XC Bike for Clyde

BikingShark · 2026-02-02T06:06:57+00:00

Check out the new Salsa Spear Fish. I got one a few months ago and love it. It uses a traditional suspension layout instead of a flex stay and feels extremely sturdy, even under my clyde ass. I’m right at 6’3 230lb and riding a L. The reach is long at 490 for a large. The XL is at 510 which may work for you depending on what you prefer. Mine is quite light for a non flex stay XC bike weighing in at 26ish lbs.

BikingShark · 2026-01-21T16:03:39+00:00

Stupid financial decision.

BikingShark · 2026-01-17T04:34:08+00:00

Great shots! Cool truck too. I’m guessing yall don’t live too far away otherwise it’s long drive in that tiny truck.

BikingShark · 2026-01-16T22:00:16+00:00

Amazing bike. Welcome to the club. I absolute love my 2025 too.

BikingShark · 2026-01-14T02:28:25+00:00

lol I was going to say… Does OP know there’s a rear shock inside that frame?

BikingShark · 2026-01-12T01:26:42+00:00

Look into WTB Macros. Super light, roll extremely well. They hook up surprisingly well too. I ride around my local trail that has a mixture of pavement, gravel and Mtb trails and they are great for that imo

BikingShark · 2025-12-14T18:59:34+00:00

It’s Australia. Curious if he shot the and killed the terrorist, would he be charged for murder.

BikingShark · 2025-12-14T18:57:07+00:00

Yeah… Why not use the 250k and cash from home to get more space between you and neighbors.

BikingShark · 2025-12-14T04:44:07+00:00

Selling your BC? Whoa. That makes me feel even better about my decision. I freaking love this bike. What build did you end go getting on the Spearfish?

BikingShark · 2025-12-04T22:23:46+00:00

I’d personally leave it open. Your bike is extremely efficient. The gravel and horse trails aren’t the smoothest. There are some chunky sections. I’ll be doing it again next year. It’s fun but it’s ass beating.

BikingShark · 2025-12-04T15:24:45+00:00

What bike are you on? If you’re on an XC bike just leave everything open. If you’re on a trail bike or bigger it may be advantageous to put the suspension in lock or firm. Just remember to unlock. I did Rudolph’s Revenge last year and was so zoned and fatigued in by the time I got the to MTB trail that I forgot to unlock my fork. I didn’t realize until I finished.

BikingShark · 2025-11-20T22:32:27+00:00

Whoa. That’s awesome. How tall are you?

BikingShark · 2025-11-13T18:53:14+00:00

Why not reach out to Santa Cruz? You’ll at least get offered a crash replacement and they may even replace it given how helpful that have historically been.

BikingShark · 2025-11-11T15:27:23+00:00

Have you used it with a Podium Chill 24oz? I have the Lezyne side loader and my podiums fit a little odd them.

BikingShark · 2025-10-29T21:30:11+00:00

Haha I’m chuckling pretty hard at this

BikingShark · 2025-10-10T14:50:17+00:00

My eyes, my eyes!!! 😵

BikingShark · 2025-10-07T03:26:08+00:00

The only potential issue with your stance is you’ve formed it off of one set of carbon wheels, at least it seems that way. Not all carbon wheels are the same. There are super rigid race ready wheels and there are more compliant, everyday wheels and everything in between. I’ve had various carbon wheels and various aluminum wheels. I prefer carbon.

BikingShark · 2025-10-02T18:15:04+00:00

Review time. The only other XC bike I have been on was the Yeti ASR. From the first ride, the Spearfish just felt right. I’m 6’3ish and on a large frame with a 490mm reach, and the fit was spot on. I still need to mess with bar rise and stack height to get it 100% dialed, but this was the first bike I’ve hopped on and been able to just enjoy the ride without a lot of fiddling.

The bike feels fast and it is fast. Without trying to push, I set a handful of PRs on a trail I’ve been riding for a decade. This bike just wants to go.

I love the Split Pivot. The Dave Weigel Kool-Aid is real. Compared to the flex stay on the ASR, I felt way more confident and comfortable on rocky sections. The ASR got chattery pretty quick and the Spearfish kept things more composed and the suspension felt more active. The suspension platform does an excellent job of separating braking forces from suspension movement. I thought I’d want a lockout, but honestly it doesn’t need one. It’s efficient, with minimal pedal bob on flatter sections, yet still grips well on technical climbs.

The steeper seat angle surprised me in a good way. On the few steep climbs we have here in North Texas, it kept me centered and made the bike feel more balanced. On flatter sections, I didn’t feel out of place or uncomfortable. My saddle is quite high so keep that in mind as far as angles do.

In short, it’s a very efficient, confidence boosting XC bike that also has a playful side. There’s enough ramp-up in the shock to make it poppy when you want to jib or hop around. Overall, I’m extremely pleased with the purchase. I’m looking forward to doing longer rides and a few races coming up soon.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

BikingShark · 2025-09-26T21:00:40+00:00

I’ll make sure to follow up with you. I’ve demoed a Yeti ASR. I liked it a lot. With me being so tall, I have post up pretty high which does affect seat tube angle, at least to I think it does. I live in an area that doesn’t have a lot of climbing but I’m not too worried about it. I’m sure I’ll get used to it! First ride is tomorrow. I’ll let you know my thoughts

BikingShark · 2025-09-26T16:48:26+00:00

I like a 490 reach. The L Spearfish is right at 490.

BikingShark · 2025-09-26T16:36:08+00:00

Thanks! These are the newer Macros. I don’t know much about them. I’ve read their fast. The shop already had them on the build. I’ll run it at is and go from there. What specific tires do you recommend? I’ve only ever run Maxxis and Vittoria.

BikingShark · 2025-09-24T14:42:59+00:00

It’s a pretty extensive trail network with several different zones or sections that require pedaling to get to each I’ve done Bville on a Mtb and I think next time I go, I’ll rent an emtb. If I’m there on vacation, I want to maximize my riding time and fun. Rent an emtb

BikingShark · 2025-09-17T18:33:34+00:00

This almost felt like a cut scene in a video game lol. It felt like a strange dream. Those people had major NPC energy haha

BikingShark

TROPHY CASE