I like to read reviews by experienced riders on popular MT bikes. It seems all the testing is out west in CO or Ut. As a New Englander, it would be great to see a bike tested in NE. I don't know for sure but the riding in NE when compared to out west must be night and day difference. Sort of like skiing.
Do you think bikes tested out west can give an accurate report to a rider who wants to purchase a bike for NE riding?
I don't think the fast flowing western trails are similar to N.E. trails and as such bike test comparison would be equally different. I live and ride in Lake Tahoe, but I was raised and rode in PA. The trails in PA are much different than here. Much more rocky and rooty, tight single track is what I remember.
Bikes that offer a slightly steeper HT angle and shorter stays would probably be better suited to the North East where a slacker HT angle would be a little better for the higher speed trails here.
I am currently riding a Turner 5 spot and have found it to be nearly perfect for all trail riding, tight and technical, and fast and fun. the HT angle is just steep enough to provide really good response on the tight stuff without waivering on the steep climbs.
Plenty of really good east coast builders back there that have the terrain wired. Ted Wojocik, Lynskey, and Independent Fabrications come to mind right off the bat.
I agree that the mags and the web test bikes too much out west. Check out these guys. http://www.dirtragmag.com/ They are out of Pittsburgh and test almost exclusively on the East Coast.
Jim
mtbr.com reviews list the reviewer's location. Great resource because they have so many reviews.
Also agree that Dirt Rag is east and technical oriented.
Dirt Rag is from Pittsburgh.
No question that testing needs to regional to be of assistance. What works in my neighbourhood will be different than in Colorado. For clothing and tire reviews I like the British rags. It rains there as it does here. They understand fenders and proper sticky knobby tires. They know what water proof means. Heck I recall a bunch of writers from MountainBike Action coming to North Vancouver one winter and they had no tights! It was friggin' 5C outside and they have Lycra shorts on!
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