@ summit800, you know, you say they are the same bike, but the geometry is slightly different EVERYWHERE, which makes them two completely different bikes, 1/4 inch on the chainstays is a LOT. Slight and subtle changes across the entire frame make one frame MILES better than another. After riding two bikes that were "the same bike" but from intense and santacruz, I can tell you that they most definitely are NOT the same. That being said, someone can ROYALLY screw up the feel and all the hard work someone put into designing a bike by setting it up like an idiot.

Bahaha, looking at all the negativity in previous posts the MTB world is pretty unhappy about it. I can see what Giant is doing, but honestly the only time you really notice steer tube flex is on a carbon steer tube with a long stem on it, and wide bars.......which means the entire system has a TON of flex in it. To be honest, I have noticed that I can move the ends of my handlebar quite a bit when torquing on it in the parking lot, but really, when riding, I NEVER have noticed it, and I ride a 100mm Thomson stem with a 27`enve bar on a single speed trail bike. Now, Im pretty sure if I am twisting my bars in a clockwise motion that I will notice flex (whether or not my steer tube is 30% or 100% stiffer), but last time I checked, I ride my bike with both hands pushing in generally the same direction.......down........which means that MOST of the flex I feel come from the handlebar. Im sure some flex comes from the stem and some comes from the steer tube, but mostly the handlebar. Why dont they make Overdrive 40......and make a 40mm handlebar clamp for MAXIMUM stiffness.....I bet you would notice that a lot more than the steer tube. They even say in the article that you probably wont see it on DH bikes, because they have dual crowns and therefore no extra stiffness is needed from the steer tube......and DH bikes have the widest bars anyways, so they definitely need the stiffest bars, for maximum control. Hey....maybe I should go hit up the marketing department at Race Face and see if they will take me up on this new cockpit idea, I bet it takes off in 3-4 years....

The whole reason people complain that there is never a negative review about expensive products is because there must be an expensive product that is not worth the money, or does not perform as it should. Not all expensive products are worth the money, which I think everyone can agree on, but some expensive products are worth the investment. To solve the problem of never having a negative review, I don't think that reviewing low end products is a good solution, we all know that a falcon rear derailleur is going to be garbage. The entire reason I think a lot of people even frequent sites like Pinkbike is because usually there is something cool to see, like the Acros hydraulic shifter and derailleur, which is way overdue as a product anyways. There are many products that are super cool that I have not seen yet which I think Pinkbike should start reviewing, in different areas of cycling as well. Keep in mind that although this is a mountain bike dominant site, it's not only mountain bikers that come here. I mean, the road world has fibre lyte, who makes carbon fiber chainrings, and the BMX world has the WTP C.R.E.A.M frame, which is probably the strongest way to make a BMX frame, or any steel frame. Maybe my expectations are too high, but if I wanted to see something entry to mid level be reviewed, I would just go ask someone what they thought of it, and Im sure that they would say it's "ok" or "it gets the job done". Pinkbike Im sure has the knowledge and resources to do some very cool custom builds, instead of just reviewing off the shelf parts, maybe build something custom and cool, and review that. Like Tune hubs with double butted or aero spokes, tied and soldered, with Enve carbon rims? That would be a lightweight wheelset, no one else would have it, and it could even be a two part review. Just an idea but it would be awesome.

Use a BMX linear cable for cable and housing, almost no cable stretch and they come in cool colours. Just make sure you use metal end caps, if you don't the linear steel strands will push through the cable stop and you will wonder "Why can I pull my brake lever to the bar again?"