deviatecycles

Yeah we can't comment on the Druid - but the Highlander requires a 126 link chain which is stock.

I think the build we gave Mike is a big factor in this. If you look at the bikes he's comparing it too they are firmly in the "trail" category often with Fox 34's and Fox DPS shock (for example), lighter wheels, lighter tyres and just generally set up for smoother riding. You could easily spec the Highlander like this to give it a more snappy feel on the climbs. I think the take-away should be the efficiency of the climbing and trail friendly geometry which Mike highlights as pros... I'd say simply adapt the spec to suit what you want to achieve. We've definitely skewed the builds we gave to Pinkbike and Enduro-mag actually to be at the more enduro end of spectrum.

@wickedskilz: I think it helps that enduro mag tested the bike on some the trails in the Tweed Valley in Scotland which are probably more technical than most riders think of as "trail riding". It's the kind of terrain we had in mind when we designed the Highlander.

@WAKIdesigns: I think it's only fair to remember that when we put pen to paper on the Guide there were very very few examples of HPP bikes and even less of Pinion gearbox bikes. Those that existed looked like design projects rather than production ready. Keep in mind at this point Commencal didn't have a HPP DH bike and Zerode didn't have a Pinion gearbox bike released and no-one had combined both. We were working from nothing effectively trying to package two features that had barely being done in isolation, let alone combined. I think it's testament to the engineering that went into the Guide that this bike, 4 years on, shares nearly all of it's basic design. That is taking nothing away, Fin has done an amazing job with his design project - it looks great. However, naturally, it takes design cues from bikes that have come before it and there are obvious problems that would have to be solved before production (i.e. tensioning the chain tensioner sufficiently without an elastic band - a harder proposition that you would imagine). I personally think the Guide looks really nice. I agree, 4 years on we'd change the looks and the geometry of course. If you look at the Highlander I think we're now bang on the money in both departments (admittedly without a gearbox). We'd love to have another go at the Guide bringing everything we've learnt to an updated design. But unfortunately, for all of the excitement that the gearbox generates people are still not buying gearbox equipped bikes in any volume.

@mtbgeartech: We can sell the bike with a DBCoil... it will become an official option very soon. For now - if you want a price with this shock just get in touch. It'll be cheaper than the Fox X2 option.

@fitnj: it's a good point. we will happily sell you a frame with no shock for now and are working on adding other boutique shock options.

@Vudu74: we'll be publishing on our website very soon.

@mtbgeartech: thanks for the offer :). watch this space (i.e. sign up to our newsletter on the website). although to update some information in the review: we are selling frameset with X2 (2021) shock for $3300 USD delivered to your door in the US. That's including shipping, taxes and duty.

@ESKato: exactly the kind of price we're selling idlers for :). they last as long as your chain rings do.

@kanioni: we are very happy to share details of it's design with anyone who asks. In fact we're really proud of the design and engineering that has gone into the idler. Fully sealed, grease ports, bearings in double shear configuration... it's strong and robust and you'll end up changing it about as regularly as a chain ring.