voodoo666

@monkeynaut: I totally agree. When I saw the word "sustainable" I thought WTF would that mean?!? And sure enough it seems to be thinly veiled promotional BS.

I probably have more riding time on this suspension platform (Marin Wolf Ridge) than anyone else. And I have many other of the latest bikes, yet I don't want to ride them anymore because the Wold Ridge is easily a better bike. Climbing is excellent for a 160mm travel bike, better than many at 120mm. It's very neutral from long gradual climbs to super steep hopping up stair-steps and what have you. It's super efficient and the only thing holding it back it that it's just under 30 pounds. Yet the really amazing this is what other have been saying here. It descends better than most, and yes if not ALL 160mm bikes out there. And again note the comments on how it follows the terrain contours. It's floats even though the rear tire is so well in contact, that it pushes off the back sides of bumps. This increased traction simply makes the bike more controllable for higher speed. Some comments are about how this sticking to the ground makes jumping and pop off obstacles more difficult. At first, yes, but after some adjustment it's easy and better as it lands much more gracefully and more tolerant of coming down off center much more. Also note the comments on the much lower shock damping. An over damped and less efficient shock that never needs platform switching is a thing of the past on this bike. The more I ride it, the more anything else feels dead and pin-balled down the trail in comparison. The R3act suspension feels much more efficient in every way. I have many other very nice, current bikes, yet I do not want to ride them anymore. Now compare this to two unproven dropper posts. Both concepts are new and easily not enough riders have evaluated to know if they will go anywhere. On the other hand I feel the R3act suspension has been ridden by quite a few, and the press cannot hide that they say it does what people like myself and others say it does. And although editors would have a tough time saying it, the core concept show that it easily performs better than anything else out there. Forget the misguided comments on how it looks, or perhaps it might be a bit too flexy for some. This is the first iteration of this suspension and it's just going to get better.

I'm biased because I work on development of the Marin Wolf Ridge. My job is to evaluate... certainly not be a cheerleader. My job is to complain, to give constructive feedback. I also test alot of other products which is an important part of what I do. I decided to work for Marin on the R3act suspension bike because simply, I was very impressed. I'm very critical of suspension and what I like is a bike that climbs efficiently, yet I'm not a natural descender so I also want a capable bike going down too. And I live in Arizona and the rougher the better. The bottom line is the Marin Wolf Ridge is easily the best of both. Excellent climbing and climbing traction with no unwanted compression and best of all an over-damped (inefficient) shock is now a welcome thing of the past with this bike. The descending performance is like what others are saying here: it follows the contour of the terrain to the point that anything else is bouncing around in comparison. Downhill traction is at a whole new level. Although getting it to pop over and off just requires some adjustment. Once the adjustment is made, landings and many other traits are much more appreciated. The bottom line is that it's made me a more confident and better descender. Let's just say I have some other very good bikes and I don't want to ride them anymore. So to compare what I consider a revolutionary suspension to two unproven and really being proven by enough riders as to the usefulness.... the R3act suspension should be an easy choice.