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[Closed] Have you ever had an MTB that felt 100% right?

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[#5390507]

I'm guessing if people are totally honest, no-one will say yes - I mean [b]100%[/b] as in no niggles, perfect fit, ideal for your type of riding without fault in all conditions/terrain.

Rather than buy a new bike, I've further upgraded mine and it's coming close - it's now the best bike I've had by some margin, in terms of fit, ride, capabilities, but I can still see some minor flaws, that I don't know I could ever iron out completely. It's feeling pretty damn fly though!

So, how close have you come to bike ownership Nirvana?


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:00 pm
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Yarp. 6 yr old strange five. Ridden lots of other bikes and yet to find anything I want to replace it with.


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:03 pm
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It's taken a few years to get here but I'm happy with my mountain bikes, perfect for the riding I do ๐Ÿ™‚


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:06 pm
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I flung a leg over my bfe tonight, and it feels 100% good after coming from a hire np mega in molini. Perhaps something to do with the brakes on my bike not being avid elixirs.... ๐Ÿ˜ˆ


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:11 pm
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For me this year my enduro is a one bike for everything
I keep up with my friends on xc rides
It easily copes with every terrain
It goes up hill far better than any 160 mm bike ever should

It's a little slower than my road bike on my commute but hardly matters


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:15 pm
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[b][i]orangeboy - Member[/i][/b]

For me this year my enduro is a one bike for everything
I keep up with my friends on xc rides
It easily copes with every terrain
It goes up hill far better than any 160 mm bike ever should

It's a little slower than my road bike on my commute but hardly matters

So does my ('08 S-Works) orangeboy - but is yours PERFECT? That's the question - absolutely no room for improvement anywhere?


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:19 pm
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Yeti ASR5C; perfect for me!


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:20 pm
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Sort if cane close with my Chameleon, but as I've just changed it for a Shan either my riding wants have changed* or my bike requirements have

* this mostly, but a bit if both


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:21 pm
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2 rides in and my 2010 Santa Cruz Blur LTc is feeling pretty much perfect. Guisburn and Glentress.

Going from 2 bikes (456ti and Enduro) was a gamble that appears to have paid off, so far anyway as I am having way more fun on the blur.


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:27 pm
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Yep I think it is , well if I think a little maybe the forks need fixing as a little poor at the moment
But that's more a service issue

Keep think about xx1 but yet to find a hill I've had to walk up and with the current gearing can get 19 mph average on my commute to work before an evening ride.


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:30 pm
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My old Cotic Soda with Fox F120 forks and Hope Pro II/Mavic 819 was nigh on perfect for me. Such a shame it broke.


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:32 pm
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Yes, Kona Explosif 650b in 17''
First bike I've ever ridden that has clicked 100%.
How do you improve perfect? Add a dropper.
[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:34 pm
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My 9:zero:7 fatbike is pretty much 100%. I'm currently trying to get my El Mariachi past 50% but I think it's more unfamiliarity than anything else ๐Ÿ˜•


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:36 pm
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Yep. This one, like no other one I've had. It just really works for me ๐Ÿ™‚

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:37 pm
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Damn it, why can't post pictures from flickr!! What am I doing wrong?!?


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:40 pm
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2 rides in and my 2010 Santa Cruz Blur LTc is feeling pretty much perfect. Guisburn and Glentress


A pretty and exhaustive definitive test then ๐Ÿ˜‰


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:45 pm
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Yep ..my old Karate Monkey ......then I went and sold it ๐Ÿ˜ฅ


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:50 pm
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Yarp
[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:53 pm
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Jones space frame with a fat front. Looks odd but just a brilliant bike for everything I want to do.


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:54 pm
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Yup. My thing - quirky but just feels perfect for me.

[url= http://farm1.staticflickr.com/176/365056383_8e2cfe3162_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm1.staticflickr.com/176/365056383_8e2cfe3162_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]


 
Posted : 03/08/2013 11:59 pm
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My BFe feels perfect but there are things I want to do to it that will make it better on paper.

A few small things and my Enduro evo will be perfect.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 12:06 am
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My downhill bike ( NP Scalp) liberally laced with Saint stuff, CC Double Barrel shock, Fox 40's has elevated my DH results far beyond anything I thought I would ever be able to achieve. I'm slowly starting to believe I'm actually pretty good at this downhill lark (5 mins 11 seconds at fort bill few weeks ago) but I am absolutely aware that the bike has allowed me to ride beyond my limits.

It's 100% perfect. For me.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 12:20 am
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ChunkyMTB, what frame is that?


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 12:23 am
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Nope to your question.

I'd make quite a few geometry changes to my BFe. The MDE is very close but not quite there due to a saddle that catches my shorts.I can easily fix that when I find a replacement that catches my eye.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 12:30 am
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My El Mariachi is pretty perfect - first bike I've ignored cost and just bought what I wanted for it. It's not a super expensive build but I didn't compromise on anything so it fits my needs exactly.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 1:42 am
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Inbred 853 s/s and geared. Just love I do


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 2:01 am
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The current bike just needs a new frame to be perfect... The only bike that's actually felt like an extension of my person was a Kona Lavadome. Fully rigid. Suited my riding at the time (over 20 years ago). Just felt so right.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 2:08 am
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Yes- though it's a new bike....
Done the local trails, some big mountain stuff and some XC stuff. It seems like it's a no compromise* bike for me
Blur LTc with an entirely custom spec

*for what I have to ride - I would have gone the Nomad if I was still in the lakes


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 2:15 am
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My old 2007 Spesh Stumpjumper FSR, just a perfect fit, super confident when riding it. I miss you stumpy. ๐Ÿ˜‰


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 7:00 am
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The one I have now actually. Bog standard GF 29er. When you get a bike that honestly want's to make you ride more you know you have a winner.

It took me years to realise that you can't upgrade a bike that doesn't feel right. Ditch it and start again.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 7:45 am
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Nothing I've ridden in the last 5 years feels as 'right' as my ASR.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 7:53 am
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Mine?

Klein Attitude.

Bloody lovely.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 8:12 am
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My first S-Works FSR (in about 2000-2001).

Built up as a lightweight XC race bike and in those days for FS to be that good, that light was a revelation.
It also had one of the very first production sets of Hope Mini disc brakes, other MTBers were very jealous when they saw them!

But yeah. for the type of riding and racing I was doing at the time, it was spot on. It did used to get a bit out of its depth in places like the Lake District, the Peak District etc if you really went nuts on it, could feel the forks flexing.

Sold the bike on here to a guy who converted it to slightly longer travel and used it as an off-road tourer for many years. Such a capable bike.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 8:18 am
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It took me years to realise that you can't upgrade a bike that doesn't feel right.

So true ๐Ÿ™


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 8:19 am
 LoCo
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No bike build is finished till it's 100%, this can take quite a while, sometimes so long it gets sold before it's sorted ๐Ÿ˜‰
Current Albert classic is sorted, the Remedy still need a little geo tweak with a shorter eye to eye shock being made but that should make it just so hopefully


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 8:19 am
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My old 2005 cove handjob with pace rc31 forks and full xt. I sold it last year as I only have a commuter now and I only keep one bike.

I don't like the kafenback in the same way but it suits my riding needs better


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 8:20 am
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I have a 2010 Zesty - bought it new from a big chain store type shop (end of year sale). It is completely stock except for saddle/grips (as white not too practical in the mud...) and tyres (which surely don't count as a change?). It is only the basic model 214 but I don't think I will change anything except when bits wear out (like the BB which has done so several times already). I'd like lighter wheels but not enough to do anything about it. I'd like the bike to be a bit lighter but not enough to spend a lot more money. For what I do and how good a rider I am (not very) it is just about perfect. Greased and adjusted the rear hub yesterday and as I was putting it back in the shed I was thinking to myself "what a great bike". ๐Ÿ˜€

Wonder how long it will last me?


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 9:04 am
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2008 Commy Meta 5. Great bike, got rid as it was in the dodgy patch when they all snapped except mine didn't and AFAIK the guy I sold it to is still ragging around on it.

[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 9:06 am
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Still in pursuit of perfection. My Soul rides beautifully, but I wish it was an 18.5" frame.

575 is not far off perfection - shorter stem, wider bars and more reliable forks needed.

Cube reaction GTC 29er is getting there - lots of messing about with the riding position, but it needs 2x10 and rapid rise, plus the ride is a bit harsh.

Suspect perfection will remain elusive. Or be a Solaris.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 9:11 am
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Titus X

Bolted it together lifted off the workstand and jumped on and I even had seatpost in the right place first time. First ride felt like I'd always owned it. Absolutely bang on. Second ride great. Next time I went to the shed it was gone.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 9:23 am
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Yes of course, and I should bloody hope so with the time and money spent on my bikes!


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 9:23 am
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Most of it depends on me. 95% of the time my Sov feels like the best bike I've ever owned; nothing needs changing. Then the other 5% of the time I'm just not in the mood for something so demanding.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 9:25 am
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think any bike can be perfect for what you ask it to do but ther eis no off road terrain where any one bike will be the best fit

TBH I dont really get the "perfect" bike - they all ride differently and if you cannot adapt to accomodate the difference I would question the rider
IME the serial swappers swap because they like to swap rather than because they think they will achieve the "perfect" bike

Happy with my bikes and in no desire to change but it all depends

For example I have an Orange 5 and IMHO single pivot is far superior going downhill. that said I would rather ride up hill with VPP /Horst Link /DW etc but you loose something in the downhill hence you can always search for the perfect bike
I suspect the perfect bike weight 21 lbs uphill and 41 lbs downhill


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 9:27 am
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One made-to-measure steel HT by Roberts, built with a tall head tube for my bad back. Just recently it's returned to original comfort levels by addition of a riser bar.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 9:33 am
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My cannondale scalpel feels pretty much perfect after swapping to xx gripshift.
It's a truly great frame and the fit is bang on.


 
Posted : 04/08/2013 9:35 am
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