I've acknowledged that my Starling is probably too big for me and I'm pondering changing to a different long travel trail/all mountain frame.
Preferably an affordable secondhand option with modern geometry, full 29 and that pedals very well.
I've got quite a few options, but I bet you lot will know more.
For the geeks, my geometry preferences are:
460-475 reach
Sub-430 seat tube ( good insertion essential)
65deg or slacker HA (preferably taking an angleset)
Thanks in advance 👊
Orbea Occam. Normally a 210 x 50 but can take a 55
Stumpjumper Evo and Stumpjumper (I think) in size S2 and above.
Ibis Ripmo
Trek fuel
RM Instinct
Bird aether.
You may well be able to add spacers inside the shock to get 210x50 which might open up some more options?
Sonder evol 29
COTIC Jeht, gen1 or gen2:
www.cotic.co.uk/product/jeht#compatibility
www.cotic.co.uk/product/jeht_gen1#compatibility
Ripmo AF too.
Propain Tyee. They have old and new versions available frame only in alu or carbon at good prices.
Nukeproof Reactor, and
the new Commencal Meta V5
Assuming you're talking about your EXT, the 55mm can also be a 50 or 52.5mm, Mojo can change for £120 which may or may not include a service.
Oh and Cotic say air shock only for the Jeht. Not that Kelvin knew which shock you where talking about.
Thanks all, some bikes I was considering there and some others I hadn't thought of.
Ideally looking for 140mm-150mm rear travel, light-ish and responsive. Quite interested in the Ripmo & AF, even though it's got shorter chainstays than I generally like.
Yep, I am thinking of my EXT - and I also have a Deluxe Select+ in that size.
Unfortunately a lot of medium bikes seem to be 450mm reach, which might come up short - hard to tell without riding - and then the large ones often have too high a seat tube. I was quite interested in the Occam but this falls into that category.
Hmmm.
https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/status-140/p/199765?color=320385-199765
Status 140 is 210*52.5 reach 465mm in an S3
I’m pondering changing to a different long travel trail/all mountain frame.
Preferably an affordable secondhand option with modern geometry, full 29 and that pedals very well
Ideally looking for 140mm-150mm rear travel, light-ish and responsive. Quite interested in the Ripmo & AF, even though it's got shorter chainstays than I generally like.
Come on @chakaping - you already know the answer is to go for the full house!
Transition Smuggler? Fits your geometry requirements Not sure about the shock dimensions though.
Edit; Oh, quick google suggests 210x50, might fit a 55
Come on @chakaping– you already know the answer is to go for the full house!
Of course it's on the list 😀
But probably out of budget. Any medium Stage 6 or Stage 6 Evo owners who want to swap for a large Murmur should definitely PM me though.
Status 140 is 210*52.5 reach 465mm in an S3
I was admiring them in Evans last night, really smart looking bikes. Such a shame Spesh don't make a full 29 version with longer stays.
Transition Smuggler
Also probably a bit too new to fit my budget, and I've been put off by reports of poor QC.
I'm not going to say I love _every_ ride on my Ripmo AF, but the ones where I remember to shut my eyes when I open the shed door are usually a lot of fun.
Bird Aether9 in Medium seems to hit all your points apart from being 10mm shy in the rear travel.
430 chainstay, not sure if you consider that too short.
I’m not going to say I love _every_ ride on my Ripmo AF, but the ones where I remember to shut my eyes when I open the shed door are usually a lot of fun.
Haha, I quite like the styling. But then I think Oranges are beautiful.
Bird Aether9 in Medium seems to hit all your points apart from being 10mm shy in the rear travel.
430 chainstay, not sure if you consider that too short.
Thanks, but I have a 120mm trail bike so I think 140mm is the minimum I'm after, and the rear would be a touch too short.
What about a Deviate Highlander mk1 in large? Currently being cleared out frame-only for £1,650 with choice or 140 or 150 rear travel. Takes 210x55. Coil compatible. Full 29. 473 reach and 430 seattube in a large. 440 chainstays.
and I’ve been put off by reports of poor QC.
Oh. What have you heard, could I ask? I was thinking of Transition for next frame build.
Santa Cruz Hightower (coil will not fit)
YT Jeffsy cf
If you like the Jeht then speak to Cy about fitting a coil shock. He was fine with me fitting a Cane Creek coil as long as I followed his recommendations on spring weight.
in my opinion it suited the frame far more than the air shock it came with.
