After spending the last year or so razzing about on a Scott Scale, the itch to go back to a full suss XC bike was strong and the BMC Fourstrokes at Paul's Cycles were a bit of a bargain, so I pushed the buy it now button on a size large Fourstroke 03 and then promptly took it apart 😀Â
The forks - SID Select 110mm and shock - SID Luxe Select + have stayed put, as has the stem but I've changed everything else, with the exception of the gear outer cable as why change SP41 when it's the best anyway.
The SLX M7100 groupset inc brakes & rotors, DT Swiss X1900 wheels, X-Fusion Manic dropper and alloy bars came off, and on went an XTR M9100 groupest inc brakes & rotors, Hunt Proven XC Carbon Race wheels, Fox Transfer SL dropper and Prime Prima carbon bars along with ESi grips. So it's a good chunk lighter than stock and just a tad nicer.
It rides really very well indeed on the few local loops I've taken it on over the last couple of weeks with it's first proper outing (and first event for me in ages) at The Dirty Knocka this weekend, where I take on the 6hr pairs with my eldest lad.
Nice Steve. Mrs has one that has done 11 hard years and still wearing well (29er with same basic suspension layout but vertical shock placement). Multiple drivetrains but only one set of easily changed and not super worn pivot bearings in all that time so must be well aligned.
@mick_r that's good to know, one of the reasons I ended up on a HT was that I got sick of changing bearings.
Hi..been looking at these myself but as usual im in between sizes med or large..how tall are you if you don't mind me askingÂ
Cheers Guy
Hi..been looking at these myself but as usual im in between sizes med or large..how tall are you if you don't mind me askingÂ
Cheers Guy
A smidge under 5'11" my saddle height is 750mm from center of BB to top of saddle for further reference on 175mm cranks with XT SPD pedals. They are quite long for an XC bike, longer than a large Scott Scale (it's predecessor) by about 10-15mm, but the medium is considerably shorter.
Thanks for that..really lovely looking bike..I think if I go for it it would have to be a medium then👍🏻
Is there space to fit 2 bottles on one of these?
I bought one myself a few months ago. It's a lovely package as stock.Â
In answer to the above question, yes you can get 2 500ml bottles in the frame.
Yup, there's 5 sets bolts on the down tube so you fit two cages on the down tube like this
How does it ride compared to the Scott Scale? I've been tempted by one of these after my Lapierre XR got nicked, but have been doing fine with my hardtail and not sure I need it.
Its obviously smoother over anything slightly rough, not quite got the instant response when you put the hammer down on smooth stuff, but it climbs really well and the rear suspension has that kind of not there feeling, like it doesn't impact ride.
I was talking to a very good youth XC racer who also has one and he agrees, he couldn't quite figure out how to describe it until we had a chat.Â
It descends really well, the head angle takes a bit of getting used to, you have to ride the fork a bit in twisty single track, but once you do its seriously rapid.
I'm impressed so far, done a good dozen rides from racing Dirty Knocka at Cannock to local wooded trails and a good slog up some hills in mid Wales at the weekend, so pretty much everything I ride and its good.
I'd go for it if I were you.
I bought mine as a middle ground between my gravel bike and my slack HT. I wanted speed and comfort for riding rough ground like rough bridleways, canal tow paths and corrugated fields.
The gravel bike is quick but can be hard going (uncomfortable) on XC terrain.
The HT is super capable but 50-60kms is about its limit for some XC.
A carbon FS fit the bill nicely and then the reduced prices swept me away.
