the stiffer the better is my motto (my wifes too..doh) but couldn't resist a nice sunn flex bike.. thought what the heck, i'll give it a try.. 1380 euros poorer and a week later i have it complete in front of me.. and can't help myself, but a soft tail looks 'more' of a bike then one with a rigid frame.. i find 3-4" travel frames with huge spring lame, but a little flex tube does just the thing and creates a harmonic appearance, if you ride with short travel front fork that is
and the ride yes first one felt super flexy, thought about taking it apart selling or have it as wall art.. but tensioned the spokes, inflated more air in the tires and gave it a second run.. a long run..
that's how i got sold on soft tails.. it's comfy, not that explosive as a super stiff rigid, but the rear flex helps you stay grounded if you know what i mean.. not bouncing around when you climb, rather make you more connective to a rough surface, which for me makes tuff climbs easier.. and of course the downhill gets softer and unhilly terrain more grounded as well
after having replaced the elostromes i see though that the flex construction makes the frame weeker.. it swallows bumps, yes, but them lose frameends of the seat stays, only held in place with one 4mm bolt can't be good.. and that summarize my soft tail experience - beautiful and comfortable - weak and unstiff
as first put together, looks pretty different now.. and doh again - have bought yet another sunn flex
