alexsin

If they really wanted the frames to be size-specific how about a steeper seat angle and longer head tube for the XL size? Otherwise the bike looks pretty wicked, especially if you're a M or L.

For regular trail features I think users should fix issues as they notice them, especially basic stuff like clearing blowdown and making sure rocks stay in postion. But for elaborate well-built structures I think the original trailbuilder should continue to maintain them. Basically the more complicated the structure the more it remains the trailbuilder's responsibility. If users want to repair or significantly modify complicated structures they should seek the approval of the original builder. After all it could be that the builder is done with that structure and wants to pass the responsibility to someone else.

By Digger Dan are you referring to Todd 'Digger' Fiander, Dangerous Dan Cowan or someone else?

Pretty bike. Too bad they continued with their love of small bikes. That is not really an XL that an XL person would ride, but that is typical of all Ibis bikes. I'm glad this thing finally made it to market.

This is the only photo I've seen. http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Prototype-Rockshox-29r-Fork.jpg Do you think that's a Lyrik?

@Bogey - you may be right. I've been reluctant to go 29er for this very reason. At 6'6", 220lbs I take assurances of stiffness from smaller riders with a big grain of salt. Check out this video, which I believe contains the new RS 29er fork: http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/features/Specialized-S-Works-Enduro-29-Trail-Battles-Lets-Make-It-Interesting,19866/sspomer,2 I can't tell exactly if it's 34mm, but it doesn't look much bigger than the Fox 34. If this is the fork we've been waiting for then prepare to be underwhelmed. I would love for the RS fork to be a bit burlier than the Fox, if only to create another option.

It's got the same wheelbase as my XL Enduro 26er.

No it's about the wheel size. It's about the BB drop and the stack height. On a 26" bike there is very little BB drop so a tall rider with a high center of gravity ends up super high over the bike. The ongoing trend of short head tubes only makes this whole process worse. 29" wheels allow the rider to sit deeper in the bike. My Enduro is just about one of the biggest AM bikes you can buy and it doesn't fit nearly as well as the Stumpjumper EVO 29er I rode (and they have roughly the same physical dimensions). The fit is directly related to the wheels. On the flipside, I found the wheels a bit odd to ride. They ride big. I think it's something I could get used to but for now I'm not certain. I'm told they're wicked going downhill, especially steep rock faces with abrupt transitions (which we have a lot of around here). Despite that I have trouble visualizing myself really railing corners the way I do on my 26" bike. I rode a 650b bike and instantly felt no doubt they would be awesome, but then again they're pretty close to a 26" wheel and no one yet makes a 650b bike anywhere close to the size of my XL Enduro.

Comparing an XL Enduro to an XL Mojo HD is misleading. I'm sure you've noticed that the Enduro has a 12mm longer effective top tube than the Mojo HD. So yeah, it's going to have a longer wheelbase. The Mojo is a pretty small XL. No mystery there. This 29" Enduro in XL actually has a shorter wheelbase than my XL Enduro from 2010 and I haven't had any issue climbing or descending pretty much every trail on the Shore so stop whining. These bikes also have some of the steepest seat tubes available, again, great for taller riders. If you've got a problem with the 34mm stanchions maybe you should take it up with Fox. It's not like there are any other options. I haven't ridden one extensively yet, but many people are saying that today's 34 is equivalent in stiffness to 36s past due to improvements in design, especially given the different physics of the 29" wheel. I'm sorry, what were you complaining about?

As a taller rider who rides an XL 26" S-Works Enduro I've always found the fit of bigger frames lacking. When I recently rode a Stump Evo 29 the light bulb went on! Finally a bike that fits, now if only they'd make one a bit slacker with a bit more travel... Well let's just say my 26" Enduro is now for sale. If I can get the improved tall-guy fit of a 29er in a compact descent-friendly package with the right geometry then sign me up! Oh wait I already did. I ordered the XL alloy version of the Enduro 29er this morning.