After getting this lusciously bodacious build together I figured it would be cool to see the differences between the previous generation of Hei Hei and the new and improved.

So I grabbed them both and headed to Moores Springs Trail system (part of Hanging Rock State Park), about 40min north of Winston Salem. The loops there are small, 5.3 miles or smaller. So it was a perfect place to put some time on one, head back to the car for a bike swap, and right back on the trail. 

This was the first time I was able to compare generations like this so I was excited to get a side by side comparison experience. To be honest I felt a little like a bike-riding sommelier ready to use my bike riding pallet to tease out the differences between years of the same vine. It wasn’t all for naught either. The differences were immediately noticed.

I started on the 2020 Hei Hei as I have spent the last 3 years on the previous geometry. Even after some time away from my green machine I could still feel the stiffness and snappiness resonating through with every pedal stroke.

After a lap I came back in and swapped out for my old friend. While I felt more at home I realized what I was missing out on. Previous generations with a higher BB, shorter TT, and steeper head angle gave a slower, more sluggish, feel compared with the new geo and updated suspension leverage rate/ configuration of the 2020 Hei Hei. 

Since I was there and feeling giddy as ever about the improved ride feel, 2x bottle cages, and bling color I figured I would test it out at speed and send a KOM attempt of the CCW loop at Moores Springs. I thought it would be a good chance to get a glimpse at how the new bike felt at speed. 

That snappiness, stiffness, and small bump compliance really shined through on the pedal sections. I was really surprised at how efficient the bike felt out of the saddle given’r the beans.

I managed to get the KOM by a mere 1:04 and I had to work for it! 

But I walked away from the experience with a smile on my face knowing I had this new machine capable of allowing me to push a little more and keep me grinning from ear to ear.