"Overall I think a bike that is designed for EWS racing should be designed to eat bumps as well as it can, even at the expense of pedaling. "

I am not exactly sure where I heard or read the following quote, but after riding the bikes in question I am inclined to agree. "If you want to win races get a Slash. If you want to have fun, get a Wreckoning."

"Side note - I absolutely would put a bar mounted lockout on this bike."

^^^My biggest issue with this bike. I have always felt that a great suspension does not warrant any levers, buttons, custom shocks or other nonsense for it to excel.

I know a couple guys that have the '17 model and are quite fond of them. My big knock against them are the same as pointed out in this review. Proprietary stuff with minimal benefit, pressfit BB (meh) and more so an overly active rear suspension when climbing necessitating reaching for some kind of lever on the shock. The previous is an issue across the board with Trek bikes APB design and hence among the reasons I am not a fan. That plus house brand components at that price? Nope.

Everything falls apart and sure you can find failures with LB too. However, for the cost of the crash replacement policy of these you can buy nearly two LB rims. The bulk of the failures I come across with research were riders buying the lighter and/or lightest weight LB rims and then dogging them. This kind of stuff (crap) has existed in cycling forever with riders wanting absurdly light weight bits and the manufacturers answering. The riders then act surprised when they blow them up whilst pushing them way beyond what they were designed for. I have yet to meet or speak with anyone that has roached out one of their HD rims. Yet again though, having that HD label and the associated increase in weight (very little actually) makes most riders shy away from them due to their lack of honesty regarding their terrain, riding ability and personal weight.

"During the course of our testing over the past 12 months, we have documented the following carbon rim failures: three SRAM wheels, one Giant wheel, one Intense wheel, one e*thirteen wheel, one ENVE wheel, and one Factor (Novatec) wheel."

Your reviewer neglects to mention your Light Bicycle rim/wheel review where the wheels have remained bombproof for over two years on a DH bike. My experience with a set of LB 27.5 wheels was the same. Trouble free even after being beaten routinely like they owed me money. It's true as he says:

"as a rider you should know what you are getting into..."

if I may add, with those brands which you guys have well documented. I suppose if a rider wants a "name" on the side of his wheels then so be it. If you want carbon rims/wheels that are tough as hell and cost a pittance in comparison to all of the competition get LB's.

I've always appreciate Joe's no BS approach. I haven't been that hip on SC's stuff for sometime though, despite having been a big fan and owning five of their bikes over the years. I preferred their former small company ethos that did wild stuff and lead the charge whilst adding tons of value. Other companies have since taken up that mantle and while SC bikes are still high quality they are more followers and more conservative now than they were in the past.