Which one would you go for?

Lost Kiwi

Lost Kiwi

Well-Known Member
Getting really close to pulling the trigger on a new bike. The chief of finance looks to have been placated with the offer of a new shiny ring to stick on a finger so I've started browsing at whats out there.

I know anything I buy is going to be infinitely better than what I have now. I mostly ride my '01 Whyte with 100mm of travel and a '06 Marin Attack Trail (converted to single speed) with 150mm of travel. I like riding both bikes but prefer the Whyte over the Marin (mostly cos of the Whytes oddity). My plan is to convert the Whyte to single speed and ditch the Marin.

I want something thats going to feel more stable and give more confidence downhill but not be a wallowing pig on the uphill. I had been looking at stuff in the 120mm range but am struggling to find anything that does anything for me. Part of the problem is I have an aversion to SRAM - all my bikes are Shimano which helps for things like tools, part interchangeability etc and everything round my price point seems to be SRAM for some reason.

I did find the GG Trail Pistol (Rally) which I can customize to XT and Fox Factory which seems tasty and I know a few here have good things to say about GG. But then I stumbled upon the Foes Mixer which I really like the sound of.

Given that I'm used to riding round on geometry and suspension design thats 15-20 years old if I go to a 160mm travel modern geo bike am I going to be pleasantly surprised at how well it pedals up hill or am I going to be regretting it and wondering why I bothered and would sticking with a shorter travel bike be a better bet?

Weight of both bikes will be basically the same, geo wise they share a lot of similarities, reach is the same, wheelbase is close, head tube angle less than .5 degree difference. In fact the only numbers that are markedly different is seat tube angle, GG 78.1 vs Foes 75.

I know the obvious answer is to go and ride both and make a decision but in this current climate I don't know if thats even possible :unsure:
 
Lost Kiwi said:
Getting really close to pulling the trigger on a new bike. The chief of finance looks to have been placated with the offer of a new shiny ring to stick on a finger so I've started browsing at whats out there.

I know anything I buy is going to be infinitely better than what I have now. I mostly ride my '01 Whyte with 100mm of travel and a '06 Marin Attack Trail (converted to single speed) with 150mm of travel. I like riding both bikes but prefer the Whyte over the Marin (mostly cos of the Whytes oddity). My plan is to convert the Whyte to single speed and ditch the Marin.

I want something thats going to feel more stable and give more confidence downhill but not be a wallowing pig on the uphill. I had been looking at stuff in the 120mm range but am struggling to find anything that does anything for me. Part of the problem is I have an aversion to SRAM - all my bikes are Shimano which helps for things like tools, part interchangeability etc and everything round my price point seems to be SRAM for some reason.

I did find the GG Trail Pistol (Rally) which I can customize to XT and Fox Factory which seems tasty and I know a few here have good things to say about GG. But then I stumbled upon the Foes Mixer which I really like the sound of.

Given that I'm used to riding round on geometry and suspension design thats 15-20 years old if I go to a 160mm travel modern geo bike am I going to be pleasantly surprised at how well it pedals up hill or am I going to be regretting it and wondering why I bothered and would sticking with a shorter travel bike be a better bet?

Weight of both bikes will be basically the same, geo wise they share a lot of similarities, reach is the same, wheelbase is close, head tube angle less than .5 degree difference. In fact the only numbers that are markedly different is seat tube angle, GG 78.1 vs Foes 75.

I know the obvious answer is to go and ride both and make a decision but in this current climate I don't know if thats even possible :unsure:
Click to expand...
You can Demo the Foes Mixer this week if you want to. PM me.

Wait, how tall are you?
 
Lost Kiwi said:
Getting really close to pulling the trigger on a new bike. The chief of finance looks to have been placated with the offer of a new shiny ring to stick on a finger so I've started browsing at whats out there.

I know anything I buy is going to be infinitely better than what I have now. I mostly ride my '01 Whyte with 100mm of travel and a '06 Marin Attack Trail (converted to single speed) with 150mm of travel. I like riding both bikes but prefer the Whyte over the Marin (mostly cos of the Whytes oddity). My plan is to convert the Whyte to single speed and ditch the Marin.

I want something thats going to feel more stable and give more confidence downhill but not be a wallowing pig on the uphill. I had been looking at stuff in the 120mm range but am struggling to find anything that does anything for me. Part of the problem is I have an aversion to SRAM - all my bikes are Shimano which helps for things like tools, part interchangeability etc and everything round my price point seems to be SRAM for some reason.

I did find the GG Trail Pistol (Rally) which I can customize to XT and Fox Factory which seems tasty and I know a few here have good things to say about GG. But then I stumbled upon the Foes Mixer which I really like the sound of.

Given that I'm used to riding round on geometry and suspension design thats 15-20 years old if I go to a 160mm travel modern geo bike am I going to be pleasantly surprised at how well it pedals up hill or am I going to be regretting it and wondering why I bothered and would sticking with a shorter travel bike be a better bet?

Weight of both bikes will be basically the same, geo wise they share a lot of similarities, reach is the same, wheelbase is close, head tube angle less than .5 degree difference. In fact the only numbers that are markedly different is seat tube angle, GG 78.1 vs Foes 75.

I know the obvious answer is to go and ride both and make a decision but in this current climate I don't know if thats even possible :unsure:
Click to expand...
I don't think you can go wrong with GG Trail Pistol. My Vote!
 
Lost Kiwi said:
Getting really close to pulling the trigger on a new bike. The chief of finance looks to have been placated with the offer of a new shiny ring to stick on a finger so I've started browsing at whats out there.

I know anything I buy is going to be infinitely better than what I have now. I mostly ride my '01 Whyte with 100mm of travel and a '06 Marin Attack Trail (converted to single speed) with 150mm of travel. I like riding both bikes but prefer the Whyte over the Marin (mostly cos of the Whytes oddity). My plan is to convert the Whyte to single speed and ditch the Marin.

I want something thats going to feel more stable and give more confidence downhill but not be a wallowing pig on the uphill. I had been looking at stuff in the 120mm range but am struggling to find anything that does anything for me. Part of the problem is I have an aversion to SRAM - all my bikes are Shimano which helps for things like tools, part interchangeability etc and everything round my price point seems to be SRAM for some reason.

I did find the GG Trail Pistol (Rally) which I can customize to XT and Fox Factory which seems tasty and I know a few here have good things to say about GG. But then I stumbled upon the Foes Mixer which I really like the sound of.

Given that I'm used to riding round on geometry and suspension design thats 15-20 years old if I go to a 160mm travel modern geo bike am I going to be pleasantly surprised at how well it pedals up hill or am I going to be regretting it and wondering why I bothered and would sticking with a shorter travel bike be a better bet?

Weight of both bikes will be basically the same, geo wise they share a lot of similarities, reach is the same, wheelbase is close, head tube angle less than .5 degree difference. In fact the only numbers that are markedly different is seat tube angle, GG 78.1 vs Foes 75.

I know the obvious answer is to go and ride both and make a decision but in this current climate I don't know if thats even possible :unsure:
Click to expand...
Given how well you ride outdated equipment, I think you should zero in on mid travel bikes in the 120-140 range. They can be set up for all the plushy marvels of modern suspension and geometry, but are usually spritely enough not to make you yearn for your lighter bikes of yore. And they climb tech well.

Revel Rascal (130)? Yeti SB 130? Santa Cruz Hightower (140) or Tallboy (120)? Soooooo many to choose from. Can't really go wrong. Get whatever one gives you a chubbie! Or at this point, whatever bike you can actually find! No bike does everything great. But most do everything really, really well.

I vote for the Rascal - just to have another one Revel-ing in his bike choice. Buy the frame and fork from Revel and slap the Shimano goodies on aftermarket. I know a guy...
Of course, Revel may be months out like everybody else, so there's that.

Oooh - maybe you can snap up a demo something from Pro Bike Supply. They have Revel, Yeti, Pivot and more.
 
@Lost Kiwi everyone has already covered the bike recommendations, I got noting not already said. I will say you're gonna be kicking yourself in the azz for not doing this sooner! Whatever bike you land on, I am sure you stoke level will be high. And, you'll have plenty of time to Revel in it while you're waiting for your riding buds to catch up. Good luck getting Zerode in on a bike.:thumbsup:
 
Yup....not what you want to hear, but quality suspension is better than quantity.

the relics that you are used to riding have crap suspension compared to today’s bikes. You used to have to have more suspension to compensate for poor suspension. Bikes in that 120-140mm will be days and nights more capable than what you ride now.

160mm bikes do climb well these days....for 160mm bikes, but they are still a lot of bike.
 
This would be fun on the downhill sections!!! :sneaky:

119652304_5058554434186348_2264890855400881540_o.jpg
 
jimbowho said:
LK... just in case you haven't read it, there is a 2020 GG Trail pistol review I stumbled on. All I can say is, its long and thorough.
Blisterreview.com
Click to expand...
Read that review last week, one of the reasons I'm quite taken by them.
The ability to convert the frame to other specs also really appeals to a tinkerer like me.
@Danimal you got one of these don't you? Maybe we can do a Whiting run and I can take a closer look :)
 
Lost Kiwi said:
Read that review last week, one of the reasons I'm quite taken by them.
The ability to convert the frame to other specs also really appeals to a tinkerer like me.
@Danimal you got one of these don't you? Maybe we can do a Whiting run and I can take a closer look :)
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing.
I really like the bike, and honestly I don't think its the most spry climber, but not bad either. but point it down and it shines.
As you like to tinker, having more than one bike with one bike seems like it'd be right up your alley.

Whats your schedule, I go about 4pm a few afternoons a week ( park almost empty :thumbsup:), and sometimes weekends in the am. Going today actually just after 4.

Don't think you're a medium ( a # 2 in GG) , but if you are you can give it a spin.
 
I agree with Scottay and Herz. I'd strongly recommend looking at the Tallboy, SB130, Rascal or, my favorite, Ripley. I love the rear suspension design of the Rascal, but you probably need to size up on it. I like the way the Ripley pedals, the comfort and great geometry. GG is a cool bike, but it's not a light frame and probably not the best climber relative to the others.
 
Danimal said:
Whats your schedule, I go about 4pm a few afternoons a week ( park almost empty :thumbsup:), and sometimes weekends in the am. Going today actually just after 4.

Don't think you're a medium ( a # 2 in GG) , but if you are you can give it a spin.
Click to expand...
Champion! I'm probably going to jinx myself with work by saying this but tomorrow or Thursday 4 / 4:30 I should be able to skive off early. LMK if your heading out and I'll meet you near Wahoos.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone else, I'll do some more looking round.
 
Lost Kiwi said:
Champion! I'm probably going to jinx myself with work by saying this but tomorrow or Thursday 4 / 4:30 I should be able to skive off early. LMK if your heading out and I'll meet you near Wahoos.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone else, I'll do some more looking round.
Click to expand...

Prefect! Thursday should be good. Unless something pressing comes up at work ill plan on it.

If tomorrow is better for you I can probably make it work.
 
Danimal said:
Prefect! Thursday should be good. Unless something pressing comes up at work ill plan on it.

If tomorrow is better for you I can probably make it work.
Click to expand...
Thursday currently works for me.
herzalot said:
Was that a subliminal recommendation?

https://zerodebikes.com/

It fits in with @Lost Kiwi's attraction to unique bikes!
Click to expand...
Now they are cool bikes! Way out of my budget though, plus I made the mistake of looking at NZ pricing. Even after you add the 20% GST (sales tax) the same bike is $1600 (USD) cheaper to buy there than here. If I was flying back to visit I'd pick one up and bring it back but thats not going to happen this year. I can't afford to spend 2 weeks in quarantine :(
 
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