Not been out riding for a while and fancied building up something new in the new year.
Previously I had been riding a DMT Trailstar LT with 130mm Revelation, loved it, and used it for a bit of everything from short commute to work, local trails (pretty flat here in Suffolk) and the odd trip somewhere a little more exciting like Afan.
I also had a Giant NRS with 100mm Reba that my other half used to use. It was never as confidence inspiring as my DMR, but on the odd time I used it around some of the rough (but flat) sections of my local trails, I could ride a lot faster without my back taking a beating, which meant when I did get to the descents or flowing stuff, I wasn't so tired - which I liked.
I didn't like how flexy the rear was, nor the slightly faster steering and the pedal bob on the flat due to be running a little sag.
I also had a 2001 Stinky at some point, but always found that a chore to ride on anything other than the descents - but then it was a quite a heavy build with heavy rims/tyres and I never did get to take it anywhere to merit it really.
So, having ridden a hardtail for the last five years, with just the odd bit of FS riding, I fancy a change and want to build something suitable for XC & trail riding - don't need anything too beefy, I don't ride anything harder than say the black runs at somewhere like Afan, but I would like something a little more solid that the NRS I had - that was noticably flexy at the rear.
So I'm thinking something around 120mm travel.
Trouble is, I've not kept up with recent FS frames so not sure what I should be looking at. I will be buying the frame second hand and would like to spend no more than £350. Will that get me something modern ish (say no older than 2005) that's half decent?
I've previously considered a Giant Trance X so one of those would be a consideration, also looked at Trek Fuel EX's before.
Always been quite fond of the Turner 5 Spot as well - is one of those realistic at this budget?
Obviously you can't beat riding different frames, but not so easy in the second hand market. I'm not too much of a weight weenie and like a slack frame for more confidence and less twitchy steering.
Any suggestions at this price point?
I will be buying the frame second hand and would like to spend no more than £350. Will that get me something modern ish (say no older than 2005) that's half decent?
I should bloody hope so.
Should easily get a Fuel EX for that price, 2012 or later would be best.
Well that's a good start, I would prefer to spend less, but expected anything modern but decent to be quite pricey - based on the full bikes RRP's!
I have had a quick look on here and ebay, but if I can get a list together of decent frames to look out for then I can get a better idea of prices/budget.
Had a little look around and the Ghost AMR sounds like a decent frame set and can be found within budget., possibly the Spesh Camber as well.
So shortlist currently looks like:
Giant Trance X
Ghost AMR
Trek Fuel EX
Spesh Camber (maybe)
Or something a little older like:
Turner 5 Spot
SC Blur of some sort
I'm quite tempted by the Trance X - I notice that around 2011 the top tube went from sloped to straight again. Any particular reason? Any other major changes?
Ghost AMR looks nice as well, not really noticed it before, but seems to have reviewed well.
I ride a 2012 Ghost AMR 5900, not had a great deal of experience on full sussers but love the bike, should be just about spot on for my needs once i fit a dropper post. The only issue i have found is the pedals occasionally striking the floor on terrain that's not particularly challenging but that's probably down to my 'build'.
When you mention the Camber then I am guessing you mean the 26er version?
I have the 2012 Expert one. The last year they did them in 26. I'm pretty sure the model I have was the only one with the tapered HT and beefed up BB and bolt thru rear end. Not sure if that makes a difference to you.
I won't post loads about at as it is only a 'maybe' on your list but if you have any questions then I will do my best to reply.
There was a large 5 Spot on here for sale the other day - £500 including some 140mm floats
[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-turner-5-spot-and-fox-float-140mm ]http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-turner-5-spot-and-fox-float-140mm[/url]
if you can find one, a mk2 orange ST4. 26" wheels, 135mm back end, 1 1/8th straight steerer so deeply unfashionable.
120mm travel, nice and slack with a 140mm fork. Builds up reasonably light. its the fives overshadowed but more fun little brother
2002 Specialized Enduro
I miss mine and wish I hadn't sold it before moving. S stupid mistake, but I know the new owner loves it.
Thanks for the suggestions chaps - all taken on board.
I was very close to pulling the trigger on Molgrips' Orange 5 in the classifieds - it's a bike that I had aspired to own when they were winning all of the awards.
Trouble is, I'm having second thoughts now. I think it's the same old thing, the lust for a bigger bike, but do I really need it.
My local riding (which is still an hour away) is Thetford forest (I'm on Suffolk/Essex border), not exactly the most technical of rides and all very doable on a HT, although a FS is easier to ride on the black route imo, due to the poor condition of it - which becomes very tiring/jarring on a HT.
I just wonder if a 120mm bike would be overkill for 80% of my riding, for the odd trip to wales or somewhere away from the flatlands great - but the rest of the time it would probably be too much bike.
Might take a look at some 100mm frames - or maybe build up another HT. I did enjoy my Trailstar LT, to improve on it I would be looking at something a bit lighter, a bit more boutique and maybe a bit more room in the TT.
Ok, so how about some suggestions for something along the lines of an NRS, but less racey, something that can take a 130mm fork and have slightly slower steering.
Or does that put me back into 120mm FS territory?
There must be 100mm FS frames that are happy with a 120-130mm fork. Anthem X is a consideration, but maybe still a bit twitchy/racey? I enjoyed my NRS, but felt more confident with my Trailstar, just felt more stable going down rough stuff.
My local is thetford, I have got a 12 anthem, with Reba's extended to 120mm, running a dropper, 1×10, wide bars, short stem, in other words taken it from a xc bike into a short travel trail bike, in my opinion. Still very good round thetford, so I wouldn't worry too much about thinking 120mm travel is too much.
+1 for the Ghost amr. Will take longer forks too (I've got 150-120 dual position revs on mine).
I have a 120mm 29er FS.
Everytime I've thought "too much bike" and ridden anything else (hardtail, single speed etc), even on XC tracks, I've wished I had my regular bike.
@blob on which Ghost is that? Considering a longer fork for me Ghost AMR 2978 at present
Kona one20 frames should be within budget, run fine with 130mm forks, I put some offset bushes in mine just to make it a little less twitchy on steep stuff.
Climbs well in middle ring, little bit of bob in the granny ring but I'm faster uphill on it than my PA and it's just as much fun on the downs.
just to throw in a little left field..
Morewood Zula
Might be worth a wiggle, if you can get one, which Im sure you can if you try hard enough. 🙂
What you want is a trance x. Within budget and a great all rounder.
I had the same dilemma recently & I ended up buying an Ellesworth momentum frame from freeborn as it was very cheap (£400), it's a 100mm slopestyle frame so pretty slack, I have a lot of post showing (see forum history) but the angles seem fun. I've not ridden it yet so I won't say it's great, but I know what angles I'm after & I reckon this will work as a fun bike.
Cheers.
Another vote for the trance x I have 2010 model with kinked TT rides amazing have 120 on rear and 130 up front had no issues they can take up to around 150 also do a adjustable offset bushing to slaken head angle if wanted
+1 ghost AMR. A bit of a jack of all and master of none but for just hacking round trail centres and going out riding in the hills it does the job. Will feel much slacker than an NRS while pedals fine on the way up. Bearings don't need replacing every 5 minutes either.
I have no idea what 2nd hand frame prices go for but I bet not much. The 7700
Lector (i think) and above are carbon so a bit lighter.
My 2012 still going strong although for last 12 months seem to have been riding HT most of the time.
Added bonus of 26 bits bargain potential
Morewood Zula is insanely fun and capable. It will embarrass bikes with 150mm travel on all but the roughest steepest trails