All

So would you consider the Pivot Firechicken to to be more versatile than the Slayer in the trails ridden?

This is the bike I was wondering how you were going to comment on the pedal feedback. I previously saw anti-squat and pedal kickback figures from another site and then when I watched Bike Mag's review of the bike, they said there was low pedal feedback. Interesting how your observations matched the numbers on paper. I may sound techy nerdy, but test riding any bike on your own is nearly impossible so it's good to have quality bike reviews, especially if you are dropping 8k on a bike.

So do you think the trails ridden exceeded Giant's intended use for the carbon rims? Do you expect the rims to hold up to this style of riding?

For some it may seem too technical, but I appreciate the suspension kinematics at the beginning of the review. It gives knowledgeable readers important information, well at least on paper. Also it sets Vital apart from the other magazines by providing a more detailed scientific review rather than a bunch of guys drinking beers and discussing what they thought based more on subjective opinions.

I agree the flat profile of the pedal causes you feet to float around. I road these pedals for a couple of months with Five Ten Freerider shoes (full tread sold version) and when I placed the ball of my foot over the axle or even just slightly forward, my feet would move around. When I moved my feet more forward, then there was a lot of grip, but it was too forward for my taste. Part of the problem, in addition to the flat profile, is there are no pins near the line of the axle. As for durability...