650b full sus… owners/ riders talk to me

I’m sold on the benefits of 29er HT.

Looking to move on the 26 FS for a 650b, trail focused (140ish) end of the spectrum. Around the £3k price point.

What 650b FS are you riding?

Rocky Mountain Altitude has caught my eye.

(Forget the Santa Cruz Bronson, too much money – what planet is Rob Roskopp on?).

Comments/feedback appreciated.

Whilst we’re on the tangential subject of Santa Cruz…

Saracen Kili flyer

How stoned was the guy in the vid??? Half expected him to start with…”dude…how big are my HANDS!!!”

Norco Range, it’s 160mm though. Pretty good overall, especially after I threw the SRAM crap away 😉

2nd the saracen Kili flyer

Anyone know where you can buy a kili flyer?

I’ve had my Fluoro tracer 275 for three weeks now. Currently thrashing it in Sierra Nevada. I don’t hugely notice the wheels size other that it may be slightly better at not falling into holes so much. The bike is long at the front and short at the back. It is brilliantly balanced for climbing and is very playful descending, wanting speed attacking and popping off everything. It has a low BB and the lower link hits a lot of rocks that the bike encourages you to take.

My build with hope hoops and SLX was 4k on the nose

Two months on a Cube Stereo HPC 160 SL and love it,I get on with it much better than I did with my Nomad C but there is so many things different between the two I cannot really say its down to wheel size, guess the weight is the biggest thing I notice (27lb, Nomad was 33lb).

Mate from the LBS has the RM Altitude, looks like a great bike with the stock Schwable crap tyres on looks like a 26 with proper rubber. He fitted ardents and I still can’t see much of a difference, you could probably swap to 26″ wheels and get more mud clearance….

Anyway he love the bike, loves the ride as a 150mm FS bike. He still can’t be sure if it rides better for being a 650 or if it’s just a good fs bike. He reckons there is a bit more roll on the flat to it but can’t really tell otherwise.

It’s also got a multiple HA/BB adjuster (lots of combos) for those that care enough to say it must have a XXdegree HA (revise by 0.5degree next year so it’s not out of date)

I’ll let you know my first impressions in a week or so, bits are still arriving for me to fit onto my PYGA 120. I’ll continue with my OP on the build and first ride/s.

Norco Sight Killer B or something like that is around 140 travel.

Can you get hold of a Stumpy Evo Comp 29″?

A more impressive bike than the Bronson IMO.

Cube Stereo HPC Race for me, had it a few months and it is amazing, apart from the fact that is a quality160mm travel bike, it’s light weight means it flies uphill and XC. Check out the reviews, best bike around at the moment (I may be slightly biased as an owner).

I’d try and get a demo ride first on some 650b bikes. If you’re already comfortable on a 29er then an FS 29er might be the better option, particularly as all parts will be transferable, as well as tyres etc.

IMO I can’t see the increase in wheel size from 26″ to just over 27″ being worth it over current sorted 26er bikes made for the sort of riding you want.

If you must though, I’d agree the Saracen Kili Flyer is a nice looking bike, and the Bronson is available at the more competitive price of £3599 in its R Am build. You’re getting into Tallboy LTC money though then which would surely be a better option.

One of our group was demoing a 650b FS last night – caused some confusion when I put my 26″ bike next to it and pointed at the wheels being the same size! 2.25″ 650b Nobby Nic vs 2.2″ 26″ Rubber Queen. 😉

http://www.santacruzbikes.co.uk/Bronson/#builder

Bronson = £3599. Bit of LBS discount and Robert’s your fathers brother.
That’s where my money would go.

Have you ridden one?

I own something very similar (which is the best bike I’ve ever owned or ridden). It’s safe to say that so long as I like the bigger wheels, I’ll like the bike.

Saracen Kili Flyer looks a steal. I have one on demo shortly and the 650b Zen

Somouk, what size are you looking for?

chiefgrooveguru – Member
One of our group was demoing a 650b FS last night – caused some confusion when I put my 26″ bike next to it and pointed at the wheels being the same size! 2.25″ 650b Nobby Nic vs 2.2″ 26″ Rubber Queen.

+1 exactly what I think.

26 and 29 I can see the point, different enough to both be worthwhile, but 650b/27″ I can’t see being much different to a 26er with decent tyres on.

CGG, how did the guy get on with the 650b demo?

26 and 29 I can see the point, different enough to both be worthwhile, but 650b/27″ I can’t see being much different to a 26er with decent tyres on.

Not the biggest fan of all the sizes going round but you can also put a decent tyre on the 650, just loads come specced with the skinny xc crap.

I test rode a Scott genius 720 a few months back and if I was looking to upgrade from my mega that’s what I would be buying. I could really feel the difference – seemed to roll easier but still felt plush and manoeuvrable unlike the 29er which felt sluggish in the turns and harsh on the suspension. It had the usual bars too narrow and stem too long but I really liked it – might be worth testing one?

650b with change

http://www.yt-industries.com/shop/de/Bikes/Trail/Wicked-650B?x48e50=44kg1hak3p97k7priv3ckbfbr0

Somouk, what size are you looking for?

I’d be after a Large really…

I am loving my Norco Sight Killer B-2.

My advice is test ride as many bikes as possible. Even a short demo ride around a car park is worth 10 times more than any magazine bike review (oops sorry Singletrack)

Late contribution,

Thankyou for that Santa Cruz vid.

“Duuuuude, where’s my biiike?”.

That’s some David Lynch nightmare motion going on there.

Bought a Norco Range Killer B-3 – love it! Especially now I’ve junked the Elixir 1’s (really, really didn’t like them!) for SLX, and also fitted a reverb.

Also sorted the air pressure in the front suspension and fitted a Trailstar Hans Dampf to the front wheel.

Now it’s really quick! And that’s with me (BOF) riding it! Low CoG, sorted suspension, better roll over than my old 26 (yes, there is a difference!), and last Monday night I hustled it through the twisty single track, between the trees (mind the bar width though!) as fast, or faster than my 26″ wheeled mates – and that’s not happened before!

Uphill is great as well – as long as you don’t stand and mash the pedals, stay seated instead and hardly any bob – haven’t used the lockout yet.

Downsides? Range of available AM type tyres – I’m being persuaded to try HR 2s for my Alps trip, but not sure they’re generally available yet. But I like do the Hans Dampf, which brings me to my 2nd downside:
Mud clearance – HDs are HUGE! which leaves very little mud clearance. Will probably try a 2.25 (instead of 2.35) next winter.
And finally – paint finish could be tougher – the Range 3 has a mat finish, and it’s not the most robust paint job – I’ll be getting some clear vinyl before the Alps trip.

But – love it! For me and my skill (or lack of!) it’s perfect. Uplift this Sat at FoD, followed by Mini Enduro on Sun, then X-Fusion Enduro1 rnd 2 in a months time – and this time I’m looking forward to it all!
🙂