71 degrees with a Vassago ODIS fork; steel frame and fork.
The trails on which I can offer an opinion are Boyette, Alafia, and Santos. Though I expect the logic will apply to Croom & Flatwoods / Morris Bridge trails also. First, I think it’s important to establish this point – I am not a great rider. Technically I’m acceptable; I can clean all of Boyette and Santos (except Magic Mountain) with a 32/17 ratio and most of Alafia (except Gatorback) but, in my opinion, anyone who is in comparable (or better) physical condition with a few years of riding every weekend is probably just as good if not better than I. Many others are far faster, or climb better, or cleaner than me; in opposition to the common assumption - there is no arrogance in my choice of bike.
There are three primary reasons why I ride what I ride, they are:
1. Florida has no big hit trails. Santos offers soaring opportunities for X-Games hopefuls; I am not one. And aside from Gatorback, among the local trails, there simply isn’t anything which I feel requires suspension to absorb impact and maintain control while riding, even aggressively. Carter might offer something more than I can address?
2. Simplicity; this might be an often-spoken point, but it’s true for me. I think of nothing – NOTHING – than carry speed, choose a clean line and CLIMB. After ride maintenance with a chain cleaning and lube and that’s about it. I like that it doesn’t require anything more.
3. I like how it feels. That’s hard to convey objectively but is no less true. I’ve ridden a bunch of bikes, and each has something neat and noteworthy about them, but I keep coming back to my simple rigid. It works optimally for me and the way I ride.
Surely these reasons are not compelling for everyone; no one person’s reasons will be, and I’m not making commissions for selling anything. For me, the way I ride in the places I ride, I have the right bike; but who knows, maybe in a year or two it’ll be something else. 2013 will be my 4th year on this bike and it is the only bike I own.