Currently I’m riding a rocky mountain ETS-X 2005; I”m looking to upgrade just the frame and am contemplating both of the above. Most of my riding is in the foothills of the rocky mountains (I live in Calgary currently) but it isn’t like further West. The trails are technical singletrack in the main and are mostly rideable up / down. The climbs can be significant.
The components I’ve got on the Rocky are somewhat driving my frame choice. I have fitted a Talas 140-100m fork and I also want a QR rear wheel as I have a nice set of DT wheels which I don’t want to part with. So far (after far too much time / mental consideration) I’ve got the Intense Spider 2 and the Ibis Mojo SL as options. Here is how I see it:
Mojo SL:
Lightweight
Steep headangle
Short in the top tube (this is important to me as I have a short torso)
No option for water bottles (I do use one occasionally)
Spider 2:
Cheaper (about $700CDN less than a Mojo SL frame)
Slacker head angle
Poor mud clearance?
Heavier
Anybody riding a Mojo SL comment on the mud clearance? Any other options I should consider? Any one riding the Spider 2
yeti ARC-5 — Too long in the top-tube; just doesn’t fit me basically
Blur TRc – Too expensive even in Canada!!
Bandit – Too heavy / hard to get hold off.
Cheers