Well, even with winter here, I had to try it out. Just one ride, but somewhat enlightening. Will post more when I get 3 or 4 rides in.
RIDER: 6’2”, 195 lb. I primarily prefer long, rugged, somewhat technical xc riding, but manage to sneak over to Moab/Fruita/St. George twice a year for rock riding. A little MX in my blood, but it’s been a longggggg time. I ride a bunch, logging near 2k miles a year on the Spot, and 4k a year on the road bike, with the local racer boys. I like up moves as much or more than down moves.
THE TEST RIDE: As mentioned, winter is here, so riding was limited to going up and down three steep, rocky, technical trails, each about 20 minutes up and 10 down. So no fast, flowing single track. I’ve ridden these trails countless times over the years. They are three of our standard winter rides, since they drain and dry up very quickly.
CLIMBING: It climbed great. It seemed a bit more sprightly than the HL. Maybe the words would be more “taut” and “lively” in terms of accelerating to make upward technical moves. It tracked more dead-on when the power was really laid down to make it up some of the bigger rock moves, so I think the rear is stiffer without the HL pivot between the crank and rear axle.
DESCENDING: If pressed, I would say it felt more sure-footed when descending through rock gardens. Less tendency to deflect off line. But it was slight. Everywhere else, I didn’t notice any difference.
TECHNICAL: Already covered a bit above, but definitely a stiffer, more precise feel. Easier to keep on line, and when I was a little off, and had to lunge up a move, less deflection was present.
BRAKING: I didn’t notice any difference here, either. Maybe it would be different on flowing single track with choppy entrances to corners.
CONCLUSION: For me, the slight increase in rear end stiffness more than compensates for any of the perceived detractions of the TNT -- which I didn’t notice, anyway, on this brief test ride. I wouldn’t go back to HL voluntarily. In summary, it makes what was already my favorite bike of all time even better.
RIDER: 6’2”, 195 lb. I primarily prefer long, rugged, somewhat technical xc riding, but manage to sneak over to Moab/Fruita/St. George twice a year for rock riding. A little MX in my blood, but it’s been a longggggg time. I ride a bunch, logging near 2k miles a year on the Spot, and 4k a year on the road bike, with the local racer boys. I like up moves as much or more than down moves.
THE TEST RIDE: As mentioned, winter is here, so riding was limited to going up and down three steep, rocky, technical trails, each about 20 minutes up and 10 down. So no fast, flowing single track. I’ve ridden these trails countless times over the years. They are three of our standard winter rides, since they drain and dry up very quickly.
CLIMBING: It climbed great. It seemed a bit more sprightly than the HL. Maybe the words would be more “taut” and “lively” in terms of accelerating to make upward technical moves. It tracked more dead-on when the power was really laid down to make it up some of the bigger rock moves, so I think the rear is stiffer without the HL pivot between the crank and rear axle.
DESCENDING: If pressed, I would say it felt more sure-footed when descending through rock gardens. Less tendency to deflect off line. But it was slight. Everywhere else, I didn’t notice any difference.
TECHNICAL: Already covered a bit above, but definitely a stiffer, more precise feel. Easier to keep on line, and when I was a little off, and had to lunge up a move, less deflection was present.
BRAKING: I didn’t notice any difference here, either. Maybe it would be different on flowing single track with choppy entrances to corners.
CONCLUSION: For me, the slight increase in rear end stiffness more than compensates for any of the perceived detractions of the TNT -- which I didn’t notice, anyway, on this brief test ride. I wouldn’t go back to HL voluntarily. In summary, it makes what was already my favorite bike of all time even better.
