Virtue survives Mt Buller- Klingsporn - Stirling
Over the weekend, I gave the Virtue 1 a good workout up near Mt Buller, and I thought I'd write up my experiences briefly.
The setup of my particular Virtue is quite a bit taller than Jack and Jason, as I like a bit more of an upright position, I find it more appropriate for all types of riding, and its what I'm used to. That upright position is perfect for the type of riding that we did this weekend as there is lots of rough tricky descents and long climbs where a low fast position isn't that necessary. I run a 110mm, 5 degree rise stem with riser bars, and it suits me just fine. Another trick that I personally find assists on long rides with long descents is running the brake levers in quite close to the bar to reduce forearm fatigue. By having your whole hand closer to a fist, instead of one finger extended and working hard at its extreme range of motion, I believe you get better feel and control over a longer period of time.
Descending the Virtue is a doddle. Simple crank up the forks to full travel, the head angle kicks out a touch to slow the steering for descending, open up the RP23 shock and the bike actually accelerates down the hill. The forks are a great blend of stiffness and light weight, and they never felt overwhelmed* and the ability to adjust the travel is a really great feature. I've set up the forks in about the middle of all their adjustments - compression, rebound and lockout are all set in about the middle. To either extreme was too much, and the compromise was conveniently in the middle. The same can be said for the rear shock. I have about 145psi in the rear, and run the pro pedal in the middle, and the same for the rebound. The only time I turn off the propedal is to descend, otherwise it remains on and in control. The suspension action remains silky smooth, and the sealed bearings have offered no dramas and allow the shock to work unhindered.
From the riding that I did this weekend, the only thing that I would alter if I was to do that ride again, would be my choice of tires. The Piranhas work great, amazing even, around a race course, but for real bush trail riding I think that the Barracuda would have worked better with its taller knobs, and more pronounced side knobs. Basically, everything that we love about the Piranhas, but bigger and tougher.
I can once again say that my Virtue carried me uphill, down hill and around the hills in style and comfort, without a reliability issue, nor a creak or groan. Even if we wasn't representing Felt, I can speak for all the boys and say we genuinely think these are amazing bikes. Come have a ride when you see us next, but treat our bikes nicely and with respect, as we would yours.
And finally, please keep in mind the upcoming marathon event at Wondong, run by BigHillEvents, with support from Felt and Hutchinson. ITs on the 25th of March so lock it in the diaries! They will be giving away a RXC Pro, the same as PAul Van Der Ploeg's bike to one lucky rider, so for a legitimate chance in getting a free bike for a few hours work, get your entry in soon. Jack and Jason pre-rode the course today, and hopefully we'll see a report from them on here soon.
The setup of my particular Virtue is quite a bit taller than Jack and Jason, as I like a bit more of an upright position, I find it more appropriate for all types of riding, and its what I'm used to. That upright position is perfect for the type of riding that we did this weekend as there is lots of rough tricky descents and long climbs where a low fast position isn't that necessary. I run a 110mm, 5 degree rise stem with riser bars, and it suits me just fine. Another trick that I personally find assists on long rides with long descents is running the brake levers in quite close to the bar to reduce forearm fatigue. By having your whole hand closer to a fist, instead of one finger extended and working hard at its extreme range of motion, I believe you get better feel and control over a longer period of time.
Descending the Virtue is a doddle. Simple crank up the forks to full travel, the head angle kicks out a touch to slow the steering for descending, open up the RP23 shock and the bike actually accelerates down the hill. The forks are a great blend of stiffness and light weight, and they never felt overwhelmed* and the ability to adjust the travel is a really great feature. I've set up the forks in about the middle of all their adjustments - compression, rebound and lockout are all set in about the middle. To either extreme was too much, and the compromise was conveniently in the middle. The same can be said for the rear shock. I have about 145psi in the rear, and run the pro pedal in the middle, and the same for the rebound. The only time I turn off the propedal is to descend, otherwise it remains on and in control. The suspension action remains silky smooth, and the sealed bearings have offered no dramas and allow the shock to work unhindered.
From the riding that I did this weekend, the only thing that I would alter if I was to do that ride again, would be my choice of tires. The Piranhas work great, amazing even, around a race course, but for real bush trail riding I think that the Barracuda would have worked better with its taller knobs, and more pronounced side knobs. Basically, everything that we love about the Piranhas, but bigger and tougher.
I can once again say that my Virtue carried me uphill, down hill and around the hills in style and comfort, without a reliability issue, nor a creak or groan. Even if we wasn't representing Felt, I can speak for all the boys and say we genuinely think these are amazing bikes. Come have a ride when you see us next, but treat our bikes nicely and with respect, as we would yours.
And finally, please keep in mind the upcoming marathon event at Wondong, run by BigHillEvents, with support from Felt and Hutchinson. ITs on the 25th of March so lock it in the diaries! They will be giving away a RXC Pro, the same as PAul Van Der Ploeg's bike to one lucky rider, so for a legitimate chance in getting a free bike for a few hours work, get your entry in soon. Jack and Jason pre-rode the course today, and hopefully we'll see a report from them on here soon.
posted by Ash Thomas at 10:07 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home