More lively but also more capable. I always felt like the SB130 was a bit close to the 150 in weight but didn’t gain much in agility

Sorry Nigel, without the music you can hear me talking about the bike and it’s under embargo for a while yet!

On race bikes like this the block isn’t to stop the fork. It’s to stop the shifters etc hitting the top tube when running a really low bar height. I agree it can be a nightmare though, I fell off this bike in the car park when I hit lock. You can generally unbolt the offending parts and remove them though.

I'm with you on that - more faff, more moving parts to wear out, more maintenance, more weight, more things to start creaking- no thanks

Cheers Grant. Tech check video will be up tomorrow

I think it was the front guard too close to the tyre, the bike is actually really quiet normally but I added that for the filming to keep the lens clean

@@GuyKesTV cool thoughts on it vs ht3? Which would take overall

@@didzy9349 This is the verdict I just wrote for the review on Bikeperfect.com: "If you’re looking for top value in this category check out the Canyon Spectral CF7. If you want a seriously hench, hero time all rounder with internal storage and similar trailhead kudos then Hightower is probably your go to. Need smoothly neutral suspension, huge amounts of geometry adjust potential and more parcel space than a UPS van? Then check out the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO. Minimal maintenance and easy cleaning with a similar old skool MTB history? There has to be something in the myriad of single pivot bikes Orange offer to suit you. Pick the Yeti if don’t look at the prices on menu’s but you really appreciate refined quality. If you want a subtle, sophisticated bike that’s a gradual, glorious grower, not an in your face show’er. Because this SB140 is unique mix of engineered AI suspension, beautifully balanced geometry and frame feel that transcends a straight value for money comparison. And it does it by creating a subtle, but unmistakable feel that every part of the bike - including you - is just working better than it normally does. Which is lucky, because in terms of Top Turmps spec check the price stinks, and Yeti are about the only brand who’ve not done a Covid clearout sale. But then again, that alone should tell you something about the difference between value and price."

Cheers mate

Haha, Boardman's are the AstraMax van of MTB. There was a bloke who rode a Boardman XC hardtail with a jacked up Fox fork at the Ard Rock Marathon event a couple of years ago that smoked almost everyone. I remember they interviewed him for Pinkbike

Sorry, it's hard to make a thorough talk through that exciting. Hopefully the review footage will raise your pulse a little more

I think your Fox would work really well. The BRAIN SID is quite harsh and it’s also a lot heavier than normal SID. The 6mm won’t make a noticeable difference. The non Sworks is definitely the best choice in terms of value too. If you’ve not already got the bike see if the store will sell it without the fork so you get a discount too 👍🏻

Izzo is a lighter faster pedal bike, but Canyon has more confidence on descents and park style riding for sure

Sick, hope you’re enjoying it

XT cranksets are being snapped up at an incredible rate 😁

Absolute assholes

Every rear mech apart from New Sram transmission is UDH compatible 😅

In that case I might look at the Merida 140 instead. It's a little bit lighter and more manoeuvrable than the 160 so more fun on more trails

@@GuyKesTV I race enduro so i eould benefit from the extra travel of the 160, But i have a tight budget and will only be able to afford one bike. (I was just wondering if the 160 would still be an ok daily which is responsive and agile at slower speeds ASWELL as higher speeds.)

@@user-un3ol9lp2z ah sorry man, I get you now. Yeah the 160 still pedals great for more trail stuff and that steep seat angle keeps it really agile for that much travel too so it’ll work great for race and play days

@@user-un3ol9lp2z the other option would be Stumpjumper Evo where you have a lot of very easy and quick to do geometry changes for different rides. Some great deals on that ATMO too

Yep, prices vary but you can find some very discounted XO1 sets and it’s around 130g lighter

@@GuyKesTV I think the mechanical X01 is such an underrated groupset especially when you factor in the price you can find it for, including the carbon cranks. Shifts like butter and is as light as anyone not racing XCO needs.

@@ThunderStruckMTBit’s biggest issue is xtr is better and can be had cheaper lol.

@@sturdyvw I disagree about XTR being better, but to each their own for sure!

Thanks, I’d heard it was a different pull ratio but I’ll try a SRAM hybrid set up at some point to see if it works