MtnTop XFR 129 Ride Review 2023

[@lm3ayv6r]

great vid I love this Chanel

[@JM-nt5fm]

Thanks for a great review. Nice to have someone with genuine experience explain their observations.

[@davidevans3832]

Curious your thoughts about the 300 paired with the MTN Top? I have a 300 with a 2019 ARO 120 Le. I added the QDT and some 8 inch wheels, but am told that this kit is not very efficient compared to MTN top. I would like to keep riding the 300 since it is all set up, but add a new kit. I appreciate your thoughts.

[@jethro450]

I thought it was a really fun setup. It’s light, steers light, climbed very well, honestly there’s not much it didn’t do well. It would be a fantastic setup! I can’t say much about how it compares to your current setup without riding them back to back. I had an Aro 120 LE a few years ago. My guess is the 129 MtnTop pulls just as easy if not easier. Wish I had a better answer for ya but I don’t

[@joebrewer6554]

Good comprehensive review! It's a shame Ive somehow missed every opportunity to ride one. I'll have to go with Collin or Wallace again.

[@kentkeele7051]

Great video. I have a mtntop and agree with you. I really like the brake. Do you think that your just noticing the difference in a 2.5 vs 3” tracks stopping power rather than the brake. I can lock it up instantly if I want and love the smaller lever.

[@jethro450]

maybe it just needs bled more but I had the same experience on more than one kit so… ya, I think it’s just not as strong.

[@michaelbouck4357]

Nice Video. Can you comment on some of the smaller more detailed components? Such as ski spindle, fork guards, chain configuration, chain tension adjustment, ect. Thanks.

[@jethro450]

Thanks and I’m not the best guy to comment on your specific questions. I just rode it quite a bit, I didn’t install it or ever need to adjust the chain. My friend Collin did install all of them and said they’re the easiest to setup of all the kits… and he has set them all up as he owns his own shop and deals with install of all the brands quite a bit. We never saw any fork guard failures yet, they seem very sturdy. Other than that, I can’t comment much more.

[@FaithandActiondotnet]

Great review. I dream about both of those kits you're comparing but I think the Mtn Top sounds ideal...I'd just set up the suspension for jumping & be happy...then look for a 3" track. Now I just need to inherit some serious money!

[@benjaminplaizier9729]

So what you're saying is I should hold out for the Mountaintop in a couple years instead of getting the cmx I was looking at?

[@jethro450]

Hello Ben! Well, I STILL haven’t ridden a CMX… who knows, maybe I’d think it’s the best thing since the invention of the wheel??? But there just aren’t many of them around to try. Id love to try it. So ya, can’t comment. I can’t even remember the name of the kit you got but I remember it was built like a tank and worked good, you still got it or did you switch?

[@bplaizier1]

​@@jethro450 I thought if anyone had ridden a CMX it would have been you since you've been ridding snow bikes since about the same time the wheel was invented....HAHA (they have an "Explorer 2.0" now by the way!). Yeah, I've only seen the CMX at a race and never ridden them either. There seems to be more people ridding them lately though and hear great things about them. I still have the old 2017 SnowtechMX 129 kit with belt drive that is built and machined locally (not many of these in the wild either). I really like this kit, it is a very well-built kit, easy to install, and very adjustable. I've ridden some of the newer kits from other manufacturers, but still keep going back to my kit. For my style of ridding, it works great for me. I have been looking at the CMX kit but hard to find real-life experience, until I do, I'm happy to stay with my current setup.

[@jethro450]

@@bplaizier1 ah yes, the snowtechMX! Are they in business anymore?

[@benjaminplaizier9729]

@@jethro450 As far as I know they are, but to be honest I really haven't had a need to contact them since I upgraded to a zbroz on skid 2 yrs. ago, nothing has broken (knock on wood) since I bought it, just grease the zerks and check belt once in a while is all I've done. I drive by there shop often, next time I do ill need to stop by.

[@bplaizier1]

@@benjaminplaizier9729 Just and FYI, I stopped by SnowtechMX yesterday a spoke with the owner for a while (great guy). Still in business selling kits and parts!

[@davidmeyer1209]

Great review and channel! Not sure if you have spent some time in the saddle on a Yeti 129 it would be great to see how it compares. I have a ‘22 Yeti 129 and am torn between the ‘24 Riot 3 and the Mnt top. Thanks

[@dougstandal5371]

What do you think of the CMX kits?

[@jethro450]

Never ridden one. They’re like the unicorn of snowbikes in utah. I’ve seen one in real life once… at a snowbike race. I’d love to try one out and see how it compares to all the others

[@briangardner3154]

You forgot to compare one thing, price. Is it worth 10k? Nope. Picked up my Riot 3 pro for 6K. Is the Mtn top worth 4K more? No chance imo.

[@jethro450]

After I posted the video I remembered that one minor thing… it is very pricey!

[@DarrenTeal]

You're also exaggerating the price of one kit and comparing it to a highly discounted price of the other kit. They're pretty comparable in price if you compare apples to apples. Mtn. Top is $9,500 with fit kit and 3rd shock included. Riot 3 Pro is $7,600 + $80 surcharge + destination + set-up (according to the timbersled site) plus you still need to add a TSS install kit at $1,259 to have a 3rd shock that's included with the Mtn. Top. So depending on dealer fees (I've been told $300 shipping, $150 setup), it's $9,389 for a Riot 3 Pro vs. $9,500 for the Mtn. Top... If we're being fair.