If your curious about travel, here’s DH footage that I shot while riding my Epic Evo which sports a Fox 34 (130mm). It might provide a clearer picture of what a shorter travel bike is capable of.
PERFECT! THANK YOU! That is exactly the context I needed. Definitely rules out the shorter travel.
That trail seems pretty nice and smooth compared to the trails I have done here. Having dirt stretches that aren’t covered in rocks, roots and mud would be a rarity. These are not speed trails. But that is *not* my primary riding location. And the vado with 80mm travel was a bit overwhelmed by that (obviously not the right bike) But still surprisingly fun. To me, going off on that stuff is just a fun bonus if the bike can handle it. I explicitly tried a few trails on the vado. Ironically, I never did any on the blade 2.0 but I did far worse roads. Once, rwgps mapped me onto what I thought was a road while riding the vado. Yeah, a road for ATVs. And it was a miserable rainy day with mud between the rocks and roots. I had such a grin on my face that day. One concern: The tributary really looks and acts like an e-bike. The fuel exe, if I accidentally go on some electric banned trails (don’t ask me how I know that), no one will know or care.
The difference between that video and what I typically ride is my surface has no consistency. My dirt roads are fairly similar except it’s not a narrow trail. And my paved roads will have 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile sections that will represent the worst of that trail, but then be smooth for a bit and Then back again. Often the transitions between those are the worst parts especially if construction related (you know, where they put those big orange “bump” signs for cars and have grooved/gravel/broken parts). Those sections are horrid on bikes.
Since the floods, the rail trail hasn’t been much better. When it was in good shape, I could scream through it. That is the only truly flat hard packed dirt trail I have seen that remains that way for more than 40% of the trail. I know it’s being worked on so I have been avoiding it. Plus, without a motor it’s too far. Have to take the bike there by car.
I think the 120 on the tributary will be more than enough. It won’t flatten the way the 160mm pike ultimate did, but it will also be a joy to ride. And I think the suspension seat post I already love will fill in for comfort (At the expense of losing the dropper, which is likely fairly useless to me anyway). However, I might do more trail riding if I had a bike that was genuinely fun and matched to it. And I could reach the trails from my house.
I also don’t see any real downsides to the full suspension on either the fuel exe or the norco I tried. I tested it on what was essentially a gravel trail (in reality, a driveway that had 4-6% grade). The norco is the “cheapest” bike that comes fully equipped with transmission that I have found locally. Unless REI pulls out some magic coupons, or hits a timely salsa sale, I suspect the tributary will be more money than that norco. That will be hard to swallow given carbon, full suspension and zero work to make the bike functional. They might even have stock of that bike.
This honestly may come down to the fact that I would like racks and fenders. And that puts the tributary ahead. I also don’t mind full power. That will open up the largest range of riding possibilities. I think I would be pretty happy with any of these 3 bikes or their various equivalents across the brands. The things I care most about are 1) shifting experience which transmission addresses 2) enough suspension to have the bike feel stable over these surfaces (stability *is* the issue mor than comfort). 3) not spend more time in the shop than on the road. Hopefully ditching enviolo helps on that front.
Ok, enough blabbing. Hopefully I have tributary quotes today or tomorrow and then buy something.
