As is usual for me I can't decide on what to buy as a new bike/frame. I currently have a Blur LT (mk1) that i have grown frustrated with the putty pivot bearings (last set lasted roughly 20 rides!). I'm after a stiffer, hard riding, light, fast(ish) climber that desends like a demon. I like the idea of a slacker or adjustable head angle, I have short arms for my height so a shorter top tube is good. I was thinking of Intense Tracer VP, Orange 5 (really like the idea of the simple single pivot, but not convinced about climbing performance?) and as a completly different idea maybe a Bionicon Edison?
Anyone with any experiance and thoughts on these?
I like riding uphill, race xc and also go for downhill days out...oh and I'm a fussy bugger.
I've not ridden the Tracer or 5 but have ridden the Edison and its slightly more XC brother, the Golden Willow. Both are great bikes. The adjustable geometry works brilliantly IMO and make them a lot more versatile than most bikes. it you are going to race XC I would definitely go for the Golden Willow though - a bit lighter and more XC oriented than the Edison. Both with go uphill and downhill brilliantly courtesy of the 7 degrees of adjustment of headangle you get. Test one out before you decide on anything - if you can't find a test bike near you (where are you?) Roger, the distributor, will sort you out.
I have no connection by the way, just impressed after a few days of test riding
Can't comment on the others - quite fancy a tracer though. Don't worry about Orange Five climbing ability it's not the best but it is good - kind of reassuringly capable.
Best thing about the five is you build it down to 25lbs and race it or stick a 160mm fork on it and some bigger wheels and hoon on it...
In no way am I saying it's an actual race bike (although team Mojo use them for it) but none of the above are...
NO worries about the five climbing mate it will go up hill no probs for a 140mm trail bike really worth a look mate.
So can anyone compare a Tracer and/ or an Orange 5 to a mk1 Blur LT?
Don't worry too much about the xc race side of things, it will only be a back up bike for that. i just want to shred trails as fast as i can, but it's just that I rather enjoy the climb up first...Like a sicko!