Loved it. I like a little more travel up front so a 170 is next years purchase and maybe the cascade link. My e bike is 180/165 and it’s like a monster truck on Dh trails! Happy riding! Keep up good informatived videos!
@@worldstallestmidget Hey I'm interested in a new Sentinel or Spire as well, did you get the Cascade yet? My biggest question is if I can't afford a fork upgrade but get a cascade, will the Sentinel feel weird being 160/165?
Oh snap, I just read that the cascade won't work with the stock 205mm x 62.5mm shock on alloy frames :\
Thanks for this, cool calm video that's entertaining and informative.
The Sentinel is one of the bikes that I want to demo.
It's definitely demo worthy. 🍻
I have a GT Fury 2017 with 210mm of travel and a Giant Faith 0 with 180mm of travel. Same shock rockshox vivid r2c and same spring rate only with different travel. I have always bottomed out the GT Fury but never did i bottom out the 7 years older Faith 0.
Great example of there’s much more to a bikes suspension behavior than just the travel numbers!
Really love all your videos! I live in the northeast and love watching east coast riding. Lol random question but what are the those tan pants you were wearing in this video ?
Haha, no worries at all! They are the Handup AT+ pants. I’ve got a couple pairs and love them.
Production value is off the charts. No wonder your channel has progressed so quickly dude! Puts our videos to shame. 😅 Keep up the great work. Hope to bump into you again sometime and we can ride something together. 😁👍
Thanks, Ed, that means a lot! Let's plan a ride next time you and Cory are back down in the southeast. 🤘😊
I gotta say... your video quality is consistently so good. You definitely know what you're doing here.
You deserve more followers for sure and I feel like this could be your year to break through the algorithm. Looking forward to seeing you at Jarrod's place one day!
That means a lot, MountainbikeG. See you at Jarrod's!
@@SemiSendy sweet I’m doing my first enduro there this year in 14 and under ameture
@@brandtdenis4016 you’ll have a blast. good luck!
@@SemiSendy thanks
Just picked up a 2020 HT and it’s pretty good. I don’t have a big reference other than the Polygon T8. From the video, aside from the DH, you seem quicker o. The HT. Maybe it’s familiarity but you flowed better on it vs the other bike. Nice work in the video.
Possibly so. I’ve had a lot of time in it. 🙂
After researching about trail and enduro bikes for months and comparing and contrasting everything between every brand and model, i narrowed it down to transition and finally was able to order a sentinel alloy gx after waiting for a few months. I’m super happy with my purchase and i feel as if it’s the perfect sweet spot in a trail / enduro bike. After watching your video, i feel even more sure of my choice!
I think you’ll love it!
Anything you feel like changing on it 3 months out?
@@LastAphelion Not much other than getting a slightly higher rise bar, chain guide and bash guard, a fork fender, and upgrading to a coil shock. The bike feels amazing otherwise, and the float x is actually a really good shock, i just want to upgrade to a coil because the float x has trouble softening high speed chatter and braking bumps, but it does everything else pretty well, along with being poppy, supportive, and nicely adjustable.
@@Yedmike31 I'm always surprised when people respond to me digging up their comments lol thanks. I still can't decide on Sentinel or Spire. Sentinel is all I technically need and there's a GX in stock now, but I've got a bad spinal disc and I still want to send it without fear so I was thinking Spire for more cushion and safety and I can get a GX Spire for 100 less than the sentinel with Zeb Ultimate and SD Ult. shock. Do you think that'd be a softer ride and better for me?
@@LastAphelion I was also deciding between the sentinel and spire, and took the build kit and price into consideration too, but i chose the sentinel because of a few key reasons. The sentinel is already pretty long, and I didn’t want to get an even longer bike, especially as my only bike, the spire has a longer chainstay and wheelbase and it wouldn’t suit tight tech or flow as well as the sentinel. Also, the sentinel climbs better because of it’s lower weight, less travel, and shorter rear end. The only thing the spire has going for itself in the climbing department that’s better than the sentinel is a slightly steeper seat tube angle. Even in the high flip chip mode, its still slacker and longer and lower than the sentinel. Also, the spire just weighs more, especially if you go aluminum. On top of that, i never really got along well with the rockshod sd ultimate shock, and I’ve read many reviews of people saying that they could never get it to feel right. On the other hand, with the sentinel you’re getting a nicer shock, and more adjustability with the 36 PE. Yeah sure, if you add up the price of everything on both bikes and look at the build kits, the spire might seem like a better deal, but the sentinel is just a better bike for most riding scenarios unless ur just absolutely flying down the biggest terrain and huge jumps most of the time, that’s where the spire has the edge of course. On top of it all, the most important thing is, the sentinel is in stock right now on their website, which is a pretty rare sighting, you could be riding within a week if you order that bike.. and you get the TRP DHR EVO brakes with those meaty 2.3mm thick rotors with the black powder color. Get the sentinel, you’ll love it, and you won’t regret it!
I ride a 180/170.... I dunno whether to call it enduro, trail, or park bike, haha!. But lots of park (N*) , shuttle and even trail riding. Travel matters fo sho, but like you mention how the bike fits your riding style and terrain is the primary consideration rather than pure squishy numbers.
Nice video. Where are those trails? Love the rocks, slabs and chunk mixed with flow, I groove on that. UPDATE: I wrote above seeing only the first few riding clips. Looks like lots of diff trails?
There are some different trails in the mix, but most of it is from a zone called “Chunky” located at Raccoon Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Bird bikes are short travel and coil compatible, worth checking out
Great breakdown on both bikes.
Thanks, Charlie!
I have a trail hardtail that absolutely kills my local trails and can eat a bike park day if needed. The next bike is going to be a long travel trail/enduro bike focused towards bike parks and big mountain descents. Probably a Specialized Status...
That’ll be a great combo! You’ll be storming on that full squish after so much time getting rowdy on the hardtail. 🤘
i have a 145mm bike i do so much and have so much fun on!
Transition is where it's at!
Sick dude. Hey guess what I am heading to So Cal tomorrow and Hunter is building me some spoke x wheels with onyx hubs. Can’t wait to try them.
That’s awesome! Tell Hunter I said hi 🤘
@@SemiSendy I will dude thanks
I'm looking into the transition patrol mullet for this year. I feel like it will epic for so e the local chattanooga trails and can handle windrock as well
The Patrol will be perfect at Waldens and Windrock 🔥
Both bikes are pretty sweet dude
Yes they are
You hit the nail right on the head. And yea the ripmo climbs about 15 percent better. But decends 40 percent worse haha
I really hope to get on the Ripmo V2. I rode the V1 a good amount, and I'd be curious to see how the new version stacks up.
I love my Rootbeer 36’s both of us are lucky to have a set!
Yes we are!
Curious of your opinion on sizing. I'm 6'1" with a longer torso and on the size bubble between Lg and Xl. I have been on Santa Cruz for a long time and rode the original Hightower in Large. When the V2 came out I decided to go XL. I always run low setting with a 160 fork.
I recently sized up in the shop on the new next gen Megatower in a LG and XL and I feel like I'm still on the bubble. Super frustrating and bummed as I really like the VPP and the new swat box.
I've been considering either Transition (Spire or Sentinel) or Specialized Enduro. As everyone has a different tape measure these days. How does the sentinel sizing compare to santa cruz and what size stem are you running between the 2 bikes.
I think you’ll find yourself feeling pretty similar on the transitions. Cockpit wise they feel pretty comparable. Slightly longer reach on the Sentinel than the Hightower, but very different bikes geo wise overall.
Dude sick! The sentinel has been in my short list actually I fought with myself about that or the stumpy evo. Went with the stumpy evo because i just got a great deal I couldn’t pass up. Great video once again!
That Stumpy Evo is so sweet!
@@SemiSendy yeah I just finished it yesterday
@@SpecialedED Hopefully you get a chance to take it for a spin today.
@@SemiSendy the trails here won’t do it justice but I’ll take her out to feel it for sure
If I lived in bigger country, I would do like you did with 2 more specific purpose bikes, rather than than 1 quiver killer. I live in Ohio and don't care for bike parks, so my Stumpy 29er can handle anything around here. You have a great pair of bikes though with that Rascal and the Sent. I ride that bike most of the year and a rigid fatbike in winter, so I guess I sort of did that too.
A downhill bike that pedals and pops like a trail bike. Sounds awesome.
Wish Sram would resolve that loud slapping of the derailleur.
Me too
Did you look at the Spire? Or was it too close to your downhill bike? Just picked up a down country bike and I'm wondering if I should replace my Hightower for a Spire or sentinel?
I did, awesome bike but the added travel does effect the pedaling a bit and the trade off wasn't worth it to me. The Sentinel just hit that sweet spot for me.
Riding the Sentinel in Loam Gold - curious if you went with the gloss or matte frame wrap?
Matte wrap
Hightower all day. The Sentinel is suuuuuper slack so if I only wanted downhill id probably do that.
Hi mate im considering buying the sentinel i noticed you standing up pedaling in your vid ,could u tell me if the rear of the bike bogs down into the travel when giving it to it standing up or is it supportive enought so you can crank hard and get going as sometimes i ride the xc tracks around home (im looking for a do it all bike )even though im a DH rider mostly, i would really appreciate your thoughts cheers.
Hey Darren, it pedals pretty efficiently in a seated position, but not so much standing and cranking. Based on what you’ve described overall, a sentinel wouldn’t come to mind as the best fit.
What is your local downhill terrain like? Is it relatively steep straight and fast? Or would you consider it a little bit more technical with tighter turns or maybe more precise maneuvering?
Fantastic video.! Thanks for comparing the two. I wanted to ask you how much time you spend on each of your three bikes on an annual basis? Do you use one more at certain times of the year? I’ve always been a one bike guy, but recently decided to get a second MTB for a 2 bike quiver- I’m running a stumpjumper (130/140)and an enduro(170/170). I love the idea of a DH bike and watching your video made me wonder if a “down-country” long travel trail and a DH bike wouldn’t be the better combo. I guess I’m wondering if it’s worth it to get a DH bike for the 10ish times a year that I would want that over the enduro.
Do you go to lift assisted bike parks often?
Are they near you?
If no, a downhill bike makes not much sense.
It would be cheaper then renting one, the few times you’re at the park.
The enduro is definitely plenty capable as a primary park bike. Absolute monster on the descents, and that bike pedals surprisingly well too!
My DH bike has really taken a lot of abuse off my other bikes, which is nice. It's definitely a different experience, as it's heavy and loves to plow.
I haven't ridden the Supreme since building the Sentinel, but mainly just because I've been spending as much time as possible dialing in the new set-up. I'll probably reach for it the next day we're in for a mudder though.
@@SemiSendy thanks for the reply. Good point on taking the abuse off the other bikes. For now I’m going to stick to the enduro/Stumpjumper combo I have, but hopefully in the future I’ll get to live close enough to a bike park to justify the perfect 3 bike quiver like you’ve got!
@@rolux4853 I think you’re right that I don’t get to the bike park enough to justify it now. Hopefully someday!
@@danielray1558 heck yeah! It’s honestly hard to beat a stumpy/enduro quiver.
I loved the Hightower …. Bought ohne for myselve
Such a killer bike!
Love your videos !
Thank you!
I'm glad we already agree 😛
Love my sentinel!
🤘😍
V1 Sentinel with Cascade and Coil. 🤙
For years iv heard 4 bar linkages were too active on climbs and bobbed terribly, so any idea why the sentinel is different? Shock tune ?
I've ridden some pretty lousy pedaling 4 bar designs before. With all linkage designs there's tons of room to shift performance around between anti-rise, anti-squat, leverage, etc. and I've felt some other very efficient 4 bar designs as well.
I've only ridden the sentinel with the 11-6 on it, so I can't say for certain that it's not partly due to the shock tune, but that can only go so far. I'd be surprised if it didn't pedal as well or better with a well set-up air shock.
Did you just bottom out at 6:15 ?
how you liking the Zebs over the 36? any differences to report?
I’m liking it, but I’m need to get back on the 36 again for a bit before I can really make a good comparison. Hopefully I can find some time to do a video on this in the near future.
@@SemiSendy great stuff, im tempted by a zeb on mine.....did you notice and extra noise running the GX axs over a mechanical setup? have heard a few folk complaining that the axs stuff rattles more than mech version
I have a 2021 Giant Tranced Advanced Pro 29-1, It came with 34 fox 🦊 fork. I would like to upgrade to fox 36 or maybe Fox 38 top of the line factory fork. What is your thoughts on the matter? I would like a expert/ pro input. I would appreciate it much. Thanks.
With it being a 130mm platform, I'd keep the fork travel somewhere in the 130-140mm range. I don't believe the 36 has a 140mm or smaller air shaft option. The Fox 38 definitely doesn't. Both forks are designed for longer travel applications. A RockShox Pike 130 or 140 would be a good option.
Great video👍🤟
🤘
cant wait
I have a question. I wanna build my own downhill bike i allready know what parts i wanna have. The problem is i live in Croatia and we dont have as much options. Is there any online bike builder with many parts like fox 40, magura brakes, trek, yeti, nukeproof, specialazed and other frames, and other well known bike parts, that i could use or any place or shop where i can buy a propper mtb bike? I would like to do my purchase online so that everything comes to my place. For those who wanna know, i have a bergamont hardtail and have been using a cube all suspension enduro bike. I just need to know how u guys get bikes and parts.
Hi Alex, I don't have any personal knowledge or experience with who might be able to sell and ship those parts to Croatia, but maybe someone who does will see this and reply.
That's awesome you have a Cube enduro bike. I really like their designs!
great vid!
🤘
After hearing a bunch of language and terms I don't yet understand I guess I am no Pro but I will guess I need both bikes!
You need all the bikes! Haha. The good old N+1 equation. 🤘
Thanks
120 mm is a lot especially if it’s got a good personality
DW-Link is superior to VPP. As much as I loved my Hightower it could not compare to my Pivot Mach 429SL. DW is something magical.
Those brown trousers though.
So fresh, haha.
I recently got a Spire, and I was a bit nervous about the weight and size… it’s literally a pedalable tank… but yea the pedaling platform of Transition really surprised me. I don’t feel like I’m struggling on the climbs, and even beating the climb times of my older and much lighter trail bike.
One of the big power rides here in the Bay Area is the Soquel Demo Forest in Santa Cruz… despite working out legs like a crazy person and being in what I feel is pretty good shape… historically I’ve never been able to make the brutal climb back without having to stop or walk some of it. Two weeks ago when I took the Spire out, was the first time I pedaled all the way back without stopping…
So yea I can imagine the Sentinel being an even more awesome climber!
That's a heck of a testament, Tariq! Hope to get out to Soquel one of these days.
I find that many reviewers/tech experts wildly overestimate the importance of travel to beginners looking for a bike
They really do. Honestly, my XC bike is my absolute favorite. It’d be nice to see more industry real talk about it all.
@@SemiSendy I, a relative beginner, bought my Propain Spindrift 29 with many second thoughts as it's big and heavy, but it's the bike I have enjoyed most in my life
You have a pro-grade narration voice. There’s $$$ in that, bro. Really. I was an ad-guy.
I have no idea how to get into that line of work, but it would be nice to!
Both size L? How tall are you ?
Yup, both larges. I can’t believe I failed to mention that in the video. There’s always something I forget, lol. I’m 6 foot tall.
Thank you ! Always assumed the L Hightower would be too small at 6’ and the XL would be perfect. Transition XL looks enormous on paper though.
SC only
The stumpy evo has always been way ahead of its time, it’s all about geo in my opinion and a 140r 160f platform is more than plenty for 97% of people
Agreed and agreed! I'd say even 140/160 is overkill for 80%+ of the trails in my region. Unless I'm at our absolutely hardest trail/park networks around here I reach for my 115 travel bike, which is arguably my most fun bike. I'm fortunate to have more than one bike though. I get having a bike with 140-150 rear for a single bike quiver if you're visiting the gnarlier spots whenever you can.
No. The previous Stumpy Evo was objectively bad. I had one - it sucked.
so I can hit rampage on a xc bike
You can do anything your heart desires. The outcome however will depend on your skill level. 😉
i think only way why you feel this way about new bike is a damper. i had nomad/bullit/heckler and all stock ones was Shiiet. I replaced it with DHX2,Bomber CR and fox X2. You cant tell you had a hightower if you ride with the worst damper on the market for that bike (especially if you not installed megneg). For me it is worthless video in this case but nicely done. keep learning but try to have all thinks to test this out. and never tell about numbers - too much numbers! There is too many proof that company many years ago (focus) made a weird geometry which is standard and nothing crazy right now. you gotta ride it. You did that but didnt know about damper thing. Nobody told you.
The guy tried a bunch of different shocks with the high tower lol.
Sentinel vs Hightower . It´s like a fight between a Pitbull vs a Poodle
"why travel doesn't matter"
Then sells his 170 forked enduro bike because its sluggish XD
Judging by the trails you ride man they look like they're fit for a 120 or 130 trail bike!