In a couple of months I should have enough money to buy a 2nd hand full sus frame again. I was just gonna get a Scott Voltage again but there are a few things about my old one I didn't like too much - mostly that it was pretty heavy and the seat tube at 14" was a bit short to use it for anything other than DH. What I did like about the Voltage was pretty much everything else - versatile with all the different shock mounts, stable at speed but very easy to manual/pump/jump. Just a fun bike.
Been interested in the Mega TR for a while now, they look pretty fun. I'd probably get the 16" (I'm 5'9" with 29" inside leg, should be about right?) so would hopefully maintain a fun and flickable (ugh) bike. The thing is I mostly ride short run DH like at Woburn, Aston Hill and Stile Cop with the odd trail centre or xc ride as well as some slightly rougher DH like the odd ride at Bringewood or FOD. Would it stand up to this sort of thing on a regular basis, being classed as a "trail" bike? And would it even be the most fun for what I intend to ride on it?
Anyone who rides at the above places regularly got a small one I could have a few runs on to see what its like?
friday evening bump
The new style 'enduro' bikes like the mega will make you realize how good we have it these days, got a few mates with megas and they rip as mini dh bikes that you can still pedal round Afan or cwmcarn
Fwiw I've got a Kona process 153 and have now sold my dh bike because there's just not much point in it anymore !
A difficult one, i've a mega TR, it's good at woburn/chicksands, imagine it'll be a blast at stile cop too, ie those "DH" places which are just an easy MTB jump spot really, if you get what im saying. IE pretty smooth, with some bigger jumps, but they're pretty smooth to do.
It's perfectly capable on the steep stuff, you soon become aware that it is 130mm of travel when you're looking for some grip in properly rough sections in a turn.
Sizing, this is the only issue IMO, im about your proportions, im on a large, handling wise it's spot on, good stability but still playful due to 130mm on the back, but seat tube is too big at 18.5, ive a 150mm dropper which firs easy enough with an inch or two to spare, fine for trail riding, b ut if you want to make shapes BMX style, it gets in the way, standover on the large for me is OK as a trail bike, but not as a play bike.
Saying all that, apart from featureless, flat terrain, I always have lots of fun on my mega tr. I've also no excuse for being slow up, along or down on it, i've also not found a reason to miss out any gaps on mine yet either.
I love my mega tr. Took it on an impromptu overnighter to afan with a couple of mates and did whites and the wall. I knew it was good before I went but I was 100% more impressed after that.
I have 2 megas, the TR and the original frame.
Both very different beasts...
The TR is so much fun, flickable, footloose and fancy free, perfect for my local riding on the surrey hills (ie tight tree runs, fairly smooth trails) but also hit some fairly big jumps 15 footers etc
The AM is a weapon in a straight line and rough stuff but doesn't turn so quick - perfect for trips to alps, lakes, triscombe etc.
I am 5.9 and both a size small. perfect for me, nice stand over and I like a short top tube. 150 dropper post spot on.
Jeez I'm 5 Ft 11 and I ride a large tr. The small would be eerrr small for me o reckon.
I'd say you'd want a medium (5'7", 29"inside leg and ride a large mega) but for what you are describing I'd go AM over a TR. My large AM is great at pretty much everything. TR's are designed for when an AM would be too much but if you're mostly doing mini dh stuff then am all the way.
5.7 on a large - blimey, must be like a gate!
Nope, right size for me. My v10 is a large too. I like long bikes and have a longer upper body than legs relatively. Plus the megas are fairly short bikes.
Cheers guys, I'm not sure what to go for now haha. Found a Voltage for pretty cheap that I can go and collect on Monday so tbh I may just go for that, I know what I'm getting and I know I'll have fun on it!
It's perfectly capable on the steep stuff, you soon become aware that it is 130mm of travel when you're looking for some grip in properly rough sections in a turn.
Does how much travel you have affect traction? I am curious about this as I'm considering a longer travel bike at some point.
I wanted a similar bike to what you are after _tom_, (for me it was, something that I could take out on a long ride with the lads,OS type rides up to 5hrs but also hit the Welsh trails and even ride the mini DH at rogate, fod etc) In the end I bought a mega tr off crc on one of those sale days (£1500 a real steal!). I got the biggest one they do, xl? I'm 6,3 and it fits well.
Id say it climbs no worse then my old whyte t120,its just 3 lbs heavier and limited gearing when its really steep. But its as good as my old DH bike (sunday) when going down hill and through the rough stuff. I've not done anything really nuts on it, but I think like someone else said, I would be quicker down a mini DH track (padded up with a number on), than my old DH bike, the back end feels way more than 130mm when your riding it, so your not afraid to push things.
Hope it helps,
Macca
Does how much travel you have affect traction? I am curious about this as I'm considering a longer travel bike at some point.
If the ground is rough enough.
Arguably the only thing suspension is there to do is provide traction (you can argue comfort, but that's for another time). Suspension provides traction by allowing the wheel to follow the contours of the ground.
Grip is provided by your tyre being in contact with the ground, and proportional to how much downwards load you have on that patch of tyre in contact with the ground.
If the ground is rough enough, the 130mm of travel will not follow the contours, the wheel will start skipping and no longer be in contact with the ground, hence no grip.
It isn't like in all circumstances more travel will always have more traction though. Remember the point above regarding that grip is proportional to how much load you have on the tyre, if the wheel is tracking the ground in both instances, longer travel and shorter travel, you can apply that load to the tyre more quickly with shorter travel, arguably improving grip.
More travel only gets you gains when it's rough enough, arguably compromising in those less rough situations.
How do you put that into context? Well, on my mega tr with 130mm, i ride some pretty rough, steep stuff on it, stuff that would not be out of place on BPW black for example, i haven't lost grip ever due to not having enough travel. Yea the wheel starts skipping, but always hooks up on something eventually.
Thanks for clarifying. I appreciate it.
If you do look at longer travel, the Commençal meta am frame can be had reasonably cheap depending in your budget and might make a good option for something like that. A bit hefty but solid as a rock.
Have been very impressed with my TR, had an Orange Five before, which after 2 years was full of cracks, never really got on with it, could never get the shock right. The TR is a much better bike, have ridden all day XC rides as well as riding it at Aston/Chicksands/Woburn.
I'd strongly recommend fitting a set of Pikes to the front, as they really are as good as the hype. Compared to the revelations which were on there originally, I have a lot more confidence in the front end.
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I have bog standard fox 32 150mm on the front. Do the pikes make that much difference as I'm quite happy at the moment.
Thanks again for the replies. I've already said I'm gonna buy this Voltage now so unless the seller backs out I'm going for that because I dont wanna be that annoying prick who backs out of buying stuff 😆 If I can get a shot on a Mega TR at some point I may reconsider but I know I'll like the Voltage and the sizing on the Mega seems a bit hit and miss without trying one first.
The pikes gave me a lot more confidence to hit bigger jumps and drops, as well as carrying a lot more speed though sections. I would say they are a worthwhile upgrade and compliment the bike very well, I went for the 650b versions, as its future proof and are only 10mm taller.
Tom, I would suggest a medium would be the right size for you, I am 6ft with 32inch inseam and a large is perfect. Running a dropper post and 50mm stem