Of Happenings!

"benjrblant" (benjblant)
04/15/2019 at 12:35 • Filed to: yay! bikes!

It happened.

And holy crap, it was awesome. Revel has designed one hell of a bike and I absolutely love this thing. It’s as good, if not better than I remember the demo and somehow always manages to be in the right place at the right time. It’s like the bike knows me and we work together so well.

I was dragging feet on this decision for so long and I really couldn’t be happier with this choice. I highly recommend riding a demo one if you can. They’re touring a few events this year too.

DISCUSSION (24)

Tripper > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 12:52

Man that is a sweeeeet bike. Congrats

functionoverfashion > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 12:54

Wow, congrats! It looks awesome, too. I can’t wait to properly ride my bike. I’m going to start making a little pump track for my kids in my woods as soon as the snow melts, too.

But the woods trails are all still full of snow...

If you don’t mind sharing, how much was that bad boy? More details on components, please... or did you share that earlier?

HammerheadFistpunch > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 12:57

nice! did you get it at demo days? I wish I could afford a new mtb. Im going to convert my blur to 1x11 and hopefully get a blur lt rear triangle to increase travel and fit a wider tire. That’ll tide me over.

benjrblant > functionoverfashion
04/15/2019 at 13:00

This is a GX build with the suspension upgrade option, so a Super Deluxe RCT shock and a Pike RCT3 140mm fork. I opted to sub the standard wheelset for a I9 EN305 rim laced to Hydra hubs. I’m personally not a fan of the SRAM brakes that it came with and will probably swap them out to XT brakes in the future. Otherwise, this build is fantastic and has left me wanting nothing. All in, it was just under $6k. Build specs are at their website below:

https://www.revelbikes.com/our-bikes/rascal/

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 13:03

have fun :)

think i need to keep my bike for a couple more years.... maybe ill even get around to getting that stupid rear brake working (its lost pressure now....welp... not like i need it for anything other than fun)

(that said... front brake in turns is errr... not ideal.. kept it rubber side down so far... but im sure i’ll overdo it sooner or later)

atfsgeoff > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 13:05

$6k is a spicy meatball for any bicycle, but if the bike seems to telepathically transmit your inputs onto the trail, money well spent sir.

Plus $6k is about the cost of one broken bone, so if it helps you avoid even one gnarly crash, it’s paid for itself!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 13:09

That’s a sweet bike man. I just went out on my for some urban adventuring. And I only crashed once!

benjrblant > HammerheadFistpunch
04/15/2019 at 13:10

I rode it at the Thaw, called to put money down on the spot. They were a month out on orders at the time. I picked it up in Carbondale on my way to Moab this past weekend and the co-founder mentioned they were now three months out on backorders! As one of the earliest production frames, I netted a sweet Ti headtube badge and production 32/50. I’ll update with a photo of it later.

I’m all for breathing more life into old rides with updated components. The modularity and consistent standards mean that frames can be used for quite some time.

benjrblant > atfsgeoff
04/15/2019 at 13:11

Aye, I originally wanted to spend much much less but this one was such a good fit that I knew I’d have regret if I went with another.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 13:18

Boo clips.

Jk, but seriously that looks like an awesome bike. I’ve been tossing the idea of getting of getting a FS back and forth and you’re not making it any easier to practice self denial. Good thing my wife will do it for me haha

Do the i9 wheels have the new Hydra hubs?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 13:23

Nice! Are you coming to the Whistler meet?

benjrblant > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
04/15/2019 at 13:23

boo your shin shredders!

I’ve always ridden with clips. so much that platforms feel odd- like i’m leaving the house without underwear or something. I like that pedaling in a circular motion gives more power when needed and that when i jump sideways the bike follows. I rarely need to unclip, so I’m cool with it.

I’ve only ridden hardtail. This is my first full squish bike. I demoed quite a few before making this decision too.

The wheels do have hydra hubs. There was a backorder on the EN305 rim, so Revel provided me with a loaner set from their demo fleet, but I’ll post up about the hydra hub when i get it!

benjrblant > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
04/15/2019 at 13:26

It looks like no . I could probably swing a roundtrip flight thru Seattle with points, but my post-bike budget says no money for car or hotel.

benjrblant > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
04/15/2019 at 13:26

Unfortunately not. I could probably swing a roundtrip flight thru Seattle with points , but my post-bike budget says no money for car or hotel.

ST80MND > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 13:27

I felt that way with my downhill bike. At the time (13 yrs ago) I thought ‘Who the hell would spend 7 large on a bike!?’ But then I rode it properly, and did not hesitate dropping bank for it. Still, to this day, the best downhill bike Ive ever ridden. Also the best 7k ever spent (cars included)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 13:35

Damn. Was going to see if you wanted to go for a ride at the same time. If my girlfriend wasn't coming I would offer you a spot in my car and hotels, but... you know how that goes.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 13:45

Looks like full squish is is probably more appropriate for what you ride so you have an actual “need”. The only reasons i can come up with are “I want another bike” and “ow my taint”

I honestly wonder how much of a difference the hub engagement makes. Probably nice for climbs.

BeaterGT > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 13:46

Congrats! I want a new bike so bad but I know there's nothing wrong with mine.

functionoverfashion > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 14:21

Thanks for the details, yeah that’s about what I’d have expected. A bike like that isn’t in my immediate future with three other humans wanting bikes (and two of them outgrowing them every year). But I can bask in your reflected satisfaction.

I’m more likely to get a fatbike to supplement my trail bike, based on the time I had riding this winter a little. I have Seen The Light and want to ride on snow/ice more.

benjrblant > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
04/15/2019 at 14:21

100% take your SO over some rando internet friend. I’ll make it that way sometime and we can ride. Likewise, if you’re ever around Denver (/CO/UT) give me a shout!

benjrblant > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
04/15/2019 at 14:30

“need” is subjective in a sport that’s just for fun. I rode the hardtail out here (CO, UT) for three years and I’d say that a full squish is high on that list of “needs” for this region.

My demo bike had a hydra hub and it was incredible. Honestly you can’t really notice the difference in climbing and descending. It really shines in the technical stuff- when you need to move forward but pedal strikes and balance might prevent you from getting a full circle pedal stroke, or when constant obstacles mean that you need hub engagement to keep your forward motion and having your lead foot in optimal position to mash downward, etc etc.

benjrblant > BeaterGT
04/15/2019 at 14:30

That’s a terrible excuse to not get another bike!

N+1!

BeaterGT > benjrblant
04/15/2019 at 14:31

Haha I know but limited space and having a full squish in NJ is almost overkill. One day...

benjrblant > functionoverfashion
04/15/2019 at 14:33

I’m not entirely sure about your trails, but I did some riding around Franklin and felt that a good hardtail was more than plenty sufficient for that area.

Fatbike sounds ideal for your weather and area! 26+?