Any thoughts on the above bikes?
I’m just selling the frameset of my Aether 7 which I’ve been running 150mm fork / 130mm rear travel. Lyrik up front / Fox DHX2 coil rear. Loved the bike but fancy trying a 29er for a bit more rollover ability / ironing out a bit more of the rough repetitive bits on rooty / rocky trail. Still would like some pop though.
Ideally I’d have an Aether 9 (out of stock), Nukeproof Reactor 290 (alloy in m size out of stock / Carbon too £££) or Evil Offering (too ££££), Norco Optic (no frameset only and probably too £££).
Noticed the Marin AlpineTrail Carbon frameset and a bit interested in that. My form can go to the 160mm required.
It’s a bit longer travel than I was ideally after - bordering on enduro rather than trail. Wondering if anyone on here has one and comment on how well it pedals uphill vs other bikes (bobbing?) and also how well it pumps along flow trails. I’d assume given the brief of the bike it handles gnar pretty well.
Also I can’t find a frame weight - anyone know? Most full builds seem to be 34.5lbs - but they all have DD / Exo+ tyres, low rent Shimano hubs, Marin own brand rims, deore ish level groupsets etc. So wondering what realistic weights could be with a better build.