timallday -- thegravelist_ -- This bike is nuts. Can't wait to get it on some proper downhill. Stay tuned! Drop you questions in a comment and I'll answer them in the upcoming in-depth review.
Just got the same bike but in the gun metal color. Haven't taken it out yet since the paint is chipped in the bottom of the top tube and in the bottom side of the chain stays. It looks like a really fun bike!
That gunmetal is suppppperrrr clean! Sorry to hear about the chipped paint. What a bummer - I hope that gets taken care of asap! Have fun out there 🙌🏼🙌🏼
great video! got the exact same model finally coming in next week cant wait to ride it finally, my buddy got the gun metal last winter before they sold out and i loved riding it
Right on! The gunmetal one is wayyy too clean and looks mean. My buddy also ordered one and seeing it in person looks way better vs. online. Anyway, have fun with yours when it shows up!!
I have the exact same bike! Did you have issues getting used to the front tire? It feels like it loses grip if you’re not leaned over enough in the turns.
My Essential is coming this week. The small and mediums are now mullet bikes. Curious how this will handle and climb. A little nervous buying a 2k bike sight unseen.
Climbing is easy with the gearing. Plenty of range. But it feels kinda sloggish as it’s a big bike and kinda heavy. But absolutely rips downhill. It’s not a climbing bike though!
Hardtails ftw bro! What trail is this? I’m in NorCal too and ride a 2020 Specialized Fuse Expert. I’ve left full squish behind and I’m so stoked every ride!🤘
Right on homie!! Hardtails rule for sure. Love the fuse, I’ve had one of those before and sold it to get this actually, ha. This is up in Mt. Tam. Epic stuff, have fun out there 🤙🏼🤙🏼
@@thegravelist Ah! Specialized changed the geo for 2020, and it’s a beast now! Black diamond trails are no longer a problem on a HT. But that modern geo seems to be helping all hardtails in general 🤙
Solid question. I went back and forth for SO long between the L and M. I'm 5'8 with a 31" inseam. My buddy and I ordered these at the same time, he's 6'1 with a 32" inseam and ordered the Large. When his came I rode around a little bit and right off the bat it felt like it fit like a glove. The reach felt perfect. However, the standover height was a too close to my taint and overall felt a TAD too big. Like I was a kid riding a bigger bike... When my medium showed up, a few weeks later, it also fit like a glove. Lol. I like "smaller" feeling bikes anyway, and have shorter-is arms so the reach on the medium had me more upright, which I liked. If I wanted to feel a little more aggressive I can slap a new stem on there, which is an easy fix. The standover height is perfect, more clearance and I feel more in control of the bike because it fits a hair smaller than a longer-stretched out/modern MTB. So if you're 5'8-9 have a 31-31.5" inseam and shorter-is arms then it'll fit. If you're any taller or have a longer inseam than that, go with the large. But if you like a smaller feeling bike, go with the medium and toss a longer stem on there. Can't go wrong either way! Hope that helps! I would trust Commencal's sizing chart too, if you're worried about the short reach number on a medium you can easily switch that up with a longer stem. Hope this helps!
Right on - I love this bike. Very happy with how it handles and can rip on some major sketchy single track. This trail is right off the side of the road heading up mt.tam. Right after the fork where you can go toward Stinson or right toward Bolinas. Park off the road and take the trail, I think it’s coastal trail or something like that 🤷🏻♂️
