As suspension quality and geometry evolve, more and more riders are moving away from relatively long-travel bikes and towards machines that manage to do the same - or more - with less. With their brand new, 120mm-travel Trail Pistol, Colorado's Guerrilla Gravity is aiming to join the list of bikes that may be short on travel but not short on abilities.Guerrilla Gravity says that the Trail Pistol is ready for either 27.5+ or 29'' wheels thanks to its adjustable geometry, and they've also moved away from the linkage-activated single pivot layout employed on their previous bikes to a Horst Link system.
The aluminum Trail Pistol is welded in Denver, Colorado, and a frame and shock retail for $2,195 USD; complete builds start at $2,995 and top out with the 'Race build' at $5,495.
Trail Pistol Details
• Intended use: trail / all-mountain
• Rear wheel travel: 120mm
• Wheel size: 27.5+ or 29''
• 66.6º head angle w/ 130mm fork
• Adjustable geometry for wheel size
• Frame material: aluminum
• Metric shock sizing
• 148mm Boost hub spacing
• Universal Syntace derailleur hanger
• Weight: 6.3lbs (frame w/ shock, claimed)
• MSRP: $2,195 USD (frame w/ Deluxe RT3), $2,995 - $5,495 USD (complete bikes)
27.5+ or 29" WheelsThe latest plus-sized setups offer distinct enough performance when compared to 29" wheels that it makes sense for them to be offered as an option, and like a few other companies out there, Guerrilla Gravity has designed their new machine to accept either wheel size by way of two geometry settings. ''The idea here is that plus tires are best for less aggressive riding and therefore should be paired with a less aggressive mode,'' GC's Will Montague explained of their reasoning before going on to say, ''to be sure, both modes are still aggressive by industry standards, though.''
The Trail Pistol in 'Plush' mode with 27.5+ tires and less progressive suspension.Guerrilla Gravity is aiming for consistency in handling between the two options: both modes are said to maintain the same bottom bracket height, and Montague also said that no fork swapping is necessary, which makes it reasonable to actually own and use both kinds of wheelsets so long as the tire clearance up front is acceptable.
'Plush Mode' is designed for wider 27.5+ tires that are going to be ridden at lower pressures, and it offers up a 1º steeper head angle (67.8º with a 120mm fork) that's paired with a less progressive suspension rate than the slacker option. So, quicker handling and a more linear (but not linear) suspension rate. Want to mix and match wheel size and geometry settings? ''Riders looking to run 29er wheels can still run Plush Mode if they'd like a slightly more linear suspension platform and slightly less aggressive geo,'' said Montague of not being locked into either setting.
'Crush Mode' combined with 29'' wheels provides a slightly slacker head angle (67.0º with a 120mm fork), but maybe more noteworthy, a suspension rate that ramps up quicker than when the bike is set to the more forgiving geometry option.
A slot just under the rocker link allows a Velcro (or ski) strap to be run through the frame to hold a tube or other supplies in place.There is said to be loads of tire clearance regardless of if the rider is in Plush or Crush mode, with Guerrilla Gravity saying that there is room for 29'' x 2.6'' rubber and 27.5'' x 3.0'' rubber. ''Both are actual measurements,'' the company says, ''not claimed, since all tire manufacturers seem to use a different ruler.''
From Single Pivot to Horst LinkUp until now, Guerrilla Gravity's full-suspension bikes have all used a linkage-activated single pivot layout the company has referred to as a ''highly refined suspension platform that eliminates unnecessary complication.'' This was put to use on both the 150 - 160mm travel Megatrail and the 195 - 205mm travel GG/DH, but they've gone in a different direction and used a Horst Link design for the 120mm Trail Pistol. They're calling it 'Freedom Linkage,' and Montague said that the name is both a nod to their American-made ethos, as well as how their bikes are ''free from the bullshit. Our suspension designs are incredibly refined, without being complicated or gimmicky.''
Flip the chip to switch between Plush mode (27.5+ wheels) and Crush mode (29'' wheels).Why the change in design? ''Marketing, mostly,'' Montague says in the most straightforward way possible about the way that other companies tout their own designs as being able to allow riders to go faster while curing everything from club foot to cancer. ''There's a perception perpetuated by other manufacturers that the type of platform used is what creates ride qualities, but this is smoke and mirrors at its finest. It really comes down to the execution of a platform, where the suspension points are located,'' he went on to say.
In other words, Montague is saying that it's not the suspension design used, but how the suspension design is used.
But if that's the case, why not stick with their long-proven single pivot system? ''Most platforms can be made to ride well, or ride poorly. So it came down to this: riders want a Horst Link bike. Can we make ours ride as well as our single pivot design? The answer was yes, so we rolled with it. On paper, the Freedom Linkage does brake 8% better, which is a noticeable improvement to only the most discerning of riders.''
''Our design goal for suspension layouts is this: create the best performing suspension in the least complicated package.''
Three of the four shock options will come from RockShox, with the frame or complete bikes shipping to customers with either a Deluxe R, Deluxe RT3, or a Super Deluxe RC3 bolted in place. If you have a bit more coin to spend, you can have your Trail Pistol with Push's ElevenSix, although the delivery date for the shock, which is also manufactured in Colorado, is still a ways out.
As an aside, I also think I had a valid point. Commentary isn't necessarily invalid because it's negative...
I had the LG Megatrail and it fit very well.
Boost spacing is not bullshit at all. Especially with 29" wheels.
Don't worry. I'm sure your old bike still works just fine for your needs and you never ever have to buy a new bike if you are happy with it.
I would buy and ride this bike. I think it looks better than all their previous models and is more in line with my local trails and old guy mellow cruise until the downhills riding style. The price range is pretty good too.
I do agree thought that many small companies fall into the trap of marketing themselves by saying they dont market themselves and giving the big companies a big of a verbal bashing in the process.
The bike industry is full of absolute tosh though, at least GG has the transparency to say they designed the bike in this way because you lot wanted it and were too stupid / hyped up that you couldnt realise our single pivot design was 92% as good......
It's not a good thing.
Aah, BTW, that looks like a great bike
But as I've told the guy who designs GG bikes, if they keep it up and continue to grow, perhaps he too can become a souless corporate schmuck and start suing people from his jacuzzi in a private jet. That's real "freedom" right there.
I swear, some times I want to spit in your salad. Other times I want to buy you dinner because you pointed out what others are failing to see. Today it's dinner!
Boost hubs support rims at a more advantageous angle and yield a stiffer wheel build. It's not my opinion, but simple geometry. I understand new standards can be frustrating, especially if you've recently spent money on what is now outdated technology. My current trail bike is not Boost, but I have ridden Boost bikes and can concede that the wheels are stiffer. 142x12 was only marginally better than 135x12 and it is unfortunate the industry didn't think about moving hub flanges outboard more at the time it was introduced. 142x12 was a temporary pit stop on the way to Boost. Not to mention, a Boost wheel with 32 or 28 spokes will weigh less than a 142 or 135x12 wheel with 36 spokes.
Boost doesn't improve stiffness of a 29er wheel by any good margin, it makes it possible at all to build wheels rims with 40mm internal width, for PLUS bikes, where spoke holes have bigger offset for improved rim structure. Stiffness increase for all wheels IS there, it's just that it should be at least 154mm wide. Finally for 29ers the spoke angle can be fixed in much better way by creating asymmetric chainstay like in Cannondales.
I am affraid your weight argument is way off since, it's been several years now without 36 spoke wheels.
The "funniest" bit about Boost is that both SRAM and TREK mentioned wheel stiffness increase as the 3rd benefit of the new standard. They said that it increases tyre clearance and shortens chainstay, which is absolute bollocks since Spec made Enduro 29 4 years ago and it has 430 stays. It is also questionable why would you make stays that short.
Sounds like we are essentially in agreement. Yes, I know the flanges were not moved outboard when hubs moved from 135 to 142, I'm sorry if that was confusing to you. I also know 36 spokes haven't been used for most purposes in quite some time and only mentioned that because the person I was responding to did. You are incorrect however (regardless of how often you post on Pinkbike and how you think that makes you an authority on all matters,) plus wheel compatibility is a byproduct of Boost spacing and its benefits to wheel stiffness in larger diameter hoops, not the other way around. Boost spacing does in fact yield a stiffer 29" wheel.
DH spacing is retarded anyways, since it wastes a hell of hub width. Just like with Boost, the answer is the asymmetric swingarm, placing the rim almost right in the middle between flanges. Also 157 and 150 should be dead anyways. DH bikes never needed more than 6 speeds so a Boost hub with a new, narrower Freehub body to accomodate only 6 cogs would be just fine.
Y'all bunch of whiny commies need to ride more and bitch less.
Awesome bike GG, on the shortlist for my next ride.
All it needs is a bible verse and a special "Ted Nugent" edition and this'll be the perfect bike for the modern day conservative. But that "Go Team 'Murrica Blue" sure is a nice color.
Pinkbike to create a fad of spay-painting over the logo without prep or care of longevity of the paint. Because logos all over are dumb.
Also looking at you, mtb Jersey makers!
I'd probably end up only riding it with a 29er setup but swap it to a 140 fork up front... It will end up a little more slacked out than I like for the tight climbing we have here but I'm sure I can make it work
--- aka we managed to make 160mm bikes so good people wouldn't need to buy a new bike so our new marketing tactic is to convince them that they have "too much bike".
Megatrail owner, and freaking loving it! Question, can I buy that Horst rear end and slap it on my Megatrail Medium? Please say yes, I would love to run bigger tires.
Thanks kindly,
Bryan
I would happily be your crash test dummy for it.
Bryan
But, if that's the only thing holding you back, we do offer semi-custom options. For example, you could get a size medium with the head tube from a size small and run your preferred stack.
I personally don't like the taste of 5h1t!
That said, anyone that knows something about what facilitates traction will realize that the extra compliance a plus size tire can provide has HUGE benefit. Neg propping this is just a display of ignorance.
If you want to ride fast copy the dh lot, they seem to be happy on 2.3"-2.5" tyres and they'd rip + tyres to bits.
I ride 26" or 24" wheels and I don't plan on changing, unless I feel the need for a xc race bike but I'm not interested in xc, that would be 29"
BTW, the earth is flat and "Heavier than air machine flying machines are impossible" "made sense" to the ignorant of the time.
Come hang out with us in Tucson & demo a GG! Loved the Mega Trail last year. It's in the top 3 bikes I've ever thrown a leg over.
Neither Flagstaff or Tucson has a resort that is open to bikes in the summer, sadly. & despite our efforts to change that, I don't see it changing anytime soon.
Bike parks also have the added advantage of soliciting for the event, rather than being asked for permission. Things run a lot smoother when the land managers are actively seeking the event, rather than granting permission for something they're not personally invested in.
I haven't heard anything about Snow Bowl, but I've always been given the impression that the problem is the Native Americans objecting due to their considering the land it's on to be sacred.
As for Epics Rides, I'll note that they're based in Tucson, but their only local race is on Arizona State Trust land, not FS, & again let people come to their own conclusions.
The same company that manages Sipapu and Purgatory ski areas now manages Pajarito ski area, in Los Alamos, NM (which is the best steep, knarly, freeride-featured DH area I've ridden except for Whistler) all rider/enthusiast built, by the way (Search for videos, it's amazing - lots of elevated & wooden features, big drops, sick rock gardens, above average steeps and sick natural features).
Sipapu is currently considering starting a bike park, though. Pajarito will be adding some machine-built intermediate trails for the first time, which should make it more accommodating to intermediate and beginner riders.
Purgatory has "lift-served" mountain biking, but it's definitely not a bike park or DH venue. It's more of a family novelty for tourists.
I'm hoping Sipapu gets a bike park, as the terrain there is incredible. It would be great to have Sipapu, Angel Fire and Pajarito all in my area! I bet Snowbowl could be a fantastic bike park as well! I love Flagstaff.
I almost didn't click on another short travel 29'er review, these things are coming out from so many different places.
Where are the long travel 29'ers ?
Also, an 8% decrease in brake-squat and/or decrease in rear suspension firming under braking force is a decent return on their investment since the patent rights are up; and if the redesign results in a platform that is more marketable to the unknowing masses then I do not see a problem or reason to complain.
Also the Megatrail is heavy. Course it looks like the weights listed above for the trail pistol might be some of that marketing BS??? bummer...
That was the whole idea of the free from the BS aspect, we're telling it like it is, with a dash of sarcasm and humor. Apparently that last part didn't translate very well here on Pinkbike, though.
Re: weight. I posted them above where somebody asked. The 6.3lbs that was listed in the article was a number we sent to Pinkbike, and some time before they posted this, we sent an updated weight of 6.5lbs, but the update didn't make it into the article.
As far as how that comes together in the real world, most people that pick up a Megatrail have the reaction of "that's lighter than I thought". Again, ride one, then form an opinion.
As far as the warranty, it is on the website, listed under the About Us -> FAQ section.
You're only moving the pivot from the chain stay to the sear stay.
How is this all not marketing BS? The only thing they didn't do is make up some acronyms...maybe call the guys up at Transition for some input.
Yes it does have a significant effect, but it is not a huge design change, per se.
In the end, we have what we feel is very cleanly routed cables & hoses that are easy to service. Make sense?
Do you cringe when you see your fellow Canucks eating poutine, drinking Kokanee, and watching hockey?
Your post is exactly what I expected from some crazy ass American, thank god all of you are not as mental or the world would be screwed.
As you can see I said it looks good that you guys are taking the piss, I only said it was nuts if it was a genuine labelling as 'freedom' link without it being tongue in cheek.
"do you hate freedom?" - Some of you yanks need to sort yourselves out! You dont have a patent on 'freeedum' you know, especially as you are so much less free in your country than a lot of the rest of the civilised world... oh wait, you can carry da guns so your country is betterer and you has da freedoms!..... muuuriccaaa!!!
I'll translate your post for those less used to dealing with this brand of euro-wannabe:
"Your post is exactly what I expected from some crazy ass American, thank god all of you are not as mental or the world would be screwed."
Translation: I am making a gross generalization of the conduct of Americans based on media stereotypes. I am putting myself forward as a sophisticated intellectual who surely understands the world far better that some hick American. This position is the result of the projection of my particular world-view against some strawman of the "hill billy" or "hick" nature.
"As you can see I said it looks good that you guys are taking the piss, I only said it was nuts if it was a genuine labelling as 'freedom' link without it being tongue in cheek."
Translation: My sense of humor is so underdeveloped I am still not sure if this is funny, but I am going to pretend it is. (Translator's note: of course it's humor. But the joke isn't funny if you have to explain it.)
""do you hate freedom?" - Some of you yanks need to sort yourselves out! You dont have a patent on 'freeedum' you know, especially as you are so much less free in your country than a lot of the rest of the civilised world... oh wait, you can carry da guns so your country is betterer and you has da freedoms!..... muuuriccaaa!!!"
Translation: I am triggered by the word "freedom". I like to continue to believe I am more free than America, as denoted by my contrast between it and the rest of the "civilized world". I will provide no evidence for this statement.
Translator's response: Usual composition of logical fallacies, projection, and uncertainty. Distinct notes of underveloped sense of humor, highly overdeveloped sensitivities to perceived offensive content. Very strong aversion to "the other" in the context of modern media stereotypes. Apparent disdain of "hicks" and others displaying patriotic messages.
Conclusion: Lost cause. Will continue to virtue signal their own superiority. Will fail to recognize the humor in this response.
Translation: Someone just called me out, so uh, clearly I was trolling! LOLOLOLOLO!!!!!
What's a faunicate?
You put that on a wound that bleeds red, white and blue?
Thanks for the info and good to know.
You can buy a complete 2017 Commencal SX with the money you'll need for one of these frames.