[Closed] Banshee Spitfire

What shocks are people running, and how have you found any upgrades?

DBair-CS here. Can't fault it - spring curve with XV can suits the Spitfire really well, damping is excellent, been very reliable, serviced twice over a few years and few thousand miles.

Also, I like how at the end of every run on a wet uplift day the brake calipers and shock piggyback are bone dry from the heat they're handling. 😉

Anyone running an angle adjust headset? I'm thinking of it as I like the handling of the slacker chips apart from the slacker seat tube for climbing.

Yes, I have a Works -2 deg in mine. I also have a Cane Creek Angleset (0/-.5/-1/-1.5 with swappable cups) spare that I took out of my hardtail.

Love to have a spitfire , if only I could find a frame in my budget .

What's your budget? A mate just bought a small 2016 for £600 second hand... Hell of a saving!

chiefgrooveguru does the -2 drop the BB much?

I hate uploading photos!

Have had the IL upgrade on my spitty - will try it tomorrow on Dartmoor to see if i can tell any difference!

[IMG] [/IMG]

I have a -2 slackset in my prime. Not really any difference in BB height from a riding perspective.

I put a 1.5deg in and it definitely lowered the BB. currently running the chips in steep mode and it seems to balance it out. Stupid idea but seems to be ok, longer wheelbase, slacker HA, seated climbing fine, BB drop ok.

I noticed the BB feeling that bit lower with the -2 deg headset. Partly the fork being raked out lowers the whole bike around the front end, but also being able to run the fork with more sag without the head angle steepening more than I'd like. Between the two I think it's made the neutral setting as low as the slack setting, so I tend to ride it in neutral except for uplift days or steep greasy hell.

[IMG] [/IMG]
[IMG] [/IMG]

Dartmoor is horrible.

Yeah, looks shit. All those hills and rocks and peacefulness.

Out of curiosity, what 26+ tyres has anyone fitted in their spitty?
Have got an old set of 26 wheels which *should* fit in though im on 27.5 dropouts.
#edit just seen on the Banshee site it'll take a 2.6 rear, im assuming on a 27.5. Hmm tempted to try it, or with the slop am i better waiting for summer to go plus? choices choices

I really shouldn't have opened this thread. Mine is just collecting a thick layer of house dust...

I've just been running Hans Damf 26" on the rear of mine and it doesn't hold me back. I'd wait for the slop to go before you change to properly appreciate any gain.

with the slop am i better waiting for summer to go plus?

Judging by the 27+ riders I know switching to their 29 tyres now the mud has arrived, I'd say wait until the spring. I'm sure you can fit a 27.5x2.6 in there or a 26x2.8.

27.5x2.6 fits nicely and I like the ride on spesh purgatory tyres. 2.8 presumably would fit but would not fit a normal 27.5 fork, also bear in mind the 2.8s are thin light tyres mine are 1kg each so much beafier to suit the bike.

Please can anyone running a 2017 size medium frame please tell me if a 420mm reverb can be fully inserted into the frame?

Thanks!

I have a 480mm Reverb on a 2014 medium, which has a 430mm seat tube. It's about 40mm out and I think it could go about 10mm lower - the limitation is the stealth port location (connectamajig already removed).

Thanks chief. I've actually messaged you about something else too.

Oh yes! I'd ask for pics of the shock stanchion. I don't think it's a common problem but it shows up in shock wear.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Good times!

chiefgrooveguru I had the same problem with stanchions scoring and loosing air after around 6 months.

Mine was a warranty job, one of the forward shock mounts was misalgined. New frame a couple of weeks after.

chiefgrooveguru I had the same problem with stanchions scoring and loosing air after around 6 months.

I haven't had that problem but I've heard of it a few times and when my DBair was recently serviced TFTuned commented that that part needed replacing, not due to misalignment but just the sheer amount of use it's had (the wear was even all around the stanchion). And said they sometimes see them with uneven premature wear because of how the stiff back end will side load a shock if the frame is misaligned.

The InLine on my original 2015 Spitfire wore significantly on one side of the stanchioon, and also affected the innards. TFT sorted the shock under warranty and Ison replaced the frame under warranty. No issues so far on the 2016 frame and CCDB AirCS I now have.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Just in case anyone wants one of these, I'm selling my 2015 large frame - [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/for-sale-%E2%80%93-clearout-inc-frame-forks-wheels-and-lots-more?replies=1#post-8894564 ]here[/url]

Just thinking ahead, when do Banshee bring out their 2018 frames? Had a look at the importer website and some the linked dealer websites don't have much info at all on the bikes - is this because the supplying dealer network is out of date, or they are just out of frames till next year?

Just thinking ahead, when do Banshee bring out their 2018 frames?

I know they've stopped doing annual updates, choosing only to update/replace models when there's a reason to. I don't know if that means they've stopped changing the colours each model year, or if model years is gone for good.

I spent a fair amount of time looking into Banshee as my research on the '17 prime that I've since bought.

It seems that they basically serve Canada and North America and if we're lucky we get the overspill. Therefore a minority brand in the UK market.

2017 was a pretty substantial year of revisions, so it might be that there's little difference in the 2018 models.

I've just put my XL 2016 Spitfire up for sale if anyone is looking -  https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/banshee-spitfire-xl-2/

Well looked after Large frame for sale here:   https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2332248/

I just swapped my Monarch for a CC coil. Not sure if I had the right tune Monarch, it was off a Bronson. Rides a lot better so far.

Looks mint with a coil.

Thread has gone very quiet!  I haven't been on much and haven't done much MTB recently.  Still would be tempted to replace my frame with one in that colour ^^^

They haven't really delivered the changes that would suit me personally though -a bottle cage mount on the XL, No ISCG mount, DBIL shock.

It is quiet.  This might liven it up 🙁

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

Offt

Ooh F.

Fortunately, I didn't die.

Well that looks more than a bit irritating! Do you have a good tale of an epic case, huck or crash, or was it just a disappointing collapse?

Mine is still going strong, liking it more than ever. Don’t die, trusty Spitfire!

Wow 😱

Tuesday night, Hamsterley.  Section 13 - first of the two bomb-hole-type-things near the end.  I think the weld at the brace (a well known weak point from what I've see on here and MTBR threads) failed on compression at the bottom, then the rest of the down tube sheared off after compression getting over the top.  I suspected something happened as there was quite a loud 'crack'.

Obviously, the down tube sheared, the top tube folded, the head-angle went to a Geometron-shaming 45 degrees, and the chain ring dug into the ground stopping the bike immediately.  I carried on over the bars and went OTB to the right, landing on my hip (slight bruising) and my elbow (Race Face D30 pads are quite useful).

I then had a 2 mile push back to the cheeky layby where I parked (not to dodge the parking fees, though.  I have a volunteer pass) with the pedals clashing off what seemed like every small rock.

Thing is, I wasn't really going that fast or 'sending it' over all the jumps and drops.  I was actually feeling a bit 'Meh' at the time.  Thinking about where it happened, I guess I'm quite lucky it was where it was.  Higher up the trail or somewhere like Pike's Teeth and it could have been a ride to hospital.

Might not be too clear from the photo, but the sheared edges have two different surfaces.  The top at the edge of the brace weld is relatively smooth, and the rest of the circumference looks as though the tube has been pulled apart.

Replacement will be the issue - although this frame is <2 years old, it was a warranty replacement for the original frame in 2015.  Hopefully Ison will be able to help out.

TL;DR I was just riding along, really.

“I think the weld at the brace (a well known weak point from what I’ve see on here and MTBR threads) failed“

I wonder if it’s what one of those cases where adding a gusset either adds a stress concentration or the heat from the weld decreases strength? It’s gone on the new ones with the hydroformed downtube.

Good luck with the warranty claim - they’re not obliged to do anything, so fingers crossed!

Aye - the V2.5(?) has that brace omitted, probably as it was a stress riser.  I was keeping an eye on it - at least if it was going to crack I would have a chance of spotting it beforehand, alas it wasn't to be.

At least I have this for now:

[img] [/img]

That's a nasty break, I hadn't thought about the risk of that kind of loading.  Glad you are mostly okay!  May get offered a crash replacement price?

Is it not a straightforward lifetime crash warranty claim?

Not quite straightforward enough.  Original frame bought Feb 15, replaced under warranty Jun 16, therefore warranty expired Feb 17.

Also, shop closed down.  I'll be getting in touch with Ison this week hopefully.

Ouch! I hope Banshee sort you out. I think they do a crash replacement policy for out of warranty frames?

Will be checking mine thoroughly tonight!

I bought my '15 Banshee second hand 18 months ago and have been loving it.  After a winter of minimal use I decided to give it a little TLC.

I bought a new set of Halo Vapour 35s and some Onza tyres and gave it a thorough once over.  I know skinwalls are a bit marmite but I am loving them against the stealth frame.

I wonder if it's worth removing the brace completely, especially on older raw frames.

I'll give it a try on mine.

Oh, wait...

Attacked it with the angle grinder so I'll soon find out! Cut off all the excess cable guides and chain device mount as well just to tidy it up a bit.

Not quite straightforward enough.  Original frame bought Feb 15, replaced under warranty Jun 16, therefore warranty expired Feb 17.

Also, shop closed down.  I’ll be getting in touch with Ison this week hopefully.

If that route fails and you bought on credit card then you'd have recourse under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. You would need to get an engineer report agreeing there was a manufacturer or design fault though.

You could also argue that you're still within the warranty of the warranty replacement frame,  if someone bought that new it would expire next month

Are you sure the warranty isn't  actually until Jun 18?

Just bought a secondhand current model Spitfire to replace my 2014 version. I’ve gone up to a large from a medium (I’m 5’11), and initially I’m going to ride it with the standard headset and see how that feels. Otherwise swapping everything straight across with a shim for the Reverb and Boost adaptor for the rear hub.

Another one down.... discovered a crack on the seat tube brace weld on my XL raw frame. I really love this bike but there seems to be a lot of failures.

Ive changed from large to xl 2016 version, kept the 1.5 slackset in but had to swap the 170mm dropper to a 150mm. Im 6ft in my socks.

Another one down…. discovered a crack on the seat tube brace weld on my XL raw frame. I really love this bike but there seems to be a lot of failures.

What year is your frame? Newer hydro-formed tubes or the older version?

2013-14 I think, older version without stealth dropper port. Any ideas of what else is like a spitfire?

New Spitfire.

They've got rid of the welded on braces where all the cracks seem to occur.

Wish I could! The frames are a little too expensive new.

Even being offered 50% off as crash replacement they are still too expensive with only a 2 year warranty.

Might be doing what I did shown above. Mine appeared to be cracking so I cut the gusset off and it was the weld that was starting to crack off and the tube looks fine. No fatal accidents have happened since .. yet!

New Spitfire.

They’ve got rid of the welded on braces where all the cracks seem to occur.

Let's hope so. I moved to my new version Spitfire from a Commencal Meta 5 😂 It was a newer Meta 5 though and it didn't crack

That might be an idea GeForce! Although if I could have got one for 50% rrp I would take it but mine is second hand.

Chief, noticed any difference in how the new one rides compared to the old?

The insurance money is going on a HB160 instead. Silly not to, really...£5500 over £850 😂😂

"Chief, noticed any difference in how the new one rides compared to the old?"

Was due to be built up today but the Hope Boost adaptor hasn't turned up! Will let you know when it does and I've ridden it.

It's not going to be a like for like comparison because my older one has a -2 deg Works headset but I'm sticking with the standard headset in the new one (for now). But everything else is staying the same (bar swapping my irritable 170mm Reverb with a 185mm Revive).

The colour looks nice - it's just a shame paint chips, whilst my old anodised frame is almost unmarked!

What colour did you get? The paint on my teal one has held up well, apart from the front of the chain stay.

I do like the look of the polished one though.

Did anybody get a positive outcome from crash replacement? My phantom is a bit poorly and may need putting down......

Depends on what you class as positive!  50% RRP was what I was offered and declined.

Was that because you felt it should really be a warranty replacement? 50% rrp sounds pretty good to me. My phantom is 4 years old and I bent the top tube on a rock in a crash. No other probs until then.......

Yes.  The actual frame that failed catastrophically was 20 months old.  As said previously, this was itself a warranty replacement frame for the original, bought in Feb 2015, which was mis-aligned and ruined the shock.

I accept that the 2 year warranty runs from the original date of purchase, and therefore the snapped one was out of warranty, but with such a well documented history of them cracking at the brace I'd be expecting more than 50%, especially as mine actually snapped.  If it'd happened anywhere else on the trail, or at BPW a couple of weeks before, it'd be a hospital trip.

Had I actually crashed first, well, then £825 (or £850 for a Rune) would be acceptable.  Luckily, cycle cover with Barclays includes accidental damage, so that paid for the frame and the other damaged parts.

It’s up and running! Will test it tomorrow...

Have been out a fair bit on the new Spitfire and we’re getting on very well. Think it needs a new headset - the cheap one in there is a bit creaky - and it seems I need higher bars and I’m already at the top of the steerer. I have my bars pretty high on my equally long hardtail, much higher than when I rode shorter bikes.

I’m running it with a 160mm Pike with Luftkappe so a bit under 550mm A2C when it’s just sitting there, and in the slack setting. Interesting observation (if you’re a geometry geek) is that I’ve measured the head angle a few times and it’s coming out as between 64 and 65 deg.

According to the chart it should be 65.6, so either that’s the manufacturing tolerance or the chart being more conservative than the truth or a bit of both. BB height measuring at 340mm with DHF 2.5 and DHR2 2.4 (great tyres!)

Bikeyoke Revive 185mm dropper is great for when you’re suffering a crisis of confidence on the steep stuff as I am now!

Wheelbase measures 121cm with a 160mm fork, 2cm more than it should be with a 150mm - so it must be slacker than on the charts!

Hello again all,

Considering + sizing my 2016. Ive got 27.5 drop outs is there an ideal rim width tyre size to go for?

Likewise would spending a little more on the 26 drop outs and wider rim / tyre provide a better solution?

2016 with 26" drop outs is a very tight fit on 27.5" wheels, let alone plus.

Bugger! Have 27.5 with 2.4 minions was hoping to experiment with +

Darn it

Do you mean you already have long dropouts (27.5/29+) and want to go from 27.5x2.4 to 27.5x2.8?

Theres plenty of room with 27.5. I think 2.6 would be fine.

After going up to an XL with slackset I've put a normal headset back in, rides better on local twisty woodland trails.

Cgg spot on, but id assumed id have to use 26 to gain more space.

Happy to stick with my 27.5 dropouts though, so is 2.8 achievable?

You’d have less space with the 26” dropouts because they shorten the back end. And I don’t see much point of going to 26+ tyres. There’s about a fingertip thickness’s clearance all around a DHR2 2.4 so I think you’d just about squeeze in a 2.8 with no mud clearance. 2.6 would be fine. But it depends so much on the tyres, very few measure as large as they claim.