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Freeride / MiniDH bike suggestions
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Posted 4 months ago #
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The Mega really is a unique bike and IMO the tool for the job you want.
look at the geo stats here in reivew to similar bikes
http://www.basquemtb.com/cove-g-spot-review/Slackest head angle
longish wheel base
bottom bracket not to high or low
shortish top tubeplus 44mm head tube so can run 160 forks with external cups or up to 180 forks with internal cup
iscg mounts, rear maxle
steep seat angle so climbs well.I full alpine mode mine with 2,5 minion, avid codes, coil shock is 34.
in trail mode with air shock, 2.35 minions etc about 31.i have only tried mine with lyrics but going to get some totems and see how it fairs then - should be awesome....
Ps - plus its half the price of some of the other bikes, and Nukeproof customer service is second to none, the replaced the chainstay even though it had not broken....
Posted 4 months ago # -
Ok maybe the use of minidh has confused the issue a bit. I am after a bike that is not a full on dh bike but has single crowns and will stand up to the kicking I suspect will happen when I start to do some of the bigger stuff at herts (maybe in my lifetime?). Yet is more dh than my hustler which I will use on stuff like the peaks. I think the canyon is the most likely candidate at the moment
Posted 4 months ago # -
bwaarp - Member
dont go near mini-dh bikes and if you do... do not build it anymore than 34lbs, preferably at least 32lb. This is the reason, they have all of the negatives associated with a 200mm downhill bike with sod all of the positives associated with a lighter bike. On top of that a proper race bike is loads more stable in the gnarl. My SX Trail was 37lb and I hated every last minute of riding that bike, it was a nice idea on paper but it was gay on DH runs and gay on singletrackI wish you'd posted this a few years back when I bought my commie MiniDH. Would have saved me from having such a blast on it. I've never weighed a bike in my puff, but i'd guess is closer to 40lbs than 34. It's a bit more work to keep up with bigger bikes in the rough stuff because you have to ride it rather than just hang on - but for me that's a plus. It's generally faster in corners and a bit more nimble in the air too, another plus. Not great on singletrack though, but that's partly due to how the build has evolved. A long seatpost and suitable gearing and you could ride all day no bother.
I know a couple of guys who rip on an SX trail, so I propose it's not the bike that's gay.
If I was to change the Commie, a TR250 would be top of my list but they're bloody expensive and I don't think any other bike mentioned on this thread would be any better than the mini Supreme. (lighter isn't better and neither is newer
).
Posted 4 months ago # -
It's the Reverb post, Hope Tech M4s and 2.35 high rollers that are adding the weight.... I won't add a Reverb until I've dropped enough weight to make up for it. It'll add 3/4 of a pound to the bike. It's like getting fat....once you've put a bit of weight on then you suddenly start putting on more...more easily and it's all downhill from there!
I find I prefer faster rolling tyres than the High Rollers on anything but full on DH courses. When I'm on those, I will just swap my tyres out...but High Rollers are not my everyday ride. That is where most of the weight is saved I reckon. If the trails aren't steep enough or fast enough that I'm riding on edge of the of my grip on Rubber Queens then I won't swap to bigger tyres. I find they dig into soft terrain and give me as much grip as I need on "mini-dh" courses/trails.
I suspect you're correct, but I'd happily add 5lbs to the bikes before I ditched the posts, uppy downy posts are in my top 4 mtb things ever(after camelbaks, waterproof shorts, and front suspension).
I used to use different tyres for different things, I then decided that I was a) lazy and b) there isn't a 'what tyres for...' question for which High rollers aren't at least an acceptable answer.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Lapierre Froggy, Trek Slash, Scott Voltage if you wanted less-niche options :p
Posted 4 months ago # -
Spesh Status look good VFM.
Posted 4 months ago # -
You mention a Socom in the OP, I'm debating selling my large socom if it's of interest... either complete or probably ideally frame only. Ti spring/DHX 5 (complete spec is air totems, mavic+stans on hope tubelessed wheels, middleburn cranks, gamut, X9, juicies etc etc.).
If that's of interest, let me know... dunno about price, but it'd be a lot cheaper than something new....
Posted 4 months ago # -
Euro, personal opinion I guess but once I'm using a bike with more than 160mm of travel I prefer the stifness of an integrated stem. Something that you can't run on a single crown 180mm DH light bike.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Dude, my Kalula frame/forks is up for sale, got to be just about the best freeride/DH bike out there!
If it wasn't a kalula, I'd possibly look at the TR250..
Posted 4 months ago # -
The Mega is only 150mm not 160mm.
I just ordered a kalula, should be here this week, Can't wait!
Got a great deal from 'Bikedirty'. If you 'like' them on facebook then you get 15% off. My kalula came in at £2950 rather than just shy or £3500Posted 4 months ago # -
Because 10mm of travel makes much difference and for the record it's actually 152mm.
Posted 4 months ago # -
The limit for drops on a 160mm bike is 11.25ft but for 150mm bikes it's only 9.8ft.
Fact.
Posted 4 months ago # -
bwaarp - Member
Because 10mm of travel makes much difference and for the record it's actually 152mm.
bwaarp if your going to be a smart ass then at least get it right.
Mega rear travel = 151.2mm
Posted 4 months ago # -
yes its 150mm, but feels more like 170mm with a decent coil shock...
Posted 4 months ago # -
How about the new ~180mm (I think) patriot? - is it available yet? - closer to a "Mini DH bike" than an FR/AM effort...
or an Alpine 160 if that's too much travel...Nowt beats a yorkshire filing cabinet for clattering down a hill apparently, and they should build up a bit lighter than many other similar travel frames (I believe)...
I love the idea that ~170mm has now become "Short travel DH"... I remember when all this were just fields...
Posted 4 months ago # -
I have a Transition Covert frame you can buy off me if you like. They are perfect for mini DH / freeride and still pedal uphill brilliantly.
Im using one as my only bike and love it.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Hmm the kalula looks awesome, just read the review on pinkbike, just need to see whats around when I can sort out the money. Cheers for suggestions everyone
Posted 4 months ago # -
The latest version of the Mondraker Prayer might be worth a look - bit of a no-frills design, but I had the old version (160mm, new one is 180mm) and loved it for uplift and riding in the alps. 'Twas heavy though...
Posted 4 months ago #
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