As bike technology has improved and components have become more high performance, you'd be forgiven for thinking that pretty much any bike these days will offer a decent ride. I was starting to think so, too, until, at a recent trade show, I was reminded that some bike manufacturers are still building highly questionable machines. I rode what I can only describe as the worst bike I have ridden in over five years.
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It started off quite innocently, because hey, it had two wheels, a handlebar, and was bike shaped, so it had my interest. Sure it was a brand I'd never seen or even heard of before, but curiosity rarely lets me down, it's typically a good thing.
Look closely at this bike and you’d think it was designed by a USA company, mostly because they’re engaging in the fine American tradition of doing whatever the hell they want. Rohloff instead of a derailleur? Yep. Gates belt drive rather than a chain? You know it. Rear tire rubbing the stays? Sure enough. Falling rate rear suspension? All day, every day.
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A ride worth forgetting
Initial set up of the suspension, seat height, and tire pressures went pretty normal, there was nothing noteworthy to give me any clues to what was about to happen. And what did happen was an eye-opening crappy ride.
With a pile of spacers under the stem, the front end sure popped right up. But man, being that far away from the ground was a bit disconcerting, especially when leaning the bike over from waaaay uppp hereeee. I couldn’t even wrap my head around whether or not the frame was as stiff as a used band aid or if it was actually tracking, I was just trying to keep upright and off the deck. I thought about changing the stem height, but I was just trying to limp this dog home.
It came as a surprise
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