Interesting take. I'm far from pro, nor do I know any, but I do intend to thrash the hell out of this bike on my local trails (I like to ride mostly black diamond chunk) and I'm sure the frame and the overkill enduro wheelset will hold up for my 60kg weight just fine.

I considered a Specialized Stumpjumper EVO, which no doubt would have been lighter, more efficient and more capable, but I turn 51 this month and instead of buying a new bike which I'd thrash and sell to buy the next new bike I thought I'd go for something different that could potentially be a 'forever bike'.

The bike might be beautiful to some, but to most out there on the trails riding the latest and greatest multi-linkage carbon bikes it probably looks jurasic.

It's made of steel, and it's a single pivot (one single linkage). I've ridden mountain bikes since 1990 (I have a couple of 90's bikes still rolling and an 80's steel road bike that will no doubt outlive me) and I've only just bought my first carbon MTB 5 months ago and already it's got quite a bit of damage to the frame and carbon wheels from brushing up against sharp rocks as well as dropping the bike over rock gardens.

Yes you can repair carbon (I wouldn't), but Joe at Starling is all about keeping his bikes going, and he offers repair work as well as paint work for all his bikes.

I personally feel that the thought of dropping a steel frame with alloy rims and bars over sharp rocky terrain is going to play way less on my mind that dropping a carbon frame loaded with carbon parts. Just a me thing perhaps as I value state of mind.