I figured since there was a 111 thread, I'd start the 134 thread.
I just finished demoing the 134DL. I took the bike to my local bike park (Snow Summit in So Cal) and had a full day of runs. My initial parking lot/street test was promising. The uber low standover on the large was nice, and I had mo problem getting way behind the seat for the steep stuff.
Not until I got to the park that I noticed the frame was a bit flexy, and I noticed this quite a bit on the runs.
What little climbing I did was aided a lot by the compression damping on the rear shock. There was quite a bit of bob when it wasn't on.
Descending the steep and loose stuff was excellent. I felt more confident than my trail bike and looked forward to it. I'll be honest, it was quite under gunned for the park, but I still enjoyed it. I only bottomed out once when I took a jump a little too big, but it was not a bad ride overall.
In conclusion, I'd say this would make a really good, fun trail bike. I wouldn't use it for dedicated all mountain or enduro riding, though. Hopefully the 153 frame is stouter and less flexy. If it is, it will be a winner.
I just finished demoing the 134DL. I took the bike to my local bike park (Snow Summit in So Cal) and had a full day of runs. My initial parking lot/street test was promising. The uber low standover on the large was nice, and I had mo problem getting way behind the seat for the steep stuff.
Not until I got to the park that I noticed the frame was a bit flexy, and I noticed this quite a bit on the runs.
What little climbing I did was aided a lot by the compression damping on the rear shock. There was quite a bit of bob when it wasn't on.
Descending the steep and loose stuff was excellent. I felt more confident than my trail bike and looked forward to it. I'll be honest, it was quite under gunned for the park, but I still enjoyed it. I only bottomed out once when I took a jump a little too big, but it was not a bad ride overall.
In conclusion, I'd say this would make a really good, fun trail bike. I wouldn't use it for dedicated all mountain or enduro riding, though. Hopefully the 153 frame is stouter and less flexy. If it is, it will be a winner.
