This is probably boring, but my observations between going from no
suspension, on old school geometry, to full suspension with good, 4-bar
American made geometry.
Well, last night and the night before, I did pretty good rides on the
new switchblade, a pretty plush double squish. Jumping into full
suspension was a big leap for me, as some of you know I'm a retro-fart
who mostly rides a fully rigid SS, and for longer trips or climbs, I
have a short-travel hardtail.
Observations. I can climb longer without stopping, because the RF
crankset has me spinning at 22x34, so I can drag more weight up the
hill and get royally exhausted. however, when I stand up on climbs,
like I always do on the SS, my efficiency is cut at least in half.
I can turn around very sharply on the blade without losing balance.
Might be the bike geometry or just how well Titus puts it all together.
Cornering at speed is a new thing for me, with the front and rear
working together to double my normal speed and control. wowza, that's
a dangerous hootie and the blowfish goin on.
A long descent last night with the intermittent water bars were fun,
catching air off each one, and landing solid, in control.
Finally tried this rock drop that had been tempting me for years, but
fear of busting a frame (or the rider) kept me from it. It's only
about 3 feet, but it's rock to rock and the landing is slimy from the
creek running across it, the landing is flat, and it looks scary...
The first try was a little goofy, and by the 3rd I was nailing it like
a troo mtndood.
I can go faster without thinking, but just point, shoot and start
grinning. Is that a good thing? A bad thing? Just different, and the
main change I noticed is that the bike really is bearing the brunt of
the abuse, where after 18 pretty tough miles Monday nt, I felt fine.
Not wasted, beat up and drug in by the cat like I normally would had I
done the same thing on the fully rigid SS.
So, it's nice to have an option, and to take the suspending job off my
aging spine and lay that responsibility on inanimate shocks and springs
for a change.
But I'll never forsake the Gray Lady, who's aging beautifully, and
still my favorite.. really.
CDB