Endurance test performance: 3,247 km
A real project - the switch from my previous bike, the Focus Big Bud, to the 150-millimetre All Mountain Project was nothing less! This is most noticeable in the longer shock and the longer rocker. The 220 millimetre Monarch shock responds much more sensitively than the 200 millimetre version on the Big Bud. I replaced the 680 mm handlebars with 720 mm after just a few kilometres. With the telescopic dropper post and chain guide, the Project already had important details on board for me.
So out onto the Isar trails. My realisation: The Revelation from Rock Shox is an impeccable and good fork. But as the Revelation didn't suit the 172 millimetres of travel at the rear, I replaced it with a Rock Shox Lyric 2-Step Air with two centimetres more travel. The resulting steering angle, which was about one degree slacker, didn't make the handling too sluggish. Overall, the bike harmonised much better with the 170 mm Lyric than with the 150 mm Revelation. With this set-up, it would fit into a league with the new long-travel enduro bikes such as the Genius LT from Scott. It takes some getting used to: instead of a 480 mm seat tube, which fitted perfectly with the 120 mm dropper post on the Big Bud, the seat tube on the largest Project frame measures a whopping 530 millimetres.
Positive: During the endurance test, there was nothing but wear parts.
DEFECTS/CHANGES:
1. rubber rubbed off on handles 600 km: Handles replaced
2. front suspension travel too little 730 km: Rock Shox Lyrik fitted (170 mm)
3. rear tyre worn 950 km: Tyres replaced (Fat Albert)
4. brake pads worn 1800 km: Pads completely replaced
5. noisy and unclean gearstick 2000 km: Chain and 36 mm sprocket replaced
ConclusionDespite the teething problems, I loved the Project 3.0 as a durable and carefree trail companion.
Function ****
Durability ******
(max. 6 stars)
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