Salsa Spearfish 1

I've ridden this everyday since I brought it home

Salsa Spearfish 1

I finally made the jump to a full suspension mountain bike.  After years of a sore lower back after long rides, I went for it.  It's been a big jump going from a rigid, singlespeed 29er to a full suspension 29er.  Nancy was very cool and let me have my birthday present much, much earlier.  She even let me get it built up so that it has all the components that I want.  Actually she knew that it was better that I get everything right the first time instead of me trying to buy and sell parts to get the ultimate bike.  As it stands now, the only change I may make on the bike is a different handlebar to get the fit right (I was expecting this anyway).

The ride has been really fun.  Going down technical trails is no longer stressful and I'm holding the bars easier versus my normal death grip.  The difference is dramatic and the result is just being less tired from the jarring and concentrating.  Climbing is better than I thought.  I'm coming from a rigid SS so my perception is different.  When I'm sitting down and climbing with both front and rear shocks open, there is slight movement.  When I stand up, I bob up and down but if I lock out the front fork, it tones it down dramatically.  It has been real nice having the fork lockout on the handlebars.  I do find myself locking out the front fork and switching to propedal on the rear shock on long climbs since both switches are easy to reach. The shifting is incredibly swift and accurate and the all mountain crank is the best.  If I can't get up something in a 22x36 then I really should be walking.

The things that I have to get used to is the steering on tight switchbacks.  It is not as precise as my SS.  When climbing uphill, it doesn't want to steer as easily so I end up going wide.  Not always that great when it is really tight.  (Edit: I found out that the 'fish is 1.5" longer wheelbase than On One.  If I use more body english, then things are fine).  The other thing is that the Specialized Fast Trak isn't as grippy as the Maxxis Ardent 2.4.  Of course, we're talking about a 300g difference in weight too but then again, no washouts.

The biggest thing is my position and I feel too high.  The risers bars puts my body in a more upright position than I'm used to.  I think a flat bar would be good since I already have the stem slammed.  Not seeing a size small in person, I wasn't able to figure out how tall the headtube really was.  The other thing with the bars is that I may want more sweep on it.  I think the one I have is 9 degree sweep.  If it is 9 degrees, then a 17 degree sweep from Salsa instead?  Either way, the flat bar is the way to go.

Build:
Frame: 2012 Salsa Spearfish 1 (small)
Fork: 2013 Rock Shox Reba RLT Tapered, 100mm, Solo Air, 15QR
Rear shock: Fox Float RP2
Shifter: Sram X9 trigger, 2x10

Front derailleur: X7, 2x10, high clamp, dual pull

Rear derailleur: X0, Type 2, medium cage

Crank: X9, 170mm, 22/36/bash; BB30

Cassette: Sram PG-1070, 10 spd, 12-36

Headset: Cane Creek 40 series, tapered.  40 ZS top cover, 110 ZS 56 lower

Stem: Thomson X4, 0 deg, 80mm

Handlebar: Truvativ T40 RB Stylo, 9 deg, 30mm rise, 31.8mm clamp, 680mm

Brakes: Shimano XT brakes

Rotors: Shimano XT Ice tech 160mm, 6 bolt

Seatpost: Thomson Elite, 31.6mm x 367mm

Chain: Sram PC-1031, 10 speed

Wheelset: Stan's ZTR Arch EX wheelset, 15QR, 12x142

Tires: Specialized Fast Trak Control 2.2

Saddle: WTB Volt SLT

Grips: ODI Ruffian "Path"

Weight: 26.6 pounds