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I was all set to test ride with the intention of building up a saracen kili flyer but just read the review on mbr of the 121 which slated it's climbing.
Also...really not sure of the sizing. I'm 6' with 32" inside leg and have had two bike shops saying different things. One suggests trying 17.5 and the other 19...
Any experiences and advice would be appreciated
Ta
Knew a guy who raced the Grundig World Cup series back in the day and swore it was an all rounder. Magazines are just one persons opinion when writing the article. Test ride it for yourself, hope this helps.
Have you seen my PSA for the £600 frame?
I'd also recommend going ahead with the demo and checking it out for your self. Everyone is different and you might prefer something that the journalist doesn't. Use reviews as a rough guide to form a short list of bikes to demo.
Also use the reach and effective top tube measurement rather than seat tube length to find the correct size. Its a much more useful measurement for modern cycles which usually have plenty of stand over making seat tube length a bit redundant.
120mm travel bike at 14.64 kg its going to be slow up hill whatever the geometry
My 19 weighs 28lb and climbs nicely. Descends brilliantly too. I'm 6'1. And the 19 is great although I have a 50mm stem currently. Might change to a 60 or 70 though just to see what it's like.
I've had a demo on the 122, climbing definitely wasn't a problem (I really didn't get on with the divey fork though).
I hate to ask this, but can you climb? If yes, then it's probably safe to say the kili flyer wont really hold you back much.
I was all set to test ride with the intention of building up a saracen kili flyer but just read the review on mbr of the 121 which slated it's climbing.Also...really not sure of the sizing. I'm 6' with 32" inside leg and have had two bike shops saying different things. One suggests trying 17.5 and the other 19...
Any experiences and advice would be appreciated
Got a 2014 Ariel, so a little longer in the travel department.
Can it climb? In short, yes. Can it climb as well as a carbon race hardtail? No. Can it climb steep, rooty trails without losing traction, until my legs give out? Yes. Does it bother me? Nope.
Saying that, the Ariel is undoubtedly aimed more at riding back down. If you want a bike purely for climbing hills, then probably look elsewhere. The Kili isn't too different numbers-wise, so I'd suggest it's also aimed at heading back down the hill.
I'm also just under 6ft and went 19". Absolutely zero regrets. Loads of standover and loads of top tube reach. I've popped a 50mm stem on, but that's the only change.
Final thing is that I was [i]really[/i] pleasantly surprised how fun the bike is. Like [i]really[/i]. I thought it'd be fun, but I'm absolutely loving it. I've have several suss bikes, some of which do other things better, but this one is an absolute blast for all round riding on fun trails.
I've got the original Kili flyer FS, which is all aluminium. It weighs 29.5 lbs with reverb. The new one will be lighter for sure.
It climbs well enough for me, it's never held me back and has climbed everything I can. It's done rocky lakes climbs and long fire road climbs, whilst I'll admit it's not my 100mm Trek Superfly in the climbing stakes it goes down a damn sight quicker.
I love mine and I'm seriously considering buying the new full carbon one if I can find the cash.
I'm 5'11 and I've got a 19 with a 60mm stem.
MBR just reviewed one and it won the test, different people like different things I guess. Test ride one
Got a 2014 Ariel.....
On my list of frames to get and build up, I have seen it suggested the frame is a bit flexy. Have you found this to be a problem?
By the way if you're anywhere near west leicestershire you're welcome to have a try of my Kili.
On my list of frames to get and build up, I have seen it suggested the frame is a bit flexy. Have you found this to be a problem?
Not noticeably. I do tend to run shocks open quite a lot though, so it would have to be quite apparent to stand out with all the other movement going on. Certainly no more than I've found on any other full suss frame.
To put it another way, the flex through the Stans Crest rims on my old 29er was [i]far[/i] more perceptible while riding, whereas the Saracen feels like it works as a package.
Very interesting...test ride soon. In Kent but thanks for kind offer!
Reading and taking note of an mbr review...haha!
Not sure if this helps, but I got a leaflet from EBC in the post yesterday., and they are discounting the Killi Flyer 122 and 121 from Saturday 10am.
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