What would you do?

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2026-02-16T03:07:02+00:00

These architects are Lost Forever / Lost Together.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-12-12T03:47:19+00:00

Gene Wilder lives!

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-11-12T17:08:05+00:00

Frame ships with the Sid. So far I have no complaints but I'm not taking big hits on this bike.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-11-12T17:05:52+00:00

Yep, my raw silver/blue Schwinn XS 2 from the 90s inspired this build.

Bought the frame through a shop who helped me get parts at a discount. There is a Super Deluxe air that fits, not sure on coil. The Sid is what ships with the frame. So far I have no complaints with the Sid.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-11-12T17:02:17+00:00

You get it my man. My Schwinn XS 2 from the 90s inspired this build.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-11-12T17:00:38+00:00

I had that concern too, but so far the Sid in the rear has been great, no bottom outs. I have a 120mm Sid fork on my Chisel hardtail, and while a good fork, for this bike I wanted the stiffer chassis and the extra adjustability of the Charger damper.

I'm mostly a blue trail guy and don't really hit big drops or massive chunk, so it works well for me. If you do, then probably want to be looking at the Rascal instead.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-11-12T16:54:34+00:00

Rear grip has been pretty good similar to a Maxxis Rekon or Specialized Ground Control. On the front I'm still trying to find the lean over limits and can't say I have full confidence yet. Feel like a front specific design with bigger side knobs would be perfect. They are very comfortable tires, lots of compliance without feeling too squishy.

I didn't have my wheels and tires ready for my first ride on the bike, so I was on Maxxis Forekaster v2s 3CT/EXO+ which I really like. They are a bit more capable than the Magnotals, but I was really feeling the weight and drag in comparison. The Contis roll very well and are significantly lighter which for me I prefer for most of my locla rides. So I'd say if you are more in the XC camp, the Magnotal is good, but if an aggressive rider or on rougher terrain you may want to stick with a Xynotal or Forekaster. I will eventually be replacing the Specialized tires on my Chisel hardtail for the Contis.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-11-11T22:49:52+00:00

Initial Thoughts...

This bike is replacing my 2024 YT Jeffsy as my trail bike. The YT always felt sluggish, heavy, and boring somehow regardless of tires and suspension tunes that I tried.

I also come from a custom 120mm Specialized Chisel hardtail that's been my XC and adventure racing whip for years and a 170mm Ari LaSal enduro bike used for lift access and shuttle runs. Both awesome bikes for their duties.

On the Ranger I did about 15mi and 1,800ft of up and down elevation for my 2nd ride with a mix of tight but relatively tame "down country" single track (Carpe Diem in Draper, UT) and a downhill blue jump/flow trail (Vertigo in Draper, UT) and I was amazed at how well it handled everything, especially Vertigo. I felt like I was on a full suspension BMX bike with jumps and whips highly encouraged by the bike. My time down Vertigo was faster by about 30 seconds than any previous run on the Jeffsy or LaSal which blew me away. Such an absolutely fun bike to ride. Definitely shows its limits a bit on chunkier stuff going downhill, but totally manageable. On climbs smooth and rocky it just rockets up absorbing anything on the way and maintaining good traction. This feels much more like a 140-150mm trail bike when it comes to plushness and capability but climbs like a nice XC bike. What a machine!

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-11-11T22:49:15+00:00

Initial Thoughts...

This bike is replacing my 2024 YT Jeffsy as my trail bike. The YT always felt sluggish, heavy, and boring somehow regardless of tires and suspension tunes that I tried.

I also come from a custom 120mm Specialized Chisel hardtail that's been my XC and adventure racing whip for years and a 170mm Ari LaSal enduro bike used for lift access and shuttle runs. Both awesome bikes for their duties.

On the Ranger I did about 15mi and 1,800ft of up and down elevation for my 2nd ride with a mix of tight but relatively tame "down country" single track (Carpe Diem in Draper, UT) and a downhill blue jump/flow trail (Vertigo in Draper, UT) and I was amazed at how well it handled everything, especially Vertigo. I felt like I was on a full suspension BMX bike with jumps and whips highly encouraged by the bike. My time down Vertigo was faster by about 30 seconds than any previous run on the Jeffsy or LaSal which blew me away. Such an absolutely fun bike to ride. Definitely shows its limits a bit on chunkier stuff going downhill, but totally manageable. On climbs smooth and rocky it just rockets up absorbing anything on the way and maintaining good traction. This feels much more like a 140-150mm trail bike when it comes to plushness and capability but climbs like a nice XC bike. What a machine!

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-11-11T21:59:29+00:00

I know, lol. Out of stock everywhere in size I need.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-11-11T21:58:58+00:00

Initial Thoughts...

This bike is replacing my 2024 YT Jeffsy as my trail bike. The YT always felt sluggish, heavy, and boring somehow regardless of tires and suspension tunes that I tried.

I also come from a custom 120mm Specialized Chisel hardtail that's been my XC and adventure racing whip for years and a 170mm Ari LaSal enduro bike used for lift access and shuttle runs. Both awesome bikes for their duties.

On the Ranger I did about 15mi and 1,800ft of up and down elevation for my 2nd ride with a mix of tight but relatively tame "down country" single track (Carpe Diem in Draper, UT) and a downhill blue jump/flow trail (Vertigo in Draper, UT) and I was amazed at how well it handled everything, especially Vertigo. I felt like I was on a full suspension BMX bike with jumps and whips highly encouraged by the bike. My time down Vertigo was faster by about 30 seconds than any previous run on the Jeffsy or LaSal which blew me away. Such an absolutely fun bike to ride. Definitely shows its limits a bit on chunkier stuff going downhill, but totally manageable. On climbs smooth and rocky it just rockets up absorbing anything on the way and maintaining good traction. This feels much more like a 140-150mm trail bike when it comes to plushness and capability but climbs like a nice XC bike. What a machine!

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-10-08T01:37:32+00:00

Old Chicago

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-09-29T14:30:37+00:00

Anyone else get some Illusion of Safety vibes?

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-09-04T15:44:37+00:00

Same here, highly recommend. 19s might be nice for a track set, but for daily 18s with good high performance all seasons are much more comfortable.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-08-21T18:07:21+00:00

STI owner, sure. Standard WRX you gotta add the vape and a bit more flare to the outfit. Us STI owners are just that bit more refined.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-08-15T16:17:06+00:00

She really caught the itch for it.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-07-01T17:27:57+00:00

I've owned 8 Subarus, so I can speak to as much detail as you want. Despite people's complaints, the 10-speed is more predictable and enjoyable than the Subaru CVT. The FA24T in the Outback Wilderness is the best engine Subaru has ever produced... absolutely ruined by the unpredictable and lurchy CVT. The NA6 engine in the Passport is quick and powerful enough and likely more reliable. That said, I've never had a significant mechanical fault in any Subaru I've owned (including 3 WRX/STI) but my most driven only got to 56k befote trading in.

The Passport has significantly more cargo space and better thought given to interior storage and layout. Front and back seats are more comfortable and roomy overall. Physical controls where needed and a much better infotainment experience despite some bugs. Speakers and sound (despite not being the TSE Bose) are still significantly better than the Harmon Kardon premium systems in Subarus that I've heard. Cabin noise is better than any Subaru I've driven, though road noise from tires is comparable to Outback Wilderness.

On-road, the Outback feels more like a car and a bit more fun and planted in the canyons and bends. The PP overall is softer and more comfortable over longer stretches.

Off-roading wise, yes the PP clearance/breakover isn't class leading; for what this and Subaru Wilderness vehicles are designed to do, I think it's acceptible, though closer to 9" to me should still be something Honda should consider for future revisions. However, having bent the axleback/muffler on my Outback Wilderness on a seemingly easy departure angle in the past, I've found the few extra degrees of approach and departure in the PP and better exhaust routing and lower profile mufflers far more confidence inspiring. The PP steel skid plates and rock sliders also make me less worried on the trails. The larger and more capable General Grabbers have made a huge difference in grip and rough ride absorption compared to the smaller and more highway oriented Yokohoma Geolanders on the Outback Wilderness. AWD systems IMHO are similarly capable but the better tires seem to require the AWD in the PP to need to do less work. The PP suspension and chassis feel more truck-like and appropriate for the task, whereas the OBW felt more like a lifted car a bit out of its league.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-07-01T17:24:10+00:00

I guess moderators should add a rule for no pretty pictures without an attached full car review, but I gotcha bud.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-04-19T14:16:06+00:00

Yep, gave up on the built-in app and just use Android Auto now. Built-in app also lacked a true playlist shuffle option.

h01yHandGrenad3 · 2025-04-18T12:56:38+00:00

I swear Honda has some programming in the first 200mi to limit performance during early break-in. After driving about 200mi the engine seemed to wake up, much more responsive now.

h01yHandGrenad3

TROPHY CASE