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Thinking of shortly retiring my Blur 4X in favour of something more modern/lighter. Trouble is, I want something pretty similar - good to throw about a bit, fun on the descents/bearable on the climbs etc. Will have a 150mm air fork, 1x9/10 and dropper post build. So far I'm thinking of:
Orange Five (although with the Maxle rear end I'd want this would drop it down into second hand only territory for me)
Cotic Rocket (ticks a lot of boxes and having been a 2x Cotic owner in the past, I like the company if that counts for anything plus reading Cy's spiel, he seems to have designed the bike around pretty much my criteria!)
Banshee/Mythic Spitfire (like the look of these but asked about them the other day and the outcome was that even Freeborn don't seem to think they're very good!)
Santa Cruz Butcher (maybe a bit OTT for what I'm looking for but it appeals)
Anything else? El Guapo would be a good one especially for the money but my god its ugly. Anyone know if anything is/was happening with those Ragley full bouncers? Nukeproof Mega is kinda half hanging onto the list too but like the Butcher, it may be a bit OTT for what I want.
Dave
SC Heckler
Transition Covert
Blur TRc which is effectively the updated version of the Blur4x
Hey Dave - I wouldn't get hung up on a maxle rear for a Five.
My own experience (12 stone) has never been poor running a Pro II 'bolt up' rear on QR drop outs.
Any road - how you doing ?
Second the Blur TRc (just got one) though you would have to lose or modify your fork as I am sure they are covered only up to 140mm forks.
El Guapo is as big as a Mega, bigger than a Butcher. AFAIK, Butcher pedals well, so might not be too bad.
Why not get an existing frame and shorten the shock slightly? Or.... a Five seeing as you live next to chavfax(TM) 
So you need a low BB?
Short travel?
Short rear stays?
Blur TRc is waaay out of budget at the moment (damn you new kitchen!).
Heckler... hmmm. Sounds daft but as much as I'd like a Five, I really don't want a Heckler (Hora's old one lasted 2 rides with me - just didn't gel with it).
Covert is a potential.
Another point is whatever I get I'm going to need to get a test ride on. Not sure how easy that is on stuff like the Mythic and Transition...
Mondraker Foxy? Its 140mm travel but lovely and slack, great looking, very compentent DH but efficent for the ups too.
Plus it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Basically want a lighter, slightly longer wheelbase Blur 4X Hora. A TRc in fact (but without the price tag).
Another option I could go with is get someone like Nemesis Project in the states to build me something. Had a few mails back and forth with Brad last year about building something with a Ventana rear end which would work out reasonably priced but I'd be scared of seriously cocking up the geometry and flushing a grand down the pan...
Well I'm in on this topic for obvious reasons. Richie- the Foxy got a neg write up on Bikedar (but this was down to the build not the frame?) http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/review-mondraker-foxy-10-37360
I'm sure Si from Progressive will be along in a minute - once my old Spesh Enduro dies there's a very good chance I'll be checking out a Chumba.
Transition Bandit - [url= http://singletrackworld.com/reviews/transition-bikes-bandit-review/ ]http://singletrackworld.com/reviews/transition-bikes-bandit-review/[/url]
Demo bike available from [url= http://www.pedals-edinburgh.com/ ]Pedals in Edinburgh[/url]
Really nice bike, great fun. Looks like the review is now premier only, but it mostly went 'This bike is pretty ace'
Mondraker might be an option Richie. Can you get them frame only?
Suppose the Maxle isnt a killer on a Five but it'd be nice. Doing good though Marcus. You? Now the nights are getting lighter I might start getting out with the calderdalemtb lot on a Wednesday night. You fancy it?
DBW - I was talking to Dickon once at Jungle and he said the LT2 Blur was quite a close match. Now it could easily have been a sales pitch but I wasn't looking to buy-just a convo.
Either that or why not run a Superlight with 140 forks? Sounds mad but is it....
Chumba xcl. Not the greatest climber, but brilliant at everything else. Jumps and manuals well, eats singletrack for breakfast and is superb downhill.
Just got back to work after a visit to Freeborn - funnily enough as looking to replace my Kobe Ti (so similar situation to you)
I went in asking about the Rampant
The chap raved on to me about the Ellsworth Momentum. he said it was on another level....not cheap though. he had last years model for 1499 reduced from 2300!
they do look nice in a raw finish though and lots of nice detailing.
Hey Dave yes I do (I've been meaning to for a while :wink:) & have in the last 2 weeks just started riding again after a 2 month injury lay off.....but I hear on the valley (yes even up here at KingX) drums that CMTB has got a bit fragmented - although Wednesday nights are still alive & kicking.
The SC Nickel isn't a million miles away from the TRC is it? Within budget so could be a good shout.
Bikeradar only gave it 3.5/5 for a frame only Nickel.
Not going to listen to a word BR say though... Nickel is (i think) a bit too xc orientated?
Not going to listen to a word BR say though
Very wise......
It looks like a 5 inch trail bike looking at the geo.
Some demos about http://www.santacruzbikes.co.uk/nickel
Have you considered a Commencal? The AM got a very good review somewhere (was it in the Dirt 100?) Whether their cracking issues are sorted or not, I don't know - but there's a few frame here that might fit the bill.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=73329
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=66815
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=66814
£1600 for a Commencal?
El Guapo would be a good one especially for the money but my god its ugly.
you're wrong. it's gorgeous. I wouldn't lie.
Gimme a little one to have for a while Brant and I might change my mind 😉
Put a bed sheet over them? Or simply market them as [i]'nightride bikes'[/i]?
My loaner is currently being passed around Hebden as my back's knackered and I can't ride right now.
Ben from Recycle is having one to race the Mega on.
They aren't shit.
They certainly don't look like a Nukeproof Mega - which is a pretty straight bunch of tubes with a few bends. That top tube and down tube on the Titus is a remarkable thing, but it's a pretty smart bit of forming, and they are strong, and really light.
I look at them like the father of a freckled ginger child perhaps, but honestly, I am liking the lines.
too slack and it won't be that fun. Try something with short chainstays/wheelbase and around a 67 degree head angle. My Bullit's like that and it's the most fun bike I've ridden. Probably more travel than you're after though.
Or have a look at some slopestyle bikes.
GT Distortion? 114mm travel with a 66.5 HA should be fun anywhere you take it (can I get a test ride please??)
Might have to pester you for a go when it gets back into your mitts then Brant as like I said, it does appeal. Will make sure nobody bullies it.
Stumpy Evo?
I have an EG, thought they were a bit ugly when I ordered but not that bothered. Have to say, it looks better in the flesh!
On-one's after sales seems a lot better than it used to be too, had an issue with the shock and it all seems to be getting sorted out fairly efficiently with plenty communication, should get it back this week.
I look at them like the father of a freckled ginger child perhaps,
Looking for a reason to send it back?
What about a Blood?
[shameless plug] Unfortunately they’re no longer for sale but I just happen to have one for sale [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-orange-blood-15-frame-1 ]here[/url] [/shameless plug] 😉
saracen ariel?
My first thought was Stumpy Evo my second was a TRc. As you cant afford the TRc and you say it looks ideal why not wait for the aluminium TR?
GT Distortion looks good too.
Richie- the Foxy got a neg write up on Bikedar (but this was down to the build not the frame?) http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/review-mondraker-foxy-10-37360
. . .and yet a totally STUNNING right up in Dirt.
There's no substitute to riding one yourself because, as these differing reviews prove, everyone is different.
Daveyboy - The Foxy is indeed availble in a frame only and bloody lovely it is too.
Take a look http://www.silverfish-uk.com/products/2534-2012_mondraker_foxy_rr.php?r=3m4d0b15s0
Give me a yell if I can help further.
Richie
Stumpy evo has no frame only options does it?
Are you a medium or XL? If you are, you have your answer;
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Frame++Forks/Frames+-+MTB/Turner+Frames/2011+Turner+5+Spot+DW+Frame_TB-DW11-140.htm?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=googlebase&utm_term=Turner+Frames
I had a Foxy and thought it was amazing. It is very long, [i] very[/i] low, quite slack and very light. Cornered like nothing else I have ever ridden.
I thought it was quite a wheels on the ground bike (but mine was quite long - eventually sold because too big for me and bought a Dune). The "Zero" suspension is quite stick to the ground-y though.
I would recommend a Foxy but also would mention the downsides: Was a bit flexy (do they have a maxle rear now?), dodgy QC in 2010 and 2011 leading to many bolts either stuck in or trying to jump out by themselves, spares expensive and availabiity unreliable.
It has 16 pivots I think, so won't be cheap or easy to replace that lot.
Edit: Oh, and the sizing is a bit weird, make sure you try one.
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If SC do make a alu TR I'd wait personally.
LT2, Stumpy (Evo?), TranceX