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I've been troubled by the firm ride of my Tracer. Yet I want something light for events, and "all day enough" for everything else without spending ££££'s.
So I found myself speccing bikes with propedal/brains etc - hold on though - I already have vpp? Then, I look at a weight reduction to 27/26lbs. Down to 120mm bikes then - is that all mountain enough? I could just reduce the weight of my Tracer with some new wheels/bars? Closest I've got is to sell the Tracer and get a Spec Camber Pro in the Evans sale. But thats a bit "ordinary", isnt it?
Whats my problem, am I the only one in this conundrum aaaarrrrggh help.....
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First of all, what do you mean by "firm ride"?
2 Bikes Required
I thought this was a common thing that us STW'ers went through. Especially Hora.
I've even bought a frame to build myself a lightweight all day FS bike (as opposed to my thrash round the woods trail bike) and then sold it without even building it up cos I changed my mind and thought I wasn't really likely to use it. I was right, mind. Not done any full day XC jaunts for ages.
So, 2 bikes for me - full sus and hardtail, although I'm thinking of lightweighting the full sus...just to see. 😳
What way is your Tracer built up?
I'd have thought that was an ideal all day bike.
Chakaping - my Tracer issues are well documented in STW - I experience quite firm initial small bump sensitivity, despite now running a pushed, compression reduced Van R Ti coil. I've had the whole back end apart/regreased and cant find an issue. Compared to most other bikes is harsher over bumps - like over roots ridden quickly - but opens up on whoops/jumps etc. I'm considering a bearing change to see if the issue lies there - sticking bearing perhaps? Although I can move the bearing inners with my fingers easily. Suffice it to say several reviews I've read mention the words "firm" and "you'll definately feel the roots" - the latter compared to a Remedy.
The Tracer is Rev 150 Dual air, Van R, XT drivetrain, Thompson Stem / Seatpost, Easton Bars, Hope Mono M4's and Mavic 719's. So yes, the build is good. Weigh's in at 30.5lb, and yes its a great all day bike just not as cushy comfortable at the Air shock'd El Ciclon, Nomad and Medium Tracer I rode yesterday in comparison.
Becuase of "events" though, I wanted to lose a few pounds*. I thought it would be easy to find a lighter bike that would be suitable for both. I've been looking at EX8's. Camber/Stumpy's and more exotic machine such as ASR5's and Whyte t120's.
I was offered an El Ciclon frame yesterday. Perfect sofa like comfy ride, but heavier and less efficient/slightly more dull (IMO) at the pedals than the Tracer albiet a work of art and superstiff.
So there's my issue I guess - I curse the firmer ride, yet recognise the efficiency. I want it lighter, but just as tough. I want it cheap but already have an RRP £2.5+k build......
* Note I have 26lb Steel HT as well which I used this (my inagural) year for events as I thought the Tracer was "too much".
Start again with a Transition Bandit. Air shock instead of your coil, maybe swap the M4 brakes (are they heavy compared to Formula/XT, etc.?) and I reckon you'd have what you're after. Cushy, light, burly enough, fun. You wouldn't be too far out of pocket I reckon - Bandit's are 'only' £1400. What could you sell the Tracer frame for?
ALL STW'ers go through it. Most sait their desires by having multiple bikes with 'options' specced or in some cases 'shared set up (kit)'.
We are like kids in a candy store.
Agreed with the Transition Bandit - fantastic bike but we can't sell them for some reason!!! Might put them out on demo soon...