TAKING THE HIGH ROAD
I was very eager to read the August issue review of the Deviate and Forbidden bikes. Two weeks earlier I placed an order with Deviate for a Highlander 150. However, contrary to the article, I spoke with Deviate several weeks earlier and they are able to provide the frameset with a Fox 36 160mm-travel fork and a Fox X2 rear shock at my request. It is only on their website they are not offering these options as standard, I didn’t ask why. So it was interesting to read the comments on the review and how the rear shock seemed to be the biggest issue.
However, I would really have liked more information on how it gripped on climbs and technical sections and how it behaved on the trails it was intended for. To conclude, that more travel means you can go faster on rough trails is a given, but how would these bikes compare to 130/140mm-travel bikes of standard suspension design? Are the benefits of the high pivot limited to enduro/downhill bikes, or can they offer a competitive advantage on small-travel bikes?
I’ll be moving from a 2015 Specialized Enduro to the Highlander 150 and worry it just will not climb or corner as well, or be as planted. I’m assuming it would not be possible, but a timed head-tohead of the Deviate (with Fox) against something like a Stumpjumper, with similar build specs, would be interesting. Classic, tried, tested and evolved suspension against the new generation with very few miles under its belt.
Ed – Glad you enjoyed the review Leuan, and hope you enjoy the Deviate. Sadly both bikes have been returned to the brands now, so we can’t follow up with any timed runs or further comparisons. Perhaps that’s something we can look at further down the line though.
STICKING POINT
Hi guys, firstly I would like to say thanks for all your hard work during the pandemic as I know it’s been tough with the high demands of your amazing products. Secondly, I’ll just be honest,
me and my riding group are doing a challenge where we each email 10 mtbrelated companies to ask for free stickers or samples. We have a score system where its five points for stickers, 10 points for other products such as pens, badges, lanyards and 20 points for a sample of one of your fine products. The person with the least points has to buy lunch for all four of the other competitors on our trip out to Bikepark Wales later this month. As I said before, we each chose 10 companies and I decided to choose ones I’ve previously bought products from or love their messages that are being spread to the mountain bike community. I hope this weird and wacky request cheered you up a little and I appreciate the time you took out of your day to acknowledge this.
Ed – it’s your lucky day Tyy. We’re in the process of moving office and having a huge clear-out, so we’ll pop a couple of promotional items in the post to you.
WRONG TURN
I have recently read your article about joining the Ramblers’ Association to preserve the rights of way in the UK. I have been trail riding motorcycles for over 20 years and have fought many legal battles with the Ramblers. In their view the countryside belongs only to them, they are against anything with engines or wheels and will strongly fight anyone or anything that has any connection with these.
I have only been riding e-bikes for two years and we already have them trying to stop us using some of the paths and lanes in South Wales. The reason I ride an e-bike is due to age, fitness and an old injury. It enables me to get to places I cannot walk and still enjoy my local countryside.
I would strongly suggest you point your readers to join the local Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) who are putting up a very strong fight to keep the lanes and rights of ways open to everyone, not just ramblers.
SUMMER SURPRISE
As I’m based in Spain, I don’t often get to see the print edition of mbr. Last week I was returning from a muchpostponed trip to the UK and picked up the Summer edition in Heathrow airport. It was lovely to actually handle the magazine and I was thrilled to see a female-oriented issue. It’s such a breath of fresh air to see women in the features, reviews and adverts. I hope we’ll see more of this in the ‘standard’ issues.
Keep up the good work!
WINNING WOMEN’S ISSUE
Wow what a shock to read in the August mag three men who objected to the
July issue with those articles for ladies. I normally ride on my own but this year
I have ridden in small groups of mixed abilities and sexes. Most of the ladies are a lot better than me. I like to follow them and watch how they do trails so I can learn, but keeping up with them can sometimes be a problem.
My point is this sport is not just a men’s thing, it’s for everyone and those sexist pigs should go ride on the road and leave this side of the sport to decent riders. We can do without them muddying the waters. I hope that people don’t think all us men are like that because we are not.
BRING BACK THE MAPS
Congratulations on the Summer edition – it’s a triumph!
It’s so good to see well thought-out and well-written investigative articles alongside solid mtb information, in a magazine which is determined to expand diversity and address some big issues in our sport.
I’d also just like to say that I too miss the printed maps which accompanied the ride descriptions.
When planning a route, a map shows the character of the ride (contours, woodland, rivers, etc.) at a glance.
When riding, I find that Garmin mapping/guiding works well, but there are times when one really needs more detail, or a look at the bigger picture.
Disclaimer: I’m 63 and have used maps and compass for trekking over the hills and mountains since my youth... a little biased perhaps?