sorry to bore you
First I want to say that I totally loved the mooch and I'm still smiling from that ride. The switchback downhills, descending down that one long face of rock, very unique rolly polly, the sweet transfers off rocks, the white trail, the last downhill out, just everything!!! haha
It has got to be one of the best AM riding in NJ.
Geo: Pretty comfortable. Great fit for 5'-9". It feels a bit high up front like you're sitting on a throne. I rocked the cone riser and one more spacer before the stem. I may want to drop it a lil' for better climbing feel.
Tires: 2.35 Nevegals... not much need to be said... great on every part of ride
Climbing: Seated climbing is very stable and efficient with the rear sus at work. Maybe even better than the HT. The small bump compliance is for real. The sus just gives me more confidence all around. However, you do experience bob standing climb like all FS bikes. The bike is a tad heavy but at super granny gear I did every climb at mooch. Didn't feel the weight was holding me back any. But if you are just aiming for speed with AM riding, I think you are totally missing the point. When the time comes I may switch for a lower cassette tho just in case I don't feel good on some days.
Downhill: Real smooth. Bulldozed all size of rocks without getting caught up. The head angle is superb! for both down and up. Long wheelbase makes bike stable at high speeds but tight abrupt turns aren't too smooth. Def wouldn't make it through 6mile twisties too smooth
Suspension: Like previously stated the rear is very active on the small and big. The fork, I set the low and high speed compression in the middle and not to much to complain about. The fork with the nifty fox QR 20 was real stable. Can't feel much difference messing with the preload setting. With 160mm fork, I was about 1/2" from totally bottoming out. The sus let me take pretty gnarly drop and some sweet launches off some rocks along the way.
Brakes: The hayers stroker trail stop pretty well. The reach is adjustable. I bet they will even work better a few rides in. But I have a set of avid elixir I may throw on to try.
The only real complaint I have is when the sus is active, the BB can get pretty low and with the long stub on the cranks I hit a few rocks on the crank arms a bit.
IMO, AM riding is the best riding has to offer. The technicality, you climb, you huck, you drop, and ultimately you downhill. Im addicted. I don't think I have ever pushed that hard going downhill. That group of experienced AM riders def helped push the envelope but the reign X made it possible. All in all, I'm just real happy about this purchase. I give it a X