RNR, I'll have to look into renting one the next time we are in Moab.
This past weekend Tony rented a Nomad because he wanted to make sure that the feel was right.
He has a superlight that has many miles on it and he still loves it. But he also bought an intense 5.5 a couple of years ago thinking that he wanted more travel and a cushier ride. I call it the couch! His friends call it his Grandpa ride.
The thing is, he HATES it. I think it has too much cush, so he works too hard on it. I told him that I think it's zapping his energy. All he knows is he HATES it. So he was hesitant to buy another bike with similar geometry w/out testing it first. He took it on Baby steps and Klondike in Moab and gave her a good go around. He was more than impressed and has declared that he MUST have one before our October Moab trip. Soooooo I'm thinking that maybe I need to take one on a "true" ride too. Not just a spin around the p-lot at the LBS.
Thanks all for your input..
A Titus.... mmmmmmmnnnn that would make the boys jealous!