Well, I’m a bit bored on nightshift so I thought I would see what STWs’ideas for a new full sus frame for myself would be.. I currently have a blur classic (With V-brake bosses! To give you an idea of its vintage) that I’m pondering replacing for a few reasons- mostly, as great as the VPP system is, having lots of bearings in the linkage isnt ideal for the mostly wet climate in Northern Ireland. Also, as its a fairly old frame & i’m not the most skilled of riders, I suspect the likely hood if a weld snapping or other crash damage is a bit increased, as I’m not a light fella.

The kit on it is mostly newish & a decent enough spec that makes me inclined to get a new frame rather than a whole new bike- it has magura thors, so 140mm travel and a decent enough everything else.

I’m liking the look of the new ragley full susers, but as the suspension looks like VPP, then I’m guessing I’ll have the same thing with the bearings? Or the Genesis Grapil, which on paper looks good.. (and the logos are rite swish looking!)

Oh, and I mostly do XC / Trail / Singletrack style of riding. Nothing to extreme.

So yeah, any recommendations?

Ta 🙂

Santa Cruz Heckler perhaps? Single pivot so there’s hardly anything to go wrong. If it’s anything like a Bullit they’re loads of fun to ride 🙂

Didn’t they drop the Heckler to £900 as well?

Lots of Cotic Hemlocks coming up second hand. Under £500. Under 7lbs. 120/160 rear or 100/160 rear mk1 frame. Perfect with a 140 fork for ST. 67 HA with a 160 fork.

Just sold mine and have nothing but positive things to say, just time for a change 🙂

Heckler is now up to £1099 with a float R shock.

Lots of Cotic Hemlocks coming up second hand.

Bizarrely, all the Hemlocks I’ve seen in the flesh have been broken
The last one was at Kielder last month, it had the seat tube broken in half.
I’m fairly sure I can’t have seen a representative sample though

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Sounds like your in need of a Yeti ASR-5 to me. Got mine for £1350 from freeflowbikes.

Like the look of that orange one! Less bearings than the blur at least!

Turner 5 spot or Flux….very uk wet friendly
Heckler…..trusted and reliable
Yeti 5 …..good option but i found them a bit flexy but i was close to 16st then.

Transition Bandit is my fav/on wish list atm

My Hemlock has done 3 years without a moments bother and it was an ex demo rear end on a new front end. Lots of local, techy stuff, a mince down the Fort Bill DH and the odd six foot drop!

Yeti ASR5
Transition Bandit

They’d be my two for brand new.

Orange St4

This will no doubt be an unpopular suggestion which I will get flamed for in all likelihood but, have you considered a Maverick Durance or ML8? Same number of bearings as a single pivot and the Durance is simply the best climbing bike I have ever ridden 😀

If it has any weakness it’s that there are plusher suspension designs when it comes to nailing the downs (although the ML8 is more that way orientated than the Durance). Oh, and the looks aren’t to everyone’s taste…

Durance 140mm travel

ML8 165mm travel

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FTTITFTMCARRS/titus-ftm-carbon-frame-and-monarch-shock

These got rave reviews all round at twice the current price they are now at On One.

My Hemlock has done 3 years without a moments bother and it was an ex demo rear end on a new front end. Lots of local, techy stuff, a mince down the Fort Bill DH and the odd six foot drop!

Yep, been reading up on the hemlock looks good 🙂

Lots of bike brands here I had never even heard of! The Maveric certanly looks interesting! I think it could be a bit too much of a marmite thing with me!

These got rave reviews all round at twice the current price they are now at On One.

Yep, thats certanly on the shortlist! Silly price for a full carbon full bouncer, reviews look good too 🙂 Will be interesting to see what Brant does with the brand.

2010 Saracen Ariel. Job done.

Ride both a Blur Classic prob same year as yours (swingarm has brake bosses) and a Hemlock, would say the Hemlock with 120mm rockers and short-ish forks (135-140) feels quite similar in the way it climbs compared to the Blur, but a fair different on the descents..

Ride both a Blur Classic prob same year as yours (swingarm has brake bosses) and a Hemlock, would say the Hemlock with 120mm rockers and short-ish forks (135-140) feels quite similar in the way it climbs compared to the Blur, but a fair different on the descents..

Hopefully better on the way down? I like how the blur descends, but with the iffy travel adjust on the thors (great forks otherwise) the front is a bit wandery at 140mm travel on the way up.

My Hemlock had 160/130/110 forks and I could climb most things at 160. 130 made things easy so you should be fine at 140 🙂

The more I read about this Ventana El Ciclon, the more I like it (the orange one recommended by ajr) Anyone know if they have a retailer in the uk / What the RRP is?

If you get an El Ciclon I’d love to see it in the flesh! I’ve been considering one for a while.

I’m also in NI. I’ve also had a Blur classic. I’m riding a Titus at the minute. It climbs as well as the Blur but descends far better. The price on the FTM isn’t bad but I’m not convinced about carbon fibre yet!

The Uk importer is Riverside Cycle Centre. The 2012 El Ciclon frame is £1599.00. It has internal cable routing, PF30 bb, 30.9 seatpost. Test rides are available. Please contact me at riversidecycles@hotmail.com or 01621 858240 if you would like full details. Alan.