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I currently have a Nomad and have decided I also need some lightweight 100mm full sus but can't decide what to go for. I basically want to have a bike I can do the South Downs Way on (2 days first with 1 day a possibility) and all day fast hacks, keep the Nomad for Wales, Peak district etc.
Im 6'5" and 105kg so this will have to be considered.
Budget - around £3k.
I am thinking a Trek Top Fuel 9.8 but just heard that they snap a lot.
I like the Whyte E120 but that is too close to the Nomad in terms of travel.
Yeti ASR Carbon - expensive
Turner Flux - ditto
Santacruz lightweight - would like something a little lighter.
Anyone have an alternative or know more about the 9.8?
[url= http://freeborn.co.uk/shop/frames/full-suspension/17-ellsworth-truth-frame ]ellsworth truth[/url]
so that's decided then!
They only come in 20" though which i reckon will be too small. I have to run the Nomad XL with a Thomson 410mm seatpost at max extension.
XL Trance ? There might be some 08 deals knocking about as they come up pretty big & most people probably go a size smaller.I am 6ft 2" & ride a large but still have a lot of seatpost up.
ah, good point then - missed the bit where you said about the height...
just saw my fist KTM score and I'm in love
Trance X0 only comes in 20 inch max though and is 5" travel. Would go for the E120 if i was to go for 5".
Just looked up the KTM - looks good. Do not know much about them though. Any idea who stocks them in London?
So you don't fancy an XL Superlight?
re: superlight. Yeah, its on my mind. Im going out on a Large on Saturday to see what its like. Just being a tart and would like carbon.
At 6' 5" you have got to be a good candidate for a 29er, and might decide you don't need a FS at all. Or for 29er FS how about the options from Ventana, Turner or Niner?
just do not like the sound of a 29er
"XL Trance .."
"Trance X0 only comes in 20 inch max though and is 5" travel"
He didn't suggest a trance X, but an extra large trance (4"). The anthem X is set to replace the '08 trance, so there maybe some deals kicking about
http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s1p1752
Anthem zero in XL (22") - third off and down to under £2K.
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/14806/Rocky_Mountain_ETSX_70_Bike_2008
RM ETSX - XL frame under £2K.
Im 6'5", have an 08 trance in XL, and it MAY be a bit big for me!!!!
i would reccomend riding one before buying (i got mine online based on my XtC size :$)
there are some cracking deals out there since the Anthem X replaced it, and its an aboslute weapon on ST 😀
[img] 
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note the STUPID headtube, cancelled out quite nicely by an upside down stem.
feels fine, looks so so wrong (except im used to it now and quite like it)
"Im going out on a Large on Saturday to see what its like"
It'll be much too small I think. I'm 5ft 11in and the large is perfect for me, with a 24 inch top tube. My Superlight weighs 5.5lb for the large frame.
Going for something really light at your height and weight might not be the best idea you've ever had.
Trance might be worth a look.
I would try out some 29ers - Niner RIP9 or Turner Sultan....
100mm fast full sus in Carbon for 3k.. the Spark 20 is the bike you are looking for.
Race bike, all day enduro bike and will be fine for the Welsh trail centers etc.
If a spark can comfortably last 2 seasons racing, guiding and trail riding in Whistler, then its a pretty solid bet for the UK even at your stature imo.
Over the weight limit on the Spark.
Epic Expert?
The current Top Fuel is a brand new bike, no one knows if they snap! The old ones weren't particularly reliable, but they were nice bikes. The new ones are rarer than rocking horse poo mind, you may not get one in 21.5" for a long long time.
What is the weight limit on a Spark?
get an XL Ellsworth Evolve 29er. 🙂
I forget, 95kg perhaps.
Just been recommended a Spark 20 by the shop I use. they say that my weight wouldnt be an issue. One of their mechanics is my size and has one so will try it this weekend.
I realise the superlight in Large will be too small - will give me a feel for the bike though.
Fully aware that i need to be carefull with what i go for with my weight and height, I have the Nomad for the tough stuff.
just do not like the sound of a 29er
29er don't sound much different to 26ers...
...sorry, I'll get my coat...
The Spark's certainly a great bike, but there's a weight limit for a reason. It's lighter than more or less everything out there, and I know of a number that have cracked. Approach with caution IMO!
Also see if you get a 2008 one, unlikely in XL, but they got far more expensive for 2009.
I do not think there is a weight limit on either the Fuel or the Spark.
Not on the Fuel, and I can't be arsed to trawl through the literature for the Scott, but Google threw up this as the first reply:
[i]'spoke to Scott UK who told me that the maximum rider weight limit is 95kg meaning warranty is void and i probably would have to replace bearings/pivots every 4 months because of my weight'[/i]
Thanks. I am waiting for a reply from Scott as have asked the weight limit question.
why no 29er?
Hi S****,
My name is Matt Beighton and i run the UK agency for KTM. If you're interested, the Score is available in Carbon or alloy, up to 53cm (21") and the max weight limit is 118kg for both. Carbon frame has 3 year warranty, alloy has 5. London dealers are currently thin on the ground, but we'll be at Sherwood national if you want to see one "in the flesh" Call if you have further q's.
Cheers,
Matt Beighton - 07967 506416
Picked up a Trek Fuel 9.8 21.5 inch on Friday. Only spun it round the block so far as went to Afan for the weekend and took my Nomad.
Feels light and quick but came with a short seat post so hoping to get a longer one by the weekend.