Best explanation of why downcountry exists I've seen. No one else acknowledges that "trail" expanded upward over the past few years to include travel territory previously covered by all mountain and even enduro.

@longandwinding

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Paul 👍

Excellent explanation and reasoning behind the crosscountry category---good review as well

Great review buddy. Ranger looks amazing. I've riden the Rascal and absolutely loved it. The CBF suspension system stays super active when braking, so handled the rough stuff much better than other bikes in its catagory. Can't wait to try the Ranger also.

@longandwinding

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tom, the Rascal would be off the chain capable! Massive fan of the CBF system

Giant have been doing this for years - SX version of Anthem is their XC bike with bigger fork and rims. Was a super fun bike, preferred it in a lot of ways to the Trance that replaced it.

@shwndh

Жыл бұрын

I've been saying this for for a while but no one ever mentions the SX series of Anthems. They were the original downcountry bikes but they were just described as xc rippers.

Thank you, down country bikes aka 120mm travel are the type of bike that will ride Cascades and a marathon race like the Otway very well and will also hold it’s own at any gravel race. I love this “genre” and have been riding a “down county” bike (Scott Spark) since 2018. Hope you are convalescing well.

@longandwinding

3 жыл бұрын

Agree Johan, super flexible bikes

Nice bike and nice review. Hamish, high quality work as usual. I reckon I’m down with down country. Also, your baby can talk! Times flies!

@longandwinding

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nicki. Yes she's really growing up!

Long and winding should have way more subscribers than 6k. On the way for 10!

@longandwinding

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Everybody gangsta till downcoutry bikes become enduro bikes

@longandwinding

3 жыл бұрын

😂

Very good description of downcountry. Much better than that confusing ball of mess explanation on GMBN.

@longandwinding

Жыл бұрын

Thanks :-)

Beautiful bike, but almost $12k AUD...jesus

I have been riding a mix of paved trails and XC with some steep climbs over the past three weeks of owning my new De La Soul. I am blown away each time I ride this magnificent machine!! But, the reason is I was riding a '99 SC Superlite. Wow how things have changed 😄. The local shop has a tech riding the Ranger like an enduro bike. He enjoys the descents as much as the uphills like me. The only time he needs his downhill bike is when riding the chairlift up at Alyeska ski resort. The XX1 AXS kit kicks ass!!

@longandwinding

Жыл бұрын

Bikes are definitely super capable these days!

Sounds like much the same Geo and set up as my 2018 Yeti SB 4.5. My yeti is 114mm(R)/140mm(F) with 444mm reach (Large) and 67.4 degree head angle. I kitted it out with bigger 2.4'' tyres and 4pot SLX brakes. I also swapped the original Float DPS shock to a fox DPX2 to help with the rear end cope with the bigger hits and rougher terrain. I've ridden the exact same trails as my old Canyon Spectral with 150mm rear travel. It's definitely not as plush as the longer travel bikes, but it can handle it occasionally. I would only say that if you plan on riding chunky/ big trails you are still better off getting a 130+mm trail bike. The modern ones climbs amazingly well.

Best channel on KZread

@longandwinding

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you James

Awesome review Hamish, and what a stunning bike! Is that the Cascades trail at 1:39 and 3:20?

@longandwinding

3 жыл бұрын

Yes it is! Amazing trail

What do you think about the siskiu d series

I have my Anthem advanced pro from giant then I change the fork to 120mm and a dropper post. best of both worlds between XC and Trail mtb. Im not sure if i can consider this as down country bike already.

Does it handle better with the bars low ?

Looks awesome. So Lake Mountain and You Yangs, did you ride it anywhere else (I think Harcourt?)

@longandwinding

3 жыл бұрын

Yarra Trails as well

@shorttravelsteve2998

3 жыл бұрын

@@longandwinding of course, that climb section along the fenceline

a very conservative "down country" - meant to be a great bike though from all the reviews. would be interested to see a back to back with a Ripley, Spur or Izzo.

Your demo bike looks like it has frame protection on it. Do you know where it came from? So all the usual places don't have Ranger kits yet.

@russthedog

3 жыл бұрын

Retailer does protection kits as part of their offering

You got a spec wrong it would be a 180mm rotor on the front ast the Sid Ultimate is a 180 pm and the rear is a 160 pm.

I wonder how it would go at Harcourt bike park

@longandwinding

3 жыл бұрын

The perfect bike!

Omg Remi can talk!

@longandwinding

3 жыл бұрын

She sure can!

Do you not own a scale? Why on earth did you not give us the actual weight of the bike? Also, could you mount a second side-access bottle cage inside the frame (at the higher bolt loction)???

Lake Mountain!!!

Are you excited about Warburton

@longandwinding

3 жыл бұрын

Yes!

Well, the xc bike capabilities moved toward trail bikes as well, offsetting that gap. And riders have been setting up light trail/capable xc bikes for about twenty five years now.

Makes me feel like i overbiked for youi on a 150 travel bike

@longandwinding

3 жыл бұрын

Depends what you’re riding really

third

downcountry is a marketing gimmick IMO. 130/120-130 travel from trail bikes should be perfect for all rounder bikes

@Azoth5876

3 жыл бұрын

I think it's more that companys are putting a name to shorter travel trail bikes. Like Hamish said, the gap between xc and trail/enduro is just getting wider. It makes sense to split the 'trail category' as it has just gotten way too broad. My Trance 2 29 is a 'trail' bike according to Giant, but it verges on 'downcountry' with it's 115mm rear and 130mm front travel. As opposed to the 27.5 wheel version which has significantly more travel and definitely sits in the 'trail' range.

Omg. Another commercial bs...