I have had this bike since the summer and cannot be more plaesed. i owned a Bottlerocket and the Covert for a while and never rode my BR once, even in Whistler! I put on a single ring for maximum shredability and a Talas for pedaling and it works like a charm. I find that the bike jumps great, manuals beautiful, and can take some serious downhills with ease. my roomate has the new reign with a similar setup to my covert and comparing the two the covert does have more petal bob and doesnt quite hold up in pedaling efficiency to bikes with meastro, fsr.... but is MUCH more lively and playful and a much better decender than any other 6 incher ive ever rode. Latly i have been pushing my bike harder and harder to really to find out just how fat you can go before landings get a little squirly. jumping i have no problem with it shreds A-line, dirt merchant, and frieght train with ease. tho on all 3 i felt it was reaching its comfortable limit on the high speen shutter bumps. steep lips and booter jumps are easy and fun when i threw on a 45mm stem. dropping to relative flat or overclearing has its limits, i am weary of the rear swingarm being on the thin side as compared to the very strong looking frame. i have landed a few 6-8 foot drops somewhat comfortalby other than a bottomout of two but that is as high as i would go. Bottom line- the most fun bike i have ever ridden, but does have its limits. my little write up i hope it answered a few Qs