Great review, but somehow I already knew this bike was awesome from another review. 😃 I'm glad Mike pointed out that he liked the 2.6" tires. Bigger is better on a hardtail.
I'm a new subscriber to your channel though I haven't watch a video of your (but will definitely do). As a beginner in mountain biking, I chose a hardtail, and probably will remain a hardtail user for a longer while. I hope your channel will bring me tons of info to learn from re MTB. Have you had your coffee already? Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines!
I actually prefer hardtails without water bottle bosses on the seat tube, it gives much more space for a longer travel dropper post as opposed to one with the bosses which I’ve found I have to punch out using a rigid seat post to get the clearance I want
You punch them out? Don’t you need a obscene amount of force to do this? Wouldn’t it be easier on the frame to drill them out and if you really want it clean weld them shut again?
@@rolux4853 you can also buy rubber grommits which fill the holes too and don't stick into the frame much so you can fit in a long post, I'd agree that I'd prefer having them then not
@@robinbreeds9217 I must be a posser for having water bottles on my bike and a big old hip bag. Why are you so angry at how other people ride their bike?
I've owned the bike for a few months and the Growler loves speed especially down hill. If you enjoy a good workout, this bike can be really enjoyable on climbing. My first RM bike and I love it!
Im considering getting one for about 1900$ Is it worth it ? I wanna ask you about the fork Aome people said the gold 35 had some problems And the other questions is How about the brakes ? Do you think they are powerful enough ?
@@bathg1 I have the 50. In honesty the 40 is probably a better bet. The fork and brakes on the 50 are garbage really, so if you are replacing anyway makes sense to spend a little less. I swapped out the Gold for a Fox 36 with 150 travel, and changed the brakes to 4 piston XTs with proper rotors. Was good before but it’s killer now.
@@drewmack1709 I got only the growler 50 in my local shop And it costs around 2300 but i can get a 1950 deal on it I was planing on getting the orbea laufey But its out of stock and they told me i have to wait for the 2022 version And it gonna be available late 2021 I dont know Im really on a budget There is really no good options here in croatia
Coming from expensive full squish, and a slew of higher end Chromag and Santa Cruz hardtails.. I can confidently say this bike tops the list. Tossed on a Pike Ultimate and let it rip, without a hiccup all season.
I always had a FS until mid fat tires came along. Running a slack hardtail with 2.6 tires at 20 psi and an oval chainring is just heaven. An absolute blast on technical descents and a goat on the climbs. Looking back at my FS the ride just feels dead. Granted this is through the eyes of a trail rider. I did take it to the bike park and was humbled quickly.
Best bang for the buck, what would yall pick?? Looking at (sub 1000 cdn) Marlin 7 Soul 20 Talon 1 If were gonna go mid range (1200-1500) Talon 0 Growler 20
I wouldnt go for it, but that's just me. Personally, a 64 HA on a HT is just unnecessary. You should check out the ragley hardtails. They've got em dialed.
@@theGiver3 As someone who rides a 64 degree HTA and 160mm travel hardtail, I would disagree big time. This is the new standard for fun hardtails. That geo unlocks it without slowing it enough to care, unless you race XC. Growler is pinned.
If you check online, the Commencal Meta HT AM won’t be available until October in a lot of size/build options. Why review a bike if it’s not going to be in stock anytime soon?
Whoa! So much useful info. If I were in the market for one of the hardtails you tested, I’d be confident of no surprises on my first rides. Surely, you’re doing a huge service to potential buyers here. Well done: specifying “American Dollars”. No ambiguity = happy shoppers. Once again: gourmet videography. Beautiful riding footage.
Thank you for this review, I am SO glad I bought this bike! Telluride in a couple weeks, will be interesting to see how it handles the groomed jump runs (seems like it was born for it).
would be cool to see the top spec stoic in comparison, because the pike select 170mm dropper good brakes etc makes a waaaayyyy different bike to the cheap one
I concur with you on suntour forks, but if you look at the slow motion shots that thing is doing its job! I'm impressed, that thing makes Mike look like he knows what he is doing... 😂
Thank you, I have been looking at the Growler for a while, I was trying to decide if I should get the 40 and up grade later or the 50 and save up a little more. I am beginner MTB and the my current bike is not meant for the North Shore trails were I live. I been looking at Rocky Mountain because they were born and bred on these trails(there head office is a 15 min ride from my place) and you help me decide. Thank you again.
Awesome review 🥰 can I ask how it compares to Stoic... It is super similar bike I terms of builds, geo and intend use? I was interested in buying Rocky Mountain Growler but because I'm in EU I ordered Canyon Stoic... Still waiting... 😂 ... Thanks for awesome Field test 🙌🏼
Yep, I think the same also about Norco bikes, sounds too close to Norks for me, can't help I'd look like a right tit riding one. Shame Norco didn't use the name Growler first, that would have been hillarious 😂😂
That wanting to ride a hardtail vines from riding a good one, too many people go buy a $500-800 hardtail and think that’s all hardtails and look at them as lesser than a FS. Some of us buy hardtails because we like them. Not just because they fit a price range.
I like the lack of bosses on the seat tube. They can interfere with seatpost insertion. Could make the difference between being able to run a longer dropper.
Got my 2020 growler 40 because it was one of the few that fit me in that price range. I've kept her fit with a lean diet of tree roots and derailleur hangers.
"If you're still looking for a traditional hard tail, just stop, don't look for that." LOL That being said I learned MTB on a hard tail that had 68 degree head tube angle and going from that to 66 degrees on my full suspension is night and day difference. Whenever I get back on my hard tail for a ride I feel like the front tire is under the bike instead of in front of the bike. It's crazy how much 2 degrees can make.
Mounting a bottle cage on the seattube on a modern hardtail is problematic, because the bolts would interfere with longer dropper posts. Not really a valid criticism, IMO.
Good luck getting one in the U.S., I have tried to get any of the 3 growler series with no luck for the last 3 months. these have turned into unicorns or leprechauns if you will. Out of the 30 or so bike shops I call weekly none of them have seen one for months and don't know when the next one's will come in.
You have to remember that this is a hardtail. When they say it doesnt climb THAT well and is not super snappy in the handling departement, that still means its gonna be better climber and snappier than any full sus ever could.
Hi Nolan! I rented this same bike, size M, for Sedona blue trails, with some black diamond sections. It saved my skin more than once, coming down, and it climbed like a mountain goat. I'm 5'11, 165 lbs, 32" inseam. Hope this helps 😊
Thanks for the review! Just bought my 14yo son his last ever bike from me: 2022 Growler 40. Got it on 2023 clearance from our LBS and put some Crankbrother Stamp pedals on it for him. He can rip and upgrade it from this point on. [PS - The bike in white/black looks sick]
I wonder how this would compare to Ibis' DV9? I bet the DV9 has better handling and climbing ability. I wouldn't mind getting a HT to compliment my Ripmo.
I love my Specialized Fuse! I feel like I can do almost anything on it, I'm gonna try my first ever enduro race (only 2-stages cause I'm a newbie) on it this summer. I love the burly trail HTs!!!!!!
What about rear wheel in ht? I have a full susp. enduro bike and some time have to check my spokes even though they are good wheels (very rocky terrain, and my riding isn't that clean 😅). With an ht i guess this would happen far more often, wouldnt it?
Pinkbike should also include Dartmoor hornet whis is 27,5-er but extremly fun and confidence adding bike with this geometry, if not event more progressive
being english this is a pretty funny video to watch. not sure if anywhere else is the same but growler has a different meaning round here related to women anatomy...
12:08 This is the most important part of this review. I live in the upper midwest and thus a bike like this is not what most riders need. I have an Esker Hayduke with a 67.6-degree head angle with a 140mm fork. That is so perfect for the tight twisty most level ground trails we have here. Even on some of the downhills, we don't get up to the speeds required to need a 63, 64, or even a 65-degree head angle. The bicycle industry needs to realize most riders are not bombing down the sides of mountains.
What is "progressive geometry"? That is tech talk the many of us have know idea about. I don't really have any mountains around. What about cross country riding through the bush. Faster usually sends you to the hospital with worse injuiries. I have been there and done that.
