I had a wild hair.

I hope to get a bonus.

I have upgradeitis.

In 3.5 years the Heckler has taken me about as far as i can go. I stared down a new line on the Waterfall 2 days ago, knowing i could make it, but unwilling to gamble. Its the rider, not the bike, but a killer bike helps improve the rider. I can do things on the Hei Hei i could never do without the Heckler.   So I climbed 1:20 the long way up Wingate and rode 8 miles into the McDowell Park to demo a ‘bird.

I probably know 20 people who ride them, and have never heard a bad review. I probably know 20 more people who ride Pivots, and have never heard a bad review. I was mostly there to try the fit.

It was the same 32lbs as the Heckler when i picked it up, with almost an inch more travel, a 36mm fork, and a ridiculous 45mm stem. With tubeless wheels, better bars and post, and add a gravity dropper, it could be 33lbs.

The Tech Loop at the McDowells isn’t all that, other than 2 drops to tranny down big faces.   Something about the smaller cockpit, slacker geo, and bigger fork sent me over them without any hesitation. I don’t think i would have felt so comfortable on the Heckler.

I was mostly there to try the fit.

Then it was 1:30 and 10 miles climbing back to the top of Bell.