tatchle1

Refuse to watch Killian's stuff or consider Commencal after seeing the edit in La Paz where they ride down the streets like a-holes. They shouldn't condone such recklessness. Taking risks on a closed course is one thing, but THAT was idiotic.

Anyone saying Leadville is not a mountain bike race has never done it. It's most definitely a mountain bike race. Sure some of the pros can get away with drop bars so they get in a more aero position to win. But the mortals out there are best served on a traditional XC mountain bike with flat. I'd hate to do this course on a gravel bike. It can be done, but would be terrible. I'm going to be doing it again in a few years, and I'm definitely going to go for my full suspension XC bike. I might consider a hard tail, but any less than a 100 mm travel fork would be torture. Most of the time I'm not in Lycra. I like my baggy pants, my Santa Cruz Bronson, and lift assisted bike parks. But descending down these gravel roads at 40 Mph is definitely a mountain biking skill that needs to be built up and honed. It's scary, dangerous, and I'd hate to do it on a gravel bike. Just because you don't do that with your riding doesn't make this not a mountain bike discipline.

Nope. I've done it. Definitely a mountain bike race

I've done Leadville and can definitely say it's a mountain bike race. I'd hate to ride it on a gravel bike. It can be done, but it would be terrible. Mountain bike is definitely the best tool for the job on this course, and that definitely makes it a mountain bike race. I'm no longer a lycta racer guy either - I like my baggy shorts and lift assist riding the most nowadays.

@wda1wustl: I thought it was good (read it, didn't watch vid)

Agree. Not all bikes should be 29" monster-truck-down-straight-lines-only bikes. I think PB needs to re-think this being a "niche" bike. Most of us aren't racing. We just wanna have fun riding on our local trails, which AREN'T Whistler or the Alps.

nope. Long chainstays were a fad. Bike companies are starting to realize 430 - 440 is the ideal size. UNLESS all you do is pedal straight up and straight down steep stuff.

For those on PB that are BERD curious, I've got an MX wheelset with BERD spokes for sale - Its an enduro wheelset that only weighs 1650 g.