Nice thanks, the 'bolt is very high on my list. I need to ride one again. I'm OK with black although I could see a frame set for me instead. (Gotta have Shimano/fox)
Love the ride but still too early to tell as I'm migrating from a very fast XC bike. Right now it climbs surprisingly well, but a little slower (or I need to adjust better) in the tight stuff. I actually miss the "Brain", as I'm still getting used to switching modes and trying to ride in "Open". I move to thunderbolt to get some more front end travel and get into 27.5 bike as the Epic was carrying a very tall front end. So far I can tell it will be soak up way more stuff and it will let me just steam roll over stuff, but I need to adjust to letting the front end dig in more vs XC you really feel the corner upfront. I'll be trialling on more technical trails soon , where I'm sure it will shine.
I was shopping for a 2015 small and there was no stock and out of production. Timely though as they were just getting their 2016 shipments, so they turned around the first ones in BC.
Oh I can't wait to see the pictures of the 970 and 999 elements, as well as the spec list. Definitly getting an element next year, who wants a full XTR 2015 vertex?!?
If you look at bike life cycles I would bet the Element would be the first to be redesigned. I can see it getting the frame updates the thunderbolt has and possibly 148 spacing. Then the instinct the year after.
Beachbum1 and bluenose, a shorter chainstay instinct is exactly what I've been hoping for too! No need for a front derailleur these days with 1x drivetrains working so well, should be able to chop 3/4 of an inch off the current chainstays and still leave lots of room for a real tire. I bet we'll see or hear something at crankworx Whistler in August if that's what they're planning.
LBS sent me the picture. Don't know about Ride 9 on aluminum thunderbolt.
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