[Closed] Lightweight XC full sussers.

Canyon for value, spesh epic maybe? Giant do a nice one too.

Does this help at all?

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/top-3-best-100mm-fs-xc-carbon-framesets

also we have just reviewed the Lapierre:

http://www.cyclistno1.co.uk/gear/bikes/mountain/lapierre-x-control-510.htm

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have a look here http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/lightweight-all-day-racy-full-suspension-pics

The new 2012 Scott Spark looks awesome - Scott have apparently put loads of development behind it.

Loved my Anthem X but would try the 2012 Spark first on the list now.

My criticism of the Spark has always been the need to use the Tracloc lever constantly to get the most out of it. All the reviews I've read of the new Spark suggest that's not changed. Also... the Tracloc now stiffens the fork too, which I personally hate. I rode a Genius with the same system and really didn't get on with that aspect. I'd not connect the cable to the fork personally. It really depends if you're one for fiddling with levers and what not, or if you just like to pedal.

Personally, I'm the former, and love my Top Fuel. Not particularly cheap though!

The anthem-x is good, demo'd one of those and a trek top-fuel, of the two the giant felt faster without being uncomfortable, the trek was very nose down/arse up and pedal. Didn't have a stopwatch to hand though.

And Trek's sizing is odd, at 6ft I demo'd a medium/large based on the website geometry, which turned out to be tiny, the Giant in medium felt ideal.

Mmm, the sizing is a little strange. At 5'10" I ride an 18.5", which is about the same size as a medium Spesh, the 17.5" felt much too short. A friend who's about 6'3" still only rides a 19.5".

happy with my Top Fuel, 6' and ride a 19.5", the standover is fine as is length.

SC Superlight - also perfect for the maintenance shy.

Cheers guys, some food for thought.
I'd like a closer look at one of these as I tried the aluminium version when they first came out, didn't like it and bought the Alma, which I love, instead. The only negative I can see is the weight as it would appear to come in at about 11,5kg.
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looks like it would collapse if you sat on it!

not saying as a good or bad thing,

but very similar to the first gen Specialized fsr.

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Doesn't get used as much since moving down south ;-/ but still good weight for F/S 🙂

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happy with my Top Fuel, 6' and ride a 19.5", the standover is fine as is length

Yea, I sat on a 19.5 in the shop later and it still felt short, and hunched up, I think it was the seat angle so probably shouldn't judge as I could just move the saddle back.

Just felt like an 80mm bike with really short forks and narrow bars, whereas the anthem felt like it was properly proportioned. They seem popular though so must just be me!

but very similar to the first gen Specialized fsr.

+1 Santa Cruz Superlight.... just got one and love it!

Pronghorn PR6 Carbon?

I've not ridden mine in yonks cos I'm waiting on new forks and wheels, but if light and fast is your thing then you could do a lot worse. Love mine. Stupidly quick pretty much everywhere, which leads to some interesting descents. Think [b]andrewh[/b] on here has one too, and he seems the type of bloke who takes his biking a bit more serious than me so maybe one to ask for a more rounded opinion.

Marmite looks though.

He's sponsored by them though, may not get a totally unbiased opinion 😉

Blur XC?

+1 Blur XC. Ive used mine from BC Bike Race & Trans Rockies to Gorrick/Brass Monkeys. Excellent bike, super stiff. I think mine comes in somewhere around 24.5lbs.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Amazingly fast

He's sponsored by them though, may not get a totally unbiased opinion

[url= http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/series/lux-mr.html ]Canyon Lux MR[/url]

So not too worried about the price then?

Ah. Yes. I got mine at bargain basement price, so I forgot that they're not the cheapest out there.

so I forgot that they're not the cheapest out there.

That weight difference might be with/without shock?

Triton cycles have anthem x frames at 799

I'd get one if I had any money 🙁

That weight difference might be with/without shock?

If you like something differnt from the run of the mill Spark / Anthem then look at a Norco Phaser.
Never seen one but they seem to tick all the boxes. Can be built up to 21lb , and 23 1/2lb out the box isnt exactly heavy. 100mm f and r so enough travel to cope with general xc duties.

Having owned several Scalpels I can highly recommend them - I regret getting rid of the last one.

I now have a Scott Spark, which is also excellent and you don't need to use the Tracloc at all - I just leave mine in mid travel and ride it.

With regard to those Pronghorns... Know a couple of sponsored riders that won't even ride theirs any more! VERY poor quality design, everything fits very poorly, they rattle and are just a poor design. The quality of the carbon fibre is very good, which leads me to think their HT frames might be much better, but the full sus frames are best avoided.

Giant Anthem X would be the best bet IMO, despite the weight. Spec Epic or Trek Top Fuel also worth considering too.

Anyway, I'm more concerned of these massive braking bumps at llandegla you talk about... Seriously? Rode the black yesterday, not one braking bump worthy of consideration IMO. Certainly not compared to many trails I've ridden. Was on my HT and enjoyed it a lot more than last time when I took my full sus bike.

Anyway, I'm more concerned of these massive braking bumps at llandegla you talk about... Seriously?

Try an epic, great bike, anthem is also worth a look.

Titus FTM, 135R 140F Just under 25lb, with the Talas can co 100mm up hill too!!

You can't really go wrong with any of the race bikes from the top manufacturers.

For me though the main companies didn't really represent good value for money. I was set on a Canyon but when they sold out had a rethink.

I went for a Santacruz Superlight in the end on the basis that it was light, reliable and beautifully balanced both up and down. It also feels much more solid than an out and out race bike which suits me much better. Here's a little pic of my SC Superlight at 22lbs with no crazy light or expensive parts:

[img] [/img]

PS road pedals are there to get a comfortable fit for my knees and are not all that bad/ impractical

Another vote here for the SC Superlight, does most things very well and suits the UK's often foul conditions better than most - changed the bearings on mine last month after 4 years or so of frequent use, because I felt I ought to really, but they didn't need to be.

@ rob2 - step AWAY from the Anthem X frame...

Also got a superlight - shockingly capable bike. Love it.

Superlight looks good, but giving about a kilo or so away to what I'm looking for.

Superlight looks good, but giving about a kilo or so away to what I'm looking for.

The only frames a Superlight would be giving a kilo or so away to would be carbon hardtails!

I think you're a little confused here as to what you want...

With regard to those Pronghorns... Know a couple of sponsored riders that won't even ride theirs any more! VERY poor quality design, everything fits very poorly, they rattle and are just a poor design. The quality of the carbon fibre is very good, which leads me to think their HT frames might be much better, but the full sus frames are best avoided.

Hmmmm. Mine is toight loike a toiger. Yes, it creaks, but it's carbon. No rattles though. Everything fits, and I have utmost confidence in it. Only issue I ever had was the bolt that holds the shock to the linkages came loose on a ride, but that was just my own fault for not giving the bike a once-over after stripping and greasing stuff. Tightened it up and not had a problem since. Hard to believe that QC varies so greatly that one bike comes out the factory fine and another one comes out ready to disintegrate at the first pedal stroke.

Maybe something to do with mine being Pronghorn mk1 when they sold full bikes rather than just frames.

I discounted a superlight based on the weight/price, even buying the mid build package it weighed a lot more than an Anthem, I can't see how you could get one down to 22lbs without spending more than 3k!

Besides I actually preffered the ride of the Anthem which gives all the power of a hardtail and rides better than most FS I've ridden. Ok not nearly niche enough for some but if you want to waste money then fair enough. 🙂

Agree that Superlights aren't, so to speak! When they redesigned it we had a couple in stock, SIDs, X.9, WTB wheels etc and they were 27lbs without pedals. Nice bikes I'm sure, but they're not the lightest.

Maybe SC are big boxing fans, where superlightweight is heavier than lightweight.

A friend in my club has a Canyon Lux MR with XX and SID's, it somes in very light and rides extremely well. I'd think with a slightly lesser groupset that'll cover most bases for XC riding/racing.

Still unsure how everone gets their FS XC bikes down to 22lbs! Started trimming my Epic yesterday and despite being pretty high spec, it's still 26.5lbs and I'd think it must be almost impossible for me to trim 4.5lbs off it and surely the frame can't weight 4.5lbs more than a Superlight!?

Are my scales a wrong or are most people a little overoptimistic!?

Still unsure how everone gets their FS XC bikes down to 22lbs!

Generally they don't, it's over bullshitism, however there are many that do (and get them even lower) but it takes a lot of wonga and/or sponsorship.

DanW - Member
You can't really go wrong with any of the race bikes from the top manufacturers.

For me though the main companies didn't really represent good value for money. I was set on a Canyon but when they sold out had a rethink.

I went for a Santacruz Superlight in the end on the basis that it was light, reliable and beautifully balanced both up and down. It also feels much more solid than an out and out race bike which suits me much better. Here's a little pic of my SC Superlight at 22lbs with no crazy light or expensive parts:

What do you have on there to get it down to 22lbs? Just curious like...

Still unsure how everone gets their FS XC bikes down to 22lbs! Started trimming my Epic yesterday and despite being pretty high spec, it's still 26.5lbs and I'd think it must be almost impossible for me to trim 4.5lbs off it and surely the frame can't weight 4.5lbs more than a Superlight!?

Are my scales a wrong or are most people a little overoptimistic!?

Mine's 19.7lbs with Rocket Ron/Furious Fred tyres, and a bit more as pictured with Rons. Compared to another 2011 Top Fuel 9.9 which was 24.5lbs with SID World Cups, full XTR etc, so I'm confident in it, also weighed plenty of other bikes on the same scales, including a full XX Whippet with DT XRC100s and DT190/Olympic wheels, and mine was still lighter. Devil's in the detail and both of these:

it takes a lot of wonga and/or sponsorship.

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I don't know how much they weigh, but I always think that these look like a decent lightweight FS:

http://www.focus-bikes.com/gb/en/bikes/bikes-2011/category/mtb-fullsuspension-6/subcategory/marathonxc/model/fsl-20-1.html

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I like the design with the shock tucked into the top tube; like a less exposed, non-melted-looking Pronghorn.
Looks like a sensible marathon/XC bike with little to get caked in mud in our inclement UK conditions & the shock is nicely out of the way of the mud too.

Doesn't Matt Page ride one of those? Doesn't seem to hold him back for sure!

Isn't there a risk of catching you knackers in the shock/linkage of the Proghorns or Foci?

That is the first thing I think about when seeing those design. There is something just not "right" about the positioning of the rear shock

don simon - Member
Isn't there a risk of catching you knackers in the shock/linkage of the Proghorns or Focii?

Theoretically - yes.
Practially - probably impossible.

Can't ever remember a time I have whacked my knackers on that part of the top tube. If you ever were to, your weight would be off the saddle & the suspension would likely be in an uncompressed position.

I'll let you try it out though & let us know how you get on. 😉

[i]Isn't there a risk of catching you knackers in the shock/linkage of the Proghorns or Foci?[/i]

mine don't hang low enough...

And you'd have the saddle in the small of your back, whilst it looks like a possibility, I don't think you'd actually manage it without some other serious injuries!

Think the lightest full suspension frame out at the moment is the top of the range Scalpel. If you've got the money that's your answer. Always been a bit puzzled by SC Superlights-- they're not that light. The Blur XC Carbon is a lot lighter.

mine don't hang low enough...

Always been a bit puzzled by SC Superlights-- they're not that light. The Blur XC Carbon is a lot lighter.

The label might be a misnomer, but it was very light when it was first launched 10 years ago. And there aren't many quality FS frames for £900. The Blur is much more expensive.

Think the lightest full suspension frame out at the moment is the top of the range Scalpel. If you've got the money that's your answer.

Only got 70mm of travel though haven't they? And it's not very active at that, closer to a soft tail than a 'proper' FS. May fit the bill, but not sure I'd choose one for anything other than racing.

The label might be a misnomer, but it was very light when it was first launched 10 years ago

10 years? And the rest, closer to 20, although the redesign was about 8 years ago - and that's never been light. Like I said before (possibly not on this thread), 27lbs for the 'off the shelf' £2000 bike, which was more than the similarly priced rivals. Agree that it's a fair price for an alu FS frame, but they're still not light, and most of the other manufacturers don't offer their alu FS frames after market.

Always been a bit puzzled by SC Superlights-- they're not that light.

but it was very light when it was first launched 10 years ago

Wot he said. Although people still comment on how light my bike is, based on a 2001 frame (pre a couple of facelifts) and it has nothing special on there - Rebas, x9 .. wheels are nice DTs though. I think the new ones gained a pound or so, but are probably less flexy - not that I notice it particularly, but I tend to just get used to what I ride rather than think too hard about it.

I've bent the hangar now though so I'm one gear short .. working up the balls to bend it back 🙂

I went for a Santacruz Superlight in the end on the basis that it was light, reliable and beautifully balanced both up and down. It also feels much more solid than an out and out race bike which suits me much better. Here's a little pic of my SC Superlight at 22lbs with no crazy light or expensive parts:

Always been a bit puzzled by SC Superlights-- they're not that light. The Blur XC Carbon is a lot lighter.

Easy answer this one... Superlight is single pivot, alloy and much better than a blur imo.. if they made a superlight carbon it would be far lighter than a blur.. if only they would!

oh and the price compared to a blur carbon!!!

Superlight far better than a blur to ride!

Any riders of said steed like to impart info or comments.

"Waves"

Mine is a Lux MR 9-SL in XL, weighs in at 24lb with XTR pedals. I was in the market for a race/all-day bike, stretched to £3200 for this so as to get the full carbon/XTR/Formula/SLR treatment. Equivalent Giant Anthem SL-0 Advanced was £6700 RRP.

No-one warned me how much FUN riding a short travel full-susser is. Have replaced the risers with flats and bar ends, I just love how direct and precise the handling is. Went bombing round Surrey Hills last weekend (waves to njee20), all round Peaslake, Yoghurt Pots, Telegraph, Summer Lightning etc etc....would be easier on a 120/130mm bike but in the dry and even on skinny Rons its a hoot.

Are you looking for;

Light weight short, mid travel trail bike? (Yeti ASR5C, SC Blur XCc)
Light weight short travel race bike? (Scalpel, Anthem, Spark, Canyon Lux MR)

And on what budget?

The GF & I have a Turner DW Flux & a Santa Cruz Superlight & these are NOT light short travel full suss bikes even with decent components.

my flux is 25lb

Going off this, what do you think I'm lookng for dickie?

As a confirmed lightweight HT XC JeyBoy lite with extra mincing, I find myself being drawn to a full susser. I can only put this down to having to ride through the braking bumps at Llandegla, learn to ride boys.
Issue 67 had the rather sexy Scalpel 3 which seems to tick all the right price, looks and weight boxes.
Anything else, with or without photos but preferrably with, I should be looking at?

My medium Blur XCc with full XTR, SIDs, Pro2/355 wheels and some nice Easton finishing kit comes in at 11.3Kg - [i]on my scales[/i]. That's just shy of 25lbs.

Make of other claims what you will....

That Focus is absolutely gopping!

Have you thought of looking at Merida's? Not a particularly niche or trendy name to have doen your frame. But lightweight XC bikes seem to be what they do best.

No weights listed on the site though for some reason

[url= http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bike/2012/17/MTB+Full+Suspension/Ninety-Six+CF+1200-D ]here[/url]

I won't touch Meridas.

The GF & I have a Turner DW Flux & a Santa Cruz Superlight & these are NOT light short travel full suss bikes even with decent components

Problem is the models change, even the good uns. I think of a Superlight as MY Superlight - 26ish lb which is light compared to 95% of other peoples bikes I meet, and 100mm travel which is a good 20% shy of the same peoples bikes.

On Don's criteria, I'd still consider a new Superlight, alongside the Anthem, Spark and Scalpel - but the Scalpel is too much of a head down racer for my money.

Scalpel is a down and out race bike!

binners - Member
That Focus is absolutely gopping!

Incorrect. It looks great.

Hardtail-esque at first glance, with a second glance of 'oooh, look at that cleverly placed shock, it's actually a full sus', thrown in for good measure. So there.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on that one stumpy. We're a broad church on here after all 😉

I can see the logic of it. It just looks a bit Fisher Price my-first-full-suspension-bike to me

binners - Member

It just looks a bit Fisher Price my-first-full-suspension-bike to me

Probably why it appeals to me, then! 😀

The Focus FS bikes look the best I think, never ridden one though.

sefton - Member

Scalpel is a down and out race bike!

Sorry I don't have issue 67 - is a scapel 3 high end or low end of the range?

[url= http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/scalpel-carbon-3-2011-mountain-bike-ec025334 ]Google is your friend[/url]. Says it's now discontinued. Looks good - but I personally think it treads on the toes of the Orbea too much. I'd sooner have a 'proper' 100mm travel FS bike which can still be raced, rather than a virtual soft tail.

Anthems are nice. This one's a couple of years old, and now has KCNC finishing kit which saved a fair bit of weight. Almost as fast as a hardtail but a bit more comfortable.
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