I finally got to ride my new custom bike—and I have a lot to say about it!

In the last episode we built up my custom titanium hardtail mountain bike, which was made according to an exhaustive list of specifications. At the end of the build I immediately got sick and could not ride, so in this video I actually take the bike out and give my thoughts on it.

I worked with Dave from Sage to design this bike. It was a lot of sending measurements back and forth, sending photos, pictures of tape measures, videos, etc. We went through several versions and worked through all the details, like ensuring the front tire would clear the downtube, and ensuring my seatpost would fully insert and end up at the perfect ride heigh when extended to 150mm.

It's easy to find a 27.5 bike that fits me, but not a 29er. In the realm of 29ers, the Sage Powerline was already pretty close to what I wanted, since it has a pretty short reach and a nimble geometry for covering ground—I just wanted it to be a little more aggressive, but not TOO aggressive to where it's just a plow. So we ended up with a little longer reach and chainstay than stock, also an increased wheelbase and shorter standover height. If it wasn't for Dave at Sage, I would have messed up the geometry pretty bad.

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[erich]

I really like your take on geometry. It feels like manufacturers (and many cycling journalists) are pushing everyone towards super-slack, super-long bikes that don't make sense for many riders, especially those of us on the East Coast.

[burrellbikes]

It is a HUGE eye opener when you ride a bike built just for you. Many of the people worried about trendy Geo would get shut up pretty fast when they first try a bike REALLY fit to them.

[Wiroe]

Atherton bikes offer custom fit for like $100 extra, apart from the ~20 sizes they already have. May not be a very economical business idea but it’s the best for the riders

[teddgram]

I bought a gravel bike from Sage. We used dimensions that I got from a fitter. Dave was a blast to work with. When I got it all put together this summer I was blown away on how comfortable the bike felt, especially for long rides. I am now a total believer that getting a bike fit and getting a custom frame is the way to go, but wholly cow was that an expensive way to go. The bike fit was by far the cheapest part of the whole thing.

[JasonScottCarter]

Custom sized bikes are the way to go once you work up the nerve to spend that amount of money. Cannot wait to get my Neuhaus Metalworks Humgingbird in the spring. Hardtails are so much fun. Enjoy the bike.

[hardtailparty]

A great hardtail that fits well is a thing of beauty. Congrats on an incredible bike.

[kahoycrafts]

Congrats! That's a beautiful paint job, I like the color. 😍

[Typeshitttt]

Great job Seth, that bike looks insane. Truly awesome how you have grown so so much 😮. GREAT JOB!🎉

[johnnydoe]

This is my dream, to one day have a titanium hardtail built for specifically myself only. Happy for you Seth that you were able to get yours to enjoy.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you, your family, and all your viewers/subscribers

[nolansloboda]

I am on the other end of the scale at 6, 10 and I had a similar experience when I first road my xxl transition spire 1 1/2 years ago

[moonriseproductions]

I think it's interesting how your first injury from this bike happened on the whaletail, which is painted on the front of the bike! Blood ritual complete!

[DavidMaruca_]

7:03 I'M BUILT! DIFFRUNT!

Love the bike though omg that is a dream hardtail. We're both right around the same height and that thing has me drooling.

[neilbarnish]

The bike looks incredible. So happy to see a small business get the widespread publicity they so clearly deserve, even more so a bike manufacturer. They have to be almost as stoked as you are!

[chrisgenovese]

i told myself at the beggining of the video that Seth was gonna realize he's been riding the wrong size bike his whole life lol. that is a beautiful bike, and i cant wait to see ti featured more. great work Sage!

[paullmight]

you got to finally ride and i had to change my shorts...not only is it gorgeous but the sounds it makes(or lack there of) are super special...

[runswithdogs]

The way you have the saddle jacked all the way forward makes your effective STA even steeper than 76.21. If you leave it there you could have gone steeper. Great bike!

[jamess.]

I went to 165mm cranks this year as well and really like them. Helped with my occasional knee pain along with slightly improved balance/stability, tech climbing, and acceleration have all been my experience. Might even try 160mm or 155mm...

[adampeterkiss]

Great work!! You look really good on that bike!!

[jeffstandish]

I have a SAGE MTB and I love my hardtail. It just rips. I agree that it feels like it’s part of me.

[nickyegeberg]

Love your stuff man
This is what I felt when I sat on my stumpjumper the first time. It is a magical feeling