[Closed] Socom v SX Trail v Supreme Mini DH?

Isn't the SX supposed to be amazing (literally jump on and you are at one)? The others are subjective (ie need tuning/ride feel etc subjective- not to everyones taste)?

This is from a research/standback point of view NOT experience of riding them.

The SX is a great wee ride. I'm used to the geo on it too.

Problem is, I've got that want-want-want thing going on for a nice Socom. Although, I know that the SX will probably be better suited and half the price.

The Socom might be a bit too close to the Shocker, so maybe I should rule it out on that basis?

I have a 2005 sx trail built up with marz 66s on it for precisely the type of riding you outlined above, it's good, and I have no desire to replace it.

The Socom's a DH bike with 8" of travel. You might get away with a 180mm Fox 36 on there but it's not really what you want - probably an Uzzi or an SS2 if you're set on an Intense.

Haven't ridden the others to compare I'm afraid!

I have a large 2007 Commencal MiniDH frame that I keep intending on getting around to selling. It's used but in pretty good condition. If you're interested I would part with it for £125 (I REALLY need the space). Drop me an email for pics etc.

I had an 08 sx trail with totem solo airs and it was fun for freeride stuff, but not much fun to pedal around. My alpine 160 does everything the sx did, but can be pedalled around too, love it!

What about the current g-spot?
I don't suppose there are many about 2nd hand though.

I've not ridden one so can't comment on that but what I've read it seems to get very favorable reviews

I think the later sx-trails are more freeride/slopestyle orientated. The early ones were more all-day/burly trail bikes but got used for freeride/slopestyle by pros, who didn't need to worry that they were breaking chainstays every other day, mere mortals, however had a problem with this, so later models got slacker/beefed up.

I had an 07 SX Trail with Lyriks in, I thought it was crap tbh. Fair dos, I am not a jumper, so it might be great at that- certainly felt balanced in the air. But it was worse on the downs than a quality, modern trailbike- i guess time's just caught up on it maybe.

I just stopped riding it, there was never a time I wouldn't sooner be on my Hemlock. But OTOH, it was cheap.

Can't really recommend the Socom. They dent easily, and will eventually crack around the swing link pivot on the top tube. Also they flex like mad, and most of them were welded together whilst clamped in a chocolate jig, so the alignment is shoddy.

The geo is a bit steep too. For what you want effectively it would give you the bad bits of your DH bike (DH-length travel) without the benefits (geo).

I'd look elsewhere for something 6" travel but slack and low.

Orange Alpine 160? Great bike for what you describe. Rear end is 12mm though (still 135 width, so fine if you have a convertable hub).

I've had the commy and the SX. i'd recommend the commencal over the SX any day.

no idea about the socom.

I never got on with my 08 SX Trail.

Socom is too DH, the Slopestyle2 is supposed to be superb but is single ring only if that's an issue.

I have the later model UZZI and it's perfectly fine as an all day bike and has the option of granny if needed but ideally suited to 180mm fork.

I'd go for the SX as you hear nothing but good things about them.

The Socom will definitely not like a 160mm fork; with a 200mm fork it was still quite steep at the head relative to other DH bikes (even at the time it was designed), but with a Lyrik or Fox 36 it will feel terrifying. I actually tested one in this configuration at Cwmcarn a few years back which is how I know. The other comments about alignment are also something I’ve witnessed on the bikes of two mates, both of which need new bushings and bearings every 6 months!

The SX trail – depends on which year model you get. The ones up to 2009 (the SX Trail 1) had a tendency to crack at the junction of the left hand chainstay and the chainstay yoke. They issued reinforced version of these on later models but even those can break (as I know from first hand experience also!) Also they changed the SX Trail 1 between 2005 and 2006; the latter model had a slacker HA and longer stroke/eye to eye shock with longer travel. I can’t comment on what became the SX Trail 2, but it looked to be a very different beast.

Given that you’re buying second hand I’d go for something that has a good reputation for longevity and durability. It may be hard to find one second hand but the Nicolai Helius AFR would fit that bill perfectly. Gravity Sports in Scotland may be able to help you source one as they routinely have customers recycling from one model to the next.

The GSpot would really suit your needs I think. I use mine as my only bike and there's not much it's not up to. I ride it every day almost and regularly do 1500m plus days out on it and it only really gets a pain when I have to carry it for long distances. It's really playful, fun to jump, rock solid reliability-wise and pedals amazingly well. Bushings lasted 13 months of guiding which is really good.

Mine weights about 36lbs but can be built up to around 32lbs. I like stuff heavy and have DH rims, dual ply's etc. I love mine. More than I should really love a bit of metal. I'll probably sell my frame at the end of the season and get another, shinier one. There must be a few comming up 2nd hand.

I've tested a few SX trails, can't remember the years but fairly new and fairly old, and wouldn't want them as a pedal all day play bike. Not tried the other bikes on your list. I was on the new Commy Meta SX at the weekend and it felt like the GSpot but I broke the tyres so didn't get much time on it. Hope that helps. There's a full review of the GSpot on my website.

thanks for all the useful comments guys, much appreciated

ooooh, I hadn't even considered the G-Spot! It's like a mini version of my Shocker (which is the most fun thing since, well anything really!).

Presumably I want the most recent version and not the BB mounted suspension version?

Could be a needle in a hay stack trying to get a hold of a 2nd hand newer frame....

The Sx's pre-2005/6 are much better trail bikes, and i use mine for pretty much everything.

Sx's past that got shorter top-tubes, and much slacker. So, a play bike.... but maybe not as good a trail bike.

I am 18st and have snapped one chainstay from original, but with legendary service levels the nice people at Spesh sorted a rapid replacement which was beefed up a bit. Not snapped it since.

Get a 2005/6 SX... you wont look back.

I wouldn't fancy riding any of the bikes you mentioned on an all day adventure.

I'd be looking at an Enduro, Slash or Alpine.

If you do consider an old G-Spot then I have one for sale... Very different beast to the new one, all told. You can do big long rides on it (I have!) and it's great fun descending, but the geometry's a bit odd by current standards (nice and slack, but short in length and tall in BB).

ah, just read what you actually want to use it for.

my five with lyrics is far better than the SX or the commy ever were.

I was talking about the new GSpot, just to clarify. The old one was fun but I decided against it for an all day bike.

Kudos, the Enduro is a different type of bike to the GSpot, it's true. I don't think that an Alpine is significantly lighter or easier to pedal though.

Peter, the new G-Spot is the same suspension design as the Shocker. I bought my GSpot after riding a STD and being impressed with the suspension.

Nukeproof Mega? Long, low and slack can run up to 180mm forks takes some abuse and rideable all day, although you might want to budget to replace the standard air shock.

I'm running a 2007 SX trail with 160mm 55's and I really like it (It's actually my second, I had to go up a size). This replaced my 06 Big Hit and feels just as capable anywhere I've dared to ride it.

Two of my friends run Commencal Mini DH's which to be honest feel pretty similar to the SX to ride. maybe slightly steeper HA?

Oh and my medium SX frame is still up for grabs.

Had a miniDH which was amazing fun, but just changed it to a G Spot and its awesome, much more fun.
For dh definately the Commie, but for messing around then its the G Spot.
Am getting used to it at the moment and it feels great

I've got a Cove Shocker for DH, so looking for something a little less full on for general thumping around when it's a bit too rough for my skills on the HT.

Can't believe I overlooked the G-Spot!

It's like a baby Shocker 🙂

I'm now hugely tempted to try to find a shocker to take to the alps.
Hmm or do I just take the g spot and get a bit of a kicking

peterfile

I've got a Cove Shocker for DH, so looking for something a little less full on for general thumping around when it's a bit too rough for my skills on the HT.

Can't believe I overlooked the G-Spot!

It's like a baby Shocker

Reading above just goes to show how subjective opinions are. I've ridden the 3 bikes you've mentioned, I own an 07 sx trail with Totems, 823s and a mixture of strong but light stuff.

My 2cents would be that if you already own a shocker then ignore them all. If you set any of them up as intended they will only be a hair away from the shocker. My sx trail is imo a better dh bike than many dedicated dh race bikes I've tried .

I'd go for something in the 140-160mm range if I was in your position, and personally I'd struggle to look past an enduro. Then again, those bikes are so capable that unless I had a chairlift, I'd hardly ever ride a full on dh bike if I had a 160mm bike, so I went for a 120mm full susser to keep things distinctly different.

I love my 2010 SX Trail, but I use it pretty much as a DH bike

I'd go for something in the 140-160mm range if I was in your position, and personally I'd struggle to look past an enduro. Then again, those bikes are so capable that unless I had a chairlift, I'd hardly ever ride a full on dh bike if I had a 160mm bike, so I went for a 120mm full susser to keep things distinctly different

Pretty much my thinking. I found I could ride the enduro pretty hard on DH tracks, but it was a bit dull on everything else. I now have a 110mm full susser and a mini DH bike.