He's still riding, not as much as I hoped. But then neither am I right now.

He outgrew the large frame.

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It's a Large frame. I'm 6'1" riding a large as well but a XL would have been a better fit.

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It very well could have been a set issue,assuming we are talking about the review.

If so the issue with climbing where the reviewer said the new Nomad seemed to track better very could have been something off in the setup. You'd think the Bronson would be at least slightly better than the new Nomad. I know climbing is the reason I didn't get the new Nomad (yet) and went the route of two bikes instead of one.

In general though I haven't read any of the usual praise in reviews you usually read about Santa Cruz bikes. Haven't read that completely trashed the new Bronson. Just that they seemed to miss the mark by a bit. Maybe it's because it's so close to the Nomads numbers.

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When a couple of people in OC that I have met and ridden with have the Evil, it's da shit in their eyes. Yea, it looks a bit different but riders and bike testers have given great reviews on it. Being a small company that did have a checkered past I would understand your antenna vibrating but I have heard that is now in the past.

Now I'm really surprised that you left out a real contender outta the mix even when Mr. DT proudly rides one. Yes, I'm talking about the Mantis ghost my friend. Test ride one of those babies if you got the cojones

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You never know what tomorrow will bring so go ride your EBike today or walk your pooch
Fear the Yeti
"Go ride your bike today, don't let the old man in.."

Mike

Don't waste your money with VPP. Having ridden relative to these bikes, I can give you some insight. The Bronson will pedal better, however, it will feel lifeless and boringness going down. The evil on the other hand won't climb as well as vpp, but is one of the most fun bikes going down! Personally, I'm riding a Norco Range, 160mm of all smiles. I had the latest nomad for 2 months and was completely disappointed. VPP is supper over hyped, single pivot for life!

Let me know if you want to test ride the Norco, I literally live right at calavera.

Thanks for the offer Reaper. I spoke to the Norco rep at the top of La Costa the other evening (Darren maybe?). He was on a new Range. Nice looking bike. I seemed to be a little faster on the rougher/steeper areas, but he was definitely faster on the straights and inclines - not that we were racing or anything though. No idea if it was the bikes or the riders. He was trying out a new Fox shock, and I don't think he had it dialed in yet.

I know it may not be of any importance, but whatever I get, I'd like it to have a threaded BB.

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"it can go full porno alley"

- Kimba - One love, many bikes - 2020

I forgot to ask Dirtrider, are the OC guys you've talked to on the new Insurgent or on the 29" Following (or even the 26" Uprising)? BTW, I almost snarfled my drink out of my nose when I saw that beautiful Mantis Ghost. I am not worthy of it.

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"it can go full porno alley"

- Kimba - One love, many bikes - 2020

2 were on 27.5/650B/oh, I gotta have one bikes and one on the Uprising. No dang 29'ers for these boys
http://evil-bikes.com/products/the-insurgent-3/

The Mantis Ghost is best ridden with Bibs on to keep the massive sacks needed in tack

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You never know what tomorrow will bring so go ride your EBike today or walk your pooch
Fear the Yeti
"Go ride your bike today, don't let the old man in.."

Mike

Man I hear you on the threaded BB... I have a stash and preventativly change them out every three months. Only way I don't have issues or deathly sounding creeks.

The Mantis Ghost is too much bike for me. And it's so beautiful, I couldn't bring myself to ever get it dirty.
I know my limitations......

So, I'ma grab my old single pivot Joker, my downstairs neighbors' dog, and go for a nice night ride on the uber-tech trails of Florida Canyon.
Watch out, bunnies!

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Scum on a Bike

For your type of riding style I think you would like the tracer t275c. I love mine pedals good and descends better.



http://www.intensecycles.com/bikes/tracer-275c

I'll second this, because we all know Skylar "Has to" recommend an Intense! LOL

Good call, local company, local knowledge and support. I did about 100 yards on one Orvin had out a few years ago, it was sooooooo plush over rocks, it was amazing. After that I changed how I used and setup my TallBoy LT. Certainly not the same bike, but I started running more sag and fully dropping my seat instead of partially dropping it.

Definitely worth adding to the list of bike to test.

So I'd noticed that my favorite Bike magazine was in process of conducting their yearly Bible of Bike Tests, the results of which are due to be published in the January issue. Obviously, I'm way to wound up to wait till January to make my decision.

I decided to try and email one of the reviewers who's opinions have jived with my own presumptions over the last few issues. I couldn't find his email address online, so I took an educated guess and sent my request to three separate addresses, one of which I figured would be his actual address.

Booyah! My stalking paid off. I received a response this morning. Verdict? Evil Insurgent for the win ("the Evil is your ticket"), with the nod to the Bronson as a slightly more efficient climber.

Sorry Tom; you're going to have to tolerate the sight of an ugly bike when we ride together.

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"it can go full porno alley"

- Kimba - One love, many bikes - 2020

Any chance I could get a short demo when you get it?

Absolutely.

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"it can go full porno alley"

- Kimba - One love, many bikes - 2020