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And if so what do you think?! Looking at gx build, looks pretty good for the money. Also looking at bird am9. Both look good value, bird a bit more enduro, sonder a bit prettier... thoughts?
Cheers ditch, I'll head over there
Had mine built up for a couple of weeks and really like it, climbs well, descends well, quiet. The geometry works well for me, 5'11" with long legs and short body, so mega long reach doesn't work for me. You can easily size up as the seat tube is really low, mine feels pretty light, but I've not actually weighed it.
Thanks Bagstard, did you do you own build or a stock one? I'm 6' so pretty certain a large, is that what you're on? What size dropper are you running?
I'm on a trek fuel ex 8 at the mo but it's too small for me (it's a m/l) and i thought if im changing bike i might look towards something a bit more downhill oriented but don't want to go over the top or compromise climbing/ general trail duties either. Seems to fit the bill.. what sort of stuff have you taken it on?
I built mine up a couple of weeks ago, I'm 6'3" so went XL and it feels spot on. Built with parts swapped from other bikes so running 140mm Fox 34's which are a touch shorter than stock but only make the head angle half a degree steeper and drop the BB by 3mm by my calcs so I'm not that fussed. I'm coming from a 27.5 Kona Process 153. I wanted something a little more lively and "poppy" the kona seemed a bit numb on all but the steepest trails. Other spec: Full SLX 10 speed with 30x42 drivetrain, SLX brakes 200mm rotors front and rear, 150mm dropper and some cheap Planet x formula/i29 wheels and tubeless Vittoria Gomas. I went for a Cane Creek shock option also so it will need a few rides then I'll start fiddling... Weight is just under 15kg.
I've not had it out on any really decent trails due to not being able to leave Edinburgh due to covid restrictions but on the stuff I've done locally including rocky technical stuff, rough BMX tracks and super steep shale bings, its felt spot on. Really stable and fast but still quite lively and manoeuvrable. On the mega steep bings its ace!
Niggles: the BB is lower than I'm used too, clearly running shorter forks hasn't helped but I think I'm going to have to switch to some 170mm cranks. The fully integrated headset was also a bit of a surprise and seemed to need tightened more than I was comfortable with to get it solid. Also the linkage has already got an annoying creak in it after only one wet ride.
Rstephenson, I built mine up from the bare frame, I'm on a large running a 170mm dropper, but when funds allow I will change to a 200 or 210mm. So far I have ridden it at Mabie forest, which is a mix of root, rock, trail centre with some big berms etc and at Woburn, which is currently on the muddy side. Only five wet rides in so far, but no issues with creaks on mine, all nice and quiet. My local trails are a bit slow at the moment, can't wait to ride some faster trails.
Thanks for your feedback guys. I'm going to have a think, it does sound like a nice bike tho i wish there were a few more reviews out there to get a better picture of how it rides.
If I could afford the full build it does seem like a good price tho apparently the lyric option isnt possible till may next year! The cane creek options look great to for a bit more dosh tho I'd be worried about not being technical enough to set them up well..
Anyway plenty to think about. Cheers again and enjoy, hope you get to go further afield soon 🙂