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I've got two months on the altitude at this point and it's been great, but I certainly know what you mean about that ramp up. The stability is amazing though, I feel like it can take on anything. As for the BB area issue, I did the blue locktite before I took it out to ride and let it set for two days. It hasn't come loose again and I've been on the chonk hard. Apparently someone greased the threads at the factory instead of using locktite on a batch which caused the issue. It wasn't caught until the run...

Best review ever, regardless of platform. More of these!

Tall folks have only had proportionally small chainstays to choose from for a long, long time. As a tall rider yourself I’d be stoked to hear your takeaways from riding a bike like the Dreadnought or Druid in XL with a proportional F/R center ratio similar to what most companies are doing for their M/L sizes.

This is some superb mtb material right here. I think as the silhouettes of bikes seem to be converging on a smaller set of options, this kind of writing is more and more required in mtb-media. The durability aspects are also really fantastic reporting. Without that, this review(?) is a 9/10. With? 10/10!!

Just like the UCI website.

Has anyone heard anything about Chromag coming out with an aluminum dj? Allegedly one of our local slope guys has been on one, but it feels like a pretty big departure for Chromag to go that way. That said, maybe their riders have been asking for something more slope oriented than the Monk?

Shimano will bring wireless shifting to MTB in 2025. XTR, XT and Deore groupsets will be wireless 1x13.

I’m gonna go against the grain of most of you. I actually think the wireless only is a smart move. (Presuming they are releasing an alloy model that can run mechanical drivetrains). Having an already premium carbon bike that can only run wireless makes it seem a little “more premium.” People that drive Rivians and Teslas to the trail head will love that their bike is exclusively wireless. While the people that drive 20 year old lifted Tacomas will get the option of the alloy version. I’m sure specialized has done their homework and they know that the amount of...

Big S is watching us

So you don't have to leave Vital:

I see Zink talk pop up every two years or so and I always hold my tongue, but this time I just want to put my experience with him out there because I’d bet I’ve interacted with him more than 90% of the people on here. I second your experience. I grew up outside of Reno and have bought 3 frames from Zink and ridden/dug at the local trails a few times with him. He is a great guy. I’ve had in depth discussions with him about previous frame sponsors (first bike I bought from him was in 2011 and...

I agree. If you're new, I would recommend a "replace it when you destroy it" mentality for upgrades instead of a "upgrade now for performance gains" mentality. New riders are typically hard on equipment and in the process of riding your first modern mountain bike you'll learn a lot about which sort of parts you like, want, or need. There are a dizzying amount of options for any MTB part, and the longer you ride before you buy something, the more you'll know. As others have said, either of those bikes should be great for you right out of the...