Thanks guys. Cool video. Going downhill on most any bike is a lot of fun. Climbing on the other hand can be fun, or not fun at all, depending on the bike. Since we spend most of our time on a bike not going downhill a better climbing bike will give you more smiles per mile. I still love my downhill bike for lift assist but for anything else I will take a relatively light trail bike with fast rubber.
Nice review guys and good discussion. At first i was asking “what are the geo numbers??” But then appreciated that you did spray the numbers on the screen and then that drove the results of the review. I found that I like this approach. Thanks
I started mtb in old school geometry, but recently purchased a preloved scalpel ultimalte. I wanted to try a modern xc. Old school geometry suits me better for going up technical terrain: steeper head tube angle/shorter wheelbase. For the same reasons, the modern xc is more capable for going downhill.
Great discussion/video. I have a Scott Spark RC and I can very much relate to your comments on the two bikes. I have also found that getting the rebound settings right on both shock and fork can make a big difference in this type of bike (without being too anal). I switched the Twinlock remote over to the Rockshox Twistlock (both 3P) for the reasons that you mentioned and swapped the Transfer SL for a Bikeyoke Divine SL again for the rationale that you discussed. Thanks.
Was that Scalpel set up with the factory amount of spacers? That stem looks way lower than mine did when I got it. If anything I found the factory stack of the Scalpel to be quite high, but I've kept it as is and it feels perfect now.
I bet if the Scalpel had a 5-10 mm higher riser bar, it would put you in a better descending position with the head angle up and a little les weight on the bars-- ie. trail geo. I wouldn't spend the extra $ on the Yeti, when both bikes are so good. Nice riding, vid, and production. I have a 2023 Rocky Instinct carbon. These bikes are a little under-gunned for what I usually ride, and I don't have long mountain climbs where I live... Short extremely steep climbs and drops/slabs/rocks/roots mixed in on short descents. I don't have the terrain for an Enduro bike and the trails are sort of slow tech and rugged, so an XC bike is not ideal. The modern trail bike is perfect for where I ride.
I have a 2024 Scalpel and I'm pretty sure that whoever set up the one they reviewed cut the head tube way lower than factory. Normally it has about 20mm of spacers underneath the stem and that one looks like it barely has any. I find the position on mine to be extremely comfortable and closer to a trail bike than anything I've owned previously, which makes for a very confident descender.
Thanks for the great review! Love that you tested it out on a trail with a bit of chunk. You can get a decently spec’d Scalpel 4 for the same price as an ASR frame (4K), crazy. Don’t listen to the butt-hurt dudes, they should’ve retired their lycra 10 years ago. 😂
Quite a bit different . Top Fuel is basically a trail bike (especially if spec’d with the 130mm fork). Descends much better, feels more stable etc, higher stack. XC (like the super cal, even gen 2), has much sharper steering, front is weighted much more , need to stay seated during climbs or can spin out. I ride both and prefer the supercal until I start to get beat up by rougher stuff.
East Coast Rider with a hard tail on undulating, flowy trails. Want to upgrade to FS bike. Leaning towards trail bike category, not these bikes. Ibis Ripley, Santa Cruz, Pivot Switchblade, Revel Rascal are on my list. Great video and would love to see something similar comparing the bikes I mentioned. This video convinced me these are not my best option.
For what its worth I'm up in the NE and actually moved from a Pivot Swithblade to a Cannondale Scalpel 2. Loved the Swithblade but for most of the trails in NJ, NY, PA I've found the Cannondale to be more than up to the challenge. Don't get me wrong - the Switchblade is brilliant but its more a monster truck (of a trail bike). The 120/120 seems like a sweet spot. Rarely bottom out on the Cannondale and with a change in rubber found it tackles everything from technical climbs to desents. Looks its not a "heavy" trail bike so don't expect the same plushness you're going to get with a 140/160 bike but what I (and many of my friends) found.. is less travel is actually more fun. Now I'm I going to Creek with the Cannondale -- NO; but can I have crazy fun on it.. yes!
Xc bikes are far more advanced than the bikes be used 20 years ago to do rough terrain so there's no reason to think they can't handle things like the monarch Crest trail.
I’m mature enough to realize I look like a goober in XC/roadie gear while not caring about what others think because it’s extremely comfortable and functional for the intended purpose.
Thanks guys. Cool video. Going downhill on most any bike is a lot of fun. Climbing on the other hand can be fun, or not fun at all, depending on the bike. Since we spend most of our time on a bike not going downhill a better climbing bike will give you more smiles per mile. I still love my downhill bike for lift assist but for anything else I will take a relatively light trail bike with fast rubber.
Nice review guys and good discussion. At first i was asking “what are the geo numbers??” But then appreciated that you did spray the numbers on the screen and then that drove the results of the review. I found that I like this approach. Thanks
On any given ride way more time is spent climbing than descending. So makes sense to optimize climbing.
Great video guys. Quality discussion that has me wanting both bikes!!
Great video. I sold my trail bike (SC TallBoy) after buying my Epic 8. The new XC bikes are firmly in the trail bike category.
Very well done!
As always
Nice video
Great trail for the review!!
I started mtb in old school geometry, but recently purchased a preloved scalpel ultimalte. I wanted to try a modern xc. Old school geometry suits me better for going up technical terrain: steeper head tube angle/shorter wheelbase. For the same reasons, the modern xc is more capable for going downhill.
Great discussion/video. I have a Scott Spark RC and I can very much relate to your comments on the two bikes. I have also found that getting the rebound settings right on both shock and fork can make a big difference in this type of bike (without being too anal). I switched the Twinlock remote over to the Rockshox Twistlock (both 3P) for the reasons that you mentioned and swapped the Transfer SL for a Bikeyoke Divine SL again for the rationale that you discussed. Thanks.
Yeah the fanny pack, glogles, and elbow pads really give you trail cred 😂
Was that Scalpel set up with the factory amount of spacers? That stem looks way lower than mine did when I got it. If anything I found the factory stack of the Scalpel to be quite high, but I've kept it as is and it feels perfect now.
I bet if the Scalpel had a 5-10 mm higher riser bar, it would put you in a better descending position with the head angle up and a little les weight on the bars-- ie. trail geo. I wouldn't spend the extra $ on the Yeti, when both bikes are so good. Nice riding, vid, and production.
I have a 2023 Rocky Instinct carbon. These bikes are a little under-gunned for what I usually ride, and I don't have long mountain climbs where I live... Short extremely steep climbs and drops/slabs/rocks/roots mixed in on short descents. I don't have the terrain for an Enduro bike and the trails are sort of slow tech and rugged, so an XC bike is not ideal. The modern trail bike is perfect for where I ride.
I have a 2024 Scalpel and I'm pretty sure that whoever set up the one they reviewed cut the head tube way lower than factory. Normally it has about 20mm of spacers underneath the stem and that one looks like it barely has any. I find the position on mine to be extremely comfortable and closer to a trail bike than anything I've owned previously, which makes for a very confident descender.
Thanks for the great review! Love that you tested it out on a trail with a bit of chunk. You can get a decently spec’d Scalpel 4 for the same price as an ASR frame (4K), crazy. Don’t listen to the butt-hurt dudes, they should’ve retired their lycra 10 years ago. 😂
Great review. any thoughts on the revel ranger and how it would compare to the ASR
We've got this direct comparison included in our Deep Dive of the Yeti ASR: blisterreview.com/deep-dive/deep-dive-mountain-bike/deep-dive-yeti-asr
Crazy you wouldn’t include the specialized epic WC and trek super caliber
We all get it, but every review can’t include every bike. Sheesh.
Great review. How does these type of new XC bikes compare to a Trek Top Fuel (Gen 3 or 4)?
Quite a bit different . Top Fuel is basically a trail bike (especially if spec’d with the 130mm fork). Descends much better, feels more stable etc, higher stack. XC (like the super cal, even gen 2), has much sharper steering, front is weighted much more , need to stay seated during climbs or can spin out. I ride both and prefer the supercal until I start to get beat up by rougher stuff.
We've got this direct comparison included in our Deep Dive of the Yeti ASR: blisterreview.com/deep-dive/deep-dive-mountain-bike/deep-dive-yeti-asr
I have shorter than normal arms so shorter reach frames sound better for body builds like mine.
Sniper T has been doing this for years. Had it regret selling it
East Coast Rider with a hard tail on undulating, flowy trails. Want to upgrade to FS bike. Leaning towards trail bike category, not these bikes. Ibis Ripley, Santa Cruz, Pivot Switchblade, Revel Rascal are on my list. Great video and would love to see something similar comparing the bikes I mentioned. This video convinced me these are not my best option.
For what its worth I'm up in the NE and actually moved from a Pivot Swithblade to a Cannondale Scalpel 2. Loved the Swithblade but for most of the trails in NJ, NY, PA I've found the Cannondale to be more than up to the challenge. Don't get me wrong - the Switchblade is brilliant but its more a monster truck (of a trail bike). The 120/120 seems like a sweet spot. Rarely bottom out on the Cannondale and with a change in rubber found it tackles everything from technical climbs to desents. Looks its not a "heavy" trail bike so don't expect the same plushness you're going to get with a 140/160 bike but what I (and many of my friends) found.. is less travel is actually more fun. Now I'm I going to Creek with the Cannondale -- NO; but can I have crazy fun on it.. yes!
You guys made me feel bad. I do ride xc with tight clothes on. 😂
At the end I don't see anything wrong with it 😂
To each their own! ;)
Xc bikes are far more advanced than the bikes be used 20 years ago to do rough terrain so there's no reason to think they can't handle things like the monarch Crest trail.
duas máquinas!
Is not a scalpel if is missing a lefty ocho
All the XC/roadies getting burrhurt in the comments 😂
Get a good hard tail … 27.5 are crazy fun
Lol, I turned it off and gave thumbs down when made fun of wearing XC clothing.
exactly why you guys get made fun of
I’m mature enough to realize I look like a goober in XC/roadie gear while not caring about what others think because it’s extremely comfortable and functional for the intended purpose.
It has become the same old joke your old ass uncle tells you every time he shows up for a family event.
That’s the world sees you man, as a goober
Nothing like shaming all us Lycra guys in the first minute. Wtf is wrong with you