[Closed] New Frame Ideas - 5"ish Travel / Slack / Fun

SC Heckler
Transition Covert

Blur TRc which is effectively the updated version of the Blur4x

Hey Dave - I wouldn't get hung up on a maxle rear for a Five.
My own experience (12 stone) has never been poor running a Pro II 'bolt up' rear on QR drop outs.

Any road - how you doing ?

Second the Blur TRc (just got one) though you would have to lose or modify your fork as I am sure they are covered only up to 140mm forks.

El Guapo is as big as a Mega, bigger than a Butcher. AFAIK, Butcher pedals well, so might not be too bad.

Why not get an existing frame and shorten the shock slightly? Or.... a Five seeing as you live next to chavfax(TM)

So you need a low BB?
Short travel?
Short rear stays?

Blur TRc is waaay out of budget at the moment (damn you new kitchen!).

Heckler... hmmm. Sounds daft but as much as I'd like a Five, I really don't want a Heckler (Hora's old one lasted 2 rides with me - just didn't gel with it).

Covert is a potential.

Another point is whatever I get I'm going to need to get a test ride on. Not sure how easy that is on stuff like the Mythic and Transition...

Mondraker Foxy? Its 140mm travel but lovely and slack, great looking, very compentent DH but efficent for the ups too.
Plus it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Basically want a lighter, slightly longer wheelbase Blur 4X Hora. A TRc in fact (but without the price tag).

Another option I could go with is get someone like Nemesis Project in the states to build me something. Had a few mails back and forth with Brad last year about building something with a Ventana rear end which would work out reasonably priced but I'd be scared of seriously cocking up the geometry and flushing a grand down the pan...

Well I'm in on this topic for obvious reasons. Richie- the Foxy got a neg write up on Bikedar (but this was down to the build not the frame?) http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/review-mondraker-foxy-10-37360

I'm sure Si from Progressive will be along in a minute - once my old Spesh Enduro dies there's a very good chance I'll be checking out a Chumba.

Transition Bandit - [url= http://singletrackworld.com/reviews/transition-bikes-bandit-review/ ]http://singletrackworld.com/reviews/transition-bikes-bandit-review/[/url]

Demo bike available from [url= http://www.pedals-edinburgh.com/ ]Pedals in Edinburgh[/url]

Really nice bike, great fun. Looks like the review is now premier only, but it mostly went 'This bike is pretty ace'

Mondraker might be an option Richie. Can you get them frame only?

Suppose the Maxle isnt a killer on a Five but it'd be nice. Doing good though Marcus. You? Now the nights are getting lighter I might start getting out with the calderdalemtb lot on a Wednesday night. You fancy it?

DBW - I was talking to Dickon once at Jungle and he said the LT2 Blur was quite a close match. Now it could easily have been a sales pitch but I wasn't looking to buy-just a convo.

Either that or why not run a Superlight with 140 forks? Sounds mad but is it....

Chumba xcl. Not the greatest climber, but brilliant at everything else. Jumps and manuals well, eats singletrack for breakfast and is superb downhill.

Just got back to work after a visit to Freeborn - funnily enough as looking to replace my Kobe Ti (so similar situation to you)

I went in asking about the Rampant
The chap raved on to me about the Ellsworth Momentum. he said it was on another level....not cheap though. he had last years model for 1499 reduced from 2300!

they do look nice in a raw finish though and lots of nice detailing.

Hey Dave yes I do (I've been meaning to for a while :wink:) & have in the last 2 weeks just started riding again after a 2 month injury lay off.....but I hear on the valley (yes even up here at KingX) drums that CMTB has got a bit fragmented - although Wednesday nights are still alive & kicking.

The SC Nickel isn't a million miles away from the TRC is it? Within budget so could be a good shout.

Bikeradar only gave it 3.5/5 for a frame only Nickel.

Not going to listen to a word BR say though... Nickel is (i think) a bit too xc orientated?

Not going to listen to a word BR say though

Have you considered a Commencal? The AM got a very good review somewhere (was it in the Dirt 100?) Whether their cracking issues are sorted or not, I don't know - but there's a few frame here that might fit the bill.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=73329

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=66815

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=66814

http://dirt.mpora.com/news/2012-dirt-100-commencal-meta.html

£1600 for a Commencal?

El Guapo would be a good one especially for the money but my god its ugly.

you're wrong. it's gorgeous. I wouldn't lie.

Gimme a little one to have for a while Brant and I might change my mind 😉

Put a bed sheet over them? Or simply market them as [i]'nightride bikes'[/i]?

My loaner is currently being passed around Hebden as my back's knackered and I can't ride right now.
Ben from Recycle is having one to race the Mega on.

They aren't shit.

They certainly don't look like a Nukeproof Mega - which is a pretty straight bunch of tubes with a few bends. That top tube and down tube on the Titus is a remarkable thing, but it's a pretty smart bit of forming, and they are strong, and really light.
I look at them like the father of a freckled ginger child perhaps, but honestly, I am liking the lines.

too slack and it won't be that fun. Try something with short chainstays/wheelbase and around a 67 degree head angle. My Bullit's like that and it's the most fun bike I've ridden. Probably more travel than you're after though.

Or have a look at some slopestyle bikes.

GT Distortion? 114mm travel with a 66.5 HA should be fun anywhere you take it (can I get a test ride please??)

Might have to pester you for a go when it gets back into your mitts then Brant as like I said, it does appeal. Will make sure nobody bullies it.

Stumpy Evo?

I have an EG, thought they were a bit ugly when I ordered but not that bothered. Have to say, it looks better in the flesh!

On-one's after sales seems a lot better than it used to be too, had an issue with the shock and it all seems to be getting sorted out fairly efficiently with plenty communication, should get it back this week.

I look at them like the father of a freckled ginger child perhaps,

Looking for a reason to send it back?

What about a Blood?

[shameless plug] Unfortunately they’re no longer for sale but I just happen to have one for sale [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-orange-blood-15-frame-1 ]here[/url] [/shameless plug] 😉

saracen ariel?

http://www.on-one.co.uk/news/product-reviews/q/date/2012/04/10/titus-el-guapo-wins-best-150mm-travel-bike-in-what-mtb

My first thought was Stumpy Evo my second was a TRc. As you cant afford the TRc and you say it looks ideal why not wait for the aluminium TR?

GT Distortion looks good too.

Richie- the Foxy got a neg write up on Bikedar (but this was down to the build not the frame?) http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/review-mondraker-foxy-10-37360

. . .and yet a totally STUNNING right up in Dirt.

There's no substitute to riding one yourself because, as these differing reviews prove, everyone is different.

Daveyboy - The Foxy is indeed availble in a frame only and bloody lovely it is too.
Take a look http://www.silverfish-uk.com/products/2534-2012_mondraker_foxy_rr.php?r=3m4d0b15s0

Give me a yell if I can help further.

Richie

Stumpy evo has no frame only options does it?
Are you a medium or XL? If you are, you have your answer;
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Frame++Forks/Frames+-+MTB/Turner+Frames/2011+Turner+5+Spot+DW+Frame_TB-DW11-140.htm?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=googlebase&utm_term=Turner+Frames

I had a Foxy and thought it was amazing. It is very long, [i] very[/i] low, quite slack and very light. Cornered like nothing else I have ever ridden.

I thought it was quite a wheels on the ground bike (but mine was quite long - eventually sold because too big for me and bought a Dune). The "Zero" suspension is quite stick to the ground-y though.

I would recommend a Foxy but also would mention the downsides: Was a bit flexy (do they have a maxle rear now?), dodgy QC in 2010 and 2011 leading to many bolts either stuck in or trying to jump out by themselves, spares expensive and availabiity unreliable.

It has 16 pivots I think, so won't be cheap or easy to replace that lot.

Edit: Oh, and the sizing is a bit weird, make sure you try one.

[IMG] [/IMG]

If SC do make a alu TR I'd wait personally.

LT2, Stumpy (Evo?), TranceX

As someone who has owned a Banshee/Mythic Rune, I can confirm that they are one Brand to stay away from, at least until they start using bearings instead of bushings.

They are lovely bikes to ride, but a nightmare to maintain. In fact, I still have my Rune frame sitting in my garage sans shock. It still rides fine, but there is play in the pivots that I can't get rid of.

Definitely demo a Five.

I too am wondering what happened to the Ragley Ten-Four et al. ? They looked interesting.

http://forums.mtbr.com/all-mountain/knolly-all-new-endorphin-trail-bike-780894.html

[img] [/img]

transition bottlerocket is my choice 🙂

See, the Knolly looks lovely. But I doubt its going to be in my budget. Light though for what it looks like... a pound lighter than the Cotic Rocket?

£1699

.......and not available for a while.

Knollys are certainly not cheap. IIRC the Chilcotin (160mm ish) was about £2k frame only?

" issue with the shock .. should get it back this week"
lol. Hopefully will be better for you than for me, I did get sorted in the end, its much better now, but seems quite easy to bottom even with little sag/in max floodgate setting, though I never feel it bottom out?

Early June

I'm in the market for something very much the same. However, with the addition of light(ish), to your list. I've been pondering over 4X type frames for low, slack and shorter travel ie Intense Tazer VP, but stuff like that is difficult to demo.
I can borrow SC TRc's but they are way out of my price league, so pointless even demoing.
I'm considering a Transition Bandit and it seems to tick the boxes, 125mm travel, 68 degree HA, low BB, reasonably light, looks nice. For me, it has to build light or it won't get used, I can't be arsed lugging a heavy bike around. I've slavered over stuff like the Endorphin, Covert, Blood and I just know that they wouldn't get ridden because of their weight. I think the Bandit frame incl shock is 6.8lbs, so it's possible to reasonably cheaply get a 28lb bike and 25lb is achievable.

Looks like that knolly is 6.6lb frame with shock and axle.
That thing will ride as well as anything on the market, and better than that vast majority IMHO.

There is a Mondraker Foxy R frame for sale in the classifieds seller is called Scant. Lovely looking frame £700

Another vote for a Blood - flinkin' fantastic little bike (heck, I've had mine almost 3 weeks now - it must be good 😆 ) and if huws' is too small (they are quite long though and that neon green looks the nuts), then [url= http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/122142.html ]All Terrain Cycles still have 17"ers in stock[/url] 8)

Looks like that knolly is 6.6lb frame with shock and axle.

my bottlerocket is 33-34lb depending on seatpost 🙂
crossmax sx plus tubless tyres = rotational love 🙂

I've been doing some research and apparently my Blur 4X is around 6.6lbs too so its carrying a pound less than a Rocket etc? Really?

Maybe a large Blur 4X is what I need...

My Mega's a small but your welcome to have a spin.

Hi

A few more to add to the mix:
MSC Zion White R or Hunter RR (if your looking for something quite exclusive)
Ibis MOJO HD 160
Liteville 601
As already mentioned the Transition Bandit and Covert are awesome bikes.

We can help you get a demo ride on a Transition, Ibis (possibly) or MSC if you're interested.

Cost is always an issue. There is always the option to try and find a sound second hand bike.

However, if you're looking for a new one, then naturally we think leasing represents a good way to do it.

Enjoy the search. There is a lot of bikes out there to choose from.

Bottlerocket! Probably the most fun i'v ever had on a bike, despite not being set up for me and I think to small, so so much fun. This was an old style built from girders and nuclear bunkers one though. Not ridden the new style.

That knolly looks the bomb, loving the colour.

I've been doing some research and apparently my Blur 4X is around 6.6lbs too so its carrying a pound less than a Rocket etc? Really?

Maybe a large Blur 4X is what I need...

Why not go lighter unless you do drops etc. Plus why not go with the VPP2 update.....ie a later Santa Cruz! The large 4X is neither here nor there compared to a medium- its actually less than 1/2inch in reality on the TT.

Is it really? I looked at it 12months ago or more and got the impression the frame was more 7+lbs, so thinking it would build a bike of 30-32lb(ish).

http://forums.mtbr.com/knolly/all-new-endorphin-trail-bike-780433.html

I see they've steepened up the ST as well. May have found my new bike (if there will be demos available).

So is an alloy Blur TR in the offing or is that just wishful thinking?

Newer Giant Reign! Really get on well with mine. Cheap and pretty bombproof. With nothing special (with reverb and big tyres) mines under 29lbs. Low bb, 66.5 ha. Really fun bike to ride.

Ibis mOJO is my weapon of choice.

Crikey we've got this far without mentioning a Yeti ASR 5?

For a harder-core fun version of that, the Transition Bandit is hard to beat IMO. The Bandit was second on my list after testing 8 bikes and if it wasn't for the fact that I wanted it at 120mm / lighter for racing I'd have bought the Bandit.

Don't ignore the El Guapo; they're really nice in the flesh. I had a SuperMoto and it was an absolute hoot to ride. Titus seem to know how to make fun bikes. Seriously good value at the price OO are selling them.

+1 for Orange Blood

Can be had for cheapness at the moment
5" travel
Can be built up reasonably light
Slack and low angles
Jumps like a scalded cat
Rails turns like a....thing that corners well
Can run 140mm - 160mm forks
IT'S FUN!

in neon green FTW

Funny thing with bloods, both riders I know who got one have now gone back to 5s. Does that say something?

interesting - i picked a Blood because i didn't want a 5...

I haven't read the whole thread, but I rode a Transition Bandit demo last weekend and thought it was a really nice & fun ride.

I bought a blood despite having a couple of weeks on a demo bike from Orange and not really getting on with it - I later found the shock was totally borked, and the forks wern't up to much either.

I bought this after a further test ride on a mate of a mate's and was blown away. It felt like everything I'd been looking for in my 2011 5, but failed to get (hence me selling it).

I'm now fully converted and even thinking of selling the Nicolai helius, as the Blood's such a good all-rounder. The RP23 is even working, which is a 1st for me, and the travel feels so well controlled and bottomless - non of the feet boucing off pedals I got with the original demo. here is my (not so) mini review from a year or so ago:

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/orange-blood-mini-review

sorry to hijack the thread, but @mildred, how did you sort the rear suspension on your Blood? Mine never feels quite right, not wrong, but you know, not *right*.
cheers

Kryton57 - Member

Crikey we've got this far without mentioning a Yeti ASR 5?

For a harder-core fun version of that, the Transition Bandit is hard to beat IMO. The Bandit was second on my list after testing 8 bikes and if it wasn't for the fact that I wanted it at 120mm / lighter for racing I'd have bought the Bandit

Bandit 1 or 2? Bandit 1 is 25.7lb. 140mm forks/130mm rear but still climbs very well and hammers back down again. Win races and still have fun on the knarly stuff.