The Mondraker F-Podium has been mentioned before. I really dig the first one when they introduced they introduced the model two (?) years ago. A racer’s dream come true with a distinct silhouette with even more distinct wheels 
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I’d like to ride one to see how it felt.
Hump
Hope nobody objects, but how about thoughts on tricked out “trail” bikes?
Selfishly, that’s the class of bike I’m interested in as replacement for the my aging 2014 S-Works. I don’t need, or want, another full blown XC bike as I won’t race. But getting older (eg weaker) and can use every bit of advantage going up with the right suspension for going down.
As I noodle on that it probably comes down to an out of the box XT or X0 build, Fox34 fork, and picking a strong pedal platform and lighter wheels. Given general happiness with my old S-Works Epic, I keep coming back to the new non-brain EVO.
Keeping with the thread, what upgrades and tweaks are folks finding have good performance value in this space?
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The 34 Stepcast isn’t giving up much to the weight of its smaller counter part, but with the added travel benefits.
The EVO keeps popping up in this discussion, but I just can’t get behind “Big S” with how the new direct to consumer model really puts some shops in a pickle.
That being said, they do have some tremendous bikes.
Hump
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I kinda think everyone needs to be on a 120/130 max travel bike at least as their daily driver. I’ll risk annoying everyone by mentioning how great my V4 Ripley is in every way, again. I don’t get to many focused XC races any more so it serves me really well for the 2-3 endurance races that I do and as my go-to trail bike, it’s the best I’ve ridden so far.
Availability probably sucks, but I have to mention it. I’ve run it against the standard Stumpjumper (and I had high expectation of the Stumpy non-evo) but felt like my Ripley was better uphilll and down. Plus, to Hump’s point, it just feels better giving a local dealer and Ibis my $
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I was 50/50 between my 2019 Fuel EX 9.9 and the Rip V4 in a similar build. I went with the FEX mostly because the Employee Pricing is far better with Trek, but I would LOVE to have gotten the Rip and still lust after a chance to even ride one for a bit. It seems like very race-ready short travel trail bike that is what I consider to be one of the best “all-around” MTB’s available today.
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I agree, the Ripley is a lot of fun to ride.
I took my Blur TR out to an all-mountain/rocky gnar trail system last weekend, and it did much better than I expected - a little different than the Ripley, but not worse.
Basically, the Blur TR was a little less cushy than the Ripley, but the improved steering precision made all of the climbing straightforward, and the descents weren’t that bad…
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Borrowed a friends Ripley while he was off riding his Exie. It is a great bike. Both are actually…
If I do an Evo it would be through a friend’s LBS. I generally build my own from frame and parts, but for an out of box solution I’d want to give him my business. He’s telling me this time next year they might have bikes. Maybe. Am not in a rush anyhow.
After 5-6 different bikes in the last 8 years and getting along best with the Epic S-Works, having bigger travel stuff and also a SS hardtail, that is where I am landing. I need more help going up than going down as age gets higher and power gets lower. Some of you guys will understand (lol)
Edit Addition: My current east coast (mid-atlantic) daily driver is a Mojo3. 130mm rear, 140mm front Fox 36 and running 2.5WT DHF/DHR tires. Out west is where the S-works Epic lives (Park City). The Epic is a blast to ride hard uphill and the Mojo is a really nice daily driver. Am gravitating to the 120/120 29’er bikes as the way to split the difference and get a little more uphill speed than the Mojo and a little more playful (stability and downhill capability) compared to the Epic. Mostly at this point in my mountain biking I want to lose less time to buddies going up and on flats. They are gonna wax me downhill anyway.
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New Top Fuel seems ideal. Or your needs align pretty closely with what I understand the Revel Ranger to be.
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We’re definitely on the same page! The Revel Ranger XT build is one I was looking at too.
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I kind of wished they’d have kept the Top Fuel like it was before and then edged maybe another model like the current in.
I feel there’s just a big gap between the SuperCaliber and the TF now.
Obviously my opinion, and your mileage may vary…carry on with the discussion.
Hump
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Haven´t seen anyone mention the swedish brand Allebike…
Majestic FS AXS, Full Suspension Marathon XC - Allebike Sports (allebike-sports.com)
Seems like 50% of all swedes soon are competing on this bike 
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This is totally understandable as the Ripley is more Tallboy than an XC bike. Now if we could only get the Tallboy handling on the decent and Blur climbing ability on one bike. 
The Tallboy is interesting and one I looked at a bit too, but it’s notably different in the Head Tube Angle, while the Ripley is quite close to the Epic EVO in particular, but also in range of the Blur TR.
Some real hair splitting to be sure here, and people could likely be happy on any of these depending on their preference. I see the Ripley as closer to those DC style bikes more than the TB with is apparent aim more towards a short travel enduro bike from my take on the geo’s.
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Never even heard of this brand, but looks nice
69º HA, that’s steeper than my gravel bike.
Disclaimer: my last several bikes have been Trek, but more out of loyalty to a great local shop than the brand itself.
I currently ride a Top Fuel since my focus is more marathon type races, the occasional stage race, and general trail-related hooliganry. Was very skeptical of the SuperCaliber when it came out but rode one recently and it punches wayyyy above its weight IMO. Felt very composed descending and always seemed like it had more to give. Was thinking about maybe an Epic for my next bike in a year or two, but will have to give strong consideration to the SuperCaliber now.
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Allebike Alpha AXS XX1, Full Suspension Trail Mountainbike - Allebike Sports (allebike-sports.com)
They Also have this one with 65.5º HA
I don’t see many mentions of the Cannondale Scalpel…I raced on Cannondale road bikes and always loved them.
Hump
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Agree - but to clarify. It’s not just climbing where the XC bikes win, it’s also precision steering. I can pick way narrower lines with my Blur TR than I could with the Ripley. The Ripley let me plow over stuff that the Blur needs a line for. But when you’re not descending or climbing (which still happens ) the XC bike does really well!
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