Im looking at a short travel FS bike for multi-day enduro racing (Trans Rockies, La Ruta etc), any thoughts from STW massif?
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Recommendations short travel FS (100 - 120mm)
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Posted 3 years ago #
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Giant Anthem would be high up on my list for that sort of thing. Really nice spec, great bounce!
Orange ST4 is another that's really impressed me of late.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Demoed an ST4 - my personal opinion is that this bike only makes sense if you can afford to pimp it out.
The biggest problem with the ST4 is the Orange Five. The ST4 isn't really any lighter (6.8lb vs 6.4lb for 18" frame), it feels like you're riding a Five (sit on one blind folded and you'd be hard pushed to tell), only it's less capable on the big stuff (that's not to say it isn't capable).
It does pedal better, there's a remarkable lack of pedal bob and they could save money by fitting a basic float shock.
Where the ST4 would make sense IMO is if you pimp it out. The Five is always going to be limited to a heavier 140mm fork. I reckon the ST4 could take a 100mm fork instead of 120mm so something like a SID and some racier wheels and you've got yourself an awesome light but tough alldayer.
In S and Pro spec, you might as well bag the Five.
So to answer your question...
an Anthem?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Epic or Top Fuel if you can get hold of them.
Anthem, ASR-SLc
Take your pick...
Posted 3 years ago # -
I've got an '08 trek top fuel 8, and find it fine for all kinds of riding, from pootling about, to bike marathon's, to the odd bit of black run.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I have an Giant Anthem Advanced and I'm very very happy with it, highly recommended by me
When I was looking to buy I narrowed it down to either the Anthem or an Epic, it just happened the Anthem came up first at the right price. Plus the Epic frame changed for 09 and you can't just buy the frame which is a shame I think. The Anthem Advanced has stayed the same for 08 & 09.
Can't go wrong with either IMHO.
Posted 3 years ago # -
ellsworth truth
Posted 3 years ago # -
Ventana El Saltamontes.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Ive had a look round & 1 point I had my heart set on a Merida 96 (ally frame) but their sizing doesnt suit me - Im a 17" frame & they only do 16 or 18..So I then went & had a look at the Scott Spark 20 as the designs are so familiar - lovely bike but way tooo many ££££'s..So I then thought about an SC Superlight - in the UK its about £3k in the spec Im looking at but in the US (Im off there soon) its about £2700.
Interesting that the Anthem is getting a lot of shouts..Ellsworth Truth worth looking at as well..
Posted 3 years ago # -
Do try an Anthem out, they really are stunning to ride.
And the extra 1/2 inch added this year should make it a bit less hairy when you overcook things.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Intense Spider FRO - 100mm travel, lightweight, fast
Posted 3 years ago # -
ellsworth truth is absolute quality, being basically a less poncy version of my current true love:
such a good bike
Posted 3 years ago # -
Scott Spark for me.
Posted 3 years ago # -
2nd Scott Spark
Posted 3 years ago # -
What about a rocky mountain element?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Anthem X - I've got an X1 and it's lovely - something of a bargain too.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Used a Santa Cruz Superlight for an Alpine stage race last year - it was fine the whole time I was sat on it, climbs well, descends well. Would have preferred something a little lighter for the sections of carrying though.
Having said all that, probably three-quarters of the field were on hardtails, especially the guys at the front.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Yeah - the Q perhaps is: Do you really need a FS for multi-stage races? I mean the climbs arent going to be mega technical where FS may give an edge..As for the downs well - how much time will a HT lose over a FS? They say you make more time ascending than descending..
Posted 3 years ago # -
ASR SL, Anthem or Epic.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Turner Flux, Trek Fuel EX. A couple of mates have bought Trek's this year and they are a huge step forward from the tat they were producing a couple of years ago.
The Flux looks over priced on paper but it is strong, stiffer than any other full sus bike I've ever ridden and only 5.5lbs. Although that's my 06 model and I can't comment on the new DW Link frames.
Posted 3 years ago # -
well the ellsworth truth is 5.6lbs in medium and has the unbettered four bar horst link system at the back. so i still say get that.
Posted 3 years ago # -
well the ellsworth truth is 5.6lbs in medium
Blimey that's a pound heavier than the ASR.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Blimey that's a pound heavier than the ASR
Really?! There is such a thing as too light;-)
Posted 3 years ago # -
Hmm interesting - the SC Superlight is 6.6lbs..Not so Superlight me thinks..
Posted 3 years ago # -
i'd still take the truth, i can cope with lugging around that extra 453g
Posted 3 years ago # -
The MSC Carbon Koncept is 3.8lbs or sommat, you have to wonder...
The aluminium Anthem is lighter than the carbon one, I'd get that. The Anthem X0 looks like excellent value, they're proving really popular this year at races.
Do Truths still snap if you look at them strangely?
I wouldn't have one.
Posted 3 years ago # -
commencal 4.2 - Merlin have them at £1300 which is an absolute steal imho
Posted 3 years ago # -
Second commencal super 4.2. Got mine from Merlin, absolute bargain.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Do Truths still snap if you look at them strangely?
I hope not. That'd mean dealing with Freeborn which is the main reason I'd not have one!
Posted 3 years ago # -
I rode an Orange ST4 on Saturday @ Llandegla on their demo day.
I'm 5'11" and rode an 18" frame, while the bike feels fast as anythign I've ridden, the BB feels pretty low (?) and I also felt like ai was sat over the back of the bike, don't know if it was just the way it is but it felt kinda weird.
Still it climbed bloody well (on teh little climb out of the car-park) and zipped along the trail
Posted 3 years ago # -
Repack - Slane Cycles have a couple of '08 model Spark 30's left for £1800, the spec is ever so slightly lower than this years 30 but around seven hundred quid cheaper.
Plenty left to turn it into a Spark 20/10 as I'm planning to do, mine should be here tomorrow/Thursday.
And if anyone wants to buy an '08 Trek EX9 drop me a mail, will be up in the classifieds soon.
Posted 3 years ago # -
the BB feels pretty low
I found that too but it made for a ripper of a bike on smooth but fast descents! I'd imagine Llandegla is quite an ideal trail for it actually.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Turner Flux?
Posted 3 years ago # -
"Do Truths still snap if you look at them strangely?"
No Nick they don't
I still get the odd 01-04 (MK2) chainstay in for replacement of course which is a straight swap for the newer (current) style asymetric chainstay, but other than that, all good ta
Posted 3 years ago # -
Rocky Mountain Element 90 or Team
Anthem of any description - for the $ the spec is amazing
Epic if you like longer bikes as they are quite stretched out
Scott Spark
or soemthing of that ilkYou;d probably find a FS easier on your body (i have done multi day races on my HT and on my FS and prefer the latter). Light is good, but only light and durable for example i use cable discs now to minimise risk of busted hydro lines which happened a few times - mainly going/in out of bike boxes and transitions etc.
Posted 3 years ago #
Topic Closed
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