I sold mine last year unfortunately as I only had room for one MTB and wanted a full sus but I ran it with 100 mm Reba’s, Flow Ex’s short stem and wide bars, boggo standard deore kit and it was brilliant.
If I could justify a hardtail to run alongside my Gyro I’d get another one in a heartbeat.
I was going to say Pipedream Cycles Skookum and provide a link but it seems their web won’t cooperate. I want one of those 🙂
I had a Buzzard (not 853) with both 120 and later a 140 mm fork. Really capable bike and the short rear end made it very easy to maneuver but a bit harsh for general trail riding. Sold it in favour of getting rear squish but ended up missing having a HT so put together an SS Inbred (also not 853) (run it with 120 mm fork). Turned out really nice but probably not what you’re after.
Whilst running rigid the Sherpa will take a 120mm fork. I have a SID for this when spring finally arrives.
Whilst the spec sheet says it will take a 120mm fork I have found my Skookum to run just fine with a meager 90mm. I would swap out the 90mm for 100mm but probably no more.
I didn’t get on with my Solaris. I should have tried it with a 120mm fork as 100mm just didn’t “feel” enough.
The Curtis was the first frame I looked at, gorgeous and way more than I want to spend. Love the 2souls but way more capable than me! So left with the Sherpa and the solaris. Like the idea that the solaris can run 27+ rims and tyres if the Sherpa can aswell it will be a difficult choice.
letmetalktomark: what is the sizing like on the Sherpa, I have a large frame bandit as they come up small, I’m 5’10 and it’s a great fit. As the one in one out rule applies with the good lady, I need to sell my bandit.
I thought it was designed like that to fit the big wheel in whilst keeping the chainstays short?
That would be my guess too. It probably won’t affect things hugely unless you’re running massive amounts of post – it’ll throw the rider weight further back over the rear, potentially affecting climbing (or more specifically front wheel wander).
Out if the saddle the reach will still be the same, so that won’t change.