as above really, looking to use one for xc miles in the evenings after work.
then as much as my poor bike skills will alow at the weekends.

cheers

I had a few rides on one at the NEC show. They had a little course set up in the woods. It was fairly indicative of the sort of twisty singletrack I like. First thing that struck me was how fast it was. I took a Trek 26″ FS bike (9800 or something like that, had a pricetag of almost £4k), but the Rumblefish instantly felt at home. Did have a few pedal strikes, but obviously they only give the shock pressures a rough check.
My everyday bike is a SIR.9 but I’d happily swap it for the Rumblefish. Probably the first time I have had one go on a bike & been instantly smitten.

A few weeks later I bought some wheels from a chap & he’d had a Rumblefish for a while. He really liked it, & his chosen terrain was Cannock, Llandegla etc.

Lovely bike, but sadly out of my price range. 🙁

My mate had one and liked it a lot but it was unfortunately stolen off him late last year.

There were a few people on here with one and I remember a few threads about them which may show up if you do a forum search?

I think I put up a view comments about the 2012 version quite a few months ago. I had one on demo from Trek for quite a while and ended up not convinced. Basically it was just lumbering and heavy, and that was the top spec £3250 version. I really wanted to like it as I had one on order, but it wasn’t great.
I did 3 red laps at Llandegla and one black and then the Deadwater at Kielder and the Lonesome Pine at Kielder and the Hayfield loop a few times, so gave it a good go.
It didn’t do the technical stuff at Kielder very well and felt sluggish on the uphill.
I tried riding up some steps in the local park on it thinking that would be somewhere the big wheels excelled, but it did a lot worse than my 26er.

Other opinions are available etc.

It may well be good downhill however I’m not really into downhills that much so was more interested in flats and climbs.

I really liked the 2010 ‘fish that I had for a short while. Fantastic rear sus which gave that ‘bottomless’ feel once set up properly (which was a bit of a faff). The shock is an odd size although newer frames have a more standard size, I believe.
Tyre clearance isn’t massive, a (admittedly huge) HansDampf scrubbed the chainstay but a narrower Racing ralph and ardent went in fine.
I sold mine because of the arrival of my Covert 29″, I wouldn’t say it’s a vast improvement apart from fast decents. I wanted a longer fork than the standard 120mm on the ‘fish because of the decents, but that’s just personal preference.

Well worth a test ride I’d say.

I loved the one I rode in nz. My mate’s just got one, he loves it

This is my 2012 Elite version which I’ve managed to pimp up since I got it new about a year ago, got it at a good price from the shop i used to work at and have upgraded bits as they’ve worn out. Recent additions include the Reverb Stealth (with home made routing) and the forks which are an upgraded version on warranty after the originals developed a fault.

Mine is built up pretty burly and I can safely say its the best bike I’ve ever owned or indeed ridden. Likewise though a mate has the same bike built up quite light and shows the weight weenies with lightweight carbon hard tails a clean set of heels in local races.

I’ve had some pretty decent Stumpy FSRs and a no expense spared Remedy in recent years and it blows them clean out of the water. It climbs steadily with no bob and downhill screams to be thrashed, can’t believe it’s only got 120mm of travel sometimes!

I would say if you’re inquisitive, have a ride on one and you won’t be disappointed

I’ve got a 2010 frame unbuilt if anyone’s interested? Size 17.5. Shock serviced by Loco and unridden since.

Email in profile.

@robarnold – Are those 2.35 Hans Dampf? You don’t happen to have a picture of them through the fork and rear end. Considering a set for my Rumblefish, but worried they might be ridiculously big.

I haven’t got a picture Dougal but they fit fine, they actually come up a little smaller than the Bonty XR4s that came on the bike from new. Safe to say they’re a mega tyre, I got mine from bike discount for an absolute steal

Sounds like they’re the business. Yes, I think I shall be treating myself to the Pacestar/Trailstar combo that BDDE have on offer. Thanks for replying.

I’ve ridden a mates one a few times and I find it a bit bland, sort of deadens the trail for want of a better description. It rides well but it just seems to plough through the trail with out much fun.

Had my first 29er experience a couple of weeks ago and demoed a ‘fish and 529.
Most people who rode both liked the ‘fish.
We rode the same route on both bikes. Up a steep Tarmac climb the ‘fish was easily the best climber. Along and up/down a 4×4 style track covered in snow in places the ‘fish came out best. On a fairly smooth but steep descent there wasn’t much to choose between them but the 529 with its longer travel shaded it. Along a river bank there was a cobbled section with a slight rise, the ‘ fish was best along that coping with the slight rise better for some reason?

Maybe not a representative test for my normal, every day riding but for an all day out in the hills riding ai occasionally do the ‘fish would certainly be top of my list atm…..

Ming the Merciless – Member
I’ve ridden a mates one a few times and I find it a bit bland, sort of deadens the trail for want of a better description. It rides well but it just seems to plough through the trail with out much fun.

Know what you mean. There was a section on our route that was for want of a better description a serious of mole hills. On the ‘fish I just sat there and pedalled and the suspension just soaked it all up without any loss of speed or momentum. The 5 however suffered from some chain feedback and felt less comfortable and a bit of speed was lost, just felt harder to keep momentum up?
Boring? No, I don’t think so, just sorted 💡

Thanks for all the points of veiw. sounds ideal what robarnold says about his and his mates version.
would idealy like to build up a frame only job. sp think ill have to keep an eye out for a second hand one.

robarnold do you mind me asking what size you have and how tall you are? iam 6’2

I’m a short ass 5ft 8in and the 17.5 in fits me perfectly, I’m quite lucky usually in that medium bikes suit me well. That’s more than can be said for when I try to buy jeans….nobody makes 29in inside leg decent jeans any more! Bastards!

I’ve owned a Rumblefish Pro since January and am very pleased with it. Its not the lightest 29er but it is one of the most capable on rocky rooty descents. I find the suspension works really well and it definitely feels like there is more than 120ml. The bike is very surefooted when climbing, As its not a lightweight bike its not the fastest up hill, but you will definitely be putting your foot down less as it seems to ride over everything with no fuss. I tried a Specialised Camber which I thought was good, but the steering felt sluggish, especially at slow speed and on fast downhills it was not easy to make line changes. The Trek G2 geometry on the Rumblefish lightens the 29er steering and gives it more of a 26er feel. Re the sizing – perhaps because of the G2 geometry the Trek has a relatively short top tube. I’m 6’2″ with a long torso and found the 19 a bit cramped. The 21 suits me fine. The easy balance and manouverability of the bike makes up for its large size

http://www.imbikemag.com/issue21/?t=TrekRumblefish-Elite-2013-Mountain-Bike-Review-and-Test&page=111

Suggests it is a competent mile muncher rather than a xc race machine or hard hitting gnar monster.