I can't seem to find a first ride impressions or review anywhere. A bit poor considering the first 50 were given out a couple of months ago.
Andy who works at Singletrack has one. Raced it at Peatys downhill I think.
Maybe ask him his thoughts?
Maybe they're working on a review at some point?
Maybe they're riding them and having too much fun to mess about writing reviews 🙂
My riding mate has one. He loves it. Good weight for a steel fs, but a little heavy in comparison to other 140mm fs bikes (+32lb). He's very impressed with the shock, and the quick turning ability of the bike. He's coming from a nomad, which he will be selling.
Hi chaps,
I've got a Shan No.5. Mine weighs in at 35lbs with pedals which sounds a bit much when I'm coming from lighter alloy and carbon bikes, but you only really notice the weight when lugging it about.
Considering this is the first full sus bike from them they have done a really good job of the quality of the travel. It has the usual "unlimited" suspension feel you get from other designs but remains playful and happy to hop off the trail with ease.
The steel construction really does seem to offer a bit more grip and it certainly is more comfortable over rocky stuff when compared to an alloy single pivot bike. Speaking with the guys at PP it does seem that the Shan No5 was designed for really long tough downhills and they used steel as it would be more comfortable so I do need to get it out to some monster trails and give it a proper testing.
Compared to other Shan's the No.5 is much longer. I would normally ride an L in most other brands but went for the M/L with this and am more than happy with the length.
As I was in Fort Bill last weekend and heading to Tweedlove today, I won't be able to ride it again until next week.
I will try and get first ride impressions up on STW in the next week or so.
^Had a good nosey at yours in FW on the STW stand.
The Shan#5 was initially at the top of my list as Ive had lots of steel frame over the years in preference to ali and carbon.
The 2 things putting me off one are the press fit BB and the downtube cable routing - either as PP show it in their photos down the outside and dangly or route them through the shock mount which looks untidy. Little things but enough to stop me buying.
Have a close look at the geometry if you're considering one.
Very handsome bike and nicely long reach, but notably short chainstays by current standards.
The steel construction
Oh, [i][b]do[/b][/i] **** off !!press fit BB