Interesting, I actually just bought this bike. Shortened the chain to the correct length, fixed the slightly tweaked rear der., and added some chainstay wrap. Shifting pretty perfect now! After about 10 rides, running 30%sag and having slowed the rebound a touch, the shock is breaking in nicely. It feels a nice balance between planted and poppy, super fun bike. I know those rockiest trails trails In SLO and don't think a single pivot is ever going to be optimum there, but here in Santa Cruz it works really good for our steepest, rootiest stuff. Glad to have something different...