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What 4ins travel, light weight, fast handling, quick accelerating XC/Trail bike?
Am currently on a Turner 5 Spot, and love it most of the time, but feel I'm dragging 3 to 4lbs unnecessary weight around all the time. And the number of times the full 5.5ins travel gets used is... well, rarely.
Am after a lighter, faster accelerating, zippier/snappier, super quick bike for XC/Trail rides. Maximum grin factor.
Nearly all my riding is fast, smooth(ish) singletrack (Surrey Hills). No rocks/downhills to mention. I have an Orange 224 for that!
IDEAS GENTLEMEN PLEASE!
The obvious answer would be a Flux then if you like the Turner that much. But I would be more inclined to change some of the kit on the 5 Spot to bring the weight down. A good light-weight wheelset will help no end and give the old girl a bit of zip. I'm sure the frame weight is roughly the same as my old Intense 5.5 and I got that down to 25.5lb and it was still as rock solid as if a few pounds heavier.
I rate the 5 Spot very high and think they are still one of the best bikes you can get, especially the older HL model.
Santa Cruz Superlight.
Anthem X?
+1 for the anthem X
ellsworth truth
Titus racer X
+1 for the santa cruz superlight
Intense Spider FRO
Scott Spark
Cannondale Rush
Specialized Epic
all towards the racier end of the 4" travel market
I've put 130mm Recons on this 2008 4.2" Trance and in my opinion, it's hit a real sweet spot. The taller fork has set the XC-orientated geometry back enough for it to ride really well downhill, but it still climbs fine. Adding decent wheels and tyres has definitely helped its (and mine) DH ability too (Stan's Flows with UST Nobby Nics).
I've got an image here: but can't seem to embed it in this post: http://pics-by-andrew.fotoblog.org.uk/p61348977.html
Yeti ASR
Why not just run a hardtail for your jey southern riding?
I've got the Spot about as light as it'll go without blowing serious dosh... Stans ZTR355 on Hope Pro II's, Thomson stem/post, Light seat, etc.. Revelation Dual Airs/QR forks (3.84lbs on digi scales, Noby Nics etc. It's 27.8lbs as is.
I'd love a Flux, but can't find a decent used one for sale.
Anthem's get rave reviews and I'm tempted to try one. Sizing seems a bit funny on them though - I guess I'd be between a Medium and a Large.
Intense - mates who have them have all had too many issues with bearings being chewed up quickly.
Commencal super 4--Touted by C as their Marathon bike but it is much more like a trail bike and if your feeling rich the carbon framed one should be out soon.
I've got a Lapierre X-Control 710 (Bought Late 2008) that I'm considering selling. Carbon front, Alu rear end, Mostly XTR, some XT, Fox 120/100mm Front End, 100mm rear. I love the bike, I don't use it for my racing so it doesn't get used enough...
For more information or pictures email me on giles@dandmltd.co.uk
ive got a trance built up pretty much the same as trail rider jims 🙂 5" fork for a "trail" feel, but not too much travel. x
