Couldn't be happier
The perfect "tweener". Cross Country agility with the ability to climb like a goat. Went back to a hardtail after rolling FS the last number of yrs. So glad I chose this bike. The trails I ride are technical with quick elevation changes and loads of switchbacks. It eats them up. Even long rooty climbs are no match. I will say the most surprising thing about the bike was the X fusion fork. I was leary and ready to switch it out immediately. Decided to give it a real chance, and so glad I did. it was almost a deal-breaker. I had read A LOT of mixed reviews, but have to say, I couldn't be happier. Took a minute to get it dialed, but since then it has performed incredibly well. Also, the SX groupset has been hassle-free to boot. I had the NX on my last rig and honestly can't tell a difference. I think it actually shifts better under load than the NX did. Love the head-tube geometry, just slightly slacker than traditional XC which makes bombing descents a little less nerve racking. I'm old...50, and have ridden more styles of bikes than I can count after 30 years in this sport. I honestly think NS got just about everything right. I have upgraded a few things, carbon bars, seatpost, 50mm stem, etc., etc., and will continue to do so, but they did a good job on this bike straight out of the box. Wheelset is not too shabby and the Octane One components are nothing to sneeze at. I get stopped quite often as folks are still not too familiar with NS. They should be...
The ONLY thing I will say, is it's a tad heavy for a hardtail out of the box (28 + lbs), but a few simple things have already shaved some weight. Without spending big bucks we are down to right around 26 with A LOT of room to put her on a serious diet and get it down to the sub 24 range.
For tight, technical singletrack and some lung-burning climbs this is a bike that should be considered. For the price, I feel you get a bike that is versatile, agile, and fun as h@ll to ride. I was looking in the sub $2000 hardtail class. I easily could have spent more, and gotten less. I did a ton of homework before picking this bike and feel after riding her for a cpl of months, think my choice was a good one. I am definitely the weakest link as far as the capabilities this bike has to offer.
