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I'm just as curious as anyone! That's why I wish the Instinct was in there, to see how you guys think it compares. I know product managers put a lot of thought into the spec of the bikes and custom tuning of the rear shocks. But that's why I said there needs to be two parts. One part is what you guys did here, complete bike comparisons. The bikes were spec'd the way they were for a reason and that is how they are bought, so of course those configurations need to be tested. You guys did a great job...

Jesse, ya pinner! It's really awesome to see you chiming in and I appreciate your thoughts. We would LOVE to do a test in the manner you've proposed for the reasons you stated. It would be the gold standard for a pure frame test, no doubt. There are some big hurdles we'd have to overcome to pull it off, but it's possible in the future. Keep in mind that shocks are tuned specific to each frame, so those would need to remain. That said, bike manufacturers make bikes. Bikes come with parts. Those parts were carefully chosen (and often tested)...

To my eyes, that "before construction" view looks perfect!