following my 'what hardtail' thread, I'm also considering getting a second hand short travel (100-120mm) frame instead.
Needs to be
- sub 6 lbs
- stiff snappy handling
- not too slack (4X kind of angles)
- suitable for a 140mm fork
- can put up with a bit of abuse
.
thinking of something like a Blur 4X
.
an ideas?
Bike Forum
[closed]
what non-race short travel full-suss frame?
-
Posted 2 years ago #
-
Blur 4X?
Posted 2 years ago # -
An original Spesh SX would be perfect if only the idiots at SBC kept making them rather than extending travel year by year. Try eBay and you've a chance of getting one for 150-200 sheets.
Posted 2 years ago # -
You need a Yeti 4x. You can thank me for this revelation later.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Not quite up to your 140mm fork requirement but orange st4?
Posted 2 years ago # -
the Spesh SX's are great - like them a lot, but they're a bit on the heavy side
the subsequent SXs (not the SX Trail) would be good too but they were never imported to the UK and are like hen's teeth
.
Yeti 4X is a good one, taPosted 2 years ago # -
Orange ST4 is 6.6lbs for an 18" I believe - absolute ripper downhill and rides light - only 120mm fork though but if you're getting a new fork it'd fly with something like a Maxle Reba and can easily hold it's own with 140mm bikes.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Perhaps not an obvious choice based on your requirements but I'd look at a Fuel EX. I run Pikes at 140mm on mine and it's a light, tight frame.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Might sound a bit crazy, but when was 140mm classed as short travel?
Posted 2 years ago # -
the ST4 was on the possibles list, I'll be using 140mm Revs which I already have so not an option really unless I can reduce the travel, which I'd probably prefer not to do
Steve_b77 - short travel at the back as opposed to the front
Posted 2 years ago # -
If you can reduce the travel on the Revs - seriously go and try an ST4 demo bike...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Just backing up what Gary Lake + Surfr said. I've found my ST4 to be a properly engaging bike, that rides fast through the singletrack + on the descents and is surprisingly good in the air. Much prefer it to the Prophet it replaced.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Perhaps not an obvious choice based on your requirements but I'd look at a Fuel EX.
+ 1
Posted 2 years ago # -
hmmm, never really liked Treks, although they've brought out a few bikes recently to change my mind...
Posted 2 years ago # -
any more ideas from the lunchtime massive?
I'm struggling...Posted 2 years ago # -
Commencal Meta 4? (Not sure about max. fork travel though....probably wouldn't run to 140mm come to think of it).
Posted 2 years ago # -
Trek EX or older Trances.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Blur LTc. You won't pick one up second hand, but they are designed around a 140 fork, 5.7lbs, and apparently stiffer than stiff thing with rigor mortis
Posted 2 years ago # -
Chumba XCL, 127mm travel, really tough and stiff. 68 degree HA good for most riding, ideal
Posted 2 years ago # -
bakes me old mate, me old cocker sparrow, old apples and pairs , frog and toad how Have we got to 140mm travel forks in a short travel post, cor blimey luvva duck.
Posted 2 years ago # -
easily hold it's own with 140mm bikes.
Surely with only 20mm difference in travel, its got a LOT more to do with the rider than the amount of travel? I'm sure I could tell who would win a race between two ST4s, one with 140mm travel and a mincer on board and one with 120mm with a rad gnarly rider on board...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Chumba XCL, 127mm travel
what took you so long Si? you're normally in like Flynn
me old mate, me old cocker sparrow, old apples and pairs
you forgot 'me old china'
Have we got to 140mm travel forks in a short travel post
the back end would be short travel and I did it to avoid people suggesting 5-6" bikes, I've already got one of those
Posted 2 years ago # -
An old trance would be perfect apart from the tough to meet 6lb part. Got mine with a new set of bearings and a serviced shock for £150 - bombproof, great suspension, snappy handling if you're used to bigger bikes. Can't be beaten really!
Blur 4X will get slack with a 140mm fork.
This is my old one which was a 16" and too small - it was an absolute little ripper but a bit sketchy at top speed. I've now got an 18" which isn't as big as it sounds (Other bike is a 16" patriot). It is almost as snappy as the 16, but the back doesn't try to overtake the front as much
Posted 2 years ago # -
An '08 Trance could fit the bill.
They made the frame much lighter for one year before scrapping it in favour of the Trance X/Anthem X.
I've got one and it's great with a 120mm fork. Lots of people like them with 140mm forks, although I must admit it wasn't any good for my local riding when I tried it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Ventana El Saltamontes 4" or El Ciclon 5.5".
Posted 2 years ago # -
I run my Blur 4X with the fork set at 160mm virtually all the time and its perfect. Certainly never had any problems with it feeling unstable etc. Felt excellent on hour long downhills in the Alps...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Older trance would fit the bill like Ianpv said.
Meta 4x - but slack seat angle so not sure about climbing on it for any distance.Posted 2 years ago # -
Nicolai Helius ac or cc
Posted 2 years ago # -
to avoid people suggesting 5-6" bikes, I've already got one of those
140mm is in between 5 and 6 inches (125mm-150mm)? Surely you should be looking at 120mm-ish? Even that is hardly short travel. If you're thinking that a slightly longer fork travel vs rear travel makes sense it will go against your need for 4X style angles.I think a regular 120mm trail bike with a slightly tougher build would do the trick. Bit like that Chumba. Add bolt-through fork, stiff/wide handlebars, chunky tyres… and go!
Posted 2 years ago # -
If you're thinking that a slightly longer fork travel vs rear travel makes sense
it does in that I don't want to buy a new fork (140mm Revs) and that I need shorter travel on the back than I currently have (150mm)
I see what you're saying about angles though, and that's why I want to see if I can change the travel on my forks (wish I'd got U-turn now)I'll have a hunt for a Trance - that's a definite bargain opportunity
Posted 2 years ago # -
Are they air revs? Should be able to space them down - 125-130 would be perfect for a trance, but 140 is ok. I've got a u-turn recon on the one I've got now and it climbs fine at 130mm, but better at 110. A mythical 2008 trance sounds perfect (mine is 2006 and pretty chunky)
It's tempting to put a pike on it as I miss the bolt through, but I'm trying to keep it a lighter build than I'd normally have.
Posted 2 years ago # -
ST4 can take 140mm, i know, mine does.
Posted 2 years ago # -
you've said it now Nina
SNAP!Posted 2 years ago # -
erm, i doubt it
Posted 2 years ago # -
What they all said about ST4s
I have 120 Maxle Reba's on mine. I did have U-Turn Forks but never ran them above 120 so can't comment on how it would ride.Super capable bike. Never felt "short" of travel.
Posted 2 years ago #
Topic Closed
This topic has been closed to new replies.
