|   Looking for trailriding/aggressive XC frame <$1500 | Jaak
Jun 13, 2003 6:50 AM | | and have only come up with a few ideas and am looking for other suggestions.
Basically I ride aggressive, technical, rocky, twisty singletrack with a lot of short, steep, up and downs here in the Northeast. I ride 3-4 times per week from anywhere between 1.5 to 3.5 hours per ride.
I am considering a SC Blur, which I have ridden quite a bit and like a lot. I just don't know if it can handle my weight (200lbs) and frequent drops of 2 feet to flat with the hopes of getting confidence to go bigger (doubt I will ever see >4 feet.) I am also considering the SC Heckler, have not ridden it yet but my friend is getting his next week so I should be able to get some good time in on it. I like the extra travel front and rear on the Heckler and am leaning in the direction of 5 inches front and rear anyway. My only worry is that the Heckler my have some single pivot faults. Comments? Would love a to try a 5 spot but the price is too high and I would be concerned about the 69 degree head angle on the twisty trails here in NE.
I will be building the frame up full XT, Fox Vanilla fork (100 or 125 depending on frame) Crossmax XLs, etc.
Any other suggestions or comments would be great. |
| Some Thoughts......... | CTRider
Jun 13, 2003 7:14 AM | | Where in the Northeast are you? If you are anywhere near CT, I know of a shop that has several Blur frames, Heckler frames and Bullit frames in stock....The Cutting Edge in Berlin, CT 860-828-3428 and ask for Craig.
Another company to consider for a frameset in your price range is Balfa. Either the Belair or the 2Step frameset would fall within your price range. The Belair is a single pivot and the 2Step utilizes a very sweet multi-link suspension design and would give you a little over 5" of travel from a Fox Vanilla RL. Again, Cutting Edge could get you a Balfa, as could Pig Iron Cycles in Glastonbury CT. There are also a few Balfa dealers in MA that you could contact.
At your size, I think the 2Step might be the better option for you and it definitely can handle drops of 2 feet to flat and then some!
Good luck in your search!
Mark in CT |
| Does this guy sound like a Balfa salesman or what? | Mackie
Jun 13, 2003 12:29 PM | | Just messing with you Mark.
Did you get that list of shops I sent?
I realize now that Down Cycles IS a Balfa dealer..... |
| Ventana Pantera.... | Ventanarama
Jun 13, 2003 7:21 AM | | The Pantera is perfect for the type of riding you described, especially with the Romic shock and "Superlink" upgrades (would still come in at under $1500 with those). Beefy enough to handle 4ft drops, extremely stiff rear end (stiffer than the Heckler), superb build quality. With a 4" fork it has a little steeper head angle than the 5-Spot, with a 5" it's about the same. It's fine with either a 4" or 5" fork. It climbs great, both in and out of the saddle. Typically comes in at about 29lbs with the build you described.
Larry Mettler
http://www.mtnhighcyclery.com |
| Pantera, Belair, Two-Step will allow you to run wider tires... | CTRider
Jun 13, 2003 7:25 AM | | as well (vs. the Blur at least and perhaps maybe even the Heckler - although I suspect the Heckler can handle wide tires too).
I forgot to add the Pantera to my post above, but that frameset should definitely be on your short list. Just ask Innocent Bystander what he thinks of his Pantera with the Romic and Superlink upgrades!
Mark |
| Don't get me started on my Pantera... | Innocent Bystander
Jun 13, 2003 9:51 AM | | I'm likely to just keep going... and going... and going.
I never knew what it meant to ride a "stiff" bike until I got the Pantera w/Superlink (and Romic). I thought there was something wrong with it for the first few rides. I know most of you have heard this story before... and I will tell it again. I called Sherwood when the frame arrived as he suggested for set-up tips. He told me that I should put my foot on the seat tube and grab the rear triangle and PULL as hard as I could to see if I could get it to flex. I didn't do that for God's sake, but that was his level of confidence in how stiff it is. And you can tell when you ride it. With a 4" fork, it is good for those tight twistys you speak of, and if you go 5", it will a little more lax, but still fine. I have my Vanilla set to 5" because I love the way it inspires more confidence on the downhills. You just get back in the saddle, point the nose and it tracks like a laser guided missile. I live in Maine, so I know all about East Coast riding.. and this bike excels at it.
Like Larry said, even with the Superlink and Romic option, they are reasonably priced. It WILL come in a bit steeper than the Heckler, but you get an anodized finish and unrivalled build quality for that extra dough (sorry Turner and Ellsworth guys, but that is my opinion, and we also deal Santa Cruz and Turner, so I do get to see a lot of bikes pass through here).
Good luck, and it sounds as though you are on the right track,
Don
http://hilltopskibike.net |
| I second the Pantera...... | Fat Tire
Jun 13, 2003 1:06 PM | | I'm at 230-240 lbs and although I didn't get the superlink option I can say with all confidence that my Pantera is strong and should handle the type of riding you do. Also, go with the Romic and talk to Larry and he'll treat you right.
Good Luck!
Russ |
| SC Bullit | JimC.
Jun 13, 2003 7:45 AM | | is the wrong bike ;P, but wanted to address the SC pivots. SC has been sending them to the Norshore in Vancouver for years, including a resident Blur that is holding up well after a year of beating. The pivots are, with Norshore input, way beefier than the early CA editions of the late '90's. Bottom line, it's getting harder to buy any bike that won't perform well for you; the pivots are of no concern on the Heckler, including winter rides in sleet and under water like we get stuck with. Just my .02, Jim |
| Lots of bikes fit that bill | Jaybo
Jun 13, 2003 7:58 AM | | However, a few suggestions. First, I would get a bike with a coil over. I know air shocks have gotten loads better, but coil overs are still plusher and less likely to puke up their guts. Second, I bet you would be less bummed about the so called negative traits of a single-pivot bike then you have been lead to believe on this board. I loved my Ellsworth Isis, and I ride a Tracer now. Third, try to buy your bike from a company that will back you along with a good LBS (if possible). Support is great. If you go mail order, I think Charles from Hammerhead, Speedgoat, or that Ventaramma guy, Mark (I think) would be good choices. I really don't have one bike to point you to, but just a few tips I have learned over the years.
Good luck,
Jaybo |
| re: Looking for trailriding/aggressive XC frame <$1500 | M.C.
Jun 13, 2003 9:38 AM | | Like I said yesterday to another person on these forums, Intense is comming out with a 5.5 inch VPP this year. If you like the blur but want more travel this will be the one to get. It should be out around November or December. There is a couple of photos on what this bike will probably look like in the photos gallery under big bear, the pics are of the prototype of what is to come. It is about 7 to 10 pages in.
Hope this helps.
M.C. |
| re: Looking for trailriding/aggressive XC frame <$1500 | WarrGuru
Jun 13, 2003 9:50 AM | | I wouldn't be too concerned about the head angle of a 5-Spot. I've ridden a 5-Spot with the Fox Vanilla 125 RLC (69 degree HA) and the bike handled great.
I didn't like the Fox and switched to the Marzocchi Z1 FR. That fork is taller than the Fox and yields a head angle of 68.2 degrees. Guess what. The bike handles even better. Maybe it's just because the fork is better, but the 5 Spot is a sweet handler at 68.2 degrees. Because of ETA, the HA when climbing is closer to 70 degrees......climbing is sweet.
I know that still leaves price as an issue for you. You should consider the 5 Spot if at all possible. You won't believe how well this bike rides. |
| email me | cocheese
Jun 13, 2003 1:21 PM | | I have a 2003 Foes FXR with the Ti Curnutt shock that is about one month old. Seriously sweet bike for your application. Email me at tyler@greencrow.com if you're interested. It's just too burly for me at 145#. Thanks. |
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