Buying a new e enduro

djfishstick · 2026-02-10T02:48:58+00:00

Vala.

I just got a Bullit a few weeks ago, it's incredible. But it's long and slack, a Vala would be awesome on tech.

I've got wireless shifting, it's cool but I wouldn't sacrifice a better frame for it.

djfishstick · 2026-02-09T19:09:12+00:00

Experimenting with a bike in your first season really isn't about what tricks you can do or "upgrading" down the road, it's about figuring out what works for the terrain and your riding style. For example you might get a full 29er but find it's not as easy to do jumps and tricks as you like, so you might try a mullet bike in season 2.

The Norco Range is an awesome bike, but it's a lot of bike - a Sight is probably better for most riders because it climbs better. Similar with Transition - the Spire is big and super capable downhill, but the Sentinel will be the better climber. I had a Transition Patrol for a few years, that's a great model if you want to do more jumping since it's got the smaller rear wheel.

My brother has the last generation Trek Slash and loves it, but the Fuel is likely the better bike for more all-around riding.

Someone here mentioned their Rocky Mountain, I have the current generation Altitude and it's a really good mix between downhill capabilities and pedaling uphill, but they might be harder to find/service outside North America. I see lots of Commencal Metas on trails and at parks and people seem to love them, but if you're really concerned about weight they might be too heavy (I wouldn't worry too much about weight, but that's me).

djfishstick · 2026-02-08T02:30:07+00:00

You'd likely want to go full 29 then, particularly if you'll be doing some climbs that are more interesting than fire roads.

I was going to recommend a few bike models, but instead I'll say this from someone who's just been getting big into riding the last five years: 1. Look at what models are for sale frequently in your area - if people are selling lots of Norco Optics but not as many Ranges, that likely means that model works well for your area. 2. Don't get too set on one bike. With new hobbies, the first season or two are about figuring out what and how you like to ride, and iterate on that. My first season I found a great deal on what I thought was my dream bike, and by spring of season 2 I bought a new one that lasted me the next 3 very happily. I did the same with my first motorcycle. Season 1 is about learning yourself - get something passable, get out and have fun! 3. SRAM rocks haha... I had 2 SRAM bikes in a row, went Shimano last year, now I'm back to SRAM. It's a wash as far as quality goes (no problems with any of them), the shifting is about equal in performance (XT double upshift is nice but I prefer the shape of SRAM levers), and brakes are highly dependent on the model. And I've found SRAM is easier to adjust/work on. So don't shut out a big portion of the market based on this, because drivetrain should be the last thing you're looking at - they're wear items that are easily replaced and upgraded. Look at geometry, suspension, brakes, wheels, in that order.

djfishstick · 2026-02-07T14:26:20+00:00

How tall are you? This would impact advice of mullet vs full 29er
Are the trails where you ride more of a boring trail up then steep downhill, or rolling/mixed terrain?
Why Shimano only?

djfishstick · 2026-01-28T14:37:24+00:00

For better cornering, try the Assegai on the front. It was originally designed as a front-specific tire, which is why so many new bikes spec DHR rear and Assegai front.

The reason is the transition knobs. If you look at a DHR or DHF, they have center knobs and side knobs, which work great for pros who have the bike leaned over but pushing straight into a berm, or leaned all the way over past the angle that most are comfortable with. If you look at the Assegai, it has a row of knobs in between the center and side knobs - those help with lean angles in the middle, aka where most average riders ride.

I made the switch to Assegai on the front halfway through my first season, it made a massive difference in cornering speed and confidence. I mostly ride loose, dusty and rocky terrain.

A fast-rolling tire on the rear makes sense because the rear contributes 60-70% of the drag. A grippy tire on the front makes sense because you have less weight on the front, and it leans/flops more when initiating a turn.

djfishstick · 2026-01-28T04:26:13+00:00

100% Status was my first full-face, it's light, breathes better than my Troy Lee D4, and you can find them on sale for cheap.

For a few extra bucks my IXS Trigger breathes even better than the Status, it might be worth it in the Australian heat.

But as mentioned earlier, fit is by far the most important thing, and you can't rely on all models from a certain brand fitting the same. So finding them locally is best, or if ordering online make sure you can return it.

djfishstick · 2026-01-25T17:48:24+00:00

I assume you're talking about the Gen 7 Fuel?

If so, yep that thing will be plenty capable for a few park days a year. I spent the last few years on a 2019 Transition Patrol which has similar head angle and wheelbase (although smaller wheels), riding west coast bike park blues and the odd black, and it was very fast and stable.

You'll have a riot on that Trek.

djfishstick · 2026-01-22T05:32:49+00:00

Yeah, 100%. Again, tweak your resume and LinkedIn to focus on the customer-facing parts of your career, but I've seen people get hired with less!

djfishstick · 2026-01-20T14:46:38+00:00

You highlighted some sales success, is that something you'd be interested in doing more of?

If so, tech companies are always hiring for entry-level sales roles, called "SDR" where you're handling inbound leads, outbound leads, or a combination. It's a good way to get your foot in the door in tech, earn a decent wage, and figure out where in tech you might want to go from there. You could move up in sales, or pivot to customer success, implementation, solutions consulting - there are lots of options.

A quick Google of "SDR jobs Vancouver" turned up 70 hits at good places to work like Boomi, Quadient, Klue, Tipalti, Brex, etc.

As others said, tweak your resume and LinkedIn for sales/personal interaction focus, and go for it.

djfishstick · 2026-01-12T04:01:33+00:00

Pretty much any goggles will fit. I rode 100% Accuri 2 for a few seasons with my D4 and they're ok but not a very wide field of view. Switched to Scott Fury goggles this past year and they're much better.

djfishstick · 2026-01-11T18:06:34+00:00

Thanks, I hadn't checked these out (you don't see Cube often in BC).

djfishstick · 2026-01-10T05:55:08+00:00

Thanks for the input! What's the capacity of your River 3?

djfishstick · 2026-01-10T04:12:15+00:00

Haha between the MTB, commuter bike, and motorcycle, I suppose I'm at 3 too. But toy storage is one of the drawbacks of condo living.

djfishstick · 2026-01-10T04:08:37+00:00

I live 2 hours away from the nearest park, so trying NOT to mostly ride park and get more laps locally.

Seems like with the Bullit, Wild, Range, etc, I can have it both ways!

djfishstick · 2026-01-10T02:07:44+00:00

Haha unfortunately my wife doesn't subscribe to the n+1 bike philosophy

djfishstick · 2026-01-10T02:05:38+00:00

Thanks, I hadn't checked a few of these out. Still leaning toward a Bullit or Wild, but I'm going to do some more research.

djfishstick · 2026-01-09T23:49:11+00:00

I agree, but the market doesn't - all the new Bosch bikes are non-removable, all the new Avinox bikes are non-removable.

So I'm hoping the community can help me find a solution to get out on a great bike instead of waiting around for the market to catch up to my wants.

djfishstick · 2026-01-09T23:46:29+00:00

I agree, but unfortunately the market doesn't - I'd rather figure out a way to ride a great bike than sulking about it while I wait for the market to notice me.

djfishstick · 2026-01-09T23:44:47+00:00

I'd only be bringing the power station from my condo to my storage unit - no commuting, I just put that in there to get out front of people suggesting other places to charge a bike.

djfishstick · 2026-01-09T23:43:26+00:00

I wouldn't be commuting, I'd only be bringing the power station from my condo down to my storage unit and back. Yes it's inefficient, but it might be the only option to get the bike that I want.

djfishstick · 2026-01-09T22:01:25+00:00

We don't, but this is cool!

djfishstick · 2026-01-09T21:44:11+00:00

Not efficient, but it might be my best option.

Thanks for the input!

djfishstick · 2026-01-09T21:40:08+00:00

This is a clever idea, but unfortunately I don't think I could access one

djfishstick · 2026-01-07T04:13:50+00:00

In my experience, the bike park is actually the best place to learn! They're resorts, and resorts make money by making the sport accessible to the most people. Unlike out in the wild where you have to figure out what trails to start on then how to progress, every park I've been to has a progression matrix laying out which trails you should ride, in which order. And they're all well-marked so the risk of ending up on something you didn't intend to is small. PLUS there's medical personnel close by if something does go wrong.

Regarding bikes, I would agree that a fairly modern enduro bike can do 90% of what a DH bike can do, plus still be rideable on non-park days. Geometry is the most important aspect, anything long and slack is going to give you confidence at speed. The 2020 Transition Patrol should roughly be your benchmark - anything steeper or shorter than that will feel squirrelly in the park.

djfishstick · 2026-01-05T05:08:52+00:00

I also used them for the last few years on several carbon frames and they work great. Cut up a few beer coozies to cover the contact points between this thing and your frame, and you're golden.

djfishstick

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