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I'm after a shortlist of alloy FS trail bikes, looking for something 27.5 and good for all day, currently considering the below:
Banshee spitfire
Nukeproof reactor
Are there any others I have forgotten?
Bird Aether 7
Whyte T130/140
Specialized Stumpjumper
Giant Trance
Will be after frame only (have a build kit ready, which seems to limit my options a little...
Orange Five or Five Evo.
But possibly not if you were going alu to save money.
Trek remedy
I use an Airdrop Edit as my trail bike.
Bird Aether 7 literally ticks all your boxes. 130 rear travel - either 140 or 150mm front. Available frame only and you can either have it without shock or specify which shock you want with it.
You may find the last version of the Transition Scout alloy still on sale in a few places - in a metallic pale blue colour. Similar ish travel I think - although from what I read it doesn’t pedal quite as well.
Commencal.
I bought 29er version of this recently to replace a 2016 stumpjumper very happy with it. They still have some on sale in 27.5. Also includes headset in box.
I'd have said Bird AEther 7 as well, especially if you're looking at frame only.
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Just to add the Aether will take pretty much any abuse you can throw at it. Decent length reach and 65 ish degree headangle, 76 degree seat angle for decent pedalling, 425mm chainstays to keep it whippy in the turns and it’s got a progressive rear suspension setup. So either air for poppy playfulness or it can apparently take a coil if that floats your boat.
@richwales Having just ridden mine for the first time, I'd agree with you. If Trek frame-only prices weren't so mental.
I've not heard a bad word about any of the V3 Banshee bikes. I've just built a Phantom up and it's a really nice bike.
I was going to mention the Airdrop Edit. All their marketing makes it look like a lairy jump bike. What's it like for pedalling around on?
Maybe it's time I tried big wheels.
Think I'm leaning towards the Banshee, especially being that o can run a 142mm rear end...
I wouldn’t be put off by boost rear ends - you can space out most 142 hubs for that. Depending on hub - mrp better boost / Wolftooth boostinator / hope boost kit (just for Hope hubs) / Velo Solo universal boost kits
New Airdrop Edit looks better than ever.
Would be the 27.5 I'd look at first.
The Banshee is one of the best lookers out there and they have a solid rep.
I wasn't impressed with the quality of my old Nukeproof Mega 290 frame, and the Reactor likely comes out the same factory - but it does seem quite well regarded so far.
Bird aether7 would be where I'd be looking, or a second hand alloy transition scout frame, I've had a scout and it pedals better than an enduro rig.
I was set on an aether7 frame but ended up buying a barely used 2020 transition scout frame, there was hardly anything in the price.
I wouldn't call an airdrop edit a trail bike either
I wouldn’t class the Edit as a trail bike either - unless they’ve made it shorter travel. I tested one vs a Bird Aeris 145 and it felt burly / very plush and planted (with a coil shock). I went for the Aeris at the time as it felt more playful. The Aether is a step more playful than the Aeris and climbs better / corners faster for me.
This is the Scout frame I considered but didn’t go for in the end - as it sounded like it would pedal worse. Looks beautiful though and a similar ballpark price to the Aether. Probably a nicer looking frame than both the Banshee Spitfire and the Aether.
The Banshee backup and support warranty does sound good, transition seem to be quite heavy? Has been 6 years since I have put together a MTB so catching up with all the new geometry, definitely want a sub 30 lbs build ...
Dartmoor?
Love mine. Great value, not subtle, does a job.
I had sonder Evol(27.5) punching way obove it’s money 👌🏻
I'd have aimed for sub-30lb years ago. Not sure how realistic it is now without a somewhat healthy budget.
I test rode as reactor a couple of weeks ago. I recon enduro-lite would be a better description of it.
For a 650b trail bike, I recon my money would go on the aether 7.
Can't really recommend Bird enough.
The frames might not be the most sexy looking around, but are really made to last and amazingly well thought. And don't even get me started on their costumer service and warranty.
Same as Zezasker in terms of Bird support.Can’t fault it and there aren’t many bike companies where you can either ring up and speak to one of the founders - or where they comment on social media frequently.
Maybe Cotic are similar and you could consider the Flare - although it’s steel rather than alloy.
In terms of weight to get sub 30lbs with an Aether you’d need a Pike or lighter fork wise, light hubs and rims and light ish components I reckon. Mine is built up with Xt 12 speed, carbon gxp cranks, carbon bars, Lyrik, code R’s, Oneup post, exo tyres and the wheels are Xm481’s on Pro4’s. Weight is about 32lbs according to my luggage scales.
For context, on the same scales a Santa Cruz 5010 with the fancy cc carbon frame, slx 12 speed (with xt cranks), slx 4 pots, xm481’s on dt 350’s, same carbon bars, Pike Ultimate, same tyres and a brand x post is a squeak over 30lbs.
Sharkattack - pedals just fine, it has a coil CC with climb switch and 160mm forks. Its not light though but very confidence inspiring.
My V1 Edit is an ex demo in Small so I am looking at frames at the moment and it does seem harder to find what I want. I do one or two enduros a year and only for fun, I prefer a ride to push the limits of my abilities, ie, scare myself a little. I love practising jumping but I'm also happy to go and hikeabike the 4 Passes.
I don't feel I need more travel but don't really want less, especially at the front. I don't want a 29r, I didn't even want a 27.5 but I had to change from a medium Rocket to get a longer dropper.
Thats interesting that the Aether is happy with a coil shock because as a recent convert I'd like to stick with coil at the rear.
Forget the Edit if you are aiming for 30lbs
The issue I'm sure lots of us are facing is that as a Triggers Broom kind of rider its getting harder everytime. I have added a boost kit to my front wheel to accept my new DT Swiss forks and could add a boost kit to the rear if I buy the new Edit but the metric shock thing presumably means I can't use the non metric off my Edit?
After looking at all the bikes on the market, if I was the interest free credit kind of guy I'd buy one of those discounted Yeti SB140's, 140mm rear, 160mm front and they look lovely.
Another vote for the Aether 7. I’ve got a non boost wheel set in mine with a Velosolo adapter set, works a treat.
Mine’s not built as burly as Joe’s and mine’s around 30-31lb. Awesome for a thrash but equally capable of a 50-60km day whilst leaving me feeling as fresh as anyone else!
Thanks all - investigating the bird aether too!
alloy transition scout? but good luck finding a frame in your size (for any bike)
I'm an XL, kind of disappointed about that lack of choice, especially as 650b was still a new thing back in 2016!
Has anyone tried the Ibis Ripmo AF?? Is that a trail bike?
Think it has some pretty good reviews, DW link is pretty good platform nice looking bike
https://www.evocycles.co.uk/ripmo-af-1059/mpn:IB-001111Metalframe_z/
I absolutely loved my banshee spitfire v2. The rear end with a ccdba was the best I've ever felt on a trail bike and the geomotry was sorted.
However, I cracked one frame and the other had the shock mount misaligned and chewed my rear shock up. In both cases I got a full new frame in 2-3 weeks so the backup was solid.
I keep looking at a titan these days but boy are they heavy.
I'm not sure if it's deliberate or my wierd mind, but every time I see "Ripmo AF", even though I know it stands for "alloy frame" I keep thinking it's "Ripmo As ****"
Anyway, +1 for the scout if you can find one. Mines built in a burly trail way (horizon bars, pikes, one up dropper, DT xm481, Slx drive train) and while I don't have the exact weight it's considerably lighter than my enduro setup which I know is mid 30's weight wise. I'd estimate thr scout at around 31 ish. It rides really well, tackles climbs admirably and is playful and fun.
I guess 30 lbs is a bit of an aspiration, but thinking a xt/ slx build with Mattocs and pacenti pi30 wheels, plus 800gm ish trail friendly tyres will get me close...
The only alu frame I think you could get to 30lbs without spending a ton is Orange.
But then you have to spend a ton on the frame anyway.
And it might crack