Looking for a discount on your RSD? Use coupon code "party" to save 5% off anything at rsdbikes.com A week after I filmed this review, I took it on the Whole Enchilada with 29ers on it. It was really interesting to ride it back to back with different wheel sizes. While I lost a little bit of playfulness, I really enjoyed the way the 29ers rolled through Moab's rough chunk even better. It made a noticeable difference. For chunky trails and speed, I think that 29ers are the way to go with this bike. The bike was fantastic on the Whole Enchilada, but it's one of those trails that would benefit from a little more travel. The 120mm rear travel did extremely well, but there were a few places where more travel would have been nice. Overall, I'm extremely impressed with this bike. For southwest terrain, I think the 29er setup is the ideal way to run it. A few more things: 1) Obviously this isn't a hardtail and doesn't fit with the focus of my channel. This video was originally made private and wasn't pushed out to any of my subscribers. However, there's very little info out there about this bike, so i decide to make the video public for those searching for info on it. I do ride full suspensions, I just don't feature them on the channel. 2) THIS ISN'T A STOCK BUILD. This is my build with the spare parts I had lying around. 3) Save 5% on any RSD bike using coupon code "PARTY". 4) The SLX build is an INSANE value. Pike select, SLX 12 speed, SLX 4 piston brakes, and a dropper for $3299. That's less than an SB130 frame. Check it out here: bit.ly/2RccxRQ
That’s an amazing value for a high end bike. I truly believe that a 120mm FS trail bike is more capable than what the industry try’s to segment it for. Same as a hardtail being able to do more that people think it’s made for. I especially like when bike companies are not against using their bikes with multiple wheel combos.
I got the RSD Mayor V4 a couple years ago (thanx for the code btw 😎👍) and I love it. Great in snow or dirt and so versatile with the ability to run many different tire sizes and configurations 🤘🚴 I would certainly consider any of their other bikes as well but my quiver is full up for the moment 😁 Great review as usual Steve! 👌
Will there be a video riding the 29er setup? Like yeah, this is Hardtail Party, but I enjoyed this ride & wouldn't mind seeing you with the bigger wheels shredding some gnar. Full squish is ok every once in a while I suppose...lol I just love watching competent riders take on terrain like this, as I know I'll never be able to do it in my kinda new to MTB riding in my late 30's, 5-6 years ago. Watching this kinda stuff in fullscreen 4k is a real thrill on my PC TV monitor.
Awesome review! This one was on my shortlist of fs bikes but ultimately wound up with an Orbea Occam due to availability at the time. Great to see a solid review of it out there!
Awesome! Been waiting on this review since the Instagram post back in November... Great review, I’ll be visiting RSD for a frame. Hopefully they have some in stock. Seems like the closest thing to a hardtail with the forgiving benefits of full suspension. Great job, last video was exceptional as well.
Not only full squish, but... 9:39 "I'm not taking it easy and I'm not taking the smoothest line" bombing through in antithetical fashion to the hardtail party style of finding the best line and building bike skill. Love it, it's a fun departure. LOL! Sometimes it's just fun to let it rip. Thanks, I enjoyed your review.
Great review Steve, been waiting a while for someone to review this bike, as it is in my category of bikes, and I am looking to buy Canadian to support my Country
This bike reminds me of the Santa Cruz tall boy a great climber incredible decender (for the travel) and a super playful bike. Great video Steve! Love the content
Nice, I was wondering if you’d do a video for the Wildcat. I switched out my 29’er Middlechild for the 29’er Wildcat late last Summer and I was able to get some trail time in on some of our rowdier local (Nelson, BC) trails before the snow fell. I was keen to try an agressive, short travel fully, with an Ali frame. My last couple of bikes have been carbon. I’m running a large frame and I agree the seat post insert could be longer. I’ve managed to squeeze a 150mm PNW dropper (OneUp was out of stock), I run a 180 normally. Planning to run the Wildcat ragged this Spring and then get the shock/fork serviced, while I switch to my Rocky InstinctBC. I may go 150mm up front on the Pike, easy upgrade while it’s in service.
Just went on my first ride with my wildcat v3 and i noticed the reach feels shorter than the rs-291 even though its 3mm longer . I was running a 35mm stem on the 291 but i think ill run a 50mm on the wildcat. I also noticed the stack height felt about the same . It was a great ride .
Thanks for the code! Used it to order a 2021 steel middle child! I can’t wait to try steel and have a hardtail to ride again. Have only ridden carbon and aluminum.
You mentioned washing out on the corners, and I'm wondering if part of the issue is due to running your stack so high. It helps to do so on hardtails, but on progressive full-sus bikes it can lead to understeer when you're not able to get enough weight over the front end. I had a similar problem on my sb130 until I removed 1.5cm of spacers from under the stem! They certainly ride differently than hardtails with similar geo.
I was at RSD HQ today in Toronto Canada. Bought a fat bike from them that finally showed up but Alex showed me this Wildcat and he had an XL.... walked out with two bikes 😂👍
When i see the "feels good face" meme i think that's Steve's knee's on this ride. Personally i think the 130mm travel is the sweet spot and it's what most of us should be riding.....Both my Reign and 140mm HT are giving me funny looks
may not be a hard tail, but still an awesome video. sometimes something a little different but kinda the same is refreshing. still that view and trail is pure awesome sauce
If you're looking for full sus 29 with 425 chainstays, you should check out the Esker Rowl. More travel, but it might have some of the stuff you were looking for with the Wildcat.
I don't remember Portal being that chunky, but it probably has been eroded over the years. I rode it back in 1994 by myself on a 1993 GT RTS 2 w/ a Rockshox Mag21 fork. Still at the top of my favorites, Porcupine Rim is second.....Funny part is there's been a ton of Portal videos popping up in my recommended vids
Steve, great review, lots of good information as always. We need to replace my wife's 2020 Santa Cruz Chameleon 27+ size medium frame - she is 5' 6" tall with a 29" inseam. She's 62 yrs old, I thought a Plus Hardtail would make sense, unfortunately it is beating her up, she needs to go back to full suspension. Been looking hard at the $2249 Banshee Spitfire V3, but a size small RSD Wildcat looks like a great choice, and for much less money. The Wildcat is Horst Link suspension at 120mm travel and the Spitfire is a KS2 Linkage suspension at 135mm travel. If you have any saddle time on the Spitfire or can explain their differences and similarities, that would be awesome. Thanks!
I normally save bike consulting for patrons, but seeing she's a fellow short rider, I'd love to help her out. (By the way, i may be interested in her chameleon frame). The spitfire has a super long rear end, which will be a pain for s short rider to control. And while the wildcat v2 is s fantastic bike for the price, it's also heavy, and difficult to dismount for short legged riders. Without knowing more about where she rides or what she's looking for, the only recommendation i can make is anIbis ripley. Huge standover, super lightweight, abke to run a long dropper, and very comfortable/capable. However, it'll probably be close to double the price of the wildcat. Smaller riders definitely benefit from more standover and a lighter bike, especially as we age. I also think the new mojo 4 would be an awesome choice too. Without knowing her style, where she rides, what she likes about certain bikes, etc., I can't really make an accurate suggestion. Since that takes a fair amount of back and forth, i offer that service through patreon.
Hey Steve, at what point should someone be looking to change from a Hardtail to a Dually? I’ve recently moved to an area near a chairlift bike park, and I’ve been there on my hardtail (which I thoroughly enjoyed) but most folks there reckon that it would be better on a Dually. I’m not sure where to draw the line as I’ve always preferred hardtails, and watching your channel proves they can be ridden anywhere a Dually can!
It's a very personal decision. You can ride a hardtail almost anywhere you can ride a dually, and you can ride a dually almost anywhere you can ride a hardtail. I always recommend trying as many bikes as you can until you click with something. Not all dual suspensions are good. They all have a different suspension curve, anti-squat characteristics, progression, etc. and many people don't try enough different bikes before purchasing.
Just watched your fork offset video, where you mentioned all your bikes are 44mm, except one. Wondered if you were running the Wildcat with a 51mm fork (that RSD supplies stock) or your own 44mm fork?
@@jamessahlani5101 see the thread on mtbr, i shared my thoughts there with 29ers. Unfortunately I don't have bandwidth to review this bike again on 29ers anytime soon. I prefer it as a 29er though.
Have you ever ridden a Devinci? They updated their Kobain hardtail for 2021 - would be interesting to see your take, but not sure how available it is in your area!
