dkidd

So I have a Sight with the stock 160mm fork and an Optic up-forked to 150mm. There is still a major difference between how the two bikes ride and tackle terrain. The kinematics and suspension tune differences account for most of it - the Optic is more lively in and out of corners (easier to slap corners, hop over trail obstacles, and change trail location), and also feels a little more nimble when in the air. The Sight, on the other hand, feels like it takes more upper body input to get it out of tight corners and back into the air (berm-berm transfers for example) but it also helps hold a line through rough sections, and recover from mistakes/poor line choices much better. If I'm going to hit new trails where I don't know what to expect, or if I'm chasing Strava times, I'll pick the Sight. If I want to go and style-cat things up, I pick the Optic. Hope that helps.

@JiminOz: man, the Optic has blown me away in terms of both climbing and descending performance, and yours is the first negative review I've heard (except about the Shimano brakes). And it won over the Pinkbike reviewers as well. I wonder if the one you tried wasn't set up right?

This is awesome news. With the huge number of new-school trails, bike parks and riding zones popping up in NW Oregon, it's fast becoming the new Mecca of MTB. Having facilities like this, taking notes from successful enterprises like Whistler, will help our riders, trails and trail builders get the recognition (and funding!) they deserve! Thanks Windells!

Anyone else regret posting here? Should have anticipated the notification storm...