I've had my alluminum gx build since November but haven't been able to really give it a real test yet because..well I am canadian and there is still snow on ground... but the bit of riding I have done on road has shown it is a bit different than my 19.... can't wait for trails to dry out!
Just got my 2021 frame today. Frame with shock is 7.5 lbs w/the shock (large). I’ll weigh my 2019 once it’s stripped. I’m curious if much difference. My 2019 weighs 7.6 lbs with the shock also large.
Can you give your opinions on the difference between the new one and the last gen?
Haven’t ridden it yet. Maybe on Sunday depending on weather. Trails are still in tough shape right now here. I’ll definitely post some thoughts once I get it out.
Got out for a 16 mile ride on frozen dirt this morning. I’m running a 150mm fork and the flip chip in high. Trails here can be chunky and tight so this works best for me.
Initial thoughts is the bike is pretty long. Wheelbase is longer that my 2019 and chain stays are 10mm longer than my 2019 large. It also has a longer reach. It doesn’t feel longer and the top tube length is likely the same when you factor in the steeper seat angle and slacker head angle.
Suspension was too stiff so I need to lower the PSI as I’m not using full travel. I’ll definitely say the frame itself feels a bit more compliant than my old one. The 2019 always felt very unforgiving laterally, very stiff. This one still stiff but not as harsh. Poking along with the old bike could be a little annoying.
Turning felt good. Got a 44 offset on this one, seems better.
I think the front end on the old bike may have been easier to lift. This may have been the longer stays or the fact that I have a heavier tire up front now.
Second ride is complete and I went after the suspension. I went from 85 F/ 220 R to 75/200. I’m about 205 riding weight or a little more. This felt good to me. I’ll have to measure sag again to see where I’m at but compared to the 2019 I had with the RS Deluxe the Fox shock has a lot more mid stroke support. This makes for better pedaling out of the saddle. But, even at 200 psi I’m not using full travel. I’m running compression pretty much wide open. Granted my ride today was a lot of roots and rocks and not a lot of big hits so I’m going to need more time on this.
Seat angle is really comfy and I’m not having to scoot forward much now while climbing. Again, bike is really balanced front to rear. I do like the longer chain stays. I thought the longer wheelbase would be annoying but it seems the same and didn’t inhibit me on the tight trails.