This was filmed a few months ago, before my diagnosis. Unfortunately im still not able to ride a bike. Ive been stuck in bed most of this month. To follow along with my health journey and to support the channel, consider becoming a patron today. Patreon.com/hardtailparty Its astounding how much better this bike rides than the canyon stoic on the same trails. Absolute night and day difference in speed, smoothness, confidence, and control il. Its unreal how good this is
Sorry to hear so...I've the same CFS-issues like you for nearly 10 years and I'm struggeling heavily for three weeks now, hoping it will get a bit better soon😞
Ya know, i am historically a big time FS guy, owning downhill bikes and enduro bikes , but ive been binge watching your chanel the past few weeks and i surprise myself now as i am excitedly shopping for a hardtail to add to my stable! Thanks for the inspiration!
Sadly this was filmed a few months ago before my diagnosis. I'm still not able to ride. I don't even have energy to hike this trail right now. I've been stuck in bed for the most part of a month. Teacup always gives me a run for my money, it's such a great technical trail. I was blown away by how good this bike rides there.
@@hardtailpartyI had something similar a couple years ago . Was riding pretty hard for a given period of time . I had the philosophy no pain no gain . Went for a longer ride and half way I became exhausted and a bit nauseous . Got home and fell asleep for 4 hours in the daytime . After that I had a dry cough and fatigued . Could not ride my bike up a tiny hill . I thought I had COVID but I tested negative . After a couple months of rest my body regained it's energy . My thought is I did more than what my body would accept . Now I would say I never had great energy in my life until I really cleaned up my lifestyle which became radically healthy . I think we just push to hard . I am very careful about that now and listen to my body knowing the fatigue can return
I live on Vancouver Island... The new era of long, low, slack bikes have really changed the game. I have the RS-291, and definitely doing steeper gnarly trails are way more fun than they used to be on the older geo bikes. That being said, these new slack bikes do have drawbacks. But well worth them for feeling confident in the Westcoast steeps. Th8s bike is sick... Way to go, Steve! Thanks for putting another brand on my radar. My bank account doesnt like you 😅😅😅
@joshuabear7735 Oh yes, as an RSD customer. I've definitely seen Jacob Salix clips of him ripping. The dude is a shredder! Yeah, our blues are like double blacks to the rest of the world. We just be a little bit different here, lol. Dunno if that's a good or a bad thing haha.
I LOOOVE the fact that you occasionally relate to and address the rider that is upgrading from from 90's style geometry and riding! I'm about to embark on this journey...
Before watching your channel, I never considered getting two different types of hardtails (such as XC and Enduro), but you explain it so well that does make sense.
Thanks. This one is from the archives, before my diagnosis. It'll be months before I can ride like this again. I still haven't thrown a leg over a bike for the past 5 weeks.
@hardtailparty OH wow Steve, I thought it was recent. Well keep on getting Better, and we LOVE YOU Brother. Steve, I became a Patreon and I was just wondering how long it takes for the Sticker Package to arrive? Thanks for all you do for the MTB COMMUNITY.........🤝🏾🇺🇸💪🏾🙏🏾👍🏾It's been about 6 weeks since I became a Patreon, sorry for not mentioning that.
Wow Steve your reviews just keep getting better and I really appreciated the trail technique tips and terrain descriptions . It really helped me visualize your terrain better. The other thing that made this bike come alive is you bro. That was some sweet shredding !!!!
Before I got into mountainbiking (actually never ridden on a mountain aside from that one time as a kid) a 1k bike was the dream, now just the frame is 2200 and I never really understood why ppl would spend so much on a frame, but watching HTparty and some others have made me realize that's it's just something special to ride a frame that has perfect fit, balanced ridefeel and the right amount of flex. Sadly I might never experience that. But I am saving money to get the rsd middlechild, it just screams my name. Thank you for all of your work, and have a good recovery. For me, it's a dream to come and join you on a ride in Sedona.
Very cool bike. Looks like it shreds! BTW, thanks for reminding us of how much fun a hardtail can be. I'd written them off over a decade ago but now I'm seriously considering building one up. Watching you climb technical stuff makes me miss that direct connection of a pedal stroke.
Word to the wise to avoid confusion: when Steve says this bike is special, he means special for THIS type of riding on these steep, gnarly trails. Meaning: if the majority of the terrain you ride your MTB is not like it, the bike isn't for you. Congrats to Sharen for designing such an avant-garde bike!
In almost every single review I stress the importance of picking the right bike for the trails you ride. That's why I don't make a "top 10 best hardtails" list, because the perfect hardtail for area A isn't the perfect hardtail for area B. See my video about the 95% rule. This is why my bike consultation service is so important, it matches bike recommendations with the trails someone rides.
That's one crazy looking bike, Steve, in the good way though. But would you say this bike is borderlining how slack a bike can before it starts to chew through head tube bearings? Great balanced review as always, so thank you for that and Godspeed on your recovery 🤜💥🤛
Thanks for this review. Loved it and loved all your enthusiasm. I don’t always understand the technical terms but that’s about me and where I am on my journey. I’d love to ride this bike! Thanks for what you do and who you are
Such a great job explaining modern technique and how to ride a very slack hardtail!!! Great details on the review and with that scenery in the background and taking us on those technical trails just outstanding!!! Another fantastic review Steve!!
looks like a super fun bike! I live and ride in switzerland. i mostly ride a bfemax and think this bike looks like it would also be great for alot of the riding i do!
@@hardtailparty Hopefully that changes soon, I'm quite sure the trails miss you as well. Thank you for doing all you do and take care of yourself. Imagine how brilliant it will be when you are back. no hurries, no worries. Keep on Truckin'. Cheers.
Youve done alot of revirmarkerade on bikes ive been curious about.. this is one i never heard of, but really is ”the exaggerated version” of the things i like in modern hts.. Thanks for a good review! Going for trails that are supposed to make the bike shine, rather than giving it +/- in different categories is perfect! As riders we know the trails we like to ride, so hearing what someone’s reflections on that ride is a lot more.. easy to comprehend, without needing to consider/factor different rider sizes, experience and purpose for riding as much. I mean I’m the opposite size very skinny and really tall, and generally go for more jumpy/aggressive trails than what’s often here on HTP. Regardless this review is suuuuper easy to sort of translate to what it would mean for me etc! Top tier stuff!!
@hardtailparty man I loved your enthusiasm for this bike in the review, it's infectious! You mentioned there being 5 enduro hardtails that you currently like, which ones are they? Just to know whether my one is in there 😉
That is a sick bike, great review! I think you have to compromise on geo sometimes if you can only manage to own one hardtail...either you have a bike like this one(which I prefer) or you get a lighter more trail/XC oriented bike. I also feel it's more about gaining skills on your bike then the actual bike's geo, a great rider can shred on most bikes. This bike would be exactly what I would pick, can ride any trail well.
I wonder why he went with superboost spacing on the rear? Just to get a few more mm chainline I guess? Unfortunately, that makes it hard to just swap parts from another bike to this one if you just buy a frame...
This is a common question. As a builder, it really makes a difference when you are trying to fit a tire, chain stay, and chainring in the same space. Super boost allows me to build with symmetrical stays (no yoke) and still run cranks with a standard Q factor. With 55 chainline cranks, super boost rear shifts great. Sad to say, this is the standard the industry should have gone with rather than boost. Tell you what: If you order a bike, I'll cover the cost of a new rear hub!
@@willscharen8472 Great info! And an awesome offer! Unfortunately, a new frame isn't in the cards for me a the moment, but I do appreciate the offer! Cheers!
I understand that this was one of your stashed videos and you're still recovering. Still praying for you and believing God's best for you and the family. Maybe later Will can build you a frame more to your design specs with a 120mm fork.
Switching from older to newer bike geometry? I wish bike shops would better explain how slacker geometry affects steering - a little basic education would've saved me a ton of trouble!
crazy to hear you talk about people stacking rock for MTB, thought that was only a rock crawler issue, lol. Folks want to claim doing hard trails but only at an easy level. 100% ride/find a better trail.
I once drove the Rubicon trail while jeep was there for a PR event. The number of professional rock stackers they had to make ramps up all the ledges was laughable.
Awesome review.. guessing that you have to really weight the front wheel to get the front tyre to grip, being that the chainstay is so short Seen a few kona esd reviews and everyone says putting the chainstay in the shortest setting takes grip away from the front.
Low bottom brackets are over rated! Higher bottom bracket + longer reach puts you in attack position making a long bike feel smaller while gaining the benefits that comes with a longer wheelbase! In the end it might also come down to your body shape.. really fascinating stuff bike geo and fit!
A slack head angle is also great because if you put spacers under the bar you can adjust the length of the cockpit and make it fit more people. I would love to ride this bike! I like to get rowdy but mostly just small hills around here in the forest but many cool slabs and small jumps and short rowdy sections of singletrack. I think it would be great for this.
I hate the heavy steering of my 63° hardtail... Bad riding dynamic on all terrain except for super duper stupid steep downhill. In my opinion, 66°-67° is perfect.... The kind of bike you want to ride every day.
This was filmed a few months ago, before my diagnosis. Unfortunately im still not able to ride a bike. Ive been stuck in bed most of this month. To follow along with my health journey and to support the channel, consider becoming a patron today. Patreon.com/hardtailparty
Its astounding how much better this bike rides than the canyon stoic on the same trails. Absolute night and day difference in speed, smoothness, confidence, and control il. Its unreal how good this is
Wish you nothing but the best. I feel your pain. Don't have CFS but been battling several extremely serious health issues.
I wish you a good recovery !
Sorry to hear so...I've the same CFS-issues like you for nearly 10 years and I'm struggeling heavily for three weeks now, hoping it will get a bit better soon😞
Ya know, i am historically a big time FS guy, owning downhill bikes and enduro bikes , but ive been binge watching your chanel the past few weeks and i surprise myself now as i am excitedly shopping for a hardtail to add to my stable! Thanks for the inspiration!
Awesome! Glad to hear it. Hardtails aren't amazing everywhere, but they do some things a fs could never do
@@hardtailparty for sure! I am most interested in making home trails more exciting with the rawness that can only come from hardtail!
Awesome to see you back out on the trails! Those punchy moves on Teacup are no joke - impressive riding on a beautiful bike
Sadly this was filmed a few months ago before my diagnosis. I'm still not able to ride. I don't even have energy to hike this trail right now. I've been stuck in bed for the most part of a month. Teacup always gives me a run for my money, it's such a great technical trail. I was blown away by how good this bike rides there.
@@hardtailparty I'm sorry to hear that man. Sending good vibes and keeping you in my thoughts
@@hardtailpartyI had something similar a couple years ago . Was riding pretty hard for a given period of time . I had the philosophy no pain no gain . Went for a longer ride and half way I became exhausted and a bit nauseous . Got home and fell asleep for 4 hours in the daytime . After that I had a dry cough and fatigued . Could not ride my bike up a tiny hill . I thought I had COVID but I tested negative . After a couple months of rest my body regained it's energy . My thought is I did more than what my body would accept . Now I would say I never had great energy in my life until I really cleaned up my lifestyle which became radically healthy . I think we just push to hard . I am very careful about that now and listen to my body knowing the fatigue can return
I learned to mtb in Ashland. So great to see a builder featured from that region.
I'll take "What is SLACK?, for $500, Alex". Holy smokes. Great review, Steve. Looks like a fun bike!!
I live on Vancouver Island... The new era of long, low, slack bikes have really changed the game. I have the RS-291, and definitely doing steeper gnarly trails are way more fun than they used to be on the older geo bikes. That being said, these new slack bikes do have drawbacks. But well worth them for feeling confident in the Westcoast steeps. Th8s bike is sick... Way to go, Steve! Thanks for putting another brand on my radar. My bank account doesnt like you 😅😅😅
Have you watched Salix shred around you on his RS 291? I miss your blue trails up there. I still have the fear from double blacks though.
@joshuabear7735 Oh yes, as an RSD customer. I've definitely seen Jacob Salix clips of him ripping. The dude is a shredder! Yeah, our blues are like double blacks to the rest of the world. We just be a little bit different here, lol. Dunno if that's a good or a bad thing haha.
I LOOOVE the fact that you occasionally relate to and address the rider that is upgrading from from 90's style geometry and riding! I'm about to embark on this journey...
Before watching your channel, I never considered getting two different types of hardtails (such as XC and Enduro), but you explain it so well that does make sense.
Thanks. I think a fs bikes makes more sense for Enduro, but I can't deny how much fun this bike is.
Ashland Ore. !? Awesome ! I have spent a crazy amount of time in that region, LOVE that area.
I DEFFINITELY want one !!
Frame matches your shirt perfectly!
Great job Steve on that technical stuff. You always impress! I like that bike too.
Thanks. That's why I moved to Sedona, I love this stuff.
Glad to see you Back at it Steve, have a Blessed Day Brother.......🙏🏾👍🏾🤝🏾🇺🇸💪🏾😊
Thanks. This one is from the archives, before my diagnosis. It'll be months before I can ride like this again. I still haven't thrown a leg over a bike for the past 5 weeks.
@hardtailparty OH wow Steve, I thought it was recent. Well keep on getting Better, and we LOVE YOU Brother. Steve, I became a Patreon and I was just wondering how long it takes for the Sticker Package to arrive? Thanks for all you do for the MTB COMMUNITY.........🤝🏾🇺🇸💪🏾🙏🏾👍🏾It's been about 6 weeks since I became a Patreon, sorry for not mentioning that.
Wow Steve your reviews just keep getting better and I really appreciated the trail technique tips and terrain descriptions . It really helped me visualize your terrain better.
The other thing that made this bike come alive is you bro. That was some sweet shredding !!!!
Thank you for the kind words.
Mind… blown… such a crazy bike design! Wow. Thanks Steve.
Ashland! sooo much fun to ride. Ball bearings on glass half the year, velcro the rest of the year lol.
Ain't that the truth! The mixed blessing of DG.
Digging the paint and the look/lines of this frame…. Hang Tuff Steve
Before I got into mountainbiking (actually never ridden on a mountain aside from that one time as a kid) a 1k bike was the dream, now just the frame is 2200 and I never really understood why ppl would spend so much on a frame, but watching HTparty and some others have made me realize that's it's just something special to ride a frame that has perfect fit, balanced ridefeel and the right amount of flex. Sadly I might never experience that. But I am saving money to get the rsd middlechild, it just screams my name. Thank you for all of your work, and have a good recovery. For me, it's a dream to come and join you on a ride in Sedona.
Very cool bike. Looks like it shreds!
BTW, thanks for reminding us of how much fun a hardtail can be. I'd written them off over a decade ago but now I'm seriously considering building one up. Watching you climb technical stuff makes me miss that direct connection of a pedal stroke.
The view on that last leg of the trail is amazing
Looks like an awesome bike. Hope you're doing great! Thanks for keeping us stoked about bikes!
Has to be one of your most positive review. Really has to be something special.
Keep on healing and fighting Steve. I'll go ride my taival on some rowdy stuff in your honor.
💪
Word to the wise to avoid confusion: when Steve says this bike is special, he means special for THIS type of riding on these steep, gnarly trails.
Meaning: if the majority of the terrain you ride your MTB is not like it, the bike isn't for you.
Congrats to Sharen for designing such an avant-garde bike!
In almost every single review I stress the importance of picking the right bike for the trails you ride. That's why I don't make a "top 10 best hardtails" list, because the perfect hardtail for area A isn't the perfect hardtail for area B. See my video about the 95% rule. This is why my bike consultation service is so important, it matches bike recommendations with the trails someone rides.
amazing bike. Your skills are incredible Steve!
That's one crazy looking bike, Steve, in the good way though. But would you say this bike is borderlining how slack a bike can before it starts to chew through head tube bearings? Great balanced review as always, so thank you for that and Godspeed on your recovery 🤜💥🤛
I’d be curious to see what this does on the Sierra Mountains. Downieville, Mount Hough, Greagle type riding. Ashland isn’t to far away from that area.
I feel like downieveille isn't quite steep or janky enough to wake this home up. It'd still be fun there but it's capable of so much more.
Visually it looks wild! Super cool bike
Seems like the perfect hard tail 😍
Thanks for this review. Loved it and loved all your enthusiasm. I don’t always understand the technical terms but that’s about me and where I am on my journey.
I’d love to ride this bike!
Thanks for what you do and who you are
What a banger of a bike review. Nice one, Steve!
Such a great job explaining modern technique and how to ride a very slack hardtail!!! Great details on the review and with that scenery in the background and taking us on those technical trails just outstanding!!! Another fantastic review Steve!!
Thank you Shaun, I always appreciate your positivity.
Great review as always, rest up and get better!
Seems like a capable bike park style hardtail to me. I’ll have to keep this in mind.
looks like a super fun bike! I live and ride in switzerland. i mostly ride a bfemax and think this bike looks like it would also be great for alot of the riding i do!
Great video Steve you seriously shred.
Great to see you out there shralping the gnar again. Cheers
Sadly im still not on the bike. This was filmed a few months ago.
@@hardtailparty Hopefully that changes soon, I'm quite sure the trails miss you as well. Thank you for doing all you do and take care of yourself. Imagine how brilliant it will be when you are back. no hurries, no worries. Keep on Truckin'. Cheers.
Curious minds want to know what wheel build your running in the rear with that superboost?
Beautiful rig/review thank you.
PLEASE do a review on Titanium Lynskey Pro 29!
If Lynskey wants to send one, I'll happily review it.
Youve done alot of revirmarkerade on bikes ive been curious about.. this is one i never heard of, but really is ”the exaggerated version” of the things i like in modern hts..
Thanks for a good review!
Going for trails that are supposed to make the bike shine, rather than giving it +/- in different categories is perfect! As riders we know the trails we like to ride, so hearing what someone’s reflections on that ride is a lot more.. easy to comprehend, without needing to consider/factor different rider sizes, experience and purpose for riding as much. I mean I’m the opposite size very skinny and really tall, and generally go for more jumpy/aggressive trails than what’s often here on HTP. Regardless this review is suuuuper easy to sort of translate to what it would mean for me etc! Top tier stuff!!
Alot of reviews*
@hardtailparty man I loved your enthusiasm for this bike in the review, it's infectious! You mentioned there being 5 enduro hardtails that you currently like, which ones are they? Just to know whether my one is in there 😉
Great review! I missed the Geo talk. How slack is this thing?
That is a sick bike, great review! I think you have to compromise on geo sometimes if you can only manage to own one hardtail...either you have a bike like this one(which I prefer) or you get a lighter more trail/XC oriented bike. I also feel it's more about gaining skills on your bike then the actual bike's geo, a great rider can shred on most bikes. This bike would be exactly what I would pick, can ride any trail well.
Great review again🥳
What gloves are you wearing? I really like them🤩
I'm always in handup gloves. I'm a big fan. Link on description.
I've gone over the bars on a climb. Front and rear wheel both caught on rock ledge at the same time. The bike stopped, I didn't.
such a beautiful bike. Probably not the bike for me, but id still like to ride one.
Still waiting on a GT Zaskar review. Hope you can do one soon. Love your channel.
Probably not going to happen anytime soon. I've reached out to them in the past. I don't think I'd like that super long chainstay
What about a 1996 Zaskar? Mine is a freaking deathtrap and I refuse to ride it.
what a bike!
it seems similar to honzo ESD. How does it compare?
I do my bike comparisons over on Patreon. It's very different.
wouldnt a little taller stack help so your knees dont smack the bars/shifters etc? bike looks like a lot of fun tho!
Yes, but it would take some weight off the front. It'd be fun to experiment with different stack heights.
Sweet!!!
I wonder why he went with superboost spacing on the rear? Just to get a few more mm chainline I guess? Unfortunately, that makes it hard to just swap parts from another bike to this one if you just buy a frame...
This is a common question. As a builder, it really makes a difference when you are trying to fit a tire, chain stay, and chainring in the same space. Super boost allows me to build with symmetrical stays (no yoke) and still run cranks with a standard Q factor. With 55 chainline cranks, super boost rear shifts great. Sad to say, this is the standard the industry should have gone with rather than boost. Tell you what: If you order a bike, I'll cover the cost of a new rear hub!
@@willscharen8472 Great info! And an awesome offer! Unfortunately, a new frame isn't in the cards for me a the moment, but I do appreciate the offer! Cheers!
How does it compare to a BFE Max?
I do my bike comparisons and consultations over on patreon. I'd be happy to help you over there. Patreon.com/hardtailparty
I understand that this was one of your stashed videos and you're still recovering. Still praying for you and believing God's best for you and the family.
Maybe later Will can build you a frame more to your design specs with a 120mm fork.
Switching from older to newer bike geometry? I wish bike shops would better explain how slacker geometry affects steering - a little basic education would've saved me a ton of trouble!
If this thing was a car it would be a Datsun 510. That's all I needed to hear to be sold on it!
Maybe on the 13 miles of steep down hill at Mt Ashland with shuttle service
crazy to hear you talk about people stacking rock for MTB, thought that was only a rock crawler issue, lol. Folks want to claim doing hard trails but only at an easy level. 100% ride/find a better trail.
I once drove the Rubicon trail while jeep was there for a PR event. The number of professional rock stackers they had to make ramps up all the ledges was laughable.
Awesome review.. guessing that you have to really weight the front wheel to get the front tyre to grip, being that the chainstay is so short
Seen a few kona esd reviews and everyone says putting the chainstay in the shortest setting takes grip away from the front.
It seems like the trend for trails is all “flow” so many good tech trails getting sanitized down (approved or unapproved)
Low bottom brackets are over rated! Higher bottom bracket + longer reach puts you in attack position making a long bike feel smaller while gaining the benefits that comes with a longer wheelbase!
In the end it might also come down to your body shape.. really fascinating stuff bike geo and fit!
A slack head angle is also great because if you put spacers under the bar you can adjust the length of the cockpit and make it fit more people.
I would love to ride this bike! I like to get rowdy but mostly just small hills around here in the forest but many cool slabs and small jumps and short rowdy sections of singletrack. I think it would be great for this.
I like low bbs sometimes and I like tall bbs sometimes. It all depends on the other numbers and where it's being ridden.
I tried a downhill bike with 71 degree HTA. It was unrideable! I had to install +2 degree cups to make it work.
61 or 71? I feel like those bikes need the be ridden at 30mph+ to come alive
Grim donut😂
I hate the heavy steering of my 63° hardtail... Bad riding dynamic on all terrain except for super duper stupid steep downhill. In my opinion, 66°-67° is perfect.... The kind of bike you want to ride every day.
Definitely too much bike for me but a nice bike nonetheless.