Had my first mini off road ride on this yesterday - first thing to celebrate - it fits! Not a massive surprise as it’s pretty similar to my Rocky Mountain avalanche but altogether higher - higher bottom bracket coupled with the higher top tube. Not an issue thankfully. Tyres: probably a bit marmite for some folk, but I want this to be properly used and not to have to worry about heirloom quality amber walls etc.. Also - planning on touring as it’s got pannier mounts front and rear and provision for 3 water bottle mounts. Chain - needs to be a few links shorter. Saddle - comfy but squeaks… the ride: fast! Quick steering with the short stem. .
First reasonably decent ride on this bike, getting to know it a little better. Sorted a few annoying bits and bobs. Shortened the chain, tightened the headset, and what I thought was a squeaky saddle, turned out to be loose seatpost bolts - doh! Happy it doesn’t need replacing as the wtb is super comfy. It climbs so well this bike - despite what I first took to be slightly long chainstays. Tyres are gonna stay I think. Just because they’re great for the road and hard pack surfaces - and also offer a fair degree of cushioning on rocky descent as they’re pretty much balloon sized. WTB trail grips - hmm, they look cool and fit my hands well but they’re slim-line and hard compared to oury bmx-style which I’m used to. I guess they’re maybe more fitting on a bike with front suspension. They’ll stay for now though. Everything else is super nice.