So, it's my 50th very soon and I've decided to treat myself to a new frame.
Background info - currently on a Nicolai G13 size L. Running it 150mm front/ 130mm back. Been an eye opener to LLS and love it in the mountains. However not been able to get to any for a while and will be same for next year at least, and it can be a bit of a chore locally.
Looking at something a touch smaller (around 500mm reach, 440mm or less CS) with similar travel that's a bit more spritely and manoeuvrable on flater/rolling terrain but will still be up for Alpine singletrack (not bothered about bike park smashing).
Also needs to be available!
Shortlist is:
Yeti SB130 XL
Santa Cruz Hightower XL (like though of long shocking a Tallboy but reach is a bit short)
Bird Aether 9c L with a Kitsuma or Ohlins TTX Air shock)
will run it with a Lyrik at 150mm.
Any feedback on any of these and, as its STW, what have you got that I should consider?
Ta
Jon
Transition Sentinel? I've got a Spur which is a little light duty for what you want but if I wanted to go burlier I'd be on a Sentinel for sure, nice clean lines, amazing warranty support should you need it and they are really, really nice to ride.
Pivot Mach 5.5?
I would run a mile from the Yeti, terrible back up from Silverfish.
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Pivot is a good shout
I would run a mile from the Yeti, terrible back up from Silverfish.
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Pivot is a good shout
Speaking from personal experience, I found making Yeti warranty claim here in the UK to be fine. Handled through the retailer, Tredz, took about 4 weeks from reporting it to receiving my frame back. FYI it was a seized bearing that was the issue not cracking/breaking. I loved the ride on my Yeti, sometime wish I still had it.
It you are after a 29er then best to look at the Pivot 429 or Switchblade rather than a Mach 5.5.
As an owner of a Bird Aether 9c, in size XL, with 150mm Lyriks, I would say that the only reason to choose one is the lower price. The fit, finish and details just don't match the big brands.
I would run a mile from the yeti, and choose a sentinel. IMHO the relaxed seattube of the Santa Cruz makes it a joke in the larger sizes. Nukeproof might be in with a shout, but they seem impossible to find in stock
Possibly a bit mainstream, but in the spirit of recommending what you've got I just treated myself to a new Stumpy (well, 2020 ex-demo) and like it a lot. I guess you'd want the evo version for a bit more travel.
Finding one might be a challenge though.
As an owner of a Bird Aether 9c, in size XL, with 150mm Lyriks, I would say that the only reason to choose one is the lower price. The fit, finish and details just don’t match the big brands.
This makes it sound worse than it is.
I have a 9C too. It's a cheap way to get a carbon nu-skool geometry full suspension bike. It's clearly built to a price point and I agree that finishing does not match the big brands, but it doesn't smack a poor quality - it's merely adequate.
I'd say stick with what you've got, fit some fast rolling tyres and maybe firm up the suspension. Try a shorter stem?
I would run a mile from the Yeti, terrible back up from Silverfish.
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Pivot is a good shout
Not if you want good warranty support from the disti, Upgrade. Never had to do a warranty claim, but they were useless at everything else.
Recommend what you have time, Deviate Highlander?
This is stw and I will recommend what I ride...
Cotic Jeht (good for 150mm up front)?
HB130?
Sentinel - was on the list but ends up being longer travel than I was wanting and doesn't;t seem to be any availability
Pivot - look great but Switchblade head angle a bit steep and seat angle a bit slack.
@the00 the thought with the Bird was that I could spend on the shock as the general geometry is good. What do you feel is not good on it?
As to the Santa Cruz seat angle the geo charts show the Hightower at 76.3degrees at head tube height, which is pretty much the same for all of the options - 76.3/76.4/77. My G13 is 76.7.
@metalheart - had a first gen Rocket and loved it, but not sure how much more 'spritely' a Cotic will be compared to what I have.
@tomhoward - Deviate looks interesting. How are you liking it?
Interesting on the Bird carbons. I have an Aeris 27.5 and an Aether 27.5 (don’t ask it’s Boris’s incompetence related) and I’m impressed with both.
I like the details like the mainly external routing and the pivot bearing assemblies - nicely thought out for the UK.
Didn't really fancy carbon.
That said I just turned 50 and asked for a Seiko Alpinist. I wanted something that might last longer that 5 years. (The new one, still on pre-order)
Orange stage 5
them new trail scott sparks look well fast.
I think the Yeti and Santa Cruz look ugly, how the do the rear triangle.
@metalheart – had a first gen Rocket and loved it, but not sure how much more ‘spritely’ a Cotic will be compared to what I have.
I’m not sure you understand how this works here, you think I actually read your OP? Pffft.... 🤪
you think I actually read your OP?
I'm a fool!!
@tomhoward – Deviate looks interesting. How are you liking it?
Very much, I’m totally sold on high pivots now. Descends brilliantly, handles rough trails beautifully and is super stable. I’m on the 140mm link.
It’s not super light, you could get it below 31lbs but there’d be some pretty big compromises I reckon, and it’s not the fastest, most efficient climbing bike ever, but that’s not really an issue for me.
Banshee V3 Prime?
I'm on a V3 Rune & it's next level good.
Evil Offering is awesome, though depending on local terrain you could go Following - so capable - getting hold of either tricky mind. Reckon the Tallboy option is still a good one too - built up with a Fox 36 at 140mm and a DPX2, its way more capable than it should be for the travel.
Definitely sounds like a Banshee model of some sort is in order to scope out
Crikey I’m envious, the bike market is your oyster ;d
I’m a fool!!
It’s okay, you’ll pick these things up come time 🤣
And the Jeht is available (well come August). I did read some of it 🤪