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
