When I think back to the very basic steel hardtail I started mountain biking with and winning races on it boggles the mind to think of this as a beginner bike. Then I look at the current offerings from Santa Cruz; travel over 6 inches, weights as low as road bikes used to be, no front derailleur, rear cogs the size of what I know front cranks to be, electric motors (seriously??) No wonder this seems about as cool as if it had a basket, reflectors, a dork ring and a bike flag.