|   Need a PERFECT bike!!!!!! | UmmHELP
Jun 14, 2003 3:53 PM | | I am 185lbs and i need a good trail ride/weak freeride which im gunna race XC and i started trainging for Adventure Races and 24 enduros. Im currently on a Trek VRX 200 but need a good, light weight good climber. Looking at NRS 1, VT 1, Liquid 30 and Jekyll 800. I will also be biking up Colorado 14ers and need a great climber and good descender. Is there any bike that can do all that?? Need HELP!!!! |
| One word: | næstep
Jun 14, 2003 5:04 PM | | + HOLLOWPOINT +
Not to imply it's "the perfect bike" (that's one tough specification to meet), but it's worthy of your consideration.
The stock HP Team weighs in at 27 pounds stock with room for improvement. The HP Expert hits the scales around 30. The naked frame (no shock) is approximately 6.25 pounds for a 19" (Medium).
It fits in well with your other prospects and is regarded by a few of us on this forum as an exceptional climber, making no excuses for its 5 inches of rear travel.
Definitely add it to your list of candidates. A quick search of these Tech Talk forums will turn up quite a bit of useful info.
næstep |
| Do you guys agree?? | UmmHELP
Jun 14, 2003 6:30 PM | | Ive looked at the Hollowpoint Expert online and it looks nice. Like the front fork more then the SID Team on the NRS 1. Need more input on my perfect bike, HP or NRS 1. |
| Uh-oh, this is the wrong place to seek consensus... | næstep
Jun 14, 2003 7:18 PM | | The other bikes that usually end up on this list:
Ventana El Salt
Turner XCE
VT
Enduro
Jamis XLT
Can't forget the Balfa Belair
Liquid
What else am I missing?
FWIW, I had an NRS for about a year. Nice bike, not a lick of trouble with it, worked exactly as advertised. Softened it up with a 4" fork and a Cane Creek AD12 to "round it out" and take off that racer's edge. As stable a climber as it was (the main reason I picked it in the first place), I was asking a little more from it than what it was built to put out. The suspension was still a little harsh and not very sensitive, and I had concerns about overtaxing the frame.
Don't know if you've seen my comments on the Hollowpoint already, but once again, climbing ability was a #1 priority in choosing the NRS's successor. Iron Horse didn't disappoint me: The Hollowpoint is efficient to the point that my transition from the NRS was seemless, yet once at the top of the hill the small bump compliance was somewhat reminiscent of my days on a Fisher Joshua.
The bike has some bug-a-boos: There was the production run of frames that were impaling the seat tube with the rear triangle at full suspension compression (IH seems to have that issue addressed and new suspension links to those that want them), and there's the low tire clearance (2.2, maybe the odd 2.3 is all that will fit in the rear), and (IMHO) the bike's handling is only really at home with a 4" fork and an honest 25 to 30% sag.
So again, whether it's "the perfect bike" isn't my place to say. Yez gotta size it up against the other dozen and see if it fits your needs.
næstep |
| I think the XLT is the way... | malcolm
Jun 14, 2003 8:01 PM | | I to had an 03 NRS Air, and the XLT is miles ahead.
The XLT now weighs the same as the NRS (25.3 LBS)thanks to all the fruity bits off the NRS i.e:XTR, Mavic crossmaxes, carbon bar etc,so it is plenty light for racing but has 5x inches front and rear.
I cant beleive how forgiving this bike is and how well it sticks to the ground and how well it rails around single track compared to the NRS.You really cant beat a light weight fully active design, and I have just installed the remote lokout for the fox rear shock so it is so easy to lok the back out when sprinting.- also fox are developing a front remote lokout to.
This bike is so versatile now- light, stable, lots of travel, stiff, adjustable, and a bargain at the price.-then again to get it to around 25x pound would cost a dollar or three.I can see why it got bike of the year.
Anyway worth considering if you can find one.
Malc. |
| did you get a chance to... | danny K
Jun 16, 2003 6:00 AM | | compare your xtr discs to the stock Hayes?
On a sidenote, I think it'd be pretty easy to knock off a pound or two and not spend anything.
Sell the wheelset/tires/tubes and get a 317/db/alloy/2.1 tire setup. A bit of weight, but it's rotating. My friend did that and the price of his set he sold paid for the replacement; lucky enough to find someone needing a burlier setup than he wanted.
Then replace the hg50 cassette with an xt level. Not rotating, but lighter.
The Time pedals can be replaced with Frogs or Eggbeaters if you prefer them. Sell the Times.... you get the hint.
I think it'd be easy to have a 27 pound xlt in a medium for no more than a stock bike's price. IT really is a good deal!
That fork.... wow! |
| danny k: no didnt as I wanted to sell them new... | malcolm
Jun 17, 2003 2:41 AM | | and just swapped them over.Do like the XTRs a lot as they are powerful and have great modulation.Apparantly the Hayes arent as grabby this year due to a change in the caliper?sound right?
Malc. |
| Go figure the IH rider recommends the Hollowpoint... | damion
Jun 15, 2003 2:36 AM | | Check out the Blurr from Santa Cruz for your needs. This coming from a Cannondale rider. |
| Ooh, how catty... | næstep
Jun 15, 2003 10:10 AM | | Yeah, go figure. :^)
Well, I found the bike, it didn't find me. This coming from a rider who actually rides the bike he's recommending.
næstep |
| Hey, dude, get a Tracer | Jaybo
Jun 15, 2003 8:19 PM | | Oh, and I happen to ride one! Laugh. The guy does have a point, you must admit. The Hollowpoint does look like a good ride.
Jaybo |
| "Well, I found the bike, it didn't find me"..oh Naestep.... | Mackie
Jun 16, 2003 6:16 AM | | ...most loving couples talk about "finding each other". 8~P
Seriously, I'm glad that the IH issues seem to be getting sorted.
I just realized that their headquarters are a few miles down the road from my inlaws place. Do you know if they biuld the frames there, on LI?
Is there a "factory" to see, or is the welding farmed out?
Thanks for any info! |
| "Well, I found the bike, it didn't find me"..oh Naestep.... | danny K
Jun 16, 2003 6:27 AM | | I think they are a middle man. I could be wrong, but I think they are mainly a marketing/distribution company that gets bikes from China or Taiwan. |
| Ok, maybe that came off... | næstep
Jun 16, 2003 7:25 AM | | ...a little, you know. But it's not like the bike dropped out of the sky and I definitely didn't give birth to it. I looked at a lot of bikes and took my time picking this one. I don't think I was ever more sure of what I wanted in a new bike.
The frames are definitely manufactured in Taiwan.
næstep |
| Just goofin' with you. Thanks for the IH info! (NM) | Mackie
Jun 16, 2003 9:05 AM | | |
| You are so similar to me . . . | Motivated
Jun 16, 2003 8:00 AM | | I'm 185lb, love trail riding and do some jump stuff if it presents itself on the trail am very interested in 12/24 hr races and race XC. Sounds like I'm asking for a date! Ha. Anyway, currently I lean more towards the XC / race end of things, but know that will fade and I will return to being a fast trail rider. What do I ride? - a Blur. If you don't test one (properly setup) you are really cheating yourself. It will not extend as far into freeride territory as the VT, and if that is of concern you should definitely consider a Heckler with 5th element. Santa Cruz frames handle so sweet they make you want to ride and really enhance the pleasure of cruising along the singletrack.
For me the Blur is not THE perfect bike, but it sure is close. The perfect bike would be a Heckler with VPP suspension and ultra sweet components, built to 25lb. |
| you described the coming 5.5 inch VPP from Intense. nm | derby
Jun 16, 2003 12:08 PM | | |
| >5" travel is too much for me | Motivated
Jun 16, 2003 3:53 PM | | I find that my skills can't handle the longer travel bikes - it spookes me. Maybe 5" in the rear, but definitely no more than 100mm in the front. What I mean about the Heckler frame is the stoutness at the expense of maybe 3/4lb of weight - which would be more than made up with light but strong (and expensive) components. I fit the geometry of the Blur perfectly and would not want to change that. I guess another way to look at it is if I weighed 160lb the Blur (with full XTR and Fox F100X fork) would be perfect. |
| Tracer, elite racer and freeride durable | derby
Jun 16, 2003 12:20 PM | | Honest 6.1 lb large sized frame. Truly fully active Horst link. Adjustable 3 - 4 inch travel and adjustable handling. Some have been built to sub-23 lbs. Fit's tires up to 2.5 inch. Very durable. 2 year warrantee. Excellent customer service and major west coast race on location support. No other bike adds up in versatility.
- ray |
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