There’s a few threads on ‘which is the best climbing full suss’, which is got to be pretty wide. But I’m specifically interested in the 120mm geometry so I can use my existing fork and the 120 travel is plenty for the type of riding I’m doing. Also trying to squeeze as much time off local races too.

I’m currently riding a Cannondale Carbon Rush, which isn’t a super slouch going up but I’m sure more sophisticated suspension designs must be of real benefit to performance.

Don’t think I want to go Hardtail, just want as close to the acceleration vs effort ratio in a full suss frame.

Is this an illusive frame? Or are there some real contenders?!

I’ve got a giant trance x which with the maestro suspension is regarded as one of the best systems out there. Absolutely no pedal bob in the saddle and I never use pro pedal as it’s just not needed. I run with a 120-150 mm fork too which makes it great fun on the downs but still good on the climbs even at 150mm and of course at 120mm it climbs brilliantly!

Trek Ex8, they climb pretty well.

Yeti ASR5

I ride a giant anthem its a 100mm but runs well with a 120 fork it feels like more travel great for Xc an trail centers i ride it round the peaks as its my only bike it would maybe be better with the 120 on the front but in full 100mm guise it does feel a little under sprung on them rocks. …. Still goes flat out mind!

I don’t get it. Why does my Anthem bob peddling up steep hills?

Having said that, whilst it’s a 100mm, it works brilliantly with 120mm forks.

I’d think that the Giant Trance ought to be a pretty good 120mm climber, same maestro suspension with the additional travel

but I’m sure more sophisticated suspension designs must be of real benefit to performance.

Keep reading the mags!

but I’m sure more sophisticated suspension designs must be of real benefit to performance.

Keep reading the mags!

On smooth climbs – one that’s locked out.
Over rough ground – the amount of marketing waffle about FS bikes should indicate that there’s no solid answer )

Personally I think a single pivot with the classic fwd/mid pivot position climbs most efficiently on anything rough, for me, but a scientific analysis would say it’s less efficient due to pedal input int the suspension. However that’s the bit I like – I’m not a fan of super-neutral linkages that feel a bit disconnected, like I can’t work with the bike, I’m having to react to it. So I expect each rider will perceive a bikes efficiency differently.

The asr5 is an amazing climber, borrowed one to race big dog on last year and had an absolute blast.

Santa cruz blur (xc or trc) might be worth a look aswell. I had a carbon xc a few years ago and loved it.

Also demod a tomac 120 carbon something… and again loved it haha.

Hmm…starting to think that buying a 29er wasnt a good idea all of a sudden.

On a serious note thou, there isnt really a bad climbing 120mm bike as the travel is ralatively low you dont get masses amount of pedal bob. And if you do, then 9times out of 10 its not set up properly.

All comes down to how much you want to spend. Personally id look at the tomac or the asr5 you WONT be disappointed!

Scott Spark, especially the carbon version. 110mm or 120mm rear travel depending on the year of the frame, takes a 120mm fork, to me the perfect xc bike.

I rode an ASR5 and wasn’t impressed by the low pivot (I liked the ride /handling, just not the suspension), it seemed to squat in the big ring under power and was too neutral in the middle / small. Nothing wrong with the bike, just saying how what one rider finds efficient, another may not – it’s about pedalling style, climbing technique, terrain etc too.

I dont have a problem with mine bobbing i found mine use to bottom out a lot unless i put a lot of pressure in the shock i solved this with a fox tuning kit its easy to fit an comes with 3 different sized shims. … I also found putting a little to much float fluid in the air chamber had the same effect but obviously it runs out overtime so isn’t a permanent fix :-)it ramps up the spring rate. …..Sorry for the thread hi jack

loving the asr 5 – it climbs like a rocket and handles the descent well – for general race / trail duties cant be beat – really good bike.

A yeti shouldn’t be too hard to try as a riding buddy has one, maybe a bit big but may give me an idea of its characteristics. The Maestro suspension looks interesting, never really looked into it before. The Giant promo video looks convincing, but then I guess it should 🙂 A few friends have suggested an Anthem.

Maverick mono link, for sure.

As above, Mavericks are the best climbing full sussers bar none.

They really do climb just like a hardtail.

Wooooooooh that’s one ugly bike!!!!! I guess the thread wasn’t titled best looking climbing bike 🙁

Function over form, but I think they look great, and I’ve just bought another!! 🙂

Oh just remembered my buddy with the Yeti has had to send it back for the 3rd or 4th time with a cracked rear triangle. This a common thing?

I have a fuel ex, climbs very well (depending on trail, quicker than a hard tail). Having said that, rode a rush for years, and not exactly slow either

But, to quote Ned Overend when someone asked him how to be quicker climbing “push harder on the pedals”

Wooooooooh that’s one ugly bike!!!!! I guess the thread wasn’t titled best looking climbing bike

God you’re not wrong, never heard of them before but looks a bit apollo halfords special

Anyone else ridden or owned a Rush to be able to compare?

Another vote for Maverick as the best climbers.

A friend has one of the 100mm Giants with the Maestro which he rates very highly especially when climbing. This guy is also the king of tehnical climbs. There is one little climb near us that he struggles up on his bike (cleans 50% of the time). He jumped on my Maverick, which was 2 sizes too big for him, and cruised it. He was stunned.

The Maverick just tends to dig in and go. When you expect the wheel to spins, it just keeps going.

Those that say they are ugly, well that is a personal thing but they are one of the most effecient bikes out there from an engineering load path point of view. The major loads all go into the corners of a basic triangle. No loads into the middle of tubes.

Nathan
A new specialised epic ? (now 120mm)

Have you ever looked at nicolai frames either the helious cc or rc

As above, Mavericks are the best climbing full sussers bar none.

They really do climb just like a hardtail.

No

They climb significantly better than a hardtail.

There are lighter frames out there (though not many in ally, my Durance is 5.5lb inc shock, you’ve got to go carbon to get much lighter), there are newer designs, there are “better looking” frames (though beauty is in the eye of the beholder) and there are more active designs. The Maverick just works though… Try one. You will be amazed! There are other good climbing bikes out there, but the Maverick really will mince them for traction (if not weight) when the going gets technical.

The Maverick just tends to dig in and go. When you expect the wheel to spins, it just keeps going.

You’ll find you can run a near enough slick tyre and still get up stuff you may rely on a heavily knobbled tyre on other bikes for, which in turn, will give you a speed boost elsewhere. Your legs will give out long before traction ever does.

Function over form, but I think they look great, and I’ve just bought another!!

Welcome back! What did you get in the end mate?

But, to quote Ned Overend when someone asked him how to be quicker climbing “push harder on the pedals”

DON’T EVER kid yourself it’s any more than 1% bike, and 99% rider… There’s lots of people out there that you could put them on a long travel freeride bike and still they would pass me on my Maverick on the climbs. Saw Liam Killeen out riding this morning on the Malverns, wouldn’t fancy my chances much climbing against him even if you put him on a 50lb DH sled!

Another 7/5 in anodised, gonna run it with a lefty max which should polarise opinion even further…

jonny rocky mountain – Member
Nathan
A new specialised epic ? (now 120mm) #

hey up buddy, c’mon then, how do these climb?

Let me trial your spare 456 for a but, heard that’ll climb ok 🙂

Another 7/5 in anodised, gonna run it with a lefty max which should polarise opinion even further…

Controversial! Though I’m a big Lefty fan here, I still think Mav’s look better with a DUC myself. You seen the blue ML7/5 on MTBR with a 140mm Left Max on it?

The Lapierre X-Flow 712 is the best climbing 120mm bike I’ve ridden. I’ve not ridden that many to compare but have ridden all the main maestro, horst link and single pivot competitors.

Nathan
Hi mate
You could borrow 456 anytime but i’am splitting tomorrow because ii’am swapping it for a pipedream Sirius frame which when I get that built up your more than welcome to borrow

That’s a bit short notice haha 🙂 best keep looking. Just trying to get a bike that’ll kick your ass on the climbs 😆

My rumblefish climbs significantly better than the yeti it replaced

Epic is 100mm travel and only available as a 29er as of 2012 .

Controversial! Though I’m a big Lefty fan here, I still think Mav’s look better with a DUC myself. You seen the blue ML7/5 on MTBR with a 140mm Left Max on it?

I have indeed, the only one I could find a pic of too. Tbh I kind of agree with the DUCs, especially on my ML8, but I’ve been after a lefty for a long long time so it’s gonna stay that setup for the foreseeable. I’ll get a pic up when I get it built up after the weekend.

Where’d my post go…???

Aha, it’s back again.

http://www.mbr.co.uk/advice/suspending-beliefs/

Read it.

http://www.mbr.co.uk/advice/suspending-beliefs/

Read it.