mongoose85

TBH: I use a $700 second hand 2010 Specialized Roubiax Expert more than any of my other bikes. Love the darn thing. Its cheap, old but looks bran new. Smile every time I ride it. I think its because it didn't cost a wad.

We ride in a Cougar populated area. Best thing to do is obviously, make noise and such, however: Look where the cat is going. If it is *determined* to go your way, you are between it and its cubs or cache. 'Food storage' It will see you as a threat to its stuff/cubs. Circle away from its path with your bike between you and it. See if its path changes. Make *SURE* you make noises that CANNOT be mistaken for animal noises. Don't growl, hiss, bark or what not at the cat. Talk LOUDLY to it with varying words and sentences. Try NOT to repeat yourself over and over. UN-Naturally patterned gear helps make you not look like prey as well as they only see muted colors. Do *NOT* turn your back or ride off until you cannot see that cat anymore. IF the cat should attack, go for its eyes, under the ribs/throat. They'll get you on your back, or get you from behind. They're prime place to blow is the neck. Cover neck with your hands, elbows and donkey kick. Its very very very rare to have happen and is a tragedy to this biker and his Family. :(

Every chip on my Spartan's frame is a memory from a bike trip some where on the west coast. Ride Hard. Take Chances. Drink Beer.

@Structure-Ryan: For sure. I love my Spartan and Wilson, don't get me wrong, but you guys addressed a key fault with the suspended bicycle here. Compression = Wheel base Shrink/Head Tube Angle Deflect and front end control lock up. I'll keep an eye out if you guys go to production. Keep it up!

In my decade here on PB: Its amazing and sad how staunch people are on not wanting to change based on looks. I remember when: Air Suspension came out. People freaked. 1x systems came out. People Freaked. Dropper posts People flipped 27.5 Nope 26x24 wtf Dual Crown Hell no Taper Head Tubes WTF m8 1.5 Head Tubes COME ON Carbon Bikes HELL NO PLASTIC Carbon rims NOPE Oval Rings WTF is this? etc etc etc Some things are dumb, yes. However.... The modern MTB is as dated as the Internal Combustion Engine from an engineering standpoint. There are many better options for performance. But, 'Its not what we're, *I'M* used to!' Thusly, it will be killed off and progress will never be made. They said man will never go over 60mph too at one point.

I love my 2015 Spartan!... but its a RC, XL size and I have it sitting at 29.5lbs w/XT SPD's. All I had to do was a SixC bar, Turbine Cinch, Ghetto Tubes and the DTSwiss E1900's. All in all, wrapped me up $4200 bran new. soooOOooOOOo wat gives guys?

Loving the PitVipers in the river float.

Raced a 2014 XL Wilson, bought it in Whistler after doing one run on the DH track. Man what a machine in the poring rain over tech sections compared to my Demo I had. Loved that bike and miss it.

I would love to get this as Im looking to buy my gal her first FS for Christmas! Would save a few grand for trips to Hood River and Utah for us!!!

The best shell I have ever had is a North Face Summit Series Oroshi thing. 'sans hood' Its like textured lycra with a soft liner. Was $100 at NF three years ago. I thrash it here in the Oregon clay/mud that we get and it always washes out bran spanking new. Use it to sit on too when my 9yo Royal shorts are caked in the car! It gets very warm on long climbs with a fatbike but thats what the zipper is for. Would like some thin, warm knee guards tho and some nice gloves. 30yo joints starting to feel it after 15 years of riding/wrenching.