[Closed] Rock Lobster

Yes, very.

Partner has the alloy one (Tig Team SL), I've got the steel one (853).
For most things apart from really long day rides, I prefer the alloy bike:
It's lighter and just feels a bit faster and more responsive to pedal input.
Steel one is definitely comfier though.

Great for general XC stuff, fine at trail centres.
They do come up a bit short in the top tube, but handle superbly.
Bit steep at the front, but very neutral, no vices and can take a bit of a beating if required.

Steel one fine with a 2.1 Advantage, Crossmark or 2.35 High Roller at the back.
Alloy one has a little more room and will take a 2.2 Purgatory (a huge tyre) with ease.

Hers has XT, SID forks, Hope hubs & brakes, 717's and weighs about 25lbs.
Mine has XT, 719's, SLX brakes, Rebas and comes in around 27lbs, if weight matters.

I have a hankering for a full boinger or something with longer travel now and then (currently a Prince Albert), but it usually passes after I've been for a ride on the RL. 😀

Yep, love mine for pure XC big miles rides, off road commuting, speed etc. very light and you can throw it around on tracks and none techy stuff.
Not very good if you want technical seat of the pants scary riding, rock gardens, drops, playing in the local woods etc.
I always use my Tig Team SL in the Yorkshire Dales, big climbs, often carrying, big none technical descents.
We did a ride in the Dales on Sunday which had a crazy technical descent and it wasn't that pleasant on the Lodster, I've got slacker bikes which would have been easier (skills compensators).
Good frame tho. overall.

I made the silly choice of taking an alloy one to CyB some years ago. My teeth are still rattling to this day. It was harsher than the Zaskar I replaced it with, & thats saying something.
Lovely bike though. Mine had Sids also, was very light.

And Yes, as RS says, short top tube for an obviously XC orientated bike, which is a bit strange. You'll definitely notice the difference if you're used to, say, On Ones, which are quite long in the TT.

Biggest change in comfort we've noticed was changing to Thomson seat posts:

Thomsons are much, much stiffer and really do affect the ride.

I had a Race Face Deus, which constantly slipped and was [b]eventually [/b]replaced with a Thomson, free of charge, by Merlin.
Sue's EA30 post got damaged in the back of the car, so she bought a Thomson to replace it.

I'd say the alloy frame with the Easton post was comfier than the steel frame with the Thomson.

I don't find the alloy bike uncomfy, but we do run biggish tyres at lower pressures.

Sue bought the SL when we both visited Merlin to order my 853. It had been built up for a customer who had subsequently backed out and was for sale at £850.00 😀
Had Bombers on it when new, which really suited the bike, funnily enough. Same thing six years later would cost the best part of £1400.00. 😯

Also, as RS (I don't know him, honest), I've never had comfort issues other than, it's a hardtail. We've done 4 and 5 hour rides, I've no complaints. I do notice a big difference when I get on a full sus, but assumed par for the course with any other full sus v hardtail. I also have a On One Summer Season steal hardtail and they are both just hardtails AFAIC. Difference being geometry, not arse comfort, they're hardtails. Maybe I'm not as arse sensitive as some.

wern't they £400 or something for the tigSL or 853 frame AND reba forks from merlin? how much is an 853 frame usually? bloody bargain!

I didn't like mine. I much prefer the current designs with a long top tube and short stem such as Cotic, On-One, Orange, Marin, etc. RL is old school geometry like my fully rigid Kona Lavadome which languishes at the back of the shed as did the RL until I sold it. The Tig Team SL has a terribly harsh ride as well.
So if you like short bikes, long stems and a rough ride buy one.

great frame - if you want a allround xc frame with proven geometry - very light frame too!

Here was mine around 23lb - I'll build her back up one day
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