KFuller

@phops: So, you think gearing is the only factor in how a bike climbs? I am not quite sure what you're getting at. I just like the way the bike handled. I don't want itty bitty gearing on an enduro sled. I want a balanced bike that does a lot of things genuinely well and handles the way I like to ride, and the SB5c was it. This whole trend toward near-vertical seat tubes is not for me, for example. I rode one for two seasons and hated it and have moved on. Sure, they climb and descend great, but suck on anything not super-steep. Gear ratios are irrelevant to me in this scenario. And just because I worked in the industry doesn't mean I care deeply about technicalities. In fact, I got to where I tuned a lot of that out because it just got annoying, and reverted to, "I like how this bike rides" and that was my entire judgement. The only thing I didn't like was the cost to get the shocks serviced.

Yeti SB5c, 2016 vintage. Still the best bike I've ever owned, and I worked in the industry for 10 years, so I rode a ton of different MTBs. Climbed great, descended great, handled long flats great, looked gorgeous. I'm glad I sold it to a NICA racer, but I regret selling it.

My goodness that was beautiful. I hung on every word. Thank you for sharing.

That's a cool perspective. I know former bike mechanics who went on to big, related things: one is a large aircraft mechanic; one designed and helped build camping trailers for a while and is currently getting into restoring motorcycles. I am a garbage home mechanic because I can't visualize things well (no spatial reasoning) but I would think those two individuals realized they were good at that visualization and problem solving and much more, and could apply those skills in other places.

I generally have little interest in professional athletes. But being able to watch Jackson literally grow up in the sport has been amazing. I really admire his tenacity and commitment. It's not every day a grom with a highlight reel actually turns into the next big thing. Well done, kid. Thanks for bringing us along for the ride.

Well said. I hate to admit that I'm also getting a little desensitized to just straight riding (or skiing) edits with zero story, backstory, personality, info, insight, etc. This was refreshing.

@Grealdo: It's STILL only 2020?!?! Yeesh.

Logged into PB for the first time in years just to say RAD! Love these. I scored one a while back and it's even better looking in real life. More bike art in this world, please.

Indeed. I have worked with Rebecca several times and she's an outstanding human being. Congrats Liv/Giant. Godspeed, Rebecca!

Truth. My non-bike friends who want to try MTB lose their minds when I start talking about bikes around $1k. Even if they can technically afford it, they don't want to for an unknown. More than $1k seems outrageous and $2k?!? $2k gets you a ski pass and a really nice equipment setup -- and that sport is seen as "very expensive" to the average person, so...