Specialized Pitch Comp Bike

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I bought a used 2010 bike about 6 months ago and did my own custom build with raceface and sram components. I kept the stock x-fusion shock but upgraded to a Marzocchi 55 to have something a little more beefy up front. The shock has been serving me just fine even without the adjustability that some other shocks on the market have. This bike is awesome! I ride everything from interurban trails with my girlfriend to all mountain to jump trails and even attempted some downhill on it. Overall this bike has taken everything I've been able to throw at it! with the 67 degree head angle this thing just begs to be railed through chunder and whatever else gets in your way. In addition it can still climb like a champ! On technical climbs you don't have to choose the easiest way up, just take the most direct and the bike will do the rest of the work for you. The biggest and only real downfall I have found is in the rear end. Being that the rear axle is a 135 qr it lacks rigidity and it really shows when you rail a corner hard. Wider rims and tires helped a little bit but there is no ignoring it when your pushing the bike to the limits. Overall this bike has been awesome and especially for the price you can't beat it!

It climbs up steep mountain passes, descends like a demon, handles rock strewn trails, bogs, drops, slabs and a fair few knocks. If you haven't for 4 grand for a 4 grand bike and can accept some compromises this will do everything the same.
Slack head is great for the drops and the seat tube is steep enough for the climbs.
The kit isn't fancy but incremental upgrades will only improve it. I've had mine almost a year and the bottom bracket, hubs and freewheel have succumb to bogs, rivers, rain and mud. Its showing some battle scars but the finish is holding up well.

a brilliant ride that wont empty your wallet,
i'm sure there's a lot more exspesive bikes to be bought but wont perform to the level this bike does,
a dry run in a shop wont do this justice you need to try it on the trails and jumps etc
tip if you see a one at your trail center take it off him (or her) and have a blast!! if he'll let you and you'll throw your £5000 in the ditch i promise ;-)