Pick My Next Bike

mwolpin
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Kenmore, WA, USA
mwolpin
I'm getting the itch to build up another bike, but not sure which frame to choose. So, I would love opinions on what you would recommend.

At the moment I have a 2020 Kona Process 153 and 2018 Commencal Supreme DH, as well as a vintage Titus FCR which will be used for beer runs and fun pavement rides. I live in the PNW, so need something that can handle roots/rocks and mud quite well. In terms of riding style, I love rough/technical and fast flow trails. When it comes to jumping, I'm fine on small to medium jumps, but nothing huge.

Bikes that have caught my eye recently include both the Forbidden bikes, Norco Optic and Sight, and several from Transition. However, a lot of them seem to overlap with the Process in terms of travel and capabilities.

What would you build right now?
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Skull Tractor 2/19/2021 11:27am
2/19/2021 11:27am
I recommend a Knolly, best horst link on the market. I'm on my second and have no plans to try anything else.
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Skerby
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Ellensburg, WA, USA
Skerby 2/19/2021 11:54am
2/19/2021 11:54am
I rode the Norco Sight and really dug it. There suspension setup app gives a really good baseline, and the suspension just felt amazing. I ride a 2019 Nukeproof Mega with a vorsprung tuned super deluxe coil, it has never felt as good as that Sight. (Riding my home trails, went back and forth between sight and old bike.)
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mwolpin
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mwolpin 2/19/2021 11:59am
2/19/2021 11:59am
Skerby wrote:
I rode the Norco Sight and really dug it. There suspension setup app gives a really good baseline, and the suspension just felt amazing. I ride...
I rode the Norco Sight and really dug it. There suspension setup app gives a really good baseline, and the suspension just felt amazing. I ride a 2019 Nukeproof Mega with a vorsprung tuned super deluxe coil, it has never felt as good as that Sight. (Riding my home trails, went back and forth between sight and old bike.)
The new Mega was another one that caught my eye. Definitely would like more of your thoughts on the Sight. What kind of trails do you ride? Seeing as we're geographically close, any experiences on local trails would be great.

Re: Nukeproof, how has their support been seeing that they're based in Australia(?)?
Falcon
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Falcon 2/19/2021 3:50pm
2/19/2021 3:50pm
I have seen several reviews of the Transition Sentinel that say that thing is a root-smashing, tech-gobbling monster truck of a fast, flowy bike. Never ridden one, though.
mwolpin
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mwolpin 2/19/2021 5:37pm
2/19/2021 5:37pm
Falcon wrote:
I have seen several reviews of the Transition Sentinel that say that thing is a root-smashing, tech-gobbling monster truck of a fast, flowy bike. Never ridden...
I have seen several reviews of the Transition Sentinel that say that thing is a root-smashing, tech-gobbling monster truck of a fast, flowy bike. Never ridden one, though.
Yeah, I almost bought one before I found the Kona.
bulletbass man 2/19/2021 10:31pm
2/19/2021 10:31pm
I’m waiting for the new patrol to see released to decide for sure but the status 160 has my eye. But only if the patrol doesn’t have an aluminum option with a spec I dig.
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Philip_Rossetti 2/20/2021 2:31am
2/20/2021 2:31am
I’d recommend: anything you can get your hands on it these crazy times
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Skerby
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Skerby 2/23/2021 1:51pm
2/23/2021 1:51pm
Skerby wrote:
I rode the Norco Sight and really dug it. There suspension setup app gives a really good baseline, and the suspension just felt amazing. I ride...
I rode the Norco Sight and really dug it. There suspension setup app gives a really good baseline, and the suspension just felt amazing. I ride a 2019 Nukeproof Mega with a vorsprung tuned super deluxe coil, it has never felt as good as that Sight. (Riding my home trails, went back and forth between sight and old bike.)
mwolpin wrote:
The new Mega was another one that caught my eye. Definitely would like more of your thoughts on the Sight. What kind of trails do you...
The new Mega was another one that caught my eye. Definitely would like more of your thoughts on the Sight. What kind of trails do you ride? Seeing as we're geographically close, any experiences on local trails would be great.

Re: Nukeproof, how has their support been seeing that they're based in Australia(?)?
I ride in Port Angeles almost exclusively, but have ridden Tiger and a few other trails around the I5 corridor.

My 2019 NP has a leverage curve much like older santa cruz, it is soft in the midstroke. Idk if I just suck at setup but the bike has never felt very good in back, I can make it pump like crazy or blow through stroke, but never offer much in the way of comfort.

The new NPs are supposed to have much better leverage curve. I like everything else about the bike, never had to deal with warranty on anything, I just fix my stuff when it breaks which makes me a tool I guess.Tongue
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thejake
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Carnation, WA, USA
thejake 2/26/2021 6:18am
2/26/2021 6:18am
I have a similar set up for bikes(V10 and Insurgent), if I was going to get another bike it would either be a more XC focused bike or a dirt jump/pump track bike. No point in having bikes that have a major overlap. Seems like you ride one and forget about the other. The Spur would be my choice but I have no money for that currently, and even if I did they are sold out everywhere.
mwolpin
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mwolpin 2/26/2021 8:33am
2/26/2021 8:33am
thejake wrote:
I have a similar set up for bikes(V10 and Insurgent), if I was going to get another bike it would either be a more XC focused...
I have a similar set up for bikes(V10 and Insurgent), if I was going to get another bike it would either be a more XC focused bike or a dirt jump/pump track bike. No point in having bikes that have a major overlap. Seems like you ride one and forget about the other. The Spur would be my choice but I have no money for that currently, and even if I did they are sold out everywhere.
My DH bike is definitely not used much, except during the summers.

You're spot on with where my mind is at right now. The Transition Spur is definitely on the list, but right now I think the Norco Optic (140F/125R) is leading the charge.
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mwolpin
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mwolpin 3/11/2021 3:45pm
3/11/2021 3:45pm
First, thanks all for the suggestions.

In the end, @Philip_Rossetti was pretty much spot on. I ended up purchasing the new Pivot Trail 429 Enduro and it should be hear in 2 weeks. It definitely ticked the boxes of what I was looking for and the other option, Norco Optic, was not to be found.

I'll post pics once it arrives.
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Philip_Rossetti 3/12/2021 11:36am
3/12/2021 11:36am
mwolpin wrote:
First, thanks all for the suggestions. In the end, @Philip_Rossetti was pretty much spot on. I ended up purchasing the new Pivot Trail 429 Enduro and...
First, thanks all for the suggestions.

In the end, @Philip_Rossetti was pretty much spot on. I ended up purchasing the new Pivot Trail 429 Enduro and it should be hear in 2 weeks. It definitely ticked the boxes of what I was looking for and the other option, Norco Optic, was not to be found.

I'll post pics once it arrives.
Congrats bro! Enjoy it
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