Decided that sometime later in the year I'm going to consolidate my bikes as between me and the missus, we just haven't got the space!
Currently got a 2020 Slash 8 and an Ibis DV9. I've made a list of bikes that are available as frame only that are compatible with my new favourite fork, the Mattoc Pro 3 (120-140mm).
Basically going to be selling the DV9 frame and full Slash eventually and swapping most of the components to a more of an all-round trail bike.
List I've got so far:
Forbidden Driud
GG Trail Pistol
Pace RC295
Trek Fuel EX
SC Tallboy
Nukeproof Reactor
Cotic FlareMax (not sure about this one for some reason)
Has anyone got any positive or negative experiences with these as a decent trail bike for natural Lakes/Wales/Peaks rides and trail centres? I maybe visit an uplift once every 2 years too.
As always, I'm open to alternative suggestions 🙂
If you had a DV9 and like Ibis, you could add the latest Ripley to your list. Takes a 140mm fork (in fact the Ibis staff all run theirs 140)
Of those above, the only one I’ve ridden was the original non longshot flaremax (and mainly with 27.5 chubbies). I really did like that bike, rode beyond it’s 120mm travel for sure. Was quite a weighty beast tho. Not sure what’s changed on the new ones.
The Druid makes me have bad thoughts.
Will watch this thread as the new SC Tallboy has grabbed my attention, keen to hear what others have to say about it. I'm not a SC fanboy and currently have a 29er Spesh Enduro which now I've lost all my fitness is a pig to ride so fancying something light and playful.
Ah yes, Ripley! how could I forget about that 🙂
The Druid is the hot contender though in that new Cosmic Egg Plant colour!
Added Ripley to the list now though. How are you getting on with yours @Alex?
I used to have an original Hightower and really likes that bike, one I regretted selling to be honest so I do like how SC bikes ride.
Added Ripley to the list now though. How are you getting on with yours @Alex?
It’s taken me longer to bond with it that my RipMo. Probably because it’s not a mini RipMo and rides quite differently. Climbs absolutely brilliantly, best climbing FS I’ve every had. And the RipMo is very good as a baseline.
It’s pretty agile with a 130mm fork. My RipMo is built burley and the Ripley quite light. So it gets pinged about a bit more. Reminds me more of my Solaris Max that the Ripley if that makes any kind of sense. Once you get your head around that it’s a really fast bike. Blindingly quick in singletrack if you’re brave enough.
I had to put a bigger front tyre on mine. Now running a DHF 2.5 on the front and a Rekon 2.4 on the back. I really do not like the Fox Evol (it feels over damped and it felt that way on my Mojo3 which had the same) and I’d like to swap that for a DVO Topaz. The DVO Sapphire on the front is a great fork for the bike.
If you want a longer waffle about it, drop me a DM!
Nice one, thanks for the honest opinion!
I might chew your ear off about it 🙂
If you are considering the Druid, have a look at the Deviate Highlander.
New Evil Following might be worth a look too.
I did consider the Highlander, but the max my new fork can go is 140mm and I really don't want to have to sell it and buy another one.
Apparently the Druid can run 140-150mm forks, but the Highlander is 150-160mm.
Regarding your FlareMax doubts...I've got a Rocket Max (non-Longshot) and use it for all the duties you list above and its a great bike. A mate of mine had a Flare Max too and didn't struggle with any of that wither. I couldn't really notice much difference jumping on his bike...I just preferred to Rocket Max and it just felt a 'bigger' platform which gave me confidence. Can't really describe why, it just did. Climbs as well as the Flare Max and feels just as nimble. However my mate had a longer fork than recommended fitted so a shorter travel fork may have made it feel a bit more nimble than my Rocket.
However if I had the dosh i'd be jumping on a Druid in a heartbeat...or maybe a Highlander.
Oh yeah I'll have a look into The Following too. I know Evil had some frame issues in the past, but I assume they're a lot better these days?
Still in the process of saving up, but some of the bikes (Tallboy and Fuel EX) have aluminium versions, so that's another thing to contemplate. Heart says if it's going to be my only MTB, I'd like it to be special...
Druid.
Cosmic Eggplant.
/End thread.
Do you want an XC/trail bike or a trail/enduro bike?
Do you value pedal efficiency and a gesture at light weight over a plush and planted descending feel? Or do you want something in the middle?
I'd organise the options on that basis, then look at which geometry suits you.
The Orange Stage 5 is another possibility: light, pedals well, good geometry - but pricey and not everyone likes the lively single pivot feel.
If your looking at the Tall Boy you should probably look at the Hightower as well.
Get out of my head Paul 🙂
It's the top contender I must admit. Would be a bit of a dream bike!
If I sold the DV9 frame and the Slash, I'd be able to get it sooner too...
Hightower too much travel at the front for my fork 🙁
Apparently the Druid can run 140-150mm forks, but the Highlander is 150-160mm.
A couple of owners have put 140mm forks on, obvs early days yet though. It was originally going to have 130 & 150 rear linkages, but they’ve gone to 140 with a 150mm link in the pipeline. Worth chatting to them about it.
Cheers Tom, I'll investigate that as an option then and see what they say.
In true STW advise what you ride V4 Ripley. It replaced my Smuggler, what a bike climbs much better, lighter & steeper seat tube also running it 140mm upfront so is a great descender too, currently setup as mullet bike for woods, turns & accelerates so we’ll plus Strava says fastest bike too
Well, the DV9 is the best hardtail I've ever had so natural progression would dictate I go to a Ripley 🙂
Something to think about as there's a few in the running now.
slightly off topic....but am interested in the DV9's - what makes it the best one you've ridden?
It just feels really fast!
It's comfortable without feeling flexy, accelerates quickly and corners really well. I'm terrible at jumping too, but somehow the DV9 makes it feel easier.
It's a versatile frame too! You can build it as a 100mm XC whippet, or a 120mm burlier trail bike with 2.6 tyres.
Probably why I'm keen on the Ripley to replace both of the bikes now.
LOL - https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-bike-day-no-125/
johnw1984
Subscriber
Place your bets now! Will I keep this one past 12 months? 🙂
Haha! Did you bet though?
I am terrible 🙂
Just having a case of sobering reality and thinking nearly 3k on a frame isn't the best for me at the moment. Going to look at something more wallet friendly with the frame until I'm a bit better off in a couple of years.
Contenders left are:
Nukeproof Reactor Alu
SC Tallboy 4 Alu
Sonder Cortex (forgot about these!).
Already got some nice SC Reserve wheels to go on whatever I end up with at least and plenty of tyres to choose from!
For the Druid also fun to watch Van Girl Yuka on youtube.
Love the sound it makes - and the sounds she makes when riding 🙂
Oh yeah Yuka is ace, really good rider too who just likes having fun! I'm a fan of her and BCPOV 🙂
Think the Druid is going to be a dream build in a couple of years. At moment I'm looking at the cheaper aluminium frame sets (Tallboy Alu or Trek Fuel EX).
The Sonder seems great for the money, but I'm just not sold on its looks...
Was going to mention BCPOV, they've just been sponsored by Forbidden and ride in BC and various other places. Eric's done a fair few enduro races too on previous bikes.
The Druid isn't available yet so you've got some time to come to your senses... 😉
i haven't ridden a trail pistol, but as a smash owner i expect it is going to be a bit like a short travel enduro bike rather than a full on trail bike. the smash is great btw so would expect the trail pistol to be good too.
if space is an issue for you its worth being aware if you hadn't picked up on it that with a seatstay kit, shock and fork, you can convert your trail pistol into any of the other bikes in the gg range - in either mullet or 29er flavour. its not exactly cheap for all that stuff granted, but its definitely cheaper than another bike, and takes up less space.
i definitely agree with others who are a bit smitten with that forbidden mind you
Yeah I think Bike Treks in Ambleside are getting fresh stock around July. I don't think I'll be able to save 3k in a month! 🙂
It's my bloody luck, the Bontrager saddle wasn't that comfy on my Slash and I've been looking for the perfect one for years. Finally found the best saddle I've ever used (Ergon SM Enduro).
Problem is, it's slightly taller and now the 150mm is slammed right to the collar and it's just rideable, but not ideal.
On top of that, I've just been spoiled with the new Mattoc Pro 3 fork on my DV9. So the idea was to get something that I can use that fork on and that can replace both bikes, thus freeing up some space in my bike room.
I'm going to ride my DV9 for a while to see if I can put up with a HT on rougher stuff for a bit while I save.
1st world problems indeed haha.
Love my flaremax, great all round mountain bike. Climbs very well, fast and stable on the descents but still nimble. Changing the tyres to something a bit lighter made a big difference to how it rides.