I wanted a bike that would be as fun as can be going down the hill and yet easy to get up. I will climb, not walk. Before I got the ML8 I test rode 6Packs,5.5's, Stinky, Truth, ML7, Palomino and heres what i found: The 6pack is an option, but its a Turner refinement of an older suspension design. The Monolink on the ML8 climbs better. The VPP from Intense was great on the DH but locked up going up. Kona makes a great bike, but Maverick is better and bob free, and can climb. Of all the designs I considered, the Maverick was not only the most recent, the most logical, but also the most reliable as it doesnt rely on shock valving to provide ride quality.
Paul Turner is a genius. Just go ride one and you'll know. I wasted my time test riding, you don't ahve to waste yours: Just buy it, you'll love it.
