mudguard:

 

geoffwnz:

 

I think when it comes time to replace the Slash, I'll do some more research and testing of Trail or Downcountry spec etc and see what comes of that.  Maybe even going Carbon for the small weight saving that provides.  I purely went on travel compared to the late 1990's Mongoose DH-ish bike.  Because, you know, travel is the only variable....  So I thought.  Lessons learned and all that.

 

 

I think that's big thing now. It was pretty binary for awhile. Lots of travel, slack and hard work to get up the hill, or twitchy, light, limited travel whippet bikes. Now the down country bikes are slack with droppers. A friend has a 120mm bike he rides in places he shouldn't (be has a 180mm enduro as well) and it takes a beating.

 

I think if I'm sensible with wheel choice I could get away with less travel. Who knows, I've been looking at smart trainers all week, the dumb trainer makes it a little trickier to gauge my fitness level and I don't want a power meter for my bike. Figure I'll make the most of a break from work and improve my base fitness. 

 

Other than spectacular "moments", you can definitely under-bike some gnarly trails if you know how to handle it.  You can, but should you?  ;-)

My old Mongoose now lives on the Wahoo V6 for Zwift duty.  Is it ideal?  No.  I had to find the biggest chainring that would physically fit the frame so I could have tall enough gears to get any sort of speed on the "flat".  But I prefer to stick with the MTB riding position for my training since that is what I will be doing outdoors anyway.  Plus, it made sense to use what I have.

Also wound up the preload on the rear coil shock so it would bounce a little bit less on the trainer.

But yes, having have that setup for about a year now, can definitely recommend it.  Your virtual mileage may vary on which training platform you go with.  I'm using Zwift and am quite happy with it for training programmes and rides.  Probably only done two or three actual races in that time as that's not been my focus.  But it makes the difference between doing something or nothing on those wet, cold winter nights plus if you do the workouts, is more targeted than just riding around the local trails.