Guerilla Gravity

All sound advice IMO, herz.

Dan, the M1900 wheelset is a budget set, but still good enough to ride indefinitely; not super heavy. Only now, after 16 months, I'm wondering what a wheel upgrade could do for the Smash. The raw color is hard to beat for longevity. But some of the colors are fun...

You can build a relatively light bike with air shock/fork, or take on a little weight on either or both ends if you value the x-plush. A "light" build will be around 30.5 lbs. But riders don't buy GG bikes for the weight, and the only time they notice it is putting the bike on a rack. Riding a model or two would be a luxury if you're torn on what to get. Don't forget the versatility in being able to swap chain stays to create a different bike. Also, although not advertised, Smash and TP can be run as 275+.

SNA-DIA flights are dirt cheap :thumbsup:
 
The Smash they used for the Pinkbike review is for sale by GG on the pink bike buy/sell. :inlove:

Before I bought the Hightower, I was watching their demo sales pretty closely... There were some really good deals with full warranty. Jason talked me off the ledge with the really long travel Megatrail they had... :D
 
Danimal said:
@herzalot surprised no opinion on the MRP fork, oh guru of suspension.. :)
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They put the arch on backward, so I can't comment.

I tried an MRP Stage (170mm air) on a Knolly Warden. I was underwhelmed, but I probably didn't have it set up right. I had to let a lot of air out of it to get any plushness. Maybe it was in need of service. @sir crashalot loves his Ribbon, I think.
 
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The weez is talking about setting up her nephew with her v1 Bronson and getting herself a Smash. My fault for letting her try mine one too many times, maybe... A small Smash is way bigger than a med v1 Bronson except in standover. 5'3" might sound like a small rider on that big bike, but let's not forget the +5" ape index (and formidable skill :)).
 
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Danimal said:
So Bug, you got the bike yet? Curious minds want to know!
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Nah, not yet. When I ordered they told me somewhere around the third week of January. Been thinking I should check for a status update, and then purposefully not doing it. Lot's of (mostly good) craziness in the Gravy household kind of makes the arrival and assembly of a new toy (that I can't even play with yet) just feel like overload, so I kind of hope it doesn't show for a couple more weeks. Probably should check in at least though, as I haven't received any update since the first one above.
 
mike said:
The weez is talking about setting up her nephew with her v1 Bronson and getting herself a Smash. My fault for letting her try mine one too many times, maybe... A small Smash is way bigger than a med v1 Bronson except in standover. 5'3" might sound like a small rider on that big bike, but let's not forget the +5 ape index (and formidable skill :)).
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Seems they're bigger than most sizes. At just over 5'6" I'm square in the middle of their small sizing., where I've always ridden a medium.
 
Danimal said:
So Bug, you got the bike yet? Curious minds want to know!


https://ridegg.com/shreddogg
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Update today from GG. Frame is still at powder coat. Apparently the shop was closed for 2 weeks over the holidays. They expect it back next week, and then another week or two for them to do their machining, prep, and assembly. I'm guessing more like top of February before I actually get it. Probably for the best. I got a got a good report from the doc yesterday, and also sold my other bike yesterday, so no MTB until the GG arrives. That will help keep me from doing something I shouldn't do for the next couple/few weeks.
 
buggravy said:
Update today from GG. Frame is still at powder coat. Apparently the shop was closed for 2 weeks over the holidays. They expect it back next week, and then another week or two for them to do their machining, prep, and assembly. I'm guessing more like top of February before I actually get it. Probably for the best. I got a got a good report from the doc yesterday, and also sold my other bike yesterday, so no MTB until the GG arrives. That will help keep me from doing something I shouldn't do for the next couple/few weeks.
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The universe is taking care of you. Can't wait to see it and hear your first impressions (and second, third, fourth, etc).
 
Derkderkall said:
According to their newsletter, they're unveiling some surprises and a new site on the 30th...
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Got a quote from Baily at GG on the bike/s I'm looking at. He mentioned that there is a $500 discount on the 2018 frames, and the 2019 lineup is coming out end of month. I can't wait to see what they got in store for 2019.

And I must say I'm really impressed with the service so far.
Two emails sent, two informative replies with all the info needed and questions to narrow it down.
 
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Danimal said:
And I must say I'm really impressed with the service so far.
Two emails sent, two informative replies with all the info needed and questions to narrow it down.
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That stuff matters!
Since most bikes are more or less equally capable and equally reliable, it's stuff like that - the soul and face of a bike co - that will tip the scales. Not the price. Just happens to be a benefit that GG are less expensive than the fancy plastic bikes.

The frames are not attractive to my eye, but I think I could get over that. (Weird top tube shape, location of shock...)
 
I would not be surprised to see the reach on all normal frame sizes increased for '19. The "extra-medium" semi-custom size option got some attention; maybe too much? (Top and down tubes of a large on an otherwise medium frame.) It would improve the bikes IMO.

The launch party is Jan 30 at Marquis Theater in Denver.
 
scottay said:
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When exactly can you notice the drag and how does that affect you?
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:unsure: :cautious:
little-britain-men_2681134b.jpg
 
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I’m thinking a new model is in the mix for the launch. Seems like kind of a big event for a bunch of tweaks to current bikes.

Longer-travel 29er. What else could it be? They have a 120 mm FS in the Trail Pistol, Smash is 140. Would they invest in a new DH bike after purging one from the lineup? Those seem the logical possibilities.
 
mike said:
I’m thinking a new model is in the mix for the launch. Seems like kind of a big event for a bunch of tweaks to current bikes.

Longer-travel 29er. What else could it be? They have a 120 mm FS in the Trail Pistol, Smash is 140. Would they invest in a new DH bike after purging one from the lineup? Those seem the logical possibilities.
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A 26er advertised by Bill Cosby!
 
mike said:
I’m thinking a new model is in the mix for the launch. Seems like kind of a big event for a bunch of tweaks to current bikes.

Longer-travel 29er. What else could it be? They have a 120 mm FS in the Trail Pistol, Smash is 140. Would they invest in a new DH bike after purging one from the lineup? Those seem the logical possibilities.
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I’m guessing a DH, maybe with 27.5 and 29 compatibility with a flip chip or something?

Less likely for me is a more Capra like 160-170mm travel 29 (Smash already overlaps with that capability, IMO)

Or...Smash to 150-160, TP to 130-140, and something like a SB 100?
 
Danimal said:
thanks for the info/opinion, kind of what I was thinking too but like input. Still the shred looks pretty good...
The Wife said "lets take weekend trip to Denver to check GG out"..gotta love her!

@herzalot surprised no opinion on the MRP fork, oh guru of suspension.. :)
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The Shred can be converted to a MT or a Smash with a few extra parts...Smash can be built pretty light, and is really good on more chill/less aggro stuff too...YMMV, as I am a circus freak....
 
scottay said:
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Never could figure out this argument. When exactly can you notice the drag and how does that affect you?
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I noticed it coasting down a residential street that I coast down regularly - slight decline. Very noticeably slower than my own wheels. Turn 'em over and give them a spin and they came to a stop much quicker than either my DT Swiss or my Stans. I have tried two bikes equipped with I9s, and both were the same.

It affects me in that I have no desire to buy a hub with more drag that's really loud in order to get ratcheting action that I don't need or use. Again, I'm a hack, so my opinion doesn't matter, and I'm probably wrong. We all know that louder hubs are better! :thumbsup:
 
Not light frames, but within that context, riders do build Smashes and Pistols with weight consciousness. That usually means air suspension, CF parts, possibly tailored wheels.

I think a shock tune could be money well spent, whether air or coil, but especially for air. A Pike or similar fork is fairly light.

Honestly, you might like the pedaling and xc prowess well enough with just some carbon cockpit parts to keep it from being too portly. That’s how I built mine, thinking it would be a tool for shorter rides. I was very wrong. I rode that 32 lb bike on the biggest day rides I’ve done, and that certainly cools the upgrade-itis.

As far as model, that’s pretty personal, with terrain and your desired characteristics. I rode a Smash demo two days and decided that was a good setup for me, no desire to try less travel.
 
I’m running mine kinda as my “lighter” trail bike...I bought it used with a Pike and RS SD air shock...I ran it with 140 front for a while and then let out the Pike to 160. Pedals super well for me and still really capable on the downs...it didn’t bat an eye on Whistler double black valley trails (I did wuss out on some features though as I was riding alone), and that was with the Pike at 140.

My heavier trail bike is my full steel 29+ 160mm beast...no idea on weight but it is fun....

I’ve heard people really like the TP Pistola (long shocking it to 130mm) and running 140 or 150 front.

To me, the small weight diff between Smash and TP is probably not noticeable since I’m 260...I’ve broken 13 frames in my 13 or so years of riding, so I prioritize durability....
 
mike said:
Not light frames, but within that context, riders do build Smashes and Pistols with weight consciousness. That usually means air suspension, CF parts, possibly tailored wheels.

I think a shock tune could be money well spent, whether air or coil, but especially for air. A Pike or similar fork is fairly light.

Honestly, you might like the pedaling and xc prowess well enough with just some carbon cockpit parts to keep it from being too portly. That’s how I built mine, thinking it would be a tool for shorter rides. I was very wrong. I rode that 32 lb bike on the biggest day rides I’ve done, and that certainly cools the upgrade-itis.

As far as model, that’s pretty personal, with terrain and your desired characteristics. I rode a Smash demo two days and decided that was a good setup for me, no desire to try less travel.
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Sassyquatch said:
I’m running mine kinda as my “lighter” trail bike...I bought it used with a Pike and RS SD air shock...I ran it with 140 front for a while and then let out the Pike to 160. Pedals super well for me and still really capable on the downs...it didn’t bat an eye on Whistler double black valley trails (I did wuss out on some features though as I was riding alone), and that was with the Pike at 140.

My heavier trail bike is my full steel 29+ 160mm beast...no idea on weight but it is fun....

I’ve heard people really like the TP Pistola (long shocking it to 130mm) and running 140 or 150 front.

To me, the small weight diff between Smash and TP is probably not noticeable since I’m 260...I’ve broken 13 frames in my 13 or so years of riding, so I prioritize durability....
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Cool,
Sounds like both offer a pretty flexible platform.
 
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