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Took my newly aquired BFE out today, and already put off by the lack of give in the rear. I've had an Alpine before, and had the same issue (although I did notice that more compliant at faster speeds)
Just trying to work out wether its worth the hassle of trying to swap it. Shall give it a few more outings as I'm coming from full sus. so probably soft!
Felt like Aluiminium though- not impressed! Also felt better at 120mm on the front (same as my Nicolai, seem to be going backwards here!)
Should point out seatpost/saddle probably don't help comfort (Thomson/WTB thin)
I have an older BFe and it definitely feels stiffer than an Alpine. Depends what you want it for, you wouldnt want a flexy frame for 4x or street or dirt jumping.
The newer ones are apparently flexier
Right, so stiffer than an Alpine = not for me. Just genral thrashing about/singletrack. Liked my DMR Switchback years ago..
Ive got the new version of the BFe.. carbon seatpost and 2.35 tyre with 35psi on the rear helps to take a lot of the trail buzz out, i find its some where between the cove hand job and the 456ss i had.. well comfy.. even better the faster you hit the trails 😀
Glad someone else is running a carbon post. Noticed difference in swopping from initial good solid ally one and also difference a wide tyre makes, using 2.25 Advantage much more comfy than a 2.1 Schwalbe mud tyre.
I have a newer (I think) BFe and it feels really flexy in the back, at least compared to my Trailstar. I don't really like the flex, feels good over bumpy stuff but slower to accelerate.
BFe is definitely more solid than a Soul. I don't find it harsh (despite me being 10stone) compared to something like a Chameleon, but it's definitley solid.
If you've bought a BFe, what are you doing sitting down on it anyway? It's there to have the ass ragged off it! 😉
Even when standing, you can feel its harsh.
Its the older, all 853 variation. I'm 70kg kitted out if that makes a difference.
I have a Bfe and it's stiff at the back compared to my previous 853 steel Genesis, which was a bit twangier, but I really like it - I'm > 100 kg though, so I understand that YMMV.
Given that you've switched from FS, is it possible that just giving more time for the transition to happen might help? I suggest this because going from my Genesis to Bfe, I didn't notice much, but when I had to ride the Genesis again it felt like it was made of bamboo, so sometimes it takes time to appreciate the shift.
i have an old BFe and its as stiff as a stiff thing
which is by the way perfect and one of the reasons i bought it
The old BFe is definately stiffer on the back end as the rear triangle is much beefier tube profile wise and stiffer than the older one, the newer being more similar to the soul. The larger diameter post won't help much either especially on a thomson, think cy recommended something like a use sumo on the BFe.
I'm just about to build up a brand new soul which will replace my mk1 soul which i've found plenty strong enough as a trail bike, the ride of the soul is great for a hardtail, much nicer than my old inbred and a much smoother transition from my five than i was expecting, in fact the plan was to keep both the five and the soul but the five hasn't had a look in so has been moved on, the soul now my main bike and a charge blender for mucking about on.
If you can afford a soul then treat yourself, its a great bike.
This singletrack interview with cy should give you an idea of how strong the new soul is.
i ve both soul and BFE the later is slightly harsher but nothing that id realy complain about after nearly 21 years of mtbing id say these two frames are the best bikes i have ever ridden and owned and i have had a fair few full sussers , the one thing i have done to take the sting out the tail is fit U.S.E suspension seatposts to both