Fantastic video Jeff. Next level manuals. I agree though, sub 15mph tech is where bikes like this shine. I'm also not a huge fan of coil forks on hardtails, and these long slack hardtails are a handful to jump. Excellent experiment, riding, and analysis as always.
I'm a bit late to the party (see what I did there?!) but I ride a Suntour Zeron coil fork on a Ragley Big Al and I love the feel. Granted I've never owned an air fork better than a Rockshox Recon but still, this rides much better than that! Most of my trails are slow and techy (Smithfield Cairns) but I do a fair bit of flow trail too.
By “internet bike” I thought you were gonna bring out a 26 inch wheel hardtail, seems like people always come out of the woodwork to say that’s still the best bike
In some ways it always will be. It's like driving a Mazda Miata, an Adult go-kart that isn't fast and it can't hang with a Porsche or 'vette in the curves but it's crazy fun in it's own right. Like that feeling you get every now and then when you're mellow inside and move to the far right to drive 55 while you totally relax watching the rest of the crazy stressed world fly by. There are times when slow, mellow, light, simple & highly-challenged are required for their own form of pure & simple enjoyment, different and probably much less than the present ''Normal'' but needed for the full appreciation of the new. Hey Jeff, Bruh - you better begin *_now_* to nip it in the bud, Bud, or you're going to be 55, sitting in your recliner, 65lbs overweight wondering what happened. I got there but now I'm on my way back. Now I take that full plate of delicious dinner, look at it for a few seconds realizing that's what's helping to keep me mid-section-plump, then take my fork and slide about 1/3 to 1/2 back into the pan, take more time between bites - and find I don't miss it/didn't need it, that other 1500 calories. Oh I still enjoy my Haagen-Dazs, but 1/2 as much, and I have kicked up the exercise level too, but I don't think you'd have to worry about *_that_* - lol
I have a Rootdown -- full 29er with a 150mm Lyrik. Great bike in the PNW tech stuff....not as great in the buffed bike parky stuff. But I think an air fork is the way to go on a HT frame for the extra pop. Just one man's opinion, however. Ride whatever makes you smile!
As someone who doesn't get to try out a lot of modern tech, your videos are really valuable in my purchasing decisions. You have excellent descriptions of the overall feel of a bike and how some part changes can affect it. You are also skilled enough that I don't doubt your word for a second.
Huh, smaller hardtail, kinda like mine.. Huh, 150mm travel coil fork, just like mine.. HUH, mullet, just like mine 🤯 Just realized I've been doing whatever ppl suggest
Thank You! I have a Chromag Wideangle with a 170 fork and 2.6s cushcore in back and was seriously thinking of Mulleting it. Case closed! And yes the Hardtail w/ 170 fork is fun playful and “can” hit the local dirt jumps but I sure miss having a Fully in my stable…
I bought a rocky mountain growler from Jenson USA in December. It was set up perfectly and super happy with the purchase. I've always been impressed with Jenson.
Thanks for making this video. I was thinking about trying to make my stylus mullet setup just to get the stack slightly higher, but maybe I'll hold off. I agree that it feels at home at slower speeds on techy stuff. It's not the most compliant of hard tails, you can certainly feel it when you jump off curbs compared to other bikes.
This was how a few of my buddies ran their hardtails in 2003. big front wheel, small back wheel and super high front end. Great for wheelie drops of picnic tables
I would love to see you do a review of the Evil Insurgent. I was torn between the SC Bronson and Evil Insurgent and went Bronson for customer service and warranty reputation reasons. 2022 has both of them as Mullet bikes and I would love to see your review on either, both, or head to head.
It was awesome meeting you at the civic jumps. It's always super interesting to see how different riders will change up their bikes to find the "perfect feel". fantastic production as always.
LOVE My stylus ! Im 5ft11" Got a M/L Feels Prefect! she is in the Crimson tide color.. Just sucks Iv been off the Bike Most of the summer do to ankle Injury but Im getting close to 100% Hopefully for some good Fall riding..
Love the t-shirt! All my local trails! Where the heck did you get that?? Also since you know the area I ride most… canyon spectral al 275, ibis ripmo af, or ripley af? I used to ride alot of downhill in my younger days but tamed down due to injuries
Hey Sam, I made a whole video about Trail Pittsburgh, and I'm doing those shirts to raise awareness and a few funds for the group- shopjkw.com/collections/advocacy-t-shirts/products/steel-city-trails-t-shirt. I brought my old Ripley V4 out to PGH and it was perfect! In that list, I'd prefer to ride the Ripley AF. I prefer the Ripley AF over the V4 these days!
I’ve thought about 26inch mainly because I could run wider rear tires AND a mullet type set up with a 27.5 front and 26 rear wheel would be interesting.
Thanks Jacob! I had forgotten about those TBH, but I have plenty still in stock! Since you mentioned the shirt, here's the webstore link: shopjkw.com/collections/advocacy-t-shirts/products/steel-city-trails-t-shirt
Chromags (I have a 2021 Rootdown) have a rather heavy duty chainstay/seatstay, stiff like a dirt jumper. If compliance is what you are looking for, the Chromag Rootdown is not for you.
@@claytonjessup6163 It is pretty stiff compared to the Chameleon AL and overbuilt considering it is designed of like hardtail freeride/DH/BP bike or a potential forever bike. Not for weight weenies. If you want more compliance as well as bling, there is a Rootdown Ti frame you can buy for about $3k.
@@edgardacanay8460 the main reason I was looking at as a long term , All Mountain/ Enduro Hardtail build. Is the main reason I have considered the root down .
completely agree with ya Jeff. This bike has it's place but its not jumps. MTB is splitting up in multiple disciplines. slack bikes for XC/Enduro, slacker bikes for DH, and then hardtails, less slack,, and shorter bikes for anyone who loves jumping.
11:01 ''Well that sucked'' - I mean, like, what else can you say - lol - after landing on your ego that way. I hate to admit it but there's a certain hilarity about that sound Jeff made when he had his moment of Zen with the dirt. Even the *_best_* take a dive from time to time, and this proves it 🙃
Have you had any issues with the Chromag inner yokel getting excessively chipped/scratched up after rides? Mine has and I'm wondering why, I'm going to stick some 3m tape on the inside to try and remedy the issue. Just curious if anyone else is having this issue.
What gloves do you use? Most comfortable and best performing? I've been having problems with my left hand going numb bad and some in my right but not as bad as my left. My pinky stops wanting to work after a ride.....
It sounds like gloves aren't the only problem going on. I think you should try moving your controls on your handlebars to allow your wrists to be straighter while riding to allow more bloodflow. Also experiment with moving the shifter and brakes farther inboard away from your grips.
@Jeff Kendall-Weed you should try It with a 2.4 or 2.5 "regular" enduro tyre up front and a 2.6 on the rear. Sounds wrong but feels so right on a Mullet hardtail
And here I was all gung ho about a mullet myself. On a budget. Thanks for saving me (and others?)from making an extra expense that may not work out the way we have been sold on. And here I thought we could believe everything on the internet....
Hey Jeff- how about a 27.5 x 2.8, say Assegai, up front and a 27.5 x 2.3, say Aggressor out back. When I measured my 27.5 x 2.5 vs a 29 x 2.3 (both DHFs) there was only a half inch difference in diameter. So the wider tire with consequently higher sidewall made up 1 in out of a 1.5 inch difference in diameter. Link below. So 2.8 front vs 2.3 rear on same diameter rim should give you a decent height difference front to back, amazing front grip with a bit of a playful rearend, yet maybe not feel so unbalanced on jumps? Or a 2.6 front and 2.3 rear? This is in essence what we used to do back in the 80s on our bmx bikes with 20s. Also love to see you demo the new Santa Crus Bronson MX and Chameleon MX. Be great to get your thoughts on the MX set up on a bike designed specifically for it. Anyway, always a joy to watch you ride- you still ride like a 15 yo (by which I mean with just pure joy and fun) which is what Im still striving to continue doing at 50, albeit with a lot lesser skill. Lol. 🤙 th-cam.com/video/JGRTkY49imQ/w-d-xo.html
Reduce fork travel to 140 run 2.4 or 2.5 front and rear. Cush core rear. Or what id rather have is no mullet. 150 front 29er, no need to have that much travel up front. Just my 2 cents, and that's only bc I ride hardtails (:
As soon as I saw the DJ park I knew it was gonna flop, haha! Mullet and MTB geo on those steep jumps was destined to suck. It's shocking how easy those kind of jumps feel on a real DJ bike vs an MTB, so much less work.
I know this is overkill but, on the glove topic, I wear Fox Dirtpaws. I know they're motorcycle gloves but they're dirt cheap and mtb gloves don't offer any real protection- they're like spandex for your hands. I had a pair sitting at home when I went down super hard on asphalt and tore an adductor and flexor in my left hand- still affects my guitar playing, 4 years later. Never ride without them, now....🙄
I clicked on this video 56 seconds it was posted, and it has a downvote. Who clicks on a video that fast and immediately dislikes it? Who is *that* excited to dislike something?
Haha holy hell! My first time hitting out of the blue in darrington was on my aggressive hardtail marin san quentin! I loved it, but when I went back on my full suspension I could hit that trail so much better (though I progressed so much as a rider in that year timeframe) Edit: I also wanted to see what was on the other side of that big root and had to awkwardly step off/had a light crash as well lol
Nothing necessarily wrong with mullets but it’s just a trend. People have been riding them for a while now it’s just that marketing needs something new to convince you you need a new bike. Again nothing wrong with them but I doubt it will last.
jeff can ride a huffy and still make a tripple black trail look blue. lol
😂🤣😅😆👍
Fantastic video Jeff. Next level manuals. I agree though, sub 15mph tech is where bikes like this shine. I'm also not a huge fan of coil forks on hardtails, and these long slack hardtails are a handful to jump. Excellent experiment, riding, and analysis as always.
How do you like this frame for a review?, patreon here saying hi
Cheers Steve! Ya in general I’m preferring air suspension , but glad I have given coil an honest effort! Hope to do more hard tail
Vids this winter!
I'm a bit late to the party (see what I did there?!) but I ride a Suntour Zeron coil fork on a Ragley Big Al and I love the feel. Granted I've never owned an air fork better than a Rockshox Recon but still, this rides much better than that! Most of my trails are slow and techy (Smithfield Cairns) but I do a fair bit of flow trail too.
A chromag stylus with a bomber fork, industry nine wheels and PNW drip isn't the worst idea the internet has had by a country mile 😀
If you just watch the video and don't listen to Jeff's commentary, this looks like the best bike on the internet :)
By “internet bike” I thought you were gonna bring out a 26 inch wheel hardtail, seems like people always come out of the woodwork to say that’s still the best bike
In some ways it always will be. It's like driving a Mazda Miata, an Adult go-kart that isn't fast and it can't hang with a Porsche or 'vette in the curves but it's crazy fun in it's own right. Like that feeling you get every now and then when you're mellow inside and move to the far right to drive 55 while you totally relax watching the rest of the crazy stressed world fly by. There are times when slow, mellow, light, simple & highly-challenged are required for their own form of pure & simple enjoyment, different and probably much less than the present ''Normal'' but needed for the full appreciation of the new.
Hey Jeff, Bruh - you better begin *_now_* to nip it in the bud, Bud, or you're going to be 55, sitting in your recliner, 65lbs overweight wondering what happened. I got there but now I'm on my way back.
Now I take that full plate of delicious dinner, look at it for a few seconds realizing that's what's helping to keep me mid-section-plump, then take my fork and slide about 1/3 to 1/2 back into the pan, take more time between bites - and find I don't miss it/didn't need it, that other 1500 calories. Oh I still enjoy my Haagen-Dazs, but 1/2 as much, and I have kicked up the exercise level too, but I don't think you'd have to worry about *_that_* - lol
@@stanner9474 who has the time to write a comment that long
@@joshoshannessy Only those who care.
@@joshoshannessy Oh, BTW, it's actually 2 comments.
I can confirm a 26 hardtail is NOT the best bike
Logan is an absolute unit sending those jumps in flip flops!!
I have a Rootdown -- full 29er with a 150mm Lyrik. Great bike in the PNW tech stuff....not as great in the buffed bike parky stuff. But I think an air fork is the way to go on a HT frame for the extra pop. Just one man's opinion, however. Ride whatever makes you smile!
As someone who doesn't get to try out a lot of modern tech, your videos are really valuable in my purchasing decisions. You have excellent descriptions of the overall feel of a bike and how some part changes can affect it. You are also skilled enough that I don't doubt your word for a second.
Huh, smaller hardtail, kinda like mine..
Huh, 150mm travel coil fork, just like mine..
HUH, mullet, just like mine 🤯
Just realized I've been doing whatever ppl suggest
Thanks Logan for filming!
Thank You! I have a Chromag Wideangle with a 170 fork and 2.6s cushcore in back and was seriously thinking of Mulleting it. Case closed!
And yes the Hardtail w/ 170 fork is fun playful and “can” hit the local dirt jumps but I sure miss having a Fully in my stable…
I bought a rocky mountain growler from Jenson USA in December. It was set up perfectly and super happy with the purchase. I've always been impressed with Jenson.
9:21. Hope you snagged that Reishi! I've never seen one growing in the wild
So, what is the ultimate configuration for the Stylus???
Thanks for making this video. I was thinking about trying to make my stylus mullet setup just to get the stack slightly higher, but maybe I'll hold off. I agree that it feels at home at slower speeds on techy stuff. It's not the most compliant of hard tails, you can certainly feel it when you jump off curbs compared to other bikes.
Longer fork?
This was how a few of my buddies ran their hardtails in 2003. big front wheel, small back wheel and super high front end. Great for wheelie drops of picnic tables
I use to run that setup!
dude you are nuts with those wheelies!!!
As someone who has built up and owns a Stylus I can say that they are REALLY fun when done right.
Love the shirt man! Thanks for repping Pittsburgh trails
Awesome Trail Pittsburgh shirt Jeff!
I would love to see you do a review of the Evil Insurgent. I was torn between the SC Bronson and Evil Insurgent and went Bronson for customer service and warranty reputation reasons. 2022 has both of them as Mullet bikes and I would love to see your review on either, both, or head to head.
Love the video 🤙🏾enjoyed the riding it blows my mind every time you wheelie halfway down the trail.
Just went to 2.8’s on my San Quentin and it’s pretty awesome having the extra plushness for sure🤘🏼 great vid!!
We need more Logan guest segments on the channel
Thanks Logan!
Thanks for wearing the Pittsburgh MTB shirt!
Out of the Blue is a beast of a trail on full suspension. Good on ya!
It was awesome meeting you at the civic jumps. It's always super interesting to see how different riders will change up their bikes to find the "perfect feel". fantastic production as always.
Awesome video!!
Your videos always make me want to get out and shred!
Love the production in this one
My Ripmo V2 Cascade Link just arrived.. you ought to come down to fall city next week and ride it.. it’s a medium..
LOVE My stylus ! Im 5ft11" Got a M/L Feels Prefect! she is in the Crimson tide color.. Just sucks Iv been off the Bike Most of the summer do to ankle Injury but Im getting close to 100% Hopefully for some good Fall riding..
Jeff, your videos are always incredible! And your riding, 🔥
So what major difference do you notice when riding the 45/50mm stem over the 40?
Cool video Jeff! 🍻
Love the t-shirt! All my local trails! Where the heck did you get that?? Also since you know the area I ride most… canyon spectral al 275, ibis ripmo af, or ripley af? I used to ride alot of downhill in my younger days but tamed down due to injuries
Hey Sam, I made a whole video about Trail Pittsburgh, and I'm doing those shirts to raise awareness and a few funds for the group- shopjkw.com/collections/advocacy-t-shirts/products/steel-city-trails-t-shirt. I brought my old Ripley V4 out to PGH and it was perfect! In that list, I'd prefer to ride the Ripley AF. I prefer the Ripley AF over the V4 these days!
Thanks for the response Jeff! And thanks for supporting our area!
Love the shirt.
I love that you crack a manny every chance you get!
i think, it would be interresting with 26 inch wheels , i would love to try that . because on the website it says it fits with 26x3.0 , never seen one
I’ve thought about 26inch mainly because I could run wider rear tires AND a mullet type set up with a 27.5 front and 26 rear wheel would be interesting.
I have never clicked so fast on a video lol
I love the Trail Pittsburgh shirt!
Thanks Jacob! I had forgotten about those TBH, but I have plenty still in stock! Since you mentioned the shirt, here's the webstore link: shopjkw.com/collections/advocacy-t-shirts/products/steel-city-trails-t-shirt
3:42 what did you put in your water?
Very good to know , I have considered replacing my Santacruz chameleon frame with a chromag root down. Is the chromag worth it ?
Chromags (I have a 2021 Rootdown) have a rather heavy duty chainstay/seatstay, stiff like a dirt jumper. If compliance is what you are looking for, the Chromag Rootdown is not for you.
@@edgardacanay8460 does the chromag RootDown not very compliant?
@@claytonjessup6163 It is pretty stiff compared to the Chameleon AL and overbuilt considering it is designed of like hardtail freeride/DH/BP bike or a potential forever bike. Not for weight weenies. If you want more compliance as well as bling, there is a Rootdown Ti frame you can buy for about $3k.
@@edgardacanay8460 the main reason I was looking at as a long term , All Mountain/ Enduro Hardtail build. Is the main reason I have considered the root down .
Yo I have the same grips handle bars and tires just in a different color that’s awesome
my mans out here rocking flip flops hittin jumps and whatnot ctfu
I’ve been waiting for this video since you got the stylus
I wish you lived in wisconsin, i need your manual lesson!
Where do you ride? These trails are unbelievable!
You manual superbly I just subscribed
completely agree with ya Jeff. This bike has it's place but its not jumps.
MTB is splitting up in multiple disciplines. slack bikes for XC/Enduro, slacker bikes for DH, and then hardtails, less slack,, and shorter bikes for anyone who loves jumping.
You and Wyn Masters wheelie contest ???
I think you should do an ombré paint job that matches the frame!!
How does the cromag compare to a cove stiffee?
11:01 ''Well that sucked'' - I mean, like, what else can you say - lol - after landing on your ego that way.
I hate to admit it but there's a certain hilarity about that sound Jeff made when he had his moment of Zen with the dirt. Even the *_best_* take a dive from time to time, and this proves it 🙃
My requirements must be, in this order.
Adjustable dropouts, thru-axles,
and dropper seat post.
I’ve got 2.8 front and back on mine
Chromag fo life
Cool bike. But looks sick with the trust fork.😁 is trust forks available to buy somewhere?
Ohhhh the Manual master comes through again.
Dude... just landed on this video. where did you get that shirt??
LOL...loved "the internet loves...."
Have you had any issues with the Chromag inner yokel getting excessively chipped/scratched up after rides? Mine has and I'm wondering why, I'm going to stick some 3m tape on the inside to try and remedy the issue. Just curious if anyone else is having this issue.
What gloves do you use? Most comfortable and best performing? I've been having problems with my left hand going numb bad and some in my right but not as bad as my left. My pinky stops wanting to work after a ride.....
It sounds like gloves aren't the only problem going on. I think you should try moving your controls on your handlebars to allow your wrists to be straighter while riding to allow more bloodflow. Also experiment with moving the shifter and brakes farther inboard away from your grips.
Nobody’s gonna talk about him calling a manual a wheelie?
Was just about to comment
Who cares
@@nebulah33 Really, who cares. His wheelie is insane.
It's pretty much exchangeable.
Nah he’s Jeff. Besides I still call a bunny hop anytime you lift both wheels off the ground. Lol
So everyone can laugh at my terrible hardtail skills 🤨Uuum I'd like just half the skill you have on any bike! You shred hard man!!!
@Jeff Kendall-Weed you should try It with a 2.4 or 2.5 "regular" enduro tyre up front and a 2.6 on the rear. Sounds wrong but feels so right on a Mullet hardtail
Coolest Shirt Ever!
Would love to see the longer travel with the 27.5 front and a 26 rear
And here I was all gung ho about a mullet myself. On a budget. Thanks for saving me (and others?)from making an extra expense that may not work out the way we have been sold on. And here I thought we could believe everything on the internet....
I heard you say you will be danged, that to me is what's worth subscribing to 👈
Just goes to show, the best upgrade for a bike is a better rider… In this case Jeff, but for the rest of us (our bikes then), coaching🥳
Bedrocks on the jumps! Love to see it
OURY grips!
Next you need to try a titanium chromag
Hey Jeff- how about a 27.5 x 2.8, say Assegai, up front and a 27.5 x 2.3, say Aggressor out back. When I measured my 27.5 x 2.5 vs a 29 x 2.3 (both DHFs) there was only a half inch difference in diameter. So the wider tire with consequently higher sidewall made up 1 in out of a 1.5 inch difference in diameter. Link below. So 2.8 front vs 2.3 rear on same diameter rim should give you a decent height difference front to back, amazing front grip with a bit of a playful rearend, yet maybe not feel so unbalanced on jumps? Or a 2.6 front and 2.3 rear? This is in essence what we used to do back in the 80s on our bmx bikes with 20s. Also love to see you demo the new Santa Crus Bronson MX and Chameleon MX. Be great to get your thoughts on the MX set up on a bike designed specifically for it. Anyway, always a joy to watch you ride- you still ride like a 15 yo (by which I mean with just pure joy and fun) which is what Im still striving to continue doing at 50, albeit with a lot lesser skill. Lol. 🤙 th-cam.com/video/JGRTkY49imQ/w-d-xo.html
This bike is wheelie happ’in!
Reduce fork travel to 140 run 2.4 or 2.5 front and rear. Cush core rear. Or what id rather have is no mullet. 150 front 29er, no need to have that much travel up front. Just my 2 cents, and that's only bc I ride hardtails (:
Luna sandals best cycling sandals?? haha
i thought marzocchi went bust and werent making forks any more???
Man I wish I could ride halve as good as you
As soon as I saw the DJ park I knew it was gonna flop, haha! Mullet and MTB geo on those steep jumps was destined to suck. It's shocking how easy those kind of jumps feel on a real DJ bike vs an MTB, so much less work.
I know this is overkill but, on the glove topic, I wear Fox Dirtpaws. I know they're motorcycle gloves but they're dirt cheap and mtb gloves don't offer any real protection- they're like spandex for your hands. I had a pair sitting at home when I went down super hard on asphalt and tore an adductor and flexor in my left hand- still affects my guitar playing, 4 years later. Never ride without them, now....🙄
"The Internet" = the smartest people and the stupidest people at a pool party and all are having the time of their lives.
A cesspool party
PNW bars, not Chromag?
Surely xtr would be the ultimate groupset option.
For that title alone I want to give this ALL the likes
Who is this Inter Net guy you speak of?
I clicked on this video 56 seconds it was posted, and it has a downvote. Who clicks on a video that fast and immediately dislikes it? Who is *that* excited to dislike something?
Someone from the internet?
@@MTBinKY The sad truth nowadays are BOTS
Missed the "I'm your huckleberry" opportunity.
Haha holy hell! My first time hitting out of the blue in darrington was on my aggressive hardtail marin san quentin! I loved it, but when I went back on my full suspension I could hit that trail so much better (though I progressed so much as a rider in that year timeframe)
Edit: I also wanted to see what was on the other side of that big root and had to awkwardly step off/had a light crash as well lol
Oh look, Bellingham
Nothing necessarily wrong with mullets but it’s just a trend. People have been riding them for a while now it’s just that marketing needs something new to convince you you need a new bike. Again nothing wrong with them but I doubt it will last.
I did the same style of crash on darrington on that same kinda weird drop that honestly made me laugh
Yeah my plan was to send it then I just hesitated when I couldn’t see if there was a landing!
@@JeffKendallWeed same here and i hesitated and hit my bottom tube and bam ass over tea kettle
My back hurts just watching this video.
Squishy is slow, firm is fast. Somewhere in the middle the truth lies.
It seems like a really ideal bike in theory but in practice we all know that the ultimate bike is the Evil Calling. UuU
27.5 front and back with 2.5 tires.
pls try dvo and cane creek sus I never see those suspension companies on utube even tho they are top tier, great vid too
dvo is terrible cane creek is good
top ride...top cut...nice...rock it...☠🌲🤙
Is there any bike you can't shred on!