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Looking for a shortish travel frame that's suitable for riding dh/freeride on. I mainly ride at Woburn where my Bullit feels excessive and sluggish, plus the back end is quite flexy and the front quite high. I want a more responsive ride and don't want any bigger than 160mm forks (hoping to put a Pike on it to start with, maybe upgrade to a Lyrik later on). Would also be nice to be able to pedal it up stuff as well but going down is more important. This may sound counter intuitive but I kind of want it to feel a bit hardtaily with just a bit of travel on the rear to soak up badly landed jumps, drops etc. Budget is £400-500 second hand.
Any suggestions? Was looking at something like an older SC Heckler, Cotic Hemlock, Saracen Ariel X or one of those Commencal Absolute SX. Needs to come in around a 15" frame, the medium (17") bullit feels a bit on the large side for me after going back to my 15" Trailstar.
transition double or bottlerocket, might be difficult to find for that money though.
Last Herb FR is supposed to be good for your requirements and adjustable to different travel settings.
Seen them today for the first time, but what about the ragley 288 or Troof?
Can't get much more hardtaily 😉
Transition TR250? Comes in a Small (16"), 160mm travel and very, very sexy.
I've got a Trailstar that I'm riding at the minute, it's good but I think I prefer full sus. That frame's better for DJ than DH anyway. Ragleys look hideous as well.
I love the look of Bottlerockets, can they be had second hand in my budget?
Sorry - never read the hardtaily bit properly!
lostboysaint - Member
Transition TR250? Comes in a Small (16"), 160mm travel and very, very sexy.
180
180
It does both, it's switchable between the two.
Banshee/Mythic Wildcard. Similar to a Bottle Rocket. I use mine at Woburn and its great for there. It can take Pikes because I used them before upgrading to Fox 36s. Don't come up very often but should be around £500 if they do. Got mine just over a year ago in mint condition with a Chris King Headset for £530. Might give you something else to look for in addition to the Bottle Rocket.
I can't quite work out whether you're after shorter travel or maybe just a more responsive bike with the same travel as the bullit.
Anyway - I'll toss in a few...
Specialized SX trail
Five (maybe with a cane creek upgrade later).
Lapierre Spicy/Zesty
Last Herb AM
Specialized Enduro
lostboysaint - MemberIt does both, it's switchable between the two.
Still all the heft of a 180 bike, though. It's hardly going to be lighter than a Bullit.
Like many of the suggestions here, the Orange Blood will also be over budget - but I thought I'd say it anyway.
Marin do some burly 140mm-travel bikes which I bet would be in budget, Attack Trail and Wolf Ridge is it?
I can't quite work out whether you're after shorter travel or maybe just a more responsive bike with the same travel as the bullit.
Me either 😆 I feel that 180mm is a bit excessive for where I ride, considering I never really bottom out the 140mm Pike as it is. Woburn and Stile Cop aren't really that rough, I just like having the rear suspension to soak things up! I'll also have this as my only mtb so it'd be nice to be able to pedal it, don't seem to find many 180mm bikes that will also pedal nicely. The bullit does ok but it's quite easy to wheelie.
Still all the heft of a 180 bike, though. It's hardly going to be lighter than a Bullit.
Very true, but he wanted a "mini dh" bike and that is exactly the right bike.
I missed the budget though. No chance of achieving that.
Commencal Meta 4x with a Pike. Not warrantied for 160 tho.
Or Absolut SX
Marin Wolf Ridge/Attack Trail/Rock Springs all can be had for less than £500 secondhand.
All of them feature 146mm of rear travel and 12mm Maxle droputs, the later models have tapered headtubes and ISCG mounts, but some lose the Fox Float shock that works so well with the frame.
They're surprisingly versatile in spite of the geometry and all up weight, however they're a great deal of fun and are hugely fast and confidence inspiring on the descents. The 08/09 models came with Pikes, which suit the bikes admirably but they're also just as happy with a 160mm fork of your choice. They pedal really well too.
Highly recommended.
I have an '07 heckler with pikes - great bike far better than my abilities and climbs well. It's a lot lighter than it looks. SC say it's good for up to 170mm up front. Tough and simple
Have an RP23 adjusted to give more linear travel - you don't want that modern progressive travel stuff on a single pivot bike.
You should be able to pick up a second hand one in your price range.
Lots of options for me to have a look at, cheers 🙂 Whats the back end of the Heckler like? I find my Bullit quite flexy side-to-side, notice it in corners.
I'm still a bit interested in the DMR Bolt but it gets mixed reviews. Anyone know where I can test one out?
Pitch?
I've found the rear end ok but I'm not the hardest rider in the world so I suspect if you find the Bullit flexy you'll probably find the Heckler the same - they look pretty similar.
Had considered a pitch before but the 45" wheelbase seems huge, I'm used to about 41" on the Bullit and Trailstar 🙂
Bottlerocket can be bought within budget, keep an eye on Pinkbikes, frame only went on there last week for c £500.
Regards
Richard
http://www.southerndownhill.com/forum/index.php/topic,258919.0.html
No connection to seller but might be worth a look.
In the finest traditions of the internet, I recommend what I have, a Hemlock... Get a later model one with the 1.5 headtube, stick a head angle reducer in it, and a set of Lyriks or 36s. And make damn sure it's got the updated swingarm! I've had a lot of bother finding a downhill bike I like because so many just aren't as fun as my lil' bike. And I figure if I can't break it at the endurance dh race at fort william, I won't break it anywhere.
Would something in the slopestyle mold be appropriate? Mountain cycle Battery? Definitely within budget anyway.
Yeah I think I'd be looking at a slopestyle bike rather than DH. Forgot about that Battery, they look pretty fun but can't seem to find em anywhere. There's one on ebay at the minute but I won't be able to buy anythig til I get my bullit sold.
Was looking at something like an older SC Heckler, Cotic Hemlock, Saracen Ariel X or one of those Commencal Absolute SX.
Tom, there's a lovely Absolut SX on a well known auction site at the mo' - new warranty replacement and only used a handful of times - one careful lady owner 😉 . [url= http://s1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa441/mamadirt/Commencal%20Absolut%20SX/ ]Lovely little bike[/url] but I'm going back to a Tazer 😛 .
Looks awesome especially in that colour, but as I said I need to get my Bullit sold before I can actually buy anything 🙁 Are BB pivots as bobby to pedal around on as I've heard though?
Pedals really well Tom - there is some bob in the lowest couple of gears but I find it gets me up most stuff with 1 x 9. I've owned 3 . . . so far 😆 - 2 orange ones and the matte red 2011 model which is up for sale. Must stop selling stuff 😕
I've got a Banshee Rune frame for sale for around £100 if you want. There is some play in the main pivots which wll need to be sorted out (check out the mtbr banshee forum for more info and discussion on this), but the bike rides beautifully.
E-mail: mikek@skylinecad.plus.com
I should probably make another feeble attempt to sell my SX Trail frame at this point. Other people think they're fantastic 😉
I love my SX Trail
Small 15.5 inch COVE hustler?
Lovely bike and great with pikes. I have a 2007 one (2 carefull lady owners) that has just had a new powdercoat (it was pink and I was thinking of passing it onto my lads) in kawasaki green with armoutex in London (and was inspected). Just about to get the local cove dealer to put in new bearings and have new decals...
Any good to you? I have some white pikes to go on it as well.
Great bike and I have seen it with lyrics before (eventhough it should be run with 140 forks)
email in profile
Simone
Thanks for the offers but I think the SX would be too much travel and the Hustler a bit too xc. Plus I'm not a fan of the looks of either one and I'm a bit of a tart when it comes to that sort of thing 😆
Once again I'm almost to the point of not bothering as there's just far too much choice out there, going to spend all my time endlessly trawling through specs, reviews etc! If I could stiffen up the Bullit somehow (bolt through rear axle maybe?) and fit a shorter travel shock/single crown fork it would maybe be alright.
Hi Tom, I know how you feel. I came across something yesterday that might help you. Bike Leasing Company have a special offer on 2011 Bottlerockets at the moment. 2 year lease is 3 payments of £288 to begin with and then £5.99 a week and the last 6 months of the lease are free. Might be a good option for you.
bottlerocket is my fave bike i have owned. stoopid fun to ride
Potential astro-turfing here? A guy turns up to plug a (slightly dodgy looking IMO) company with his first post?
Putting a certain username into google with either the word "bike" or "bike leasing company" throws up a few interesting results too.
Anybody care to do a bit of digging? Should I start sharpening my pitchfork?
Anybody want to pay a shitload of money to not own a bike?
I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the Hustler... They're a LOT more capable than you'd think, and ridiculous fun to ride. Long, low and slack = downhill monster. I've just bought a Hemlock, but I'd have had a Hustler happily if one'd come up.
For the budget, I'd say a Heckler or Prophet MX would fit the bill. Marin Attack Trail is a good shout too - but it's a Marin 😉
i got ther new 2012 bottlerocket al ready to be built when the forks arrive.
12x142 back end too! i will go back to ti coil too as i cant use the travel adjust with an air shock as the shaft fouls the linkage
I can honestly say - having ridden both more or less back to back - that a Hustler is more fun (and arguably better) downhill than a Heckler.
How about a blur 4x, normally go for £500-600 second hand, 115 out the back, 66 degree static head angle with 160mm forks.
Here's mine
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5092/5587619589_b05e23d0ea_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/le_grande_momo/5587619589/ ]Blur 4x[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/le_grande_momo/ ]le_grande_momo[/url], on Flickr
The Hustler is a great bike. It's is fast and a great AM bike. The G-Spot just knocks it into a hat though. It's faster uphill because it's just doesn't bob at all. Donwhill the G-Spot is incredible. It's just fun, it's got so much pop and is light enough to throw around. For me the G-Spot is like the best bits of the Hustler and the STD distilled. I ride mine on big mountain epics and on the local DH courses. Even riding with good riders on full on DH bikes it has to get very, very fast and rough before they open a gap on me.
Find a new G-Spot for £500 though 🙁
And don't get the new G-Spot confused with the old one. Actually do, and buy my old G-Spot frame 😀
[url=[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6683331233_da32b1e704.jp g" target="_blank">
160mm travel 15"/17" custom build frame, could be what you are looking for.
Are they not comming up 2nd hand yet? Maybe it's a bit early. I liked the old g-spot when I tested it but it was a bit too compromised for me.
Dirt Magazine and Southern Downhill seemed to rate the 2010-11 Ariel, it has 140mm but the frame is warrantied for 160mm forks if you fancy.
Southern Downhill described it as a mini-downhill bike, seems to fit your remit.
check this for a bargain
http://www.thecyclery.co.uk/4336/products/transition-bottlerocket.aspx
Cheapest on the web and will do everything you need it to!
There should be a few 150mm patriots kicking around for less than that
money. I ride Woburn and my alpine 160 is perfect for that sort of riding, patriot will be similar.
This one is too big, but other than that would be bang on for your needs I reckon.
That bottlerocket is a bargain, I was looking at it lustfully, but 37lb is waaaaay too much for me.
Take off the double wall tyres and save nearly 2 lb and save for some lighter forks and it will be close to 32/33 lb?
My bullit is 37lbs, it's not that bad really but definitely feels sluggish compared to my trailstar. Not sure whether that's down to the weight or draggier tyres and 7" travel though.
another shout for the bottlerocket. picked up a mk2 frame (2010) in great condition for £410 off the bay not long ago.
Nice, I think maybe I'll sell my Pike and get a Lyrik for the Bullit, then when I can afford a BR swap the frame out for one of those.