Great video, I had a Rascal but when I got the Rail 27, I sold the Rascal and picked up a Ranger. I felt the Rascal and the Rail were too close. I'm loving this setup and I always know which bike to grab.
I got rid of the Aggressor as well for a DHR, I felt the grip sucked for the trails in my area. In September, the tires were due for replacement and I went with Vittoria. With the rain in Maine this year, a Mazza/Mazza did quite well. I also ran a Mazza/Martello (rear) when we got a break in the rain, trails firmed up and that combo worked well too. I also got rid of the Maxxis wobble as a bonus.
Just picked up a frame only Revel Rail for a steal at 2100! Will build up as my do it all bike(I have a hardtail and an Ebike). I'm sticking a Helm 160 on front with Maven brakes and either AXS or Transmission build...should be a fun bike. I demo'd one in Sedona this year and loved it out of all the bikes I rode at the Festival. I was thinking I would be getting another Ibis until I rode this Rail, really nice riding bikes!
Great video. I am also a Mass rider, I ride Reavenwoods in Gloucester and Willodale in Topsfield. Rode Vietnam once. Considering a Rascal, the new Ibis Ripely, a Pivot Switchblade, and a Santa Cruz Tallboy. I ride a 29" hard tail and want to go FS. An enduro would be overkill for me, but 130/140 seems like a good sweet spot for Mass terrain. Any thoughts on my other choices?
I’ve owned the rail 29, rascal v1, ranger v1 rail 27.5 and now the v2 rascal. And I can definitely say the rascal is the best do it all out of all of them. The v2 feels more like a v1.5. It’s just a touch better in every way but the v1 is still amazing.
Great video and timely, I’m in upstate NY so very similar terrain. I have a Rascal and Ranger and have been debating selling the Rascal and getting a Rail 29 for more separation between the two bikes but man the Rascal is just so good. If you get a chance, demo a Ranger…so much fun. Thanks for the comparison!
@@MountainDeweyMTBSaratoga Springs but am up in Lake Placid all the time. All In is a fun trail, I’ll check out the video. If you like the classic techy northeast trails, next time you are in the Adirondacks, ride Lussi/Loggers in Lake Placid if you have not already.
I do stuff like this on it: first clip Little Sister at Woody Hill, second Pomfret Forest, third Vietnam? Are you a New England local? I’m looking at this bike right now and could use real world feedback!
Hey there. Great video. Is your rascal the one they call on their website the V1? Do you know if is any difference between yours and the new one besides colors? Thanks!
Thanks! Yes, this the V1. The V2 isn't that much different, it has a UDH, new colors and I think different bearings. Not enough to make me get a V2 yet.
Great video though it was well executed! Just wanted to give a little constructive feedback though. Your conclusion is basically, if you do big stuff get the big bike and if you do small stuff get the small bike which I feel like is a pretty straightforward conclusion to make without even owning the bikes. What I'd really like to know is can the big bike do the small stuff better than the small bike can do the big stuff. Does that make sense? If you can only have one, which one makes less scarifices basically. I just got a rail 29 on sale and honestly have more small stuff around me but haven't decided if I'm going to sell my 130/120 bike or not yet lol. Need to do a few tweaks to see if i can it efficient enough to be a 1 bike solution
@@zacharyevling7251 got it, the Rascal is a much better technical climber in my opinion and feels so much lighter than the Rail 29 even though it’s really not. If I didn’t enjoy big drops and jumps I would use the Rascal the majority of the time. What is your short travel bike and what type of trails do you normally ride?
@@MountainDeweyMTB I've got a 19 Stumpjumper ST. Been everywhere with it, Killington bike park, pisgah and Bentonville just to name a few. Thought it was time to get a bike that's better suited to those places even though I'm in SE Michigan where there aren't any really huge features and most trails are quite mellow. Basically I know I'm overbiked 90% of the time but that's why I got the efficient Rail vs something else
@@zacharyevling7251 got it, yeah New England where I am is so unique. So much tech, you need the pedaling efficiency but you also need enough travel for the big stuff
Great video, tho I did LOL each time you said Rail then pointed at the Rascal and vice versa. I rode a Pivot 429 for a few years and bought a Rail29 over the winter thinking I'd ride both. I have been riding the Rail for a few months now. I really like the CBF suspension but also feel like the Rail feels sluggish up climbs. I am able to clean out most tech, but just really slow. I am wondering how much better a a Rascal feels on tech climbs and longer more energy sucking ascents. I pedaled a V2 Rascal around some dirt roads and small obstacles near a LBS and it definitely felt lighter and more responsive, but I wasn't able to do a full demo. I am debating on keeping my 429 and Rail to have two bikes or essentially consolidate them into one with a Rascal and sell both of my bikes. Any advice or thoughts are appreciated. Thanks
The Rascal feels much lighter and nimble than the Rail, the Rascal is my first choice for long rides with a lot of climbing. It’s a special bike, the 130 in the back feels like much more. I use the Rail on shorter enduro runs where I want more travel for bigger drops. They are both great bikes, I think it depends on your riding style and the terrain you ride most. Also, my Rail 29 and 27 are my park bikes
Hey, Im also an MA based rascal owner. Mine is also at 130/150 and I was considering getting the rail 29 and did second guess due to mtb yum yum. The comments he made also just made me feel like the rail just wasnt different enough from the rascal to own both as a 2 bike quiver. Do you feel that way or are their roles clearly defined for you? I ended up ordering a canfield lithium as my big bike which ill be building up this week. I felt like the geo and travel numbers seemed more distinct from the rascal so it would definitively be my park bike and most of the time something for nam/pisgah/diamond hill. Maybe id bump my rascal down to 140 because i did feel like the 150 made climbing a little harder with front wheel lift. Im also ranger curious but tbh im not sure im in shape enough to really get the benefit of an xc bike like that.
Hey, thanks for reaching out. I feel more confident on the downhills on my Rail 29 than the Rascal. That 160 fork seems to really make a difference. Also, the 155 in the back feels more plush on the big drops. I am building up a Rail 27 for my park bike, I think the extra travel and 27.5 wheels will be super fun
Great video, I had a Rascal but when I got the Rail 27, I sold the Rascal and picked up a Ranger. I felt the Rascal and the Rail were too close. I'm loving this setup and I always know which bike to grab.
Thank you, I am really looking forward to riding the Rail 27
I got rid of the Aggressor as well for a DHR, I felt the grip sucked for the trails in my area. In September, the tires were due for replacement and I went with Vittoria. With the rain in Maine this year, a Mazza/Mazza did quite well. I also ran a Mazza/Martello (rear) when we got a break in the rain, trails firmed up and that combo worked well too. I also got rid of the Maxxis wobble as a bonus.
That is great to know, thank you!
Just picked up a frame only Revel Rail for a steal at 2100! Will build up as my do it all bike(I have a hardtail and an Ebike). I'm sticking a Helm 160 on front with Maven brakes and either AXS or Transmission build...should be a fun bike. I demo'd one in Sedona this year and loved it out of all the bikes I rode at the Festival. I was thinking I would be getting another Ibis until I rode this Rail, really nice riding bikes!
Awesome! Rail 29 or 27? Both bikes are so much fun
@@MountainDeweyMTB 29, should be a good one!
Great video. I am also a Mass rider, I ride Reavenwoods in Gloucester and Willodale in Topsfield. Rode Vietnam once. Considering a Rascal, the new Ibis Ripely, a Pivot Switchblade, and a Santa Cruz Tallboy. I ride a 29" hard tail and want to go FS. An enduro would be overkill for me, but 130/140 seems like a good sweet spot for Mass terrain. Any thoughts on my other choices?
@@scottb6047 awesome, can’t go wrong with the rascal, and you can also bump up the fork to 150 if needed. Thanks for watching!
I’ve owned the rail 29, rascal v1, ranger v1 rail 27.5 and now the v2 rascal. And I can definitely say the rascal is the best do it all out of all of them. The v2 feels more like a v1.5. It’s just a touch better in every way but the v1 is still amazing.
Hey, that’s so great to hear. I can’t wait to try the V2
Great video and timely, I’m in upstate NY so very similar terrain. I have a Rascal and Ranger and have been debating selling the Rascal and getting a Rail 29 for more separation between the two bikes but man the Rascal is just so good. If you get a chance, demo a Ranger…so much fun. Thanks for the comparison!
Where in upstate? I have used both bikes in the Adirondacks. I have a video on here of riding All In on the Rascal
@@MountainDeweyMTBSaratoga Springs but am up in Lake Placid all the time. All In is a fun trail, I’ll check out the video. If you like the classic techy northeast trails, next time you are in the Adirondacks, ride Lussi/Loggers in Lake Placid if you have not already.
@@wja19 Awesome, I have ridden it! Fun spot
@@MountainDeweyMTBawesome, glad you liked it! Watched your video…good stuff! Catamount hike is a blast as well!
I do stuff like this on it: first clip Little Sister at Woody Hill, second Pomfret Forest, third Vietnam? Are you a New England local? I’m looking at this bike right now and could use real world feedback!
Hey there. Great video. Is your rascal the one they call on their website the V1? Do you know if is any difference between yours and the new one besides colors? Thanks!
Thanks! Yes, this the V1. The V2 isn't that much different, it has a UDH, new colors and I think different bearings. Not enough to make me get a V2 yet.
Great video though it was well executed! Just wanted to give a little constructive feedback though. Your conclusion is basically, if you do big stuff get the big bike and if you do small stuff get the small bike which I feel like is a pretty straightforward conclusion to make without even owning the bikes. What I'd really like to know is can the big bike do the small stuff better than the small bike can do the big stuff. Does that make sense? If you can only have one, which one makes less scarifices basically. I just got a rail 29 on sale and honestly have more small stuff around me but haven't decided if I'm going to sell my 130/120 bike or not yet lol. Need to do a few tweaks to see if i can it efficient enough to be a 1 bike solution
@@zacharyevling7251 got it, the Rascal is a much better technical climber in my opinion and feels so much lighter than the Rail 29 even though it’s really not. If I didn’t enjoy big drops and jumps I would use the Rascal the majority of the time. What is your short travel bike and what type of trails do you normally ride?
@@MountainDeweyMTB I've got a 19 Stumpjumper ST. Been everywhere with it, Killington bike park, pisgah and Bentonville just to name a few. Thought it was time to get a bike that's better suited to those places even though I'm in SE Michigan where there aren't any really huge features and most trails are quite mellow. Basically I know I'm overbiked 90% of the time but that's why I got the efficient Rail vs something else
@@zacharyevling7251 got it, yeah New England where I am is so unique. So much tech, you need the pedaling efficiency but you also need enough travel for the big stuff
Great video, tho I did LOL each time you said Rail then pointed at the Rascal and vice versa. I rode a Pivot 429 for a few years and bought a Rail29 over the winter thinking I'd ride both. I have been riding the Rail for a few months now. I really like the CBF suspension but also feel like the Rail feels sluggish up climbs. I am able to clean out most tech, but just really slow. I am wondering how much better a a Rascal feels on tech climbs and longer more energy sucking ascents. I pedaled a V2 Rascal around some dirt roads and small obstacles near a LBS and it definitely felt lighter and more responsive, but I wasn't able to do a full demo. I am debating on keeping my 429 and Rail to have two bikes or essentially consolidate them into one with a Rascal and sell both of my bikes. Any advice or thoughts are appreciated. Thanks
Haha yeah next time I will be standing behind the bikes so I can see them. Happy you got a laugh out of it, so did I!
The Rascal feels much lighter and nimble than the Rail, the Rascal is my first choice for long rides with a lot of climbing. It’s a special bike, the 130 in the back feels like much more. I use the Rail on shorter enduro runs where I want more travel for bigger drops. They are both great bikes, I think it depends on your riding style and the terrain you ride most. Also, my Rail 29 and 27 are my park bikes
Hey, Im also an MA based rascal owner. Mine is also at 130/150 and I was considering getting the rail 29 and did second guess due to mtb yum yum. The comments he made also just made me feel like the rail just wasnt different enough from the rascal to own both as a 2 bike quiver. Do you feel that way or are their roles clearly defined for you?
I ended up ordering a canfield lithium as my big bike which ill be building up this week. I felt like the geo and travel numbers seemed more distinct from the rascal so it would definitively be my park bike and most of the time something for nam/pisgah/diamond hill. Maybe id bump my rascal down to 140 because i did feel like the 150 made climbing a little harder with front wheel lift. Im also ranger curious but tbh im not sure im in shape enough to really get the benefit of an xc bike like that.
Hey, thanks for reaching out. I feel more confident on the downhills on my Rail 29 than the Rascal. That 160 fork seems to really make a difference. Also, the 155 in the back feels more plush on the big drops. I am building up a Rail 27 for my park bike, I think the extra travel and 27.5 wheels will be super fun
Great video!
Thanks man!
How tall are you? I’m trying to decide between medium and large frame at 5’10
5’11, I would still go with large if I was 5’10. I tried a medium in both and it felt way too small