Sounds like a great bike - especially the cheaper model. I have to say I like Vital MTB reviews. There are 3 things I picked up in this story that show you are objective and don't just go with the current trend. 1. The Patrol has a threaded BB (good one Transition!) which you like and so do a lot of bike mechanics and consumers out there. 2. You don't sound all that fussed about internal cable routing which is often fiddly to fit and noisy when riding. 3. The trend with drive train is to dispense with a chain guide and only run a narrow wide chain ring. You obviously prefer running a chain guide for added chain retention. I agree.

"We went with 20mm thru-axle options because they were the least expensive and most of you not wanting to give up 26" wheels probably despise 15mm axles". Ha ha. You guys are the best! Of course I despise the 15QR Fox / Shimano conspiracy. Just another standard we didn't need. We could have all been quite happy with 20mm thru-axles thanks very much.

Good one Vital! Who would pass up a Yeti SB66 at $999? wheels. Snap up the bargains boys and girls while everyone else is drooling over 27.5" bikes they've been brainwashed into buying for a very slight difference in rolling and cornering. If Graves won an Enduro World Series on a 26" Yeti a couple of years ago it's good enough for me to stick with that wheel size at bargain price.

I think his days were numbered the moment the Athertons arrived on the team. GT don't muck about when it comes to dropping riders. Jill Kintner , Brian Lopes and Mick Hannah in the past.

Sam Hill is back and so are flats! Love it.

Wut indeed! I have to agree though. 15mm should have replaced the QR on XC forks only and never replaced the 20mm x 110 thru axle on the Pike. Now it looks like we're going to get 2 new standards. 15x110mm for MTB (same width as the 20mm for added strength ha! ha!) and 12x100mm for Road & Cyclocross.