|   Ellsworth | Turner | Tomac | hammerhead | ??? | Deano
Jan 10, 2002 4:06 PM | | I'm looking to buy a f/s frame this year as my Manitou HT is just not comfy enough. I'm a British biker riding mainly in the Chilterns (rolling hills, semi-technical, flinty, rooty and chalky). I don't race, but hate to feel a bike being inefficient. I used to ride a Marin Mt Vision which was stolen 3 years ago (didn't really like the action - feel more confident on my HT).
I intend to marry this new frame to a Fox Forx Vanilla (100) as the plushness of coil appeals. I want this bike to be efficient, comfortable, fast, plush, good-looking, hard-wearing and available in the UK ;-)
Currently top of the list is the Ellsworth Truth (or maybe iD), but also looking good are the Turner 02/XCE and Tomac 98 special (built by Bradbury; same as my HT) also the Hammerhead based on the Titus seen elsewhere on this site, but probably impossible to get in the UK. Someone mentioned Ventana, but I don't think they make it over the pond, either.
Any other suggestions welcome.
Cheers,
Deano |
| re: Turner,Tomac,Hammerhead ??? | Markv
Jan 11, 2002 7:24 AM | | The Tomac 98 Special is built in Taiwan...no longer by Ventana. The Turners are great bikes. I've demoed a XCE and was impressed, but the bike I would get if I was buying a new bike this year is a Hammerhead 100X. I own a Racer X and I love it, but it's a handfull on ledge drops because of the steep headtube angle and the fact I blow through most of my Atom 80's travel quickly....A Fox Vanilla 100 and a Hammerhead 100X would be an awesome combo! |
| How much do u weigh? (nm) | Aquaholic
Jan 11, 2002 7:38 AM | | |
| How much do u weigh? (nm) | Deano
Jan 11, 2002 3:00 PM | | I'm 6 foot tall and weigh 155 lbs (or there about). How does that affect your advice?... (am I light enough for the Racer X/Hammerhead?) - BTW Is the shock a structural member of the previously mentioned bike(s) as this strikes me as not being the strongest set-up, although I'm sure I'll be contradicted on that one... |
| You're a regular clyde...... | The Squeaky Wheel
Jan 12, 2002 8:54 AM | | I weigh 170# & ride the Hammerhead. Charles Coker weighs 200#. Green Giant has posted that he weighs above 200#.
The HH/RX is definitely stiff enough to handle your beefy 155# (about 70kg, right?)
The RX/Hammerhead was originially constructed on a modified mac-strut design. For the '02 run Titus added an additional linkage which makes it a true 4 bar suspension. It's the stiffest bike I've owned (outside of hardtails), and others who have owned previous editions generally state the same. I haven't read any posts about the Rx/HH having rear shock failure or bearing failure due to suspension design.
The Squeaky Wheel |
| The Hammerhead is nice.... | The Squeaky Wheel
Jan 11, 2002 11:42 AM | | I've had my hammerhead with the fox float for about 3 weeks now and am still impressed. You can read some of my comments on the threads below. Not sure if Charles Coker can ship to the UK, but its worth dropping him an email: hammerheadbikes@hotmail.com
FYI: The Fox Float is air sprung, the Vanilla is coil. I had previously ridden coil-sprung Marz bombers for years and swore off air shocks ever since my old RS Mag 20. Charles persuaded me to get the Fox Float and I'm glad he did. Just as smooth & responsive as my bomber, but much stiffer and more accurate steering precision.
Ventana does make a nice bike. I've ridden the El Saltamontes and it's very plush. Perhaps slightly better at higher speeds and bigger hits. But the Hammerhead feels almost as plush in the rear and is lighter, quicker accelerating, has more responsive handling. Also doesn't seem to bob as much during hard pedaling.
The Squeaky Wheel |
| Turner or Hammerhead..... | Ventanarama
Jan 13, 2002 6:52 AM | | Out of those 4 I'd definitely stick to Turner or Hammerhead. Since you live clear over in the UK you want to stick with companies with proven durability and great customer service. Ellsworths seem to break more than the others mentioned and they have a mediocre reputation for customer service. The Tomac's are built in Taiwan and really aren't that great for the money. Customer service now that they are owned by American Bicycle Company, is mediocre as well. Stay with the companies that are least likely to have a warranty issue, Turner, Titus, Hammerhead, Ventana. There are some Euro Ventana distributors (not in UK though), check the website.
Larry Mettler
www.mtnhighcyclery.com |
| re: Ellsworth | Turner | Tomac | hammerhead | ??? | Jim
Jan 15, 2002 10:54 AM | | If you are looking at these great bikes, don't fail to consider the Maverick American ML-7. It sounds like a perfect bike for someone of your size, and for the type of riding you do. I have been comparing the Ellsworth, Turner, Titus offerings also, and I think the suspension design on the Maverick is a step into what the future holds the next generation of full suspension MTB's. |
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