First ever new frame bought in February- but six months on and I still haven't gelled with it.
I can't work out if its the wrong size (its a medium 2014 27.5 and I am just under 5'10) or if its a setup issue (X-Fusion Sweep/standard Fox CTD rear)
Not sure on the most sensible approach to work out what the issue is- throwing money at fork/shock servicing or tuning, or even replacements. Or change to a large, or another frame completely.
Feel a bit lost as the rave reviews just aren't matching my experience. Rear either bottoms out too easily or too harsh, forks are a bit limited adjustment wise but ok. Its also not as stable as I'd like it to be- without sacrificing any fun "pop" it may have.
Any other owners got setup tips?
Have you tried a volume reducer in the shock?
Work on one issue at a time, the shock sounds like the most obvious.
Not sure about the 2014 version but I'm 5'7" and my 2013 medium feels a tad on the small side. Suspension is exactly the same and I'm moving to a db inline for exactly the same reason you mention (even with biggest volume spacer). Can't wait for the new shock and will be fitting a slightly longer stem shortly (currently running 55mm stem and 750mm bars). No issues on the ups or downs...more the flat? Running 150mm up front too.
The shock on mine was rubbish so bought a ccdb air.
I had exactly the same issue as you. The new sock sorted it and the bike is awesome now.
Size is too small (Need to be on a large tbh at 5ft 10.), wrong wheelsize and shock probably wants a custom tune...
All the reviews did state it was a connoisseurs trail bike, and necessarily a neutral handling one so much...
Love mine if its any consolation...but then it is 26 with an upgraded rear shock
other thing is. You really have to drive the bike. It isn't one of these sofa bikes that you can leave it to the bike. You have to ride the arse out of it. If you do the thing is amazing
I'm 5'11 and tried out a Large 26 bandit and felt it could be a bit longer for my liking. I love their bikes (TR450, Covert, Bottle Rocket) but they've always come up short in the TT the Missus rides a small Covert (5'5") and thinks maybe she should have gone for a medium
Tom KP
Agree with the sizing comments, I'm 5'11 and my large 26" feels cramped at times.
did you demo a bike before buying? Not trying to be a smart ass but my experience has shown that no two mediums or large bikes from different manufactures are the same. They all ride different too, not a case of one better than the other, we are all different riders, shapes and sizes too. Friend came to me other day, what do you think of the discounted bike at CR? Have you ridden a demo? No, but its really big discount. Me <rolls eyes>
Iirc they added 20mm to top tube lengths going from 26 to 27.5 so advice from 26 owners might not be so relevant, sizing is probably back to sensible now.
I did find the ctd shock a bit wanting on my 26, mainly lack of midstroke support, but even in std trim it was by far the most fun bike I'd ever ridden. A PUSH tune on the shock (after trying the only other bigger spacer available) sorted the midstroke and made the chattery stuff loads better at the same time.
The 26 is not a stable bike, it'll throw you at the scenery as soon as look at you. That's why it's ace!
Effective top tube for medium 27.5 still remains about 20mm shorter than a large 26.
What weight are you? What pressures? What bars and stem?
Effective top tube for medium 27.5 still remains about 20mm shorter than a large 26.
Reach within 5mm though...
I bought a second hand one last sunday,went out on maiden voyage today.
Did 60 miles! i'm 5/11 on a large with 70mm stem,fits me like a glove!
Utterly awesome bike.
I'm 70kg, 50mm stem and 750mm bars (I think!)
Running around 165 psi on the rear
No, I didn't demo- I was stuck between sizes and the shop suggested medium would work..
A potentially expensive mistake it seems.. I will try a longer stem and see how it feels, but gut says large with short stem would be better (and a different shock) but thats £500+ extra outlay to switch.
I'd cut my losses before throwing more money after bad. Find a large demo that and if I still didn't like it I'd sell the frame and start a demo hunt for the bike that fitted me and my riding.
The standard shock certainly benefits from a custom tune IMO.
Im 5.11 and 74 kg ride a large bandit. 70mm stem.
My Rear shock only has 150 psi, trail adjust leaver set to position 1 when in open mode.
The rebound is 6 clicks away from its slowest setting.
I found the rear of the bike to be fine, but the front end was a bit vague,and skittish went from a 50mm stem to a 70mm stem, swapped out the riser for a flat set of bars,and lowered my fork pressure,
Bike is far more predictable now, but like others have said its not the most stable of bikes
6ft on a large 650b bandit, it feels same size as my medium 26 covert.
Got 150mm pikes, rental stem 50 or 60? & 740mm bars.
It climbs well and is comfy to ride for few hrs but I'm not blown away by it
6'2" on a L 26er. 70mm stem and 760 bars. Feels perfect, I expected it to be a bit short for longer rides but I've got used to it very quickly.
I have X Fusion Slant on the front set to 140mm.
Needed a volume spacer in the shock to stop it dropping right into the travel when the sag is set correctly. Found that if I upped the pressure to stop bottoming out it felt harsh. Smallest size spacer in the shock has made it much nicer.
Smallest size spacer in the shock has made it much nicer.
CTD? Mine came fitted with the second largest.
Im 5'9" and a half and I ride a medium 26 covert. I have a double barrel air cs and the bike is a beast. I would say get a different shock or get yours tuned/pushed. I have little experience with the floats but I seem to consistantly hear reports of the shock either being supple and blowing through it's travel or being really harsh.
Transition sizing seems a bit weird... The reach of the Covert 29 is really short, so I emailed them and they said yep, ignore the size guide, get a large. In which case why not say that in the size guide?
Rp23 on my 26er. If I had a CTD I'd prob look at tuning/swapping, based on experience on other bikes.
OP, firstly you do seem to have a shock setup/tune problem. Secondly if the sizing seems wrong have you experimented with the saddle position (easy) and secondly stem length (more trouble/expense). It's a pity it isn't a medium 26 or I would have suggested you sell the frame to me 😉