I've been riding MTB's for about 15 years now, ride hard, the occasional adv. race, mostly just long rides up in the mtns on N. GA. Never ridden a FS bike, so I don't know what I don't know. I've done my research and understand the VPP, Single Pivot and 4-bar designs. I looooooove to climb and can hold my own on downhills and rough terrain. Previous ride is a Klein Attitude w/XTR goodies @ 21.5lbs.
Now, at recent C'dale demo day, I spent a good hour on both a Rush and a Scalpel. The rush was great on flats and descents, but sucked the life out of me on climbs. I really felt the weight, couldn't find a rhythm and my legs burned in an unusual way during climbing. Felt a lot of bobbing while pedaling. The SRAM X0 that was on the bike required significant effort to shift - probably worn cable/housings.
Handed it back with the idea that this wasn't the bike for me. Got on the Scalpel, team version, and after it was setup properly, took off for one of the fastest, most enjoyable rides I've had in a long time. The suspension action was awesome, Lefty was awesome, Crossmax tubeless were awesome and the bike was like a rocket.
Now the question. Is the travel gonna be enough? Will the 2" be enough over the long haul? Did I just feel comfortable because it was similar to my hardtail? Should I be patient and try to get a ride on a Blur XC, etc?
Thoughts from long-term Scalpel users?
Now, at recent C'dale demo day, I spent a good hour on both a Rush and a Scalpel. The rush was great on flats and descents, but sucked the life out of me on climbs. I really felt the weight, couldn't find a rhythm and my legs burned in an unusual way during climbing. Felt a lot of bobbing while pedaling. The SRAM X0 that was on the bike required significant effort to shift - probably worn cable/housings.
Handed it back with the idea that this wasn't the bike for me. Got on the Scalpel, team version, and after it was setup properly, took off for one of the fastest, most enjoyable rides I've had in a long time. The suspension action was awesome, Lefty was awesome, Crossmax tubeless were awesome and the bike was like a rocket.
Now the question. Is the travel gonna be enough? Will the 2" be enough over the long haul? Did I just feel comfortable because it was similar to my hardtail? Should I be patient and try to get a ride on a Blur XC, etc?
Thoughts from long-term Scalpel users?