So tempted. How is it built up? What’s the weight?
I moved everything over from the prior fugitive. Unfortunately some of the parts are getting old but still getting the job done so they stay on the job for now.
Set up 140/160 with a Float X2 and a Factory 36@160.
The bike immediately felt very familiar as one would expect. I felt a little more upright and comfortable in a seated position. I can't reconcile how the cockpit felt slightly larger and yet I felt less weight ony hands and more upright at the same time.
I definitely feel more forward over the BB and able to stomp on the pedals more (I thought I felt similar power to running up stairs as I was able employ more driving power through my thighs. Is that a weird analogy?). At the base of a super steep gravel road I shifted forward on the saddle as I usually would and immediately lost traction on the rear wheel - so moved back to the center of the saddle and found the sweet spot. That was interesting and made my least favorite climb a little more comfortable. I don't think I was concentrating on keeping the front end from wandering as much either. That (pretty brutal) climb felt more calm in general.
On flat trail my weight felt as though I was forward and more centered - somewhere Noel had said this bike was for going up / ACROSS and down - and maybe that stuck in my head but yes. On the Chilcotin and the old fugitive I felt a little more behind the BB. This new pedal position being upright and more forward was more effective for me and encouraged putting weight into the pedals on the flat.
I also noticed less pedal Bob when out the saddle pedaling up a pavememt at the start of the ride. Same shock / zero changes. That was noticeable as that was definitely something I noticed on the old bike.
Can't say much about the descent yet. It feels solid and stable but maybe because the old bike was due for a bearing refresh. Just a bit more planted.
This bike is a subtle but noticeable upgrade to the prior version. I can't wait to get up to speed now that i have had two test rides
Would be interested to hear what Noel has to say about the changes and how riders might notice the differences.
