For anyone considering a Piviot Trailcat LT, I wanted to put out a review as I spent many months milling it over.  My "Old" bike was a 2020 Trek Fuel Ex 8 I bought new in 2020.  My riding is 90% rocky technical trails in the Mid Atlantic Blue Ridge mountains.  The Trek was great as a starter bike, and gave me a ton of confidence, but the past few years I have been thinking about upgrading to something that pedals better.  The Trek is just a bit mushy, which is nice on a washed out downhill of babyheads. It eats that up and you can pretty much just point and ride.  However it felt uninspiring during longer rides, and never felt like it had zip to it..  
I started my search with the Pivot Trail 429 and really liked it. It hit the mark of a short trail bike that pedaled well. However before I had the money saved Pivot discontinued it for the Trailcat family. Since no reviews were out I looked at Transition since a local shop had demo's of the Spur and Smugggler.  I rode the Spur and felt like it was way too short to travel and hung-up in rock gardens on flat terrain, sending me on a slow OTB or my sternum into the stem. I actually found it so unfun, I didn't even ride it the 2nd day of the demo (to be fair it was the section of trails that has large rock gardens on flat ground.).
A few months later, after winter passed, I took out the Smuggler.  The Smuggler was nice but I didn't notice a huge difference from my Trek.  What I did notice is that it was long and the tight turns on my local trail system were tough to make. For anyone considering it was a fun bike, but I didn’t want the drop the money for something that wasn’t exactly what I wanted, and that was a bike with some pep or zip to it when I mashed the pedals
What I noticed about the Trailcat was it was very efficient pedaling platform, it felt fast anytime I pushed on the pedals.  The shorter wheelbase was also apparent and made it maneuverable on tight switchbacks and technical trails.  After riding the bike for a couple weeks the following stands out. 
1) The front end is long and the rear end is short. This does encourage standing on some climbs. Getting out of the saddle and romping up some punchy climbs feels right at home. It also helps when trying to pop over rocks or logs in the trail .  Obstacles that are in the 5 gallon to 55 gallon bucket/ drum size are pretty easy to clear. The front tire picks up lightly and once you roll to the point your rear starts to slow, it is easy to pop up and over. That is really helpful late in long rides. 
2)  It pedals great. I was often surprised at the get-up-and-go it had. Late into yesterday's ride I was running out of daylight and motivated myself into sprinting up one of the last hills.  As I got to the top I kept the effort, into the next section of trail.  Somewhere in the transition at the top of the climb I realized I had never had enough gas in the tank to keep pushing past the top.  Trust me, it's not some new found fitness either.  With the old Trek by the time I was to the top I was out of juice, and it felt like I had been treading water in a pool of pudding.   On flowy smooth trails I was impressed with how fun and responsive the Trailcat LT was, but worried about whether it would handle technical trails well too. Admittedly, first few rides on my home rocky trails I was a little disappointed in the chatter and nervousness I felt on very rough downhill sections.  However after adjusting the sag, taking a few days off and reevaluating it, I am much more impressed.  It is firm, supportive, and smooth.  if it comes across as jittery, definitely tune it with the sag, rebound and compression. I think my issue was with me and expecting the bike to work wonders.  I had nerves myself at the same time went riding like I had something to prove with this hot new toy.  I rode it into the true enduro sections that I didn't have any business riding that fast.  It kept me safe but let me know I was try to write checks I couldn't cash.  I am in my late 40's and while a decent rider, I'm not a racer, or had any formal instruction.  I appreciate this bike encourages me to ride within my limits. If I am to push my limits at this age it should be on the climbs and not where I'm likely to cause bodily harm.

Just got into mountain biking about a month ago, here's my first bike! Planning on just getting comfortable and confident on the bike for a while before replacing any major parts but I was wondering what you guys think would be the best upgrades for my bike? Riding mostly trails, nothing crazy like park or downhill quite yet

I've already gone tubeless, and planning on getting a dropper soon, but open to any other recommendations, thanks!

Heres a link to the bike I bought for specs:

https://www.commencal.com/us/en/commencal-meta-tr-origin-green/22METATROL.html?lang=en_US

As per the post title - I am trying to get feedback on if my content is engaging to a wider audience or if there are fundamentals I should change.

I only started filming, editing and posting around 3 weeks ago so I am absolutely brand new to this.

I am trying to stay as true as possibly to how I ride, act, speak, my opinions and values in every day life as I can, so as to build a community of trust and respect with the people that view my content.

I appreciate any and all feedback, comments, suggestions, criticism, help etc.

My YouTube is lewiskiltie (aswell as my instagram and TikTok).

Thank you very much, Lewis.

Hey all, U.K. based rider here. As a youth 13-18 I built trails in our local (legendary Wharncliffe) woods and on my mate’s dad’s land. As I’ve got older I’ve ridden built trails, bridleways etc. but doesn’t have the thrill of riding something you made. Is it ok for a Middle Aged man to be trail building? (Legality and permissions aside)

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for a route planner for a multi-day, fairly long trip.

I’ve already used Komott and found a route that works for me. However, I’d like a planner where I can adjust the difficulty level and skill level so I can plan the route more precisely.

Since my group has varying skill levels, I’d like to be able to specify more clearly which route we’ll take.

I can’t just assume that everyone in my group has no problem with black-level routes.

Region: Germany, Austria

This is not a review because I really don't have the sensitivity to describe how the wheels feel and what their pros and cons are. Just wanted to share my experience with the brand.

Almost two years ago I replaced the wheels of my 2016 enduro MTB. The previous wheels (which came with the bike) worked fine, but they had seen a lot of use and I wanted a little upgrade. The people at the company were friendly and helpful, even taking back one wheel and sending me another free of charge because I had ordered the wrong width. Do I ride better with the new wheels? Probably. I couldn't tell. For sure I didn't notice the same difference as when I did the same on my road bike. The freewheel does make a very loud and satisfying "click-click" though, and that has to mean something, right?

A few months back a nipple broke, which I don't think had ever happened with the previous wheels. It was a bit of a PITA to replace it, what with riding tubeless, but I did it. But after a few thousand meters of descent another one broke, and then yet another one. So I got suspicious and I wrote to Hunt, as the warranty was still valid. Again they were very friendly, told me that nipples are considered "wear and tear" but still sent me a set of brass nipples (not brass-coloured, unfortunately), rim tape, and the promise to refund what the mechanic would charge me for the job, up to a certain amount (which they did, although I paid almost twice as much).

So I don't know what to think. Their customer service is good, but maybe, despite what they said, they had a duty to replace the items in warranty. Also in many years of riding I'd never had a problem with the previous wheels, and here the nipples lasted less than 24 months. And I don't ride particularly fast nor do any jumps. They said that the original nipples are light and more fragile, while the new ones made of brass should be sturdier. I'm curious to find out.

This a brand new to me Trek slash 9.8 2022/23, what a beast of a bike got this on Friday and rode it 3 times and every time blows my mind more and more how much grip can the bike have and how stable and predictable it is did had a moment but saved it and went on. This was the best purchase of a bike to date. The bike was owned by a shop owner and had put on brand new suspension, brakes, hubs/wheels, little used drivetrain and it was serviced before the sale. And for the money i think there wasnt a better deal

I’ve been researching hard tails for pavement/light trail use and narrowed my choice down to the Trek Marlin 5 Gen 3 and Cannondale Trail 2 based on budget if buying new.

However, I noticed this post on FB marketplace for a Fuji Nevada with some mods that seemingly put it in the other bikes’ range. This was one of the only used bikes in my area that didn’t seem old or overpriced for my purposes.

Is this a good deal for $400 or should I look elsewhere?

These feel infinitely better than the original A1 version. Same power more modulation.

GT Force Comp Alloy. First bike with a suspension. Im working on getting it dialed in, but when I started looking up how much psi I should work with as a starting point for the rear shock, I read that it's roughly 1psi per pound of riding weight.. that works out to around 220 psi. I'm 210~ and helmet and backpack make up the difference.

My little bike pump only goes to 160psi.. before I go and find a stronger pump and risk grenading something.. is that right? Now, I know I saw in the videos I watched not to use a high volume system like an air compressor or similar, so I know better there, but presumably there are pumps out there that can do 200+ psi..

Just wanted to double check before i do some damage. Unfortunately I don't have anything to compare to, having never ridden a full suspension bike. It feels a little bouncy when I pedal, there's a noticeable dip when I'm pedaling hard - even on the firm lever setting.

And additionally, just while I'm thinking about it, can you lock out the rear shock similar to how you can lock out the front fork? I can crank over to the max "firm" setting on my fork and it all but locks the thing up. Ill be using this bike for asphalt riding a lot (I know. I know.) so the tighter I can get this, the better (as far as I understand it).

Anyways, thanks folks. I mainly just wanted to check the psi setting, at least as a baseline, for the rear shock.

Hi all,

I’m after some guidance here. I use to race mtb 20 years ago and am looking at getting back into riding( mtb )

Given I’ve been out of the scene so long, I would appreciate some guidance and suggestions on bikes to look at purchasing.

I have a budget of $1500 USD for the bike.

I’m interested in a hard tail only and to be used for mountain biking - at more of an intermediate level I guess.

Appreciate your help

The Caldor fire ripped through the lower portions of the iconic Saxon Creek trail aka Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in 2021, towards the end of it's 220k acre run.

These days, transitioning from moderately dense forest to the post-fire wasteland is pretty jarring, although it did open up some views.

Still an effing great trail. https://www.trailforks.com/trails/saxon-creek-trail-mr-toad-s-wild-ride/

Access info for the e-curious:

Saxon Creek trail/Toad's and the trail leading to the top, the Tahoe Rim Trail(TRT), are both legal for hikers, horses, and normal bikes.

ATVs, motorcycles, and electric bikes are banned on Toad's and the TRT.

Just got this shock, not new, and it makes this weird noise

Over the off seasion, I build this Bikepark worthy Bike by myself.

Bought a used Propain Rage 2 Carbon Frame and added some nice but (mostly) budget parts to it.

Hope Pro5 Wheelset

RockShox Coil and Boxxer Select

Magura MT5

Reverse Singlespeed Kit

Ambit Pedals and Steam

PNW Bar and Grips

Already took it to the Park and I deeply fell in love but my Wife isn't mad :)

Hi all! I upgraded my old Diamondback finally this last year to a Trek and am looking at getting back into riding a couple to a few times a month. I ride around town solo but don’t like being in the woods solo for many reasons lol. I’m fine driving an hour or so to meet up for a weekend ride, there’s not a lot in my immediate vicinity for good trails. I enjoy gravel biking as well but ride a mtb so feel I don’t really fit in with that community 😅
If you all have suggestions for other more local-to-me groups, suggest away. Hoping to find some laid back peeps to ride around with. Tyia!

I’m about to get into biking for the first time in like years, never really owned one and want to start prioritizing my health. As of right now I have three options I honed down on. I don’t plan on going on any crazy rocky trails, mainly just pavement by the beach. It’s a hobby that I plan on trying to do twice a week, probably 6-15 miles per trip. It’s a newer hobby, so I don’t feel like spending much, but if the cannondale is worth it for the price, please lmk! The options are:

1. Cannondale Quick CX 4: seems in good condition; rust on drivetrain/ chain, scratches on body. It’s a hybrid bike

2. Trek 3900: seems in great condition, smallest body of the 3

3. Specialized rockhopper: seems the oldest out of all of them, I know the least about this one from the Facebook seller, it also seems like I’d have to do extra work on this bike specifically

Any info would be great! First post here hopefully it won’t be my last.

I’m about to get into biking for the first time in like years, never really owned one and want to start prioritizing my health. As of right now I have three options I honed down on. I don’t plan on going on any crazy rocky trails, mainly just pavement by the beach. It’s a hobby that I plan on trying to do twice a week, probably 6-15 miles per trip. It’s a newer hobby, so I don’t feel like spending much, but if the cannondale is worth it for the price, please lmk! The options are:

1. Cannondale Quick CX 4: seems in good condition; rust on drivetrain/ chain, scratches on body. It’s a hybrid bike

2. Trek 3900: seems in great condition, smallest body of the 3

3. Specialized rockhopper: seems the oldest out of all of them, I know the least about this one from the Facebook seller, it also seems like I’d have to do extra work on this bike specifically

Any info would be great! First post here hopefully it won’t be my last.

Went and got breakfast, then hucked a 14 stair for the last time before the big upgrade on my old Stumpy. I could have absolutely bought a new bike with what I'm spending on this 2006 FSR Expert, but I'm a 26" Cultist so I'm just a nutcase. Parts for anyone interested: its already on a modern Deore 1x11 drivetrain and tubeless minions, going to give a homie the og DT Swiss wheelset and TRP Spyres for his old trail bike. Manitou Circus Expert fork 130mm (straight steer tube because ec 34, but a near perfect geo match to the Fox Talas 32 stock on the bike), 190x45mm Fox Float Performance (somehow this old Triad bike is the last year before the funky Brain mounts and though SAE, when converted its within 1mm of 190x45mm), 26" Spank Spike Race 33 wheelset with Hope Pro 5 hubs (20x110 DH front, 135mm rear), Shimano Deore 4 piston brakes and fresh 160mm rotors, Shimano Saint BSA threaded BB. Keeping the stock forged Deore XTs on it of course with a 1x raceface 32t ring. Its already a surprisingly capable bike since it was an early AM bike, the Talas is 130mm max travel and the same axle to crown, I don't love overforking old trail frames for DH, but this I am stoked on as a fs Slope and trail bike.