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Found one for sale locally, anyone got one of these SLX/Fox shod '21 models?
Think of replacing my Clockwork Evo with it as a fun / big / trail / peaks / lakes all day ride type of bike and would like ti understand if it has any foibles, and now it rides.
A bump for the morning crowd, I’d value an opinion.
I had the 115 version with similar geo but slightly shorter stroke shock - all trances are remarkably similar.
As a unit it was one of the best coherent mtbs I'd ridden. More than enough for anything in the peak except maybe parkin Clough, and took it down some of the trickier lakes stuff (Grizedale / Whiteless). Won a few local xc races on it with lighter wheels.
Honestly - it's a fine bike. There's probably less difference between any two or three framesets than there is between the same frameset set up well for you and one off the shelf. I would call the suspension efficient under pedalling and landed like a cat. It wasn't a super plush monster truck. I comfortably cleaned cut gate both ways up and down on it but that's not saying much. Relatively light and giants QC is generally the best in the business.
Oh the only thing is the OEM straightpull wheels were a nightmare. The spokes didn't lock into the hub design so they were able to detention themselves - I kept snapping them. Mine were the carbon wheels tho.
My mates got one and he rates it highly. Previously he had an Anthem 26". We ride the Peak mainly and it is very capable there. If it's a reasonable deal I'd go for it. Giant make some very good shorter travel bikes (I also had an anthem before I got my current Scott).
I have one and really like it. It is my first trail type bike as I previously had a SC Superlight 26er. It climbs technical stuff really well but is a bit of a drag on long fire road climbs. The stock wheels and tyres are heavy but it may not matter to you if you ride gnarly stuff all the time. I have put faster rolling tyres on for my local flatland routes and just ordered lighter wheels as well. Not radical geometry but a lot different to my old bike which means it feels a lot safer going downhill. The paint seems to chip fairly easily. It has 35mm bars so some brackets for gps/lights etc. are scarce. Forks don’t seem particularly responsive to small bumps but I always have that trouble as I am under 10 stone. Rear suspension is fine.
Thanks for the feedback. So the bikes a good ‘un for what I need, now the big questions is should it replace the Clockwork Evo, or should I keep the Evo? Something to mull over during the weekend.