Guerrilla Gravity The Smash Test
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GG The Smash Complete Build
Guerrilla Gravity is a small mountain bike company located in Denver Colorado. They were sick of frame prices shooting through the roof while production moved overseas with little, if any, performance increase from year to year. All this while many bike companies grew in size and became more distant from their customers and what they really wanted in geometry and suspension designs. Over the past three years the folks at Guerrilla Gravity have added four more bikes to their stable. We are testing the longer travel 29r called The Smash; they are Strummer fans!
"Surface-To-Surface Missle
The punk rock spirit of Joe Strummer lives on in The Smash, inspiring riders to assail anything in their path. The combination of GG-style geometry and dialed suspension platform creates a 29er you can take on anything from epic big mountain days, to days in the bike park, to your rock-strewn after-work lap. Like all GG bikes, The Smash was designed with versatility in mind. Riders can choose between Crush Mode and Plush Mode to dial in the suspension platform that’s ideal for their local terrain. Crush Mode is more poppy and supportive, while Plush Mode is smoother in the rough--turning rock gardens into a fine velour carpet. Further dial in your ride by choosing an air or coil rear shock. We scrutinized the suspension feel compared to the Trail Pistol and Megatrail, making minute changes that optimize The Smash for its rider. It is softer off the top and through the mid-stroke, yet has more bottom out protection towards the end of its stroke. This creates a platform that is ready for smashing rocks and goin’ fast--up and down.
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Guerrilla Gravity The Smash Frame
Freedom Linkage
We used our background in racecar engineering to create the Freedom Linkage, a versatile platform that allows you to dial in your ride characteristics based on local terrain and rider preferences via shock tunes. It also utilizes our approach to design that focuses on a high level of refinement to eliminate unnecessary complication. This creates a platform that's made for goin' fast, yet is easy to maintain and built to last. Plus, it's built right here in our shop. Those are pure American welds (f* yeah!)!"
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GG The Smash Features
- 140 mm travel
- Crush Mode & Plush Mode
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- Crush Mode: strong mid-stroke support for flow trails and all-day adventures
- Plush Mode: softer top stroke for smashing rocks and mega-traction
- Freedom Linkage using proprietary Horst Link implementation
- Steeper seat tube angle maintains consistent geo as the saddle is raised and lowered, improves climbing efficency
- NUTS (Necessities Under the Saddle) Bracket keeps your flat changing essentials easily accessible (and lightens your load)
- Bottle mount in front triangle
- 6.6 lbs. (2,995g) frame with hardware (size Medium)
GG The Smash BB
The Smash Specs
- 230x57.5 metric shock
- 30.9 mm seatpost with stealth dropper routing
- 49mm headtube, fits tapered steerer tubes
- ISCG05 chainguide mount
- Threaded 73mm BSA threaded BB shell (greatly reduces creaking)
- 55mm chainline
- ISO brake caliper mount
- 12x148 rear axle, offset 3mm to the driveside for optimal chainline and clearance
- Universal Syntace axle and derailleur hanger
- Max fork travel: 160 mm
- Max tire size: 29 x 2.5
GG The Smash Headtube
The Smash Geometry
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Long Geometry Benefits
- Security in steep areas
The front axle is more advanced than in a conventional geometry making it almost impossible to go over the bars in steep sections. It feels more secure and confident due to a slacker angle perception.
- Confidence at high speed
The longer wheelbase makes the bike much more stable over any terrain.
- Direct steering
The really short 35 mm, 40 mm or 45 mm stems mean much less handlebar movement to get the same front wheel angle, thus improving steering precision and making the bike extremely reactive.
- Uphill precision
The front wheel keeps the contact on the ground avoiding wheelies due the longer front-center length.
- Stability on rough sections
The FG defends a new weight balance between front and rear wheels making possible to load the front wheel a lot more than with a classic geometry. This possibility changes your handling as it allows for more grip in cornering and better control."
GG The Smash Plush-Crush
We once again ordered a size Large. The Megatrail we tested a few years back fit very well and it had similar reach numbers to the current Smash. The Smash has 29" wheels so it would be a bit taller than the Megatrail. Being six feet tall and with the reach numbers of the frame we once again opted for a 35mm stem. There where no issues putting the bikes together. Everything went together easily and having a threaded BB is the way all bikes should be. After 4 months of riding not a single noise! Also of note is the 1.5 head tube this can be somewhat limiting on headset options. We ran with a Chris King Inset5 Tapered 49mm Headset. We opted to run a more aggressive build on the bike and it's total weight was 32.3 lbs. See the build below.
- Guerrilla Gravity The Smash (LG)
- DVO Diamond 160mm (110 Boost)
- Chris King InSet5 (49mm)
- Race Face SixC Cranks 30 (170mm)
- Race Face Atlas Stem (35mm)
- Race Face SixC Bars 35mm (20mm)
- Fabric Scoop Shallow Elite
- Magura MT7 Brakes With HC3 Levers (200mm Rotors F/R)
- Hope Pro 4 Rear (12mm by 148mm)
- Hope Pro Front 15mm (110 Boost)
- Stan's No Tubes Flow MK3 29"
- 9point8 Fall Line Dropper Post (200mm)
- WTB Vigilante Front (2.3)
- WTB Breakout Rear (2.25)
- SRAM GX Eagle 12 SPD Rear Derailleur
- SRAM GX Eagle 12spd Shifter
- SRAM XG GX 10-50 Cassette
Guerrilla Gravity designed the 140mm Smash with the gravity rider in mind. The large we tested has a 1245mm wheelbase and with our 160mm DVO fork out front it is closing in on a 65 degree HA. Longer bikes like this give riders a larger margin of error. When shifting your weight around you will notice that you have to go further towards the front or back to get the bike to respond, essentially making the sweet spot of The Smash much easier to stay centered within. With head angle we built it out with the bike felt good. Riders have a 1.5 head tube at their disposal, so running an Angle Set is always an option to make it even more slack. Climbing was not an issue and the front of the bike didn't show any tendency to wander.
We opted to run The Smash in the Crush Mode to provide us with more resistance to pedal bob. After doing five rides we decided that we could run the bike in Plush Mode and it provided plenty of support under power in that mode. Guerrilla Gravity seems to have nailed the pedaling platform on their frame designs. Running the shock in climb mode helped on long drawn out climbs but took away some of The Smash's sensitivity and traction while climbing on rocky terrain.
GG "I Like Going Fast"
Guerrilla Gravity is at the forefront for Forward Geometry here in the USA. They have been doing it for almost 4 years now. During that time other companies have made their bikes longer as well. Look carefully at some of these companies and you will see their sea tube angles are pretty slack this is an easy way to get a longer reach number while the wheelbase stays the same length. GG is adamant about using steep seat post angles on all their bikes. This makes for a bike that doesn't dramatically change when a rider has a seat all the way up and then drops it down real fast. Also in many instances taller riders complain of knee pain while riding bikes with slacker seat angles. Another benefit of the steeper angle is keeping the front end down on steep climbs.
The ride the Smash offers is stiff! We couldn't detect any flex in the frame during hard cornering. Having such a rigid chassis will transmit a bit more trail into the handlebars than a more forgiving chassis but will also grant the rider with instant responses to their inputs. Another thing very much worth noting about the frame was their decision to use a threaded BB and a 1.5 steer tube. Thanks GG for making our bike assembly easier and also helping to keep it quite for a very long time. Looking at the bike and its use of large bearings, high grade hardware, and avoiding the latest in cycling standards it becomes apparent it was designed with the input of experienced mechanics.
Guerrilla Gravity has once again created another awesome shred machine. Their Homage to arguably one of the best rock bands in history with The Smash name is just icing on the cake. This doesn't feel as aggressive as The Megatrail did in gravity mode and this probably comes down to the ultra low BB the 650B bike had on it. I think the HA and WB length of The Smash are very good and comparing it to the other aggressive 29" enduro bikes we have tested in the past it does many things better. As we mentioned earlier The Smash is one hell of a pedal machine. While wide open the shock bobs very little and still provides a very active suspension. Putting the shock into pedal mode just eliminates almost any motion out of the frame while putting down power. If you run the frame in Crush mode it provides the rider with even more mid stroke support and gives a slightly firmer feel to the ride.
FSR? Freedom Linkage yo
Climbing aboard The Smash was a relaxing experience. Just point the bike where you want to go and it will take you there with ease. Once you begin climbing steeper grades it will become apparent that the long wheelbase in conjunction with the steep seat post angle are doing their job of keeping the front wheel down and providing plenty of traction for the back wheel. Our bike was in the mid 32 pound range and could have been a bit lighter with different suspension and cockpit choices. This didn't take away from its ability to get the rider to the top of the hill. In fact this is the same weight as every other 29" bike we have tested so far.
We finished the bike while it was raining out. So naturally we took to the hills. There are two trails in our area that are fine to ride while still wet. The closest trail is also the shortest it climbs 700 feet in just over a mile. It is tight singletrack that is loose and rocky. This descent allows fast riders to break the 30 mph mark. Luckily for me I have never gone above 26mph on this trail. We had the bike in Crush mode this first time out and it provided plenty of traction and the suspension to handle anything on this trail. It quickly became apparent that the bike comes alive at higher speeds. It never felt twitchy or like it was being bucked around. Once I got to the bottom of the wet hill I was 10 seconds back from my fast time. That is pretty good considering I have not ridden in close to two months.
GG The Smash has NUTS
Across the valley from this first trail is another that is much longer and has way more turns in it. Also at the bottom of the trail you have to climb 100 or so feet out to finish it off. This gives a good idea of a bikes cornering ability and some idea of how it will handle g-out situations. At the very start of this trail is a hard left in rocky terrain. then it sends you through a short rock garden and then into a high speed off camber section. The Guerrilla Gravity Smash made fast work of the first corner and shot me into the rocks at a fast rate. Wagon wheels rolled over them without any issue. After you finish the high speed part the trail enters a section of turns and then sends you into an abrupt short uphill that acts as a g-out. The bike stuck well in the turns and I was reminded to keep some weight over the front tires to keep the traction. Overall The Smash showed it could tackle turns, rocks and high speed sections with ease. The climb out at end was a snap and I could taste the blood in my lungs at this point so I know I had a good go.
Another nearby trail is littered with zig zag corners for the first third of it. The corners are very sharp and it is obvious the trail was made this way to keep MTB speeds down. Many faster riders in the area despise this trail but will ride it on occasion. I try and get up here once a week. Turning is a weak part of my riding so spending time up here helps me with that. Considering I am riding a 29" bike with almost a 50" wheelbase tight sections should be The Smash's achilles heel. This turned out not be the case while riding The Smash on this twisty hill. All the corners have rocks scattered throughout them to test out a bikes suspension. I had one time where my back wheel made contact with the inner side of the turn. More than likely this was rider error and was a result of turning to early. I was able to get times within 10 seconds of my fastest after doing the trail 3 times.
The Smash has new sticks and colors
Conclusion
Once again Guerrilla Gravity delivered a very high quality product that was made in country and built with loving hands. Choosing to use a 1.5 head tube combined with a threaded BB helps the bike go together smooth and offers many options for the owner to choose from. Being able to see the work that goes into making a frame is something that is lost when looking over a plastic frame. We had a small issue when installing the dropper post cable into the frame. It got hung up while trying to press the post into the frame. We just had to press the housing into the seat tube so it would clear the cable hole and not get hung up. The frame offers a bunch of clearance for the rear tire. We where running a 2.3 rear tire and had plenty of space on both sides.
Overall the Smash is a confidence inspiring Enduro bike that is built and descends like a mini Downhill bike. This is a bike that can last for years of trail riding without issue. Having a bike that lasts more than a few seasons under serious riding is a rarity these days. If you are looking for a park capable 29" Enduro bike that you can ride just about anywhere that will stand the test of time and not hold you back in anyway the Smash is a bike you should take a serious look at. We would gladly recommend the Guerrilla Gravity Smash to a friend it has been a blast to ride and is probably gonna stay awhile. Another very noteworthy feature of Guerrilla Gravity bikes is their low price point. Having a USA made frame for around $2000 is a great value.
Guerrilla Gravity The Smash Gradecard
GG The Smash Scorecard
The Smash with coil shockGo check out the Guerrilla Gravity Smash
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Guerrilla Gravity Q & A
3. Break down your team for us and what they do?
4. How did the idea for The Smash begin?
11. Any chance you guys can get the water bottle mounts down closer to the shock to clear a big bottle? Us fat old guys will love you for it.
12. Care to elaborate on Geometry used on the Smash?
Sometimes the “internet riders” seem to think our cockpit geometry is way too long, but literally every rider to throw a leg over aSmash feels comfortable instantly. By utilizing a roomier cockpit with a shorter stem you have a better, more stable center of balance and room to freely use body English. It’s also preferable for getting rowdy on the downhills, as your weight is more centered and not as far forward, over the bars.
13. Rocks or jumps?
2016 Guerrilla Gravity Downhill (GG/DH) Test
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Guerrilla Gravity is a small mountain bike company located in Denver Colorado. They were sick of frame prices shooting through the roof while production moved overseas with little, if any, performance increase from year to year. All this while many bike companies grew in size and became more distant from their customers and what they really wanted in geometry and suspension designs. Who wants to buy a frame for $3500 and have part of it go to subsidize some road racers salary anyhow?
We tested their Megatrail last year and it proved to be an insane trail rig. Not only was it insane descending, but when using Trail mode it was one of the best climbing enduro bikes we have ever ridden. The guys at Guerrilla Gravity emailed and asked if we would be interested in testing out their updated 2016 GG/DH frame? Hell yes we would!
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Upon receiving the GG/DH we opened up the box and found a clean looking frame with great welding and paint to match. Guerrilla Gravity had four updates that it did wit the 2016 GG/DH frame. The first was to remove the shock mount eccentrics for BB height/HA adjust and replaced it by adding two holes for Park Mode and Race Mode geometry adjustments. Just like the Megatrail uses. They also increased tire clearance and optimized the frame for 650b wheels. The last update was to the rear axle and was aimed to improve it's function.
2016 GGDH Build Kits
The guys at GG sent us the bike with a blend of the two kits. It had the Boxxer WC, Atlas controls, Zee shifting and the nicer wheels. It had the Kage RC shock on it as well. Our medium GG/DH with Hope flat pedals came in at 37.5 LBS. Overall the build kit is decent the one thing we would swap out is probably the rear shock. It would be nice to have separate HSC and LSC adjustments to fine tune the bikes ride with. After riding trail bikes for so long with air shocks it is a surprise to see how much traction this bike gives even on the steepest and loosest of trails. Maybe there really is something to coil shocks......
I am 6' 1" tall and the MD fit me okay. I think I would buy the LG as a personal bike and run a shorter stem possibly. I am right between sizes so that always makes it tricky. Andrew is 5' 9" and said it felt great. Having a TT of 24.6" on a MD makes it close to 1" longer than many companies MD offerings and it is the same size as the large Specialized Demo.
"The GG/DH is a refined machine built for riders that like goin' fast.
With a suspension platform that is progressive and a frame that is laterally stiff, the GG/DH is designed to carry speed and pop off bonus lines at will. The enclosed rear triangle provides snappy cornering and rails lines better than John Belushi.
The frame design eliminates all unnecessary complication, creating the bike for those that like to get out and ride day in and day out, for riders that want something that's high performance, yet easy to maintain. By eliminating the need for additional pivot hardware, you are left with one pivot that utilizes long-lasting Enduro bearings. Limit your time inside doing maintenance and go ride.
The ride characteristics provide a lively, nimble platform that pedals extremely well for its downhill capabilities. The geometry is low, slack, and adjustable. Choose between Park Mode and Race Mode via the rear shock mount adjustment that are easy and quick to change."
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Forward Geometry Benefits
- Security in steep areas
The front axle is more advanced than in a conventional geometry making it almost impossible to go over the bars in steep sections. It feels more secure and confident due to a slacker angle perception.
- Confidence at high speed
The longer wheelbase makes the bike much more stable over any terrain.
- Direct steering
The really short 10 mm, 30 mm or 50 mm stems mean much less handlebar movement to get the same front wheel angle, thus improving steering precision and making the bike extremely reactive.
- Uphill precision
The front wheel keeps the contact on the ground avoiding wheelies due the longer front-center length.
- Stability on rough sections
The FG defends a new weight balance between front and rear wheels making possible to load the front wheel a lot more than with a classic geometry. This possibility changes your handling as it allows for more grip in cornering and better control.
GGDH Features
- 203 mm (8") rear travel
- Dual modes adjusted via shock mount
- Race Mode
- Park Mode
- Threaded bottom bracket, greatly reduces creaking and loosening (vs press fit)
- Massive 25mm pivot axle
- Zero Free Play pivot and axle interfaces
- Premium Enduro dual-lip sealed cartridge bearings
- 7.9 lbs. (3,583g) frame with hardware (size Medium, no shock)
GGDH Specs
- 30.9 mm seatpost (34.9 mm clamp)
- 1.5" head tube (49 SHIS - compatible with all steerer tubes and the Cane Creek Angleset)
- ISCG05 chainguide mount
- 148 mm rear wheel spacing
- 83 mm bottom bracket spacing
- 240x76 mm shock
- Max tire size: 27.5 x 2.5
GGDH Geometry
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Similiar to the Megatrail the GG/DH offers two travel/geo options. One is Park and the other is Race. While riding the Mega we noticed a huge difference in the two settings and we where wondering if the same would hold true for their downhill bike.
GGDH Owner Information
Proper suspension set-up is critical for optimum performance. Due to variance in shock pump readings, we suggest using a ruler and a friend to help set sag.
Recommended front fork sag is 15%. Recommended shock sag is 18-20 mm.
To set sag:
- Step 1: Compress the suspension several times to break the seal and get oil flowing
- Step 2: Have a friend hold the bike while you stand in the attack position, both feet on the pedals
- Step 3: Have said friend take the eye-to-eye measurement of the rear shock in millimeters. Subtract this number from 76 mm. You now have your sag
- Step 4: If you're using an air shock adjust the air pressure using your shock pump to achieve the recommended sag setting (listed above). It may take a few times.
Shock specific setup info:
- Cane Creek DBcoil: Cane Creek shocks purchased with a frame come preset with the base tune--you just need to set sag and tweak the damping settings to your weight, with gear weight taken into account. The base tune is dialed in for a rider weight of 175 lbs. Adjust +/- 2 clicks of low speed settings and 1/4 turn of high speed settings for every 20 lb increment of rider weight difference from 175 lbs. Email us to talk further about shock settings for your unique riding style and terrain.
- Cane Creek DBair: Cane Creek shocks purchased with a frame come preset with the base tune--you just need to set sag and tweak the damping settings to your weight, with gear weight taken into account. The base tune is dialed in for a rider weight of 175 lbs. Adjust +/- 2 clicks of low speed settings and 1/4 turn of high speed settings for every 20 lb increment of rider weight difference from 175 lbs. Email us to talk further about shock settings for your unique riding style and terrain.
Ian W
The first trail I took the GG/DH out on was one that I have not ridden in almost three years! This trail is steep, rocky, loose and nasty. It drops 1350 feet in 3/4 of a mile. It is littered with sharp embedded rocks and has a heavy layer of loose shale in sections. There are very tight turns in some sections and a few high speed steeps that have some soil. Overall it is a great trail to test a bikes GEO and suspension out on. I was in a bit over my head trying to ride this trail after so long. You drop into the trail and it enters a high speed section that is littered with good size rocks. The GG/DH did a good job at absorbing the harsh high speed impacts. There is a small uphill then the trail turns downhill in a very steep fashion for about 100 yards. This section was covered in loose shale and hard embedded rock. I went in slow and used front and back brakes. What shocked me most was the traction! Holy hell the rear tire just kept gripping the whole way down. Overall the bike felt great on the steep chunky terrain it reminded me of the Bruce Lee quote “Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it." Riding down this chunky trail I was reminded how easy it is to adjust most single pivot bikes. Everything felt good from small bump, bottom out and the GG/DH offered stability in spades.
San Luis Obispo offers rocks and lots of them. There is a trail in town that is 1000 feet and has baby head boulder most of the way down the trail. It isn't very steep so a burly trail bike has some overall speed advantage but riding a DH bike on it reminds you how much better they are at eating up rough terrain compared to Enduro bikes. Riding behind a 150mm bike while on a big bike you can watch the rider moving around to help absorb the trail while you sit back and move only if needed. Again I noticed the rear offering good traction when needed. I was actually suprised by The Boxxer WC it felt very good. Super supple and offered decent mid stroke support. Matt at GG said the leverage curve is what gave the bike such confidence inspiring grip. Another thing of note was how easy it was to change lines with the bike. I could hop it over and off rocks easily even in Race Mode.
The bike was very playful in both modes. Using it in Park Mode it is a bit more poppy and easy to move around but it is not as huge of a job as we noticed while testing The Megatrail last year. I am not sure I would run it in that setting a whole bunch unless the terrain you where riding was loaded with jumps the whole way down.
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Conclusion
After ridng the Megatrail and being so impressed with it we really where not surprised to find the Guerrilla Gravity downhill bike to be so dialed. The geometry isn't super aggressive either with BB height or head angle but the frame is long. I was a bit nervous getting the medium frame but it turns out their sizing recommendations for the GG/DH are pretty spot on. We have had a YT Tues for almost 8 months now and it is a size large. The GG/DH in a size MD feels the same or maybe a tad longer in the reach department and on paper it is.
Overall we where very impressed with the GG/DH. It's strong point would be it's forward geometry and stiff frame. Point the bike along boulder edges and it will try its hardest to hold onto them. Come into a corner to hot and have to break the rear end loose to make the turn no problem. Guerrilla Gravity did a good job building a stiff chassis by using a huge 25mm pivot axle and oversized tubing. We noted how stiff the Megatrail chassis was and I would say the GG/DH is one of the stiffer DH frames we have ridden.
Traction is something this bike offers by the truckload. I was blown away going down the steep shale trail with brakes on hard that it was sliding all over the hill. This is somewhat due to its coil spring but also its very supple suspension curve. A nice thing about Single Pivot bikes and their suspension curve is how easy they are to set up. Typically we run a bit more LSC with them and since they are somewhat linear feeling we can add more HSC or bands into an air shock to resist bottoming while still keeping a bunch of traction. The frame we tested was a MD GG/DH and it fit me well. I am six foot one inch and I could probably ride the LG as well with a shorter stem on it. Again the GG MD is the same size as The Specialized Demo.
It is for sure a bike we would reccomend to a friend and it being made here in the sates is a nice added touch that is getting harder to find by the year.
Guerrilla Gravity Downhill Questions
3. Break down your team for us and what they do?
4. How did the idea for the GG/DH begin?
5. What where some of the main features you guys wanted in the GG/DH when you were laying it out on paper (computer)?
- Geometry built for speed
- Predictable suspension performance with high traction and support
- Stiff & strong frame
- Versatility for a more poppy Park setup or a more plowy Race setup
6. How was reception been on the GG/DH so far?
7. Do you weep when you see guys that are 6' 4” and above on a “XL” bike and they look like Spud Webb on a 16” BMX bike?
8. Are you going to be doing an XL frame soon?
9. Any updates you guys are looking to do to the GGDH in the near future?
10. Care to elaborate on Geometry used on the GG/DH?
11. Rocks or jumps? How about jumps in rocks?
12. Who is the best Mountain Biker ever?
13. What do you think about all the new standards that have popped up in the last 3 years?
14. What would make the bike industry better?
15. Anything else you want to get across to the readers?
Guerrilla Gravity DH Owner's Manual
Guerrilla Gravity Megatrail Test
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Guerrilla Gravity is a small mountain bike company located in Denver Colorado. They were sick of frame prices shooting through the roof while production moved overseas with little, if any, performance increase from year to year. All this while many bike companies grew in size and became more distant from their customers and what they really wanted in geometry and suspension designs. Who wants to buy a frame for $3500 and have part of it go to subsidize some road racers salary anyhow?
"The MEGATRAIL is leading the revolution in trail bike freedom.
As a highly refined and extremely versatile trail bike, the MEGATRAIL is built for everything from conquering high-alpine adventures to getting after it at your local enduro race,or just slaying your after-work rides. And when it’s time to turn the Rad up to 11, Gravity Mode™ provides a 30-second, one-bolt geometry toggle that transforms the bike into a downhill dominator.
The MEGATRAIL isn’t purely focused on downhill domination, though. Extremely well-tuned anti-squat characteristics and mid-stroke support create a very efficient pedalling platform.
The modern geometry utilizes a roomy cockpit designed for short stems and wide bars, with slack head angle and low bottom bracket. Both front and rear frame triangles are optimized for each specific wheelsize (26" or 27.5"), giving you the choice to run whatever you want; 27.5" front/26" rear is also possible. Building on the lively ride qualities of the GG/DH downhill frame, this design achieves best-in-class pedaling, next-level cornering, and downhill authority. The MEGATRAIL suspension was developed in collaboration with Cane Creek for the DBair CS. It's optimized for air shocks and provides support while pedaling, small bump sensitivity, and progression for hard bottom-out resistance.
Geometry Benefits
- Security in steep areas
The front axle is more advanced than in a conventional geometry making it almost impossible to go over the bars in steep sections. It feels more secure and confident due to a slacker angle perception.
- Confidence at high speed
The longer wheelbase makes the bike much more stable over any terrain.
- Direct steering
The really short 10 mm, 30 mm or 50 mm stems mean much less handlebar movement to get the same front wheel angle, thus improving steering precision and making the bike extremely reactive.
- Uphill precision
The front wheel keeps the contact on the ground avoiding wheelies due the longer front-center length.
- Stability on rough sections
The FG defends a new weight balance between front and rear wheels making possible to load the front wheel a lot more than with a classic geometry. This possibility changes your handling as it allows for more grip in cornering and better control."
Guerrilla gravity Megatrail Geometry And Sizing
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We ordered the Megatrail in a size LG. This was right on the edge of what our 6 foot test riders could ride. The bike is huge and a large will fit someone up to 6' 4" tall. They will be offering an XL in very short order as well. No bike comes close so if you are near 6'8" this would be the frame you should look at. Having such a long TT we opted for a 35mm stem and it ending up working very well. The bike has a threaded BB (thank you) because nobody needs to hear random noises so a manufacturer can save some cash on build costs. They also have the ability to run a stealth post or by using the clamps on the TT a standard dropper post can be used. It also has a 1.5 HT, 142 by 12mm rear axle and the post size is 30.9 as well. Our LG frame had room for a larger water bottle. Guerrilla states that the small sized Megatrail will accept a water bottle under the top tube only if using a non piggy back shock.
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Assembly was a snap with no issues. Everything went together as it should. We ordered our Megatrail with the ISCG05 chain guide adapter the frames shipping now include them. It clamps down onto the BB shell. So our bike is very much on the gravity side as far as a build goes. We are running SRAM X01 11 spd, Derby 40mm DH hoops laced to Profile Elite hubs. We have Specialized Grid 2Bliss tires F/R on the bike. We used Race Face SIXC parts. The BB in gravity mode is 12.7" high! We got 175mm arms and know realize we should have waited for the 170mm to come into stock. They scrape sometimes on the way up as well as on the descents if you are not being careful. For a fork we are now using the Fox 36 Talas Float. The frame, wheel combo are so stiff that we decided that having a front fork act as a noodle on the rougher stuff was not a good idea.
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Our large frame weighed just over 8LBS with a CCDB Air CS shock. The tubing they use is the same wall thickness as their DH bike. You know this will be a durable frame, combine that with its oversized tubes and giant bearings and you are left with one of the stiffest chassis in the MTB game. Not only that but it is made to be abused. This isn't an Enduro or Freeride bike for the 40 year old XC rider. This is an Enduro bike for the gravity racer meant to be hammered on and ridden on rough terrain and at bike parks. The Megatrail is the Downhiller's Trail Bike!
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The Megatral has very aggressive geometry in Gravity Mode with a 65.5 HA, 12.7" BB and a wheelbase that is almost 48.5" in length, it rewards those that carry speed and ride on the edge. But it can also save your bacon and make a ride that many call rough on a standard trail bike seems much smoother. It rides a fair bit like a DH bike and requires some front weighting in corners at times.
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www.ijwphotography.com
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Frame Features
- Trail Mode and Gravity Mode™
- Optimized for 26" or 27.5" wheel options
- Chainstay length for 26": 16.8"
- Chainstay length for 27.5": 17.3"
- 1.5" head tube (49 SHIS) is compatible with all steerer tubes and Cane Creek Angleset
- Optional, replaceable ISCG05 chainguide mount
- Universal Syntace rear axle and derailleur hanger
- Premium Enduro Maxx cartridge bearings last longer (they have more balls)
- Threaded bottom bracket greatly reduces creaking and loosening (vs press fit)
- Stealth cable routing for adjustable-height seatpost
- 7 lbs. (3,175g) frame with hardware (size Medium, no shock)
Frames Specs
- 30.9mm seatpost (34.9mm clamp)
- 142 mm rear wheel spacing
- 73 mm BB spacing
- 200x57 mm shock
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"Gravity Mode
Head angle: 65.5°Rear Travel: 160mm
BB Height: 12.7"
Suspension platform: grip & rip
Leverage curve is tuned for more bump compliance and grip... all out ripping. This mode was developed to feel like a mini-DH bike that can still pedal. Bottom bracket height is set to the same sagged height as the GG/DH, along with the leverage curve tuned to feel like a shorter travel GG/DH.
Trail Mode
Head Angle: 66.5°
Rear Travel: 150mm
BB Height: 13.2"
Suspension Platform: pedal & pop
Leverage curve is tuned with more mid-stroke support for increased pedaling performance, creating an amazingly efficient platform. Want the poppy suspension platform of Trail Mode, but the geometry and travel of Gravity Mode? SUPER GRAVITY mode is accessed by putting the shock in both lower mount holes.
Megatrail Owner Info
Megatrail Setup
Suspension Setup
Proper suspension set-up is critical for optimum performance. Due to variance in shock pump readings, we suggest using a ruler and a friend to help set sag.
Recommended front fork sag is 15%. Recommended shock sag is 13 mm for a healthy mix or Trail and Gravity Mode™, 14 mm for mostly Trail Mode riding, and 12 mm for mostly Gravity Mode™ riding.
To set sag:
- Step 1: Compress the suspension several times to break the seal and get oil flowing
- Step 2: Have a friend hold the bike while you sit on it in the climbing position, both feet on the pedals
- Step 3: Have said friend move the fork o-ring down to the seal and the shock o-ring to the front of the air can
- Step 4: Gently step off the bike and measure the distance between the o-ring and the seal and air can. This is your sag
- Step 5: Adjust the air pressure using your shock pump to achieve the recommended sag setting (listed above). It may take a few times.
Shock specific setup info:
- Cane Creek DBair CS: Cane Creek shocks purchased with a frame come preset with the base tune--you just need to set sag and tweak the damping settings to your weight, with gear weight taken into account. The base tune is dialed in for a rider weight of 175 lbs (find the base tune here). Adjust +/- 2 clicks of low speed settings and 1/4 turn of high speed settings for every 20 lb increment of rider weight difference from 175 lbs. Email us to talk further about shock settings for your unique riding style and terrain.
- Cane Creek DBinline CS: Cane Creek shocks purchased with a frame come preset with the base tune--you just need to set sag and tweak the damping settings to your weight, with gear weight taken into account. The base tune is dialed in for a rider weight of 175 lbs (find the base tune here). Adjust +/- 2 clicks of low speed settings and 1/4 turn of high speed settings for every 20 lb increment of rider weight difference from 175 lbs. Email us to talk further about shock settings for your unique riding style and terrain.
Note: This shock is not recommended for riders heavier than 220 lbs. - Rock Shox Monarch Plus RC3 - Debonair: This shock has three compression settings. The Mid setting is great for more general climbing and descending. The Soft setting is ideal for chunky, but not high speed trails. The Hard setting is ideal for smooth climbs.
- Rock Shox Monarch R - Debonair: This shock does not have compression adjustments, you just need to set sag and ensure rebound adjustment provides fast enough rebound to not pack up, while not feeling "bucky."
- Trail Mode: Both top shock mount positions
- Gravity Mode™: The lower rear mount and upper front mount
- Super Gravity: Both lower shock mount positions
- Super Trail: The top rear shock mount and lower front shock mount
- A note about tightening and loosening the bolts: It is recommended that you loosen both shock bolts when installing or changing the modes. Do not tighten the shock mount bolts beyond the hard bottom out. Over tightening will result in a bad time."
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- Trail Mode: All mountain geometry with more mid-stroke support that provides a very efficient pedaling platform with a slightly taller BB setting. This mode is ideal for sustained climbing, technical climbing, and all-around descending.
- Gravtiy Mode™: More aggressive, DH-inspired geometry and suspension feel, with a softer mid-stroke that is best suited for downhill domination. The pedaling platform is still perfectly adequate for mild climbs, such as fire roads.
- Super Gravity: The geometry and travel of Gravity Mode™ with the leverage curve of Trail Mode. This mode is designed for going mach-stupid, carrying speed over the rough and hitting big jumps.
- Super Trail: The geometry and travel of Trail Mode with an extra stiff mid-stroke and a lot of progression. This mode would be best for long, smooth climbs or pedal sections."
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Trevor Roland
Having four different modes to choose from on the bike can seem like overkill but trust us it surely is not. These modes alter the way the bike rides in very dramatic fashion. The rear hole affects the Geometry and travel of the bike; the low hole is Gravity Mode and top hole is Trail Mode. Up front there are also two holes, the top hole offers a more linear shock rate while the bottom adds mid stroke shock support and boosts the bikes pedaling ability and makes it more lively. This is especially noticeable in Gravity Mode! Although the bike is geared towards the more aggressive rider it's pedaling ability is outstanding and many claim it is one of the best 6" bikes out there for climbing!
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Trevor Roland
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Gravity Mode on the Megatrail gives 160mm of travel with a 65.5 degree HA and a 12.7" BB. This mode gives you a very capable trail bike. It rides very much like a Downhill bike in this setting. Everything slows down, the bike moves just a hair slower as the rate of speed increases. It does its best to stay glued to the ground and offers increased traction over Trail Mode. The lower BB gives the bike incredible stability at speeds and makes high speed turns just that much easier. It doesn't have the increased pedal platform like Trail Mode does and this can be obvious when climbing or hard sprinting. It bobs a bit more but the suspension itself is more forgiving and linear in nature. Sometimes a rider may want the lower/slacker geometry offered by Gravity Mode but with a more lively feel that is where Super Gravity Mode comes in.
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Trevor Roland
Super Gravity Mode was used a bunch on some of the faster rockier trails in our area. It made the bike pop off obstacles more and made getting airborne that much easier. It also alters the bikes leverage curve and makes it the same as Trail Mode so the bike pedals better as well. It becomes apparent on the rockier terrain that the Super Gravity mode offers a much more lively feel. Popping off jump faces in this mode gives the hack in us that little bit of extra boost to help clear sections. Riding a trail like A-Line in Whistler would be the perfect spot for the Megatrail to be used in Super Gravity. Sometimes there is a climb ahead that is brutally long and gains massive amounts of elevation. In that instance the Megatrail has fourth mode called Super Trail.
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Trevor Roland
Super Trail Mode on the bike offers a very stiff leverage curve on the shock. You can tell when you hit rocks on the way up. This mode is great for long drawn out climbs that are smooth. Using the Climb Switch in Super Trail Mode the shock literally has no bob even when making strong strokes to clears obstacles. We only used this a small number of times since most of the climbs in the area are pretty rocky.
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Trevor Roland
Guerrilla Gravity has basically created a 4 in 1 bike with the Megatrail. The differences between each mode is very dramatic. In Gravity setting the bike is as close to a Downhill bike as you can get with an Enduro machine. The Trail Mode makes it a very capable climber that can keep up with the best of them. Being able to alter the frames leverage curve gives the ability to alter the two distinct geometry settings to match the trail. Whether the rider is looking for better pedaling characteristics of more traction the Megatrail has both covered with the changing of a bolt.
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Trevor Roland
The ride the Megatrail offers is stiff! We have ridden many Downhill bikes in the past and a fair number of trail bikes. About the only bike we can think of that felt this stiff was an Evil Imperial! Essentially there is no detectable give in the frame under hard cornering or braking. They actually use the same gauge tubing on the Megatrail as they do on their Downhill bike. Having such a rigid chassis will transmit a bit more trail into the handlebars than a more forgiving chassis. Another thing very much worth noting about the frame was their decision to use a threaded BB and a 1.5 steer tube. Thanks GG for making our bike assembly easier and also helping to keep it quite for a very long time. Looking at the bike and its use of large bearings, high grade hardware, and avoiding the latest in cycling standards it becomes apparent it was designed with the input of experienced mechanics.
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Trevor Roland
Ian W
Guerilla Gravity has certainly succeed in creating a Downhillers trail bike with the Megatrail. This bike is very capable at descending steep and rough terrain. It's something all the manufactures claimed to have achieved but after you spend some saddle time on many of their bikes it becomes apparent that their target market is former XC riders, Dentists or Attorneys. Its seems as if GG came at it from the Gravity side and it shows when riding the Megatrail.
The bike does many things well. It is very stable at speed having such a long WB and low BB the bike is very much like a Downhill bike in this regard. The traction it offers in Gravity mode is also very good. This setting makers the bike track the ground and hover atop the rocks and chunder. If that isn't lively enough throw it into Super Gravity and pop off the rocks instead. Having so many variants in one bike is a great feature. They all work well and do truly turn it from a Enduro bike into a mini Downhill bike.
Guerrilla Gravity delivered a very high quality frame. That is the nice thing about aluminum you can see the welds and any issues or mistakes made by the welder. Something plastic bike owners don't get the benefit of these days. Their use of sensible standards make for a solid build on the frame with little trouble. We did have one small issue where the rear wheel rubbed a few times on the rear stay on the bikes left side. We ran 2.3-2.4 tires from both Specialized and Geax. It didn't happen often in the 5 months of riding,
Overall the Megatrail is a confidence inspiring Trail bike that is built like and rides like a Downhill bike. This is a trail bike that can last for years of trail riding without issue. Having a bike that lasts more than a few seasons under serious riding is a rarity these days. If you are looking for a park capable trail bike that you can ride just about anywhere that will stand the test of time and not hold you back in anyway the Megatrail is a bike you should take a serious look at. We would gladly recommend the Guerilla Gravity Megatrail to a friend it has been a blast to ride.
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Guerrilla Gravity Megatrail Questions
3. Break down your team for us and what they do?
4. How did the idea for the Megatrail begin?
5. What where some of the main features you guys wanted in the Megatrail when you were laying it out on paper (computer)?
6. How was reception been on the Megatrail so far?
7. Do you weep when you see guys that are 6' 4” and above on a “XL” bike and they look like Spud Webb on a 16” BMX bike?
8. It sounds like you guys are going to be doing an XL frame soon. Tell us a bit about the new frame size?
On top of that, we can do semi-custom sizing for riders who may be proportioned slightly different (e.g. long legs, shorter torse).
9. Any updates you guys are looking to do to the Megatrail in the near future?
10. Care to elaborate on Geometry used on the Megatrail?
11. Rocks or jumps? How about jumps in rocks?
12. Who is the best Mountain Biker ever?
13. What do you think about all the new standards that have popped up in the last 3 years?
14. What would make the bike industry better?
15. Anything else you want to get across to the readers?
Thanks
Guerrilla Gravity releases the MEGATRAIL, the Big Mountain Liberator.
Highlighting the Guerrilla Gravity Megatrail.
Megatrail Owner's Manual
