Gruitr Ride Reviews

We have been getting a lot of requests for Gruitr demo rides and rider reviews.  We know that you all can't be on the East Coast to meet up with one of the Sinister Crew, but we will do our best to put you in contact with someone in your area so get hooked up on the Forum and ask around.  As for the review, we welcome you all to take a minute and let us know what you think.  There is a lot in store for the Sinister Family so keep checking back and we promise you won't be disappointed.  For now, here is an excellent review from one of our local riders and from FTW himself.  If the reviews are any indication of the ride you can expect from the GRUITR you should try one out TODAY! 

Thanks to our friend Transition Man for the most comprehensive review yet!!

"OK I finished the Gruitr on Monday and took it out today for the maiden voyage at Lincoln Woods. Started off with a quick little bump around in the parking lot area. Immediately I could feel a weight difference. Took a few little jumps to make sure the shock had somewhat near the proper air pressure. Then I rode a couple sit down wheelies to get a feel for the rear end. Let me say that the stays are nice and short and the bike balances better than any FR bike I have owned.

We started up the warm up trial which has a decent climb. Right off the bat I could tell that the bike was going to climb extremely well. I played with the propedal function and played with the rebound a bit. The first decent was a little different than the BR handled usually does but felt good. Mostly I was trying to find the balance point and get a feel for the different geometry.

After a couple more trails I started to feel comfortable and the bike was starting to become more predictable. We hit the sketchy trail and that was the test trail. There are a couple of drops on that trail that really let you know if the bike is performing. We hit it every ride so I really know how the impact feels on other bikes. The one drop in particular has a roller-drop rock where I usually have to really lean back to land both wheels together. This time I leaned back just slightly and leanded rear wheel first. The next little section usually bounces you around and I just leaned back and pumped through.

As the ride went on I could really notice differences in climbing. Not once did I break traction with the rear wheel and I was trying to. It climbs so well I thought I was on my old Merlin XC from years past. Front end comes up easy to get over stuff and the weight is awesome.

So what's the differences? First off is weight. The bike feels nimble, maneuverable and very pedalable. Second is geometry. The slightly shorter stays and longer tt is exactly what I was looking for. Third is that the bike climbs very well. Decending the wheels stick to the ground and the suspension soaks up everything. I had it in the 5.5" setting to start with. Similar to the BR, it feels like more travel. All in all the bike is exactly what I was hoping it would be. The frame is a little flexier than the BR, but that was expected. By no means is over flexy or even flexy really. Just slightly more than the BR.

All in all I am totally stoked to have it. I can throw on some single ply tires and go for a XC ride no problem. Now I have a tough decision as to which bike to bring to Highland. Thanks again to Bruce for answering all of my questions along the way.."  Look at this sweet build!!

And Yes...from FTW himself!!

"I got my Gruitr rolling finally (thanks max and Bruce) and took it yesterday and rode Kenda bikefest. The build was a typical FTW XC build, MTX wheels, DH cranks, heavy wire bead tires and a Pike up front. Typical because I don't usually ride light parts. The first shocker of the day is the bike rode really light. It was hot,raining off an on and the trails were slippery. Normally, I would feel tangled in such conditions, glasses fogging etc. The Gruitr had me feeling good, weightless one might say. Getting used to a new machine first on a paved, steep climb then on a fresh-cut single track isn't the best conditions. I took to it pretty quickly. It's pretty hard to go wrong with a basic SP bike but none the less, I wasn't going to go easy on it. The bike stayed tight and solid in the worse conceivable conditions with me absolutely torquing with all "me worth", drifting and sliding the muddy trails. I was able to pop the front up at will and whip the thing around as needed.

The bike was good but until I got into some really sketchy stuff that I felt my first "connection". It was steep, really steep, off camber, roots, full gnarl and I was able to hold my line and from full stop, pop and drop to the firm ground at the bottom..amazing.. pics soon, good job men! I got home and weighed her for the first time..35 lbs..I am like, stoked as they say.."

Visit the Sinister Bikes Forum for more ride reports and great builds...you'll like what you see

Comments

[solid rubber tires]

Good review, sounds cool. I like the tires most. I feel more comfortable riding with a little weight. I mean a heavy ride works well.