Thanks guys. Cool video. Going downhill on most any bike is a lot of fun. Climbing on the other hand can be fun, or not fun at all, depending on the bike. Since we spend most of our time on a bike not going downhill a better climbing bike will give you more smiles per mile. I still love my downhill bike for lift assist but for anything else I will take a relatively light trail bike with fast rubber.
Nice review guys and good discussion. At first i was asking “what are the geo numbers??” But then appreciated that you did spray the numbers on the screen and then that drove the results of the review. I found that I like this approach. Thanks
I started mtb in old school geometry, but recently purchased a preloved scalpel ultimalte. I wanted to try a modern xc. Old school geometry suits me better for going up technical terrain: steeper head tube angle/shorter wheelbase. For the same reasons, the modern xc is more capable for going downhill.
Great discussion/video. I have a Scott Spark RC and I can very much relate to your comments on the two bikes. I have also found that getting the rebound settings right on both shock and fork can make a big difference in this type of bike (without being too anal). I switched the Twinlock remote over to the Rockshox Twistlock (both 3P) for the reasons that you mentioned and swapped the Transfer SL for a Bikeyoke Divine SL again for the rationale that you discussed. Thanks.
I bet if the Scalpel had a 5-10 mm higher riser bar, it would put you in a better descending position with the head angle up and a little les weight on the bars-- ie. trail geo. I wouldn't spend the extra $ on the Yeti, when both bikes are so good. Nice riding, vid, and production. I have a 2023 Rocky Instinct carbon. These bikes are a little under-gunned for what I usually ride, and I don't have long mountain climbs where I live... Short extremely steep climbs and drops/slabs/rocks/roots mixed in on short descents. I don't have the terrain for an Enduro bike and the trails are sort of slow tech and rugged, so an XC bike is not ideal. The modern trail bike is perfect for where I ride.
Quite a bit different . Top Fuel is basically a trail bike (especially if spec’d with the 130mm fork). Descends much better, feels more stable etc, higher stack. XC (like the super cal, even gen 2), has much sharper steering, front is weighted much more , need to stay seated during climbs or can spin out. I ride both and prefer the supercal until I start to get beat up by rougher stuff.
East Coast Rider with a hard tail on undulating, flowy trails. Want to upgrade to FS bike. Leaning towards trail bike category, not these bikes. Ibis Ripley, Santa Cruz, Pivot Switchblade, Revel Rascal are on my list. Great video and would love to see something similar comparing the bikes I mentioned. This video convinced me these are not my best option.
I’m mature enough to realize I look like a goober in XC/roadie gear while not caring about what others think because it’s extremely comfortable and functional for the intended purpose.
Thanks guys. Cool video. Going downhill on most any bike is a lot of fun. Climbing on the other hand can be fun, or not fun at all, depending on the bike. Since we spend most of our time on a bike not going downhill a better climbing bike will give you more smiles per mile. I still love my downhill bike for lift assist but for anything else I will take a relatively light trail bike with fast rubber.
Nice review guys and good discussion. At first i was asking “what are the geo numbers??” But then appreciated that you did spray the numbers on the screen and then that drove the results of the review. I found that I like this approach. Thanks
On any given ride way more time is spent climbing than descending. So makes sense to optimize climbing.
Great video guys. Quality discussion that has me wanting both bikes!!
Nice video
Great trail for the review!!
I started mtb in old school geometry, but recently purchased a preloved scalpel ultimalte. I wanted to try a modern xc. Old school geometry suits me better for going up technical terrain: steeper head tube angle/shorter wheelbase. For the same reasons, the modern xc is more capable for going downhill.
Great discussion/video. I have a Scott Spark RC and I can very much relate to your comments on the two bikes. I have also found that getting the rebound settings right on both shock and fork can make a big difference in this type of bike (without being too anal). I switched the Twinlock remote over to the Rockshox Twistlock (both 3P) for the reasons that you mentioned and swapped the Transfer SL for a Bikeyoke Divine SL again for the rationale that you discussed. Thanks.
I bet if the Scalpel had a 5-10 mm higher riser bar, it would put you in a better descending position with the head angle up and a little les weight on the bars-- ie. trail geo. I wouldn't spend the extra $ on the Yeti, when both bikes are so good. Nice riding, vid, and production.
I have a 2023 Rocky Instinct carbon. These bikes are a little under-gunned for what I usually ride, and I don't have long mountain climbs where I live... Short extremely steep climbs and drops/slabs/rocks/roots mixed in on short descents. I don't have the terrain for an Enduro bike and the trails are sort of slow tech and rugged, so an XC bike is not ideal. The modern trail bike is perfect for where I ride.
Very well done!
As always
Great review. How does these type of new XC bikes compare to a Trek Top Fuel (Gen 3 or 4)?
Quite a bit different . Top Fuel is basically a trail bike (especially if spec’d with the 130mm fork). Descends much better, feels more stable etc, higher stack. XC (like the super cal, even gen 2), has much sharper steering, front is weighted much more , need to stay seated during climbs or can spin out. I ride both and prefer the supercal until I start to get beat up by rougher stuff.
We've got this direct comparison included in our Deep Dive of the Yeti ASR: blisterreview.com/deep-dive/deep-dive-mountain-bike/deep-dive-yeti-asr
East Coast Rider with a hard tail on undulating, flowy trails. Want to upgrade to FS bike. Leaning towards trail bike category, not these bikes. Ibis Ripley, Santa Cruz, Pivot Switchblade, Revel Rascal are on my list. Great video and would love to see something similar comparing the bikes I mentioned. This video convinced me these are not my best option.
Great review. any thoughts on the revel ranger and how it would compare to the ASR
We've got this direct comparison included in our Deep Dive of the Yeti ASR: blisterreview.com/deep-dive/deep-dive-mountain-bike/deep-dive-yeti-asr
Sniper T has been doing this for years. Had it regret selling it
You guys made me feel bad. I do ride xc with tight clothes on. 😂
At the end I don't see anything wrong with it 😂
To each their own! ;)
Get a good hard tail … 27.5 are crazy fun
duas máquinas!
Is not a scalpel if is missing a lefty ocho
Lol, I turned it off and gave thumbs down when made fun of wearing XC clothing.
exactly why you guys get made fun of
I’m mature enough to realize I look like a goober in XC/roadie gear while not caring about what others think because it’s extremely comfortable and functional for the intended purpose.
It has become the same old joke your old ass uncle tells you every time he shows up for a family event.