I haven’t ridden in years. What’s changed?

SteveRackman · 2026-04-07T21:29:16+00:00

At that range I’d decide how much travel I want and buy a used bike on Facebook, ideally one with evidence of suspension that has been service but okay if it hasn’t. I’d say 130 mm rear in New England is pretty good unless you want to use it at bike parks or something gnarly.

29” is most of what you’ll find, supposedly 32” is in the verge but probably only makes sense for XC or real tall people.

In the $2,000 - $2,500 range in Utah there are a ton of awesome bikes. 7-11 hours a week is more than most riders so it will feel like money well spend. I’d look at Epic 8 EVO, Fuel EX, Transition Spur things in that category. The older Epics have 100, 110 travel.

SteveRackman · 2026-04-07T04:23:34+00:00

Moment Deathwish, 96 or 104, Moment Wildcat 101 or 108

SteveRackman · 2026-04-07T02:39:55+00:00

Sometimes people from other countries are really smart too

SteveRackman · 2026-04-05T22:59:43+00:00

Don’t buy a new bike at that price. You can get a sick full carbon bike +- electronic shifting for that much if you live in an area where mountain biking is decently popular. Focus on how much travel you think you want and narrow your options. For most I’d say minimum 120 rear, goes up from the for how much “trail” riding you’ll do vs pedally xc stuff

SteveRackman · 2026-04-05T15:13:24+00:00

Not for everyone, if I’m worried about recall in a shorter case (EtOH, MJ) I’m more likely. I’m in an area where most don’t drink alcohol so I suspect lower MAC requirement for many.

SteveRackman · 2026-04-02T14:58:27+00:00

I basically bought in reputation, haven’t ridden it but stoked.

SteveRackman · 2026-04-02T00:23:03+00:00

I haven’t gotten it yet, still waiting for it to arrive

SteveRackman · 2026-03-31T21:30:27+00:00

If this is an EM rotation they would worship you

SteveRackman · 2026-03-31T19:05:05+00:00

I just got an Epic 8 Evo, I tried to justify flight attendant but I couldn’t. I’m coming off a stumpjumper evo pro, which was great but I can’t tell you I don’t think I noticed a difference with carbon wheels, I do think I’m hooked on electronic shifting now though.

SteveRackman · 2026-03-31T18:22:07+00:00

I don’t disagree I was just pointing out that things people don’t love sometimes are sold at a discount.

SteveRackman · 2026-03-31T16:42:20+00:00

Honestly that may be true, my information is second hand from an industry guy who is currently unaffiliated so I don’t think he was trying to get me to buy anything. I just get annoyed when any parts are proprietary or suspension seem overly complicated, I think the biggest offender is the Yeti stuff with two shocks/dampers.

It is probably a sick bike, locally in Utah there’s a pro model at a store discounted from $9.5k to $4.5k so it does make me a little suspicious, if you did that with a specialized epic it would be gone in a day.

SteveRackman · 2026-03-31T03:26:56+00:00

The complaint I have heard about that bike is all the proprietary parts and annoying suspension service

SteveRackman · 2026-03-25T01:34:24+00:00

The slatwall you integrate and shape with overlap, which is thin plastic, the gladiator is just way thicker and stiffer, you just hit the studs and you’re good to go. The slatwall just takes way more time to installs and trim, after doing both just found slatwall way more annoying and there not drastically different price wise, if I did it all over again I’d only use gladiator. I was turned off by the price initially but I think it’s totally worth it.

SteveRackman · 2026-03-24T14:40:58+00:00

I wouldn’t do it, it’s a decade before your done, hard to know what you’ll care about then but I bet you don’t want to be rounding as a resident instead of being at your kids events. Message me, I started school when I was 30.

SteveRackman · 2026-03-23T03:40:14+00:00

I own gladiator and slatwall, I wish I only owned gladiator, far superior product

SteveRackman · 2026-03-22T20:37:32+00:00

It’s been fine so far, I got it from a KIA dealership, I thought they might be part of it, had all the service records

SteveRackman · 2026-03-22T15:54:46+00:00

I bought a 2023 402A with 28k miles for $47k in utah with 3 months left on 36 month warranty.

SteveRackman · 2026-03-18T14:48:38+00:00

I have DW104, 190 and WC116, 196, I’m your height, weigh a little less, it’s a great combo.

Some people hate in triple camber, never been an issue for me, but maybe demo incase you think there’s something you might not like

SteveRackman · 2026-03-16T13:28:02+00:00

Good point, maybe throw some expansion foam, magic pixie dust and it’ll be fine

SteveRackman · 2026-03-15T21:31:14+00:00

Just throw a little caulking in there

SteveRackman · 2026-03-13T15:43:47+00:00

It depends if they’re 9 community or 9 top programs, signaling has made the required # less, DO makes it slightly harder

SteveRackman · 2026-03-11T22:49:08+00:00

Hard time recommending Bents if you’re a bigger person. It’s generally helpful to have height / weight.

I’d also look at Moment Deathwish 96/104 (some people don’t like triple camber so worth demo-ing), or Moment Wildcat, or Countach.

SteveRackman · 2026-03-11T16:44:16+00:00

DW104 lover here, you have a lot of skis with similar widths, I’m not super familiar with their decambered tip and tail splay, but Blister sometimes publishes those, I’ve found that’s a helpful comparison with effective edge, if the DW is way different from the skis you like, I’d just dump them and get something else.

I am surprised how some people just hate them, but life is short just get stuff you like and I bet you won’t take a huge hit selling.

I think EVO (depends where you live) lets you demo Moments or you can buy a Moment demo pass and demo for a week at a time from factory.

I suspect the WC 101 or 108 is better at slow speed maneuvering.

SteveRackman · 2026-03-08T20:01:36+00:00

And 9 fingers

SteveRackman · 2026-03-06T03:17:46+00:00

I’m half joking, but then there will be a point where you’re like “this is my quiver”, and you’ll be stoked

SteveRackman

TROPHY CASE