MTB Oppos - I have bought a wheeled cloud

"DasWauto" (DasWauto)
09/07/2019 at 21:00 • Filed to: bikelopnik

First off, thanks to everyone who offered feedback and opinions on my 27.5+ vs 29er query. To everyone who suggested I ride everything and get what I like, you are of course correct. I should’ve mentioned this in the previous post but I’m 6’5”, which can make it difficult to find a bike in my size in stock at any bike shop, especially this late in the riding season. That’s why I was looking for other’s impressions/perspectives more than I otherwise would.

I did try multiple of each and found some of the plus bikes to feel too vague at the front while traction was great, which lead to a balance I didn’t enjoy, a couple of others felt more confident. 29ers were generally better but some did feel unwieldy and cumbersome (this may be largely due to my experience being limited to 26ers thus far). Of course this is geometry and rider preference specific, that’s why I had to try everything I could fit (thanks again for the encouragement).

After trying all trail hardtails from Specialized, Kona and Salsa (no Treks, Giants, other brands found) in XL and XXL that I could find I ended up ordering a recently released 2020 Specialized Fuse Comp a couple of weeks ago, with the understanding that it would be at the shop this first week of September. I then got a message on Wednesday saying my delivery got pushed to December.

Annoyed and not having any other hardtail options that I liked the feel of with the features I wanted I started looking at full suspension bikes yesterday. Out of curiosity I checked out what the used market had to offer and found this 2019 Trek Fuel EX8 size XL not too far away from the bike shops I was browsing at anyway and decided to stop by to see if it fit me. My brother rides an XXL EX7 which in a couple of quick spins always felt big when I rode it so I had some hope that it wouldn’t be too small for me, as one bike shop had suggested it would be. I felt immediately comfortable on a quick spin around the owner’s neighbourhood, so I blew my initial budget out of the water and bought it. It’s been upgraded to a carbon wheelset as well, which is nice.

I picked it up today and immediately hit up some local trails I hadn’t tried before. I now know a few things - full suspension is lovely, 2 years off of riding (and 2 unrelated ankle injuries) have killed my riding legs and this bike is well beyond my current skill set. I really was pussyfooting around out there - which annoyed me - the bike can definitely be ridden a lot harder, but I’ll work my way up to that.

The previous owner did me a solid and set up the air springs for my weight when I picked it up but I think I’ll take it by my local bike shop to get it cleaned and tuned up, dial in the suspension and my fit on the bike. I hope to get a good bunch of riding done before winter creeps up on us.

I’m glad to be back on the trails through, my quads are sore, my calves are jelly and it feels good.

DISCUSSION (30)

Tripper > DasWauto
09/07/2019 at 21:09

Oh man tight bike! Congrats! I’m headed to White Clay DE early tomorrow.

OPPOsaurus WRX > DasWauto
09/07/2019 at 21:12

Im drink off of tequila and crAzy beers. What’s u get the 27.5 or the 29?

I have a 29er and have been pushing it harder and harder to the poi t where I'm doing a 2 wheel slide around some or the turns I ride often

PowderHound > DasWauto
09/07/2019 at 21:21

Great pick! I went out for a little bit today and got rowdy and did maybe 15 miles two days ago. I’ve been biking to work and trying to ride as much as possible lately and you’re legs slowly come in to it. Still get absolutely worked but when I look back to 5 years ago when I first started to mountain bike it’s incredible how that muscle group has worked up.

DasWauto > OPPOsaurus WRX
09/07/2019 at 21:33

Sorry, I should have specified, the EX can be had as both but this is a 29er.

zipfuel > DasWauto
09/07/2019 at 21:34

Man I need to get into understanding the current generation of mountain bikes. Took my kid for lessons at a bike park today and it’s painfully clear that my ‘99 Zaskar is a bike built for efficient trail riding not technical stuff or hopping obstacles. Doesn’t help that I’m also hella rusty, the last time I was on these trails my wife was pregnant with said kid but didn’t know it yet - although she was wondering why the pine tree smell was making her nauseous....

29 vs 27.5, Enduro bikes, freeride bikes, 10 spd rears with no front shifters - the goal posts have shifted

DasWauto > zipfuel
09/07/2019 at 21:51

T ell me about it. I’m coming from a 10 year old hardtail 26er and even in that timespan the game has changed massively. This thing has 12 gears on the back, damping that can be adjusted on the fly and also a dropper seatpost, much which I kept forgetting to use. I’m sure it’s all great but it’ll take some getting used to.

If you’re looking to get back on the trails just go ride a bunch of stuff at bike shops and see what you like for the riding you want to do.

BeaterGT > DasWauto
09/07/2019 at 22:00

Congrats! I dig your car/bike pairing. Do you throw it in the back or do you have a hitch setup?

BeaterGT > Tripper
09/07/2019 at 22:01

Making me jealous, I gotta get back down there.

DasWauto > BeaterGT
09/07/2019 at 22:18

Thanks! I threw it in the back right now but it’s a hassle with the size of the bike (grumble, grumble WRX should be available in hatchback, grumble). I’m actually looking to switch out the WRX for seomthing else as I bought a 128i to take over fun car duties. It’ll likely be a truck as I’m a farmer and could use the bed and other capabilities - won’t hurt for bikes either. :)

I haven’t found something I like enough yet though so the Subie might stick around for a bit, in which case I may look into a hitch setup. Alternatively, I could put a roof rack on the 1er.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > DasWauto
09/07/2019 at 22:34

That model Fuel is really well done. Congratulations and great choice. One thing is the rear shock tune is very sensitive on the Fuel EX, it’s a fine line between to mushy and too stiff.

zipfuel > DasWauto
09/07/2019 at 22:45

Yeah I need to take advantage of some demo bikes for sure before I buy something used, online or at the end of year clearance sales... Will likely be a year or so out as have other priorities ATM and am very cheap at the best of times

DasWauto > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/07/2019 at 22:59

Thank you. I’m not well versed enough to assess the rear shock properly so I’m hoping the LBS helps me out with that. I did try out soft, medium and firm damping a bit today but aside from a preliminary setting for the air springs I haven’t really set it up properly yet. I’ll probably pick up a shock pump when I take it in so I can make fine tuning adjustments myself later if need be.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > DasWauto
09/07/2019 at 23:02

I had a lot of trouble tuning the shock on my old trek and they really haven’t changed the rear suspension substantially since then. My specialized has been set and forget.

pizatski > zipfuel
09/07/2019 at 23:12

There was just a 13 speed cassette announced at (whatever that trade show out west is)! I just picked up a Marin Rift Zone 3 29er to replace my 15 year old Trek 6000 and my goodness what a different time.

pizatski > DasWauto
09/07/2019 at 23:14

Congrats! I was checking these out too but ended up getting a lightly used Marin Rift Zone 3. Deal was too good to pass up. It's replacing my well loved 15 year old Trek hardtail and what a different world now.

benjrblant > DasWauto
09/07/2019 at 23:44

Sweet ride! You’ll want a shock pump as pressure leaks out obet r time. Looking forward to more MTB content!

Andrew > zipfuel
09/08/2019 at 00:11

Keep that Zaskar forever. Yes, there are great new bikes, but they should be in addition to, not instead of. The only acceptable replacement for the Zaskar is a Xizang.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > DasWauto
09/08/2019 at 03:40

It’ll take you a few rides to remember the dropper seatpost. Like you I went from a 10+ year old hardtail to a modern (1 year used) full suspension bike and had so much else to think about that I barely used it the first 4 or 5 rides. Then I remembered it and started playing with it and it became second nature pretty quick to the point I can’t imagine riding without one. Don’t force it just figure out the rest first and it’ll be there when you’re ready.

CB > DasWauto
09/08/2019 at 06:08

*cough import a ute cough*

But I’m with you on the “I need a more responsible vehicle than what I have but there are things preventing that from happening”.

DasWauto > CB
09/08/2019 at 08:07

Man, a ute would be perfect for my needs/wants. I find pretty much all trucks to be too big and tall for my liking. If they made an AWD Holden Ma loo I’d be throwing money at Australia.

On a related note, the Subaru Baja came and went 10 years too soon. A modern one would be perfect for me (except for the CVT but I might be able to deal with it if the rest is good).

David > DasWauto
09/08/2019 at 09:06

Pole bikes have the best geometry, front center and longest reach. ( very progressive company) My XL has a reach of 540cm. I love riding a proportion ate bike, I am 6'6".

Adult Here > DasWauto
09/08/2019 at 09:10

If you put a lot of miles on a full suspension bike every week make sure you do a bearing and bushing service annually.

DasWauto > Adult Here
09/08/2019 at 10:17

Solid advice. I’ll probably bring it to a bike shop for cleaning/lube at the end of every season and a tuneup at the start of the next.

DasWauto > benjrblant
09/08/2019 at 10:23

I think I’ll pick up a shock pump when I take the bike in for a tuneup. It should be a fun ride and will probably take me places I haven’t been before (when I have time) so I’m looking forward to that.

marcva > DasWauto
09/08/2019 at 11:48

I made the same transition myself from a Cannondale f700 to a giant xtc 29er. The giant feels like a Hummer compared to my old Cannondale. I’ve lost a lot of my skills and bed to build back up so I can take the kids out.

strangely looking at bikes for them, I can’t find anything for less than 800 that will touch by old Cannondale. 24 lbs and xt drivetrain seems a nice step up for a kid from a 24" trek 200.

Race to the cheese > zipfuel
09/08/2019 at 14:36

I am in the same boat with a 1998 custom steely hardtail with 26" wheels, and pretty much shelved it for some years and had a kiddo. Now he's six and learning to ride. I'll soon be at the bike park lessons right along with him. Gawd, even the trails are so different now, with huge features that swallow my little hardtail. I modernized my bike with new wider wheels, hydro discs and 3x10sp drivetrain, and a modern wide handlebar and short stem. Might have been a mistake to do that--should have just bought a modern 29er. I should have converted my old steely to a drop bar monster gravel bike.

Kwills > DasWauto
09/08/2019 at 20:31

Great bike! I recently grabbed a stump jumper and your sentiments are mine. Bike is well beyond my limits and a few laps around white clay creek have destroyed my legs and I love it!

Side bar: this feed randomly came up as a card on my google app but noticed someone comment about white clay as well. Is Oppo full of people from Delaware? Asking as I want to learn about the trails as much as possible in the area.

Thanks

DasWauto > Kwills
09/08/2019 at 21:48

Thank you, I’m happy with it so far.

I was wondering where this post was getting all it’s views from (over 6000 now). Getting found through the Google feed is pretty cool, I guess.

The Oppo audience is mostly US based with good contingents in Canada and Western Europe, as well as a good few people from elsewhere in the world.

If you’re looking to find more trails in your area, check out singletracks and Trailforks - between those you’ll be able to find anything and everything around you.

Cheers.

Adult Here > DasWauto
09/09/2019 at 10:16

:-/ make sure their overhaul and tuneup does this. I don’t think it’s usually included since it takes a while.

DasWauto > Adult Here
09/09/2019 at 11:17

I’ll be sure to ask.