What slack low tough 140-160mm full-sus frame & forks for 140mm hardtail rider? – Page 3 – Bike Forum

chiefgrooveguru · 2013-07-12T17:35:27Z

So recent events have shown me that I'm neither skilled enough nor tough enough to ride the way I normally do (and keep up with my mates on their FS bikes) when doing long days on unfamiliar trails, uplift days or taking on larger jumps. Some extra speed wouldn't go amiss on gravity enduro races too. My bike of choice for the last 2.5 years has been a Cotic Soul with 140mm forks, built up about as DH oriented as is sensible for such a frame, and we get on very well on more familiar (and smoother) ground. I'll keep the Soul but I'll probably swap all the parts (bar the fork) onto the FS to reduce the immediate financial pain, then maybe build the Soul up a little lighter. Currently leaning towards a Rocket with CTD shock and new Pikes but what else is out there? I'm not after a 'magic carpet' ride which is why the Rocket appeals - I don't want the suspension for comfort but to reduce fatigue on long days, give me some more grip and a lower CoG when cornering, allow me to carry more speed in the rough and give me some more margin for error when landing. The frame must be mud friendly with clearance for big muddy tyres and weather-resistant bearings. Needs to pedal decently, especially standing (running 1x10), slack and long is good (medium Soul fits perfectly with 50mm stem, ~67.5 HA sagged). Don't want it to be like a lead weight but conversely I wouldn't want to spend a ton of money to to get something super light.

chiefgrooveguru

Posts: 14164

Full Member

Topic starter

Gnarred up front tyre and slack/low setting:

[img] [/img]

This bike is so much better than I am - we get to the top of the hills as fast as on my hardtail and get back down way quicker (e.g. 4min20 vs 4min50 on one of the hardtail-friendly blue runs at BPW). I can't even conceive being able to ride the Spitfire hard enough to make it feel out of its depth. I know I'm coming at this from a longterm hardtailer's perspective but how can 140mm of travel on the back feel so controlled and bottomless? KS link and CCDBair combo is black magic. Love the Pike too.

Posted : 22/03/2014 10:35 pm

Si

Posts: 0

Free Member

Came from exactly the same position, and had exactly the same needs...

This is what I put together.... Can't stop smiling every time I ride it... so good....

[img][url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/12880096795_a9964d0622_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/12880096795_a9964d0622_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url] [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/68746196@N04/12880096795/ ]IMAG3568[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/68746196@N04/ ]Simonhill66[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Posted : 22/03/2014 10:44 pm

chiefgrooveguru

Posts: 14164

Full Member

Topic starter

After almost a year of ownership, I've written a review! http://brightonmtb.org/2015/01/31/a-review-banshee-spitfire-v2/

Posted : 03/02/2015 9:00 am

Forum menu

[Closed] What slack low tough 140-160mm full-sus frame & forks for 140mm hardtail rider?