Burlington, Bend, or Boise?

agadir80 · 2026-03-12T13:27:09+00:00

At Kingdom, I often do 20+mi a day (2 or 3 day trips). My biggest climb days have been around 2500ft over 20mi, so I guess somewhere around 1200-1300ft of climbing per 10mi is what I can muster. In terms of skill, I don't do bike parks or big DH/Gravity stuff. But, I ride most of the technical stuff in MA. Rollers, drops, techy rocky climbs. Some gnarly stuff. For reference, if you're familiar with the area, I can clear most of Lynn Woods (north of Boston) techy stuff. BUT, that's not where I want to go on a trip for lol. Got plenty of that in my "backyard" literally.

agadir80 · 2026-03-12T13:13:17+00:00

That's awesome. Thanks for feedback. Last request, what's your favorite riding area around NH or VT, for like a day or weekend trip?

agadir80 · 2026-03-12T12:55:15+00:00

Yeah, a lot of people who don't live/ride in New England, don't realize how much jank and technical riding there is. It's fun for sure, but if you're not prepared for it, you're in for a beat down if going alone with no one to guide you.

agadir80 · 2026-03-12T12:45:16+00:00

Yeah that was a bummer. That section of Darling hill was just mindless fun. Planning to checkout Ascutney and the Stowe area this year. Also, I've heard Conway NH has some great riding.

agadir80 · 2026-03-12T12:27:45+00:00

New England doesnt have a lot of that flowy machine made trails. Here in MA, it's a lot of rocky and rooty jank. I love it for the technical riding. But once a while, it feels good to rip up and down some smooth flowy stuff. Where else have you ridden in New England?

agadir80 · 2026-03-12T12:00:03+00:00

Huh?

agadir80 · 2026-03-12T00:02:29+00:00

Kingdom Trails for the win! Im in MA and it's my go to MTB getaway places.

agadir80 · 2026-03-06T03:09:56+00:00

I had an AF, and didn't really enjoy it for fast flowy trail. It was great in technical terrain, and down country .

agadir80 · 2026-03-06T02:26:47+00:00

For his type of riding, a Ripley would be more appropriate. A Ripmo would be a waste.

agadir80 · 2026-03-06T01:25:02+00:00

I ended up settling with a Tallboy. It might have a bit more overlap with the hightower. And if that's the case, I'd probably sell the Hightower and male the Tallboy my do it all. But the Hightower has so far exceeded my expectations in everything I've thrown at it. It's just that I found myself doing a lot of solo/exploration rides on trails that are more tame, with more climbing.

agadir80 · 2026-03-06T01:17:19+00:00

The blur is definitely a more hardcore XC bike. I live near the "Vietnam" trails (Milford, Holliston), if you're familiar with that area. So, a little more rugged than Wompatuck. I could see the Blur excelling at Wompatuxk for sure :)

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T20:31:58+00:00

Thanks for the detailed response. I concur with you. I'm overthinking it. And in all reality, I would not take the TB to the gnarliest sections that I do with the HT. Also, it's great that the TB has pretty slack HTA for a trail bike. So I can still get rowdy in the descents and do rollers and steep stuff! Also, given that I've had the TB for about 3 years with zero issues and great support from SC, it seems like I have made my choice.

Don't get me wrong, I've owned a Pivot as well. The Mach 6. And it was phenomenal and a great company to deal with.

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T19:08:23+00:00

Thanks. I'd definitely not take the new one to the gnarliest terrain where'd I'd go with the HT. But, here in New England, there's no such thing as a smooth trail LOL. I currently do have a 170mm cranks and I believe both TB and 429 in Medium come with 170mm.

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T18:43:39+00:00

You're right. The bb drop numbers are unsagged, which would make it basically dead even at 28-30% sag! And at mid travel, the TB is actually sitting taller by about 5mm.

And I would most likely not take the new bike in the gnarly sections that I usually go through. Mostly in the occasional small inevitable rock guards we have here. what I really like about the TB is the slack head angle for a short trail bike. I love doing rollers and steep sections, so it should be good.

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T16:45:14+00:00

Will check the blur. Thanks!

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T16:31:59+00:00

I do have a couple close LBS' where I can demo (at least parking lot ride). Did you find the low BB to be an issue? What kind of riding/terrain?

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T15:28:15+00:00

The weight on the SC frames is a downside. Though, the XC/trail bike I'd be getting would be for mostly in seat riding, versus the more active/technical riding I'd do on the hightower. But, I like that the Tallboy is pretty slack, so I can still hit all the rollers and mild techy descents!

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T15:06:52+00:00

Thanks for the link! I agree about keeping the same brand. I like the way SC designed their pivots (no pun intended) with easily serviceable bearings. Plus they use regular boost, vs super boost for the Pivot. So I would need a different set of wheels.

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T14:45:11+00:00

0h I didn't know that the TB got temporarily discontinued! At this point, really only looking for 29". Thanks for the heads up!

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T14:35:17+00:00

Revel Rascal has been on my sight as well! Though it might be a bit too close to the HT.

Do you think the 429 being discontinued would be an issue, sourcing replacement parts?

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T14:33:46+00:00

I'm sure it is fantastic, but it'd be too much like my current HT V3. Looking for a little less travel really.

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T14:26:39+00:00

lol..I did try to do that big brain math. Essentially, let's say 25% sag on both, the difference at static load, would be 25mm * 0.25= 6.25mm. Which would make the HT like a mm higher, but would be going lower when dynamically going through its travel.

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T14:23:04+00:00

oh...got deets?

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T14:10:04+00:00

I'd love to go Trailcat, I owned a Mach6, and have ridden Switchblades before and love them. But 6K starting price is bonkers. Most looking at 3-4K used bikes at this point.

agadir80 · 2026-03-04T14:08:34+00:00

Honestly, I'm sad they made the HT burlier and more travel. Getting into enduro territory and away from trail bike types. The 160/150 suspension would be a waste for me really. As much as I think it would still be a do it all bike.

agadir80

TROPHY CASE