I bought a frame only a couple of months ago to do a parts bin build. I managed to get an Ohlins 34 fork at 60% off from Jenson and this bike is fantastic, the steel frame is super supple and compliment especially over small chatter and the fork is outstanding on it. Probably one of the nicest bikes I own and just more comfortable than the excellent latest chameleon and my Nukeproof scout 27.5. Love this bike. Esker were super nice to deal with and I would completely recommend. Thanks to Jared for the review.
That is so sick! It’s funny bc I did this review SO LONG ago and I’ve grown so much as a rider and ridden so many more bikes, but I still think about this hardtail. I may have to get back on one eventually. It was so good!
Do you know what fork offset, Esker recommends ? The MRP fork comes on 46mm and 51mm offset …which one are they using ? Anyhow I would like to use a pike with short offset …
People don't understand hardtails till they ride a good one. Also not true about aluminum being harsh. Bad aluminum frames with zero thought engineered into them are harsh. My ragley big al rides as soft as a Norco torrent ht steel without the dead feeling and being 2 lb lighter and comparable to a 100mm travel full suspension in terms of compliance. You also didn't talk about the geo. How aggressive is it? I also have two hardtails my ragley big al cost over $4,000 to build , my nukeproof scout cost over $3,000 to build so I have $7,000 worth of hardtails and I do have one full suspension bike it's a nukeproof dissent downhill bike. That's covers the entire range of bikes that anyone could need. MY hardtail can do anything a full suspension can but when it comes to really really big hits, really really big jumps and drops that's when I will bring out the downhill bike I have ridden a ton of full suspension bikes including ones that are supposedly awesome like the Ibis ripmo or the revel rail and those bikes do nothing for me they just feel heavy they feel inefficient they feel dead and anything those bikes can do I can easily do on my hardtail. I hated the rail, and I felt like I was on a e bike on the climbs after I hopped off the ripmo and back on my hardtail. As I said I have a dh bike, it would take dh bike terrain for me to feel that I would have a rough time on my hardtail. On those same terrains I also rode the nukeproof mega v4 and it felt underbiked there too so what's the point of having that much travel anywhere else? My hardtails splits bike park duties with my dh bike and I live in the Northeast so our dh parks aren't exactly flow trails.
I referenced the geo when I spoke on the head angle and the short rear end. I didn't talk specific numbers, because anyone who's serious can go pull the numbers on the website. I don't think rattling off those bits necessarily helps anyone. I try to bring my perspectives forward. Thanks for sharing your thoughts as always! PS: I have to assume you're also a car guy with the S14 ref and the NSX avatar. Cheers to a fellow car guy. (Even though I don't reference that side of me at all on my channel...lol)
@@JaredRMorgan I also hope that my thoughts didn't come off as abrasive. I actually listen to alot of UA-cam videos on my commute so being able to hear the info helps me get a better understanding of the bikes intentions vs just general terms. Yes my channel is about mtb but I have a nsx on the avatar with s14 in my name. Those are made during difference phases of my life. I still love your content so keep up the good work.
You’re all good man! I like hearing what other people have to say. I’m glad you stopped in! Hadn’t been hearing from you as much. & maybe you’re right, maybe I have to try one of the nicer AL hardtails. 🤷♂️
Yeah nope, this review did not help with my anxiety. There's a shipping box somewhere with my Japhy in it and all I can do is refresh the tracking info every few hours.
It's such a good bike! I hope that whatever carrier is shipping your bike to you gets their act together!! Ironically enough, this one took a really long time to get to me as well. However, it was mostly due to Hurricane Ida. The bike was definitely worth the wait!!
@@JaredRMorgan Haha, nah, it's actually well on its way - it's just the time for it to get from Montana to Finland now that it has finally shipped. Ordered it in the middle of all the massive parts shortages that are still raging, so it's the final week of wait after 7 months of waiting.. Happily it's still a ride season here, just muddier!
Great review. Thanks for trying out the Esker Japhy!
Glad y'all finally had a chance to drop by and check it out! Thanks so much for sending it my way!
There's nothing better than a well equipped hardtail. That looks like a really cool bike.
It was a ton of fun. Haven’t ridden anything like it!
I bought a frame only a couple of months ago to do a parts bin build. I managed to get an Ohlins 34 fork at 60% off from Jenson and this bike is fantastic, the steel frame is super supple and compliment especially over small chatter and the fork is outstanding on it. Probably one of the nicest bikes I own and just more comfortable than the excellent latest chameleon and my Nukeproof scout 27.5. Love this bike. Esker were super nice to deal with and I would completely recommend. Thanks to Jared for the review.
That is so sick! It’s funny bc I did this review SO LONG ago and I’ve grown so much as a rider and ridden so many more bikes, but I still think about this hardtail. I may have to get back on one eventually. It was so good!
I loved the Japhy. Such a pretty color and awesome for what we normally ride in South LA.
Agree it does really well for the home trails. 🔥
Love that color. Watching that trail footage really makes me want to get back out!
Yeah man this bike was fun! Trails have been running good too.
Maaaan, you made me want to try this hardtail. Not an easy feat but it looks like such a killer ride!!! Great video!
I appreciate that, man! I wasn’t sure how much I would like it, and I was pleasantly surprised. 10/10 would own. 🤙
Hello, cure cycling, I enjoy your vids and now bought a polygon d5.
That’s awesome! Congratulations! Hope you love it. 👍
I have a d5 and it's the best bike I've ever had. I hope you enjoy it
Sis you get the 2021 or 2022 since 2021 is same spec as 2022 for 100 dollars cheaper.
That was A SICK hardtail review DUDE 😎😎🤘🤘
I really appreciate the kind words! Hope you have a good one. 🙌
Dude that’s a sick bike!! I’m so stoked for ya!
Yeah it was awesome! Only got to keep it for a month, though. It’s already back home. 🥲
@@JaredRMorgan nooo that’s like giving up a child 😩😭
Yes old shovel and your video on the same day lesssss goooo
PARTYYYY
Awesome video buddy! Sick bike !
Thanks my friend! It was super nice!
Hey, great review! I'm contemplating a Japhy for myself. What size did you demo and how tall/inseam are you? Did it fit you well? Thanks
Thanks! I'm glad that in your search you came across my review! I rode a Large...I'm 6' with a 32" inseam. It was a perfect fit. I felt right at home.
@@JaredRMorgan Thank you! Much appreciated! I'm 5'10 with 32 inseam so going to try a size large. Cheers!
Do you know what fork offset, Esker recommends ?
The MRP fork comes on 46mm and 51mm offset …which one are they using ?
Anyhow I would like to use a pike with short offset …
I would think for this Japhy they’re running the 46mm variant. Low offset is kind of the norm now.
Yooo! Love the video man! Do you have the links to that advent X set up?
Thanks man! Sure do!
You’ll need…
Shifter: amzn.to/3uMtOnS
Derailleur: amzn.to/3muiXeE
Cassette: amzn.to/3iFB2W1
@@JaredRMorgan Thanks dude!!
Chain: amzn.to/3FEpVpW
If you ever want the helmet I’m rocking: amzn.to/2YY6rMs
I heard you needed a stem: amzn.to/3jddPe5
Sick bike!!!
Thanks! I’d have to agree!
Mtb savant just casually says I got a industry 9 wheel laying around and then he installs it on a axum
Lol! Good problem to have.
how much does it weigh?
29lbs!
@@JaredRMorgan not bad for a Steel frame
Yeah thats partly why it’s a bit costly I’d imagine.
what does it weigh, roughly?
Gosh it's been so long, but I wanna say somewhere around 30lb.
If ur talking REAL Hard tail it's the syncr carbon. But technically last hardtail review is schwinn axum.
I always forget about my Axum. 🤣
@@JaredRMorgan I guess you don't care about it then lol. You only bought it as an experiment
Side note: it’s still around! I saw it on the local trails recently. Owner is a big fella and he puts it through hell…it’s still going strong.
Coming up on 8k. Won't be long
Patiently waiting! Thanks for being here. 🙏
People don't understand hardtails till they ride a good one. Also not true about aluminum being harsh. Bad aluminum frames with zero thought engineered into them are harsh. My ragley big al rides as soft as a Norco torrent ht steel without the dead feeling and being 2 lb lighter and comparable to a 100mm travel full suspension in terms of compliance.
You also didn't talk about the geo. How aggressive is it?
I also have two hardtails my ragley big al cost over $4,000 to build , my nukeproof scout cost over $3,000 to build so I have $7,000 worth of hardtails and I do have one full suspension bike it's a nukeproof dissent downhill bike. That's covers the entire range of bikes that anyone could need. MY hardtail can do anything a full suspension can but when it comes to really really big hits, really really big jumps and drops that's when I will bring out the downhill bike
I have ridden a ton of full suspension bikes including ones that are supposedly awesome like the Ibis ripmo or the revel rail and those bikes do nothing for me they just feel heavy they feel inefficient they feel dead and anything those bikes can do I can easily do on my hardtail. I hated the rail, and I felt like I was on a e bike on the climbs after I hopped off the ripmo and back on my hardtail. As I said I have a dh bike, it would take dh bike terrain for me to feel that I would have a rough time on my hardtail. On those same terrains I also rode the nukeproof mega v4 and it felt underbiked there too so what's the point of having that much travel anywhere else? My hardtails splits bike park duties with my dh bike and I live in the Northeast so our dh parks aren't exactly flow trails.
I referenced the geo when I spoke on the head angle and the short rear end. I didn't talk specific numbers, because anyone who's serious can go pull the numbers on the website. I don't think rattling off those bits necessarily helps anyone. I try to bring my perspectives forward.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts as always!
PS: I have to assume you're also a car guy with the S14 ref and the NSX avatar. Cheers to a fellow car guy. (Even though I don't reference that side of me at all on my channel...lol)
@@JaredRMorgan I also hope that my thoughts didn't come off as abrasive. I actually listen to alot of UA-cam videos on my commute so being able to hear the info helps me get a better understanding of the bikes intentions vs just general terms. Yes my channel is about mtb but I have a nsx on the avatar with s14 in my name. Those are made during difference phases of my life. I still love your content so keep up the good work.
You’re all good man! I like hearing what other people have to say. I’m glad you stopped in! Hadn’t been hearing from you as much. & maybe you’re right, maybe I have to try one of the nicer AL hardtails. 🤷♂️
I am pretty certain it's pronounced 'JAYFEE' not 'JAFEE'
Going off your name, I believe you. 😂
The guide breaks weren't so hot. Lol it's the opposite
Yeah I didn’t like the older guides.
Yeah nope, this review did not help with my anxiety. There's a shipping box somewhere with my Japhy in it and all I can do is refresh the tracking info every few hours.
It's such a good bike! I hope that whatever carrier is shipping your bike to you gets their act together!!
Ironically enough, this one took a really long time to get to me as well. However, it was mostly due to Hurricane Ida. The bike was definitely worth the wait!!
@@JaredRMorgan Haha, nah, it's actually well on its way - it's just the time for it to get from Montana to Finland now that it has finally shipped. Ordered it in the middle of all the massive parts shortages that are still raging, so it's the final week of wait after 7 months of waiting.. Happily it's still a ride season here, just muddier!
Wow! Finland! She’s traveling a long way. Well congrats in advance, and I’d love to hear what you think of it once you get some rides in.
But why is it on competition they all use hardtail
What??