I picked up a new FS MTB the other day, a Liv Intrigue X E+3, and was itching to get out and try it on some trails and see what the difference would be from my Fathom E+1 (Hard Tail). I was going to wait until my fenders arrived, but Nose Hill (and area) beckoned!
Here's the new ride, overlooking an area called Nose Creek Park - this was towards the end of the ride and the bike was getting a bit dirty.
The details and route.
The weather was hovering around the freezing mark, but the typical Alberta sunshine had a lot of the surfaces pretty soft, so the bit's of ice that still remain are shrinking to the point that you could typically ride beside them and stay on dirt. However, some of that dirt is now mud - and Nose Hill mud is slippery yet sticky. There were some places where I had to be very careful as the tires were clogged up pretty good, but for the most part it was fine.
80% dry and fast, 15% muddy and slippery and 5% icy.
A few randonm shots - you have to get a Rocky Mountains view from time to time.
Just before this shot of me and my opinion of the new bike, I'd come down a tricky descent where I found out just how good the brakes are on the new ride, and had an "event" with a 3 latter acronym. Bopped my nose a bit and christened the bike with a couple of drops of blood on the handlebars (should have taken a picture of that!) but it was a very brief nose bleed and no harm.
Backing up a bit on ride chronology, while up on the plateau, I ran into a older oriental gent riding a Fathom E (2019). Tried to have a chat, but his English was very poor so we did a bunch of gesturing and the like.
I was able to comprehend that his son gave him his bike when he upgraded in the fall. Not sure what the mound of rocks was about, although maybe it was some foreshadowing for my wipeout about 5 minutes later...
Guess what was waiting for me when I got home - you got it, the Fenders.
I guess I know what I am doing today (OK - maybe tomorrow) - cleaning the bike and installing the fenders (and some paint protection).
The verdict on the new ride - love it!
The 29" wheels are going to take some getting used to, and it will likely take a while to dial in the suspension and cockpit fit, but as-is it's pretty close.
The trail riding was substantially more comfortable with the suspension, and the few technical bits were easier as the rear tire spent more time on the ground.
I'm looking forward to attacking a few spots that I ALWAYS failed on my Fathom due to wheel hop around roots and rocks (it has to be the bike - not the rider's technique right?
)
Audiobook for this ride - Eion Colfer's "Screwed" .
!) and see what that's doing to battery consumption. The trailer weighs next to nothing empty, and I haven't gone more than about a mile with it filled up.
