[Closed] Show me pics of your XC race bikes and give me your suggestions

For £2000 it's gotta be one of these from eBay with some nice kit:

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That one comes to 20lbs, probably take it to some of the flatter, or wetter courses. Or... this is my main race bike for this season:

[img] http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=11c2bt&outx=800&quality=70 [/img]

Spoilt for choice!

Both lovely - I'm thinking the Fuel is probably a little more than my budget though!

Have you ridden the ebay special yet? It looks pretty good for the price

go on then... [img] [/img]

Yep, been out a couple of times on it, very impressive. It's lighter, more comfortable and far cheaper than my last foray into hardtails, an S-Works carbon.

My only reservation is how long it will last, but I've yet to see a single report of any problems. You could get some SIDs, an XT groupset and some light wheels if you shop carefully, that'd be a 23lb bike probably!

Giant is lovely

Njee20 - I'm thinking my next one will be carbon of some sort - seems like a cheap way to get into it. Definately one for the list

While I'm thinking about it, what length races are you doing njee? I'm down for the MSG series this summer for the hour long ones - I'm wondering if there's much benefit to going FS

oh, the giant comes in at 23lbs... but i can shave another lb off by changing the seat, seatpost and handlebars =) It is carbon btw... Im thinking of upgrading it at the end of the year, getting the new xtc advanced frame, it looks lovely!

With cullen-bay. Had to make a few tweeks for racing. Longer stem and stiffer forks
[img] [/img]

While I'm thinking about it, what length races are you doing njee?

Bit of everything. Mainly Expert level XC, so c2hrs, but also doing some off road triathlons which are more likely to be an hour or so, and some 12 and 24 hour races, probably in a team this year.

FS for me is more about the efficiency than the comfort. On a rough course you can just sit in the saddle and turn the pedals over, on a hardtail you have to keep moving in and out of the saddle, I generally find it slower.

Funny thing is XC race bikes are such light bikes, yet racing is brutal as you just steam into and over everything. Those Fof forks just bottomed out under race pressure. Now it runs Marzochis that I like because the ATA switch graduates from lock out to full squish and everything in between.
Well well within budget, could probably buy two.

But you also tolerate a lack of comfort for racing, bouncing off stuff is par for the course!

The newer Giant's do look nice, their top ones with all the blue bits for 2010 look great!

Rocky Mountain Vertex 70, Say no more. 8)

Sorry didnt really read your original post.

firstly- the cube reaction gtc is a superb bike- ive seen and tried one of my friends' ones.

secondly- they have [i]already[/i] sold out of them in most places, and i believe cube have run out of them...

they still have some in stock at crc, get one while you can, they wont last long, and once they're gone they've gone.

I would go for the cube over the Lapierre any day, the cube is a lovely carbon frame, and will be faster (the only draw back of the gtc race is the SRAM)

Heavy wheels, reckon you could still go lighter in budget, and that's where it really matters.

yeah, upgrading the wheels to something lighter would be an advantage- but the flip side is that the stock bike comes with Shimano XT, Rockshox SID race forks and a Carbon frame... wheels are 1800grams and should be the first place to upgrade if you can...

[img] [/img]
Mine doesn't really compare to any of yours but its all I can afford on a paper round budget and birthday money, 😕 Would like to make it a bit lighter but I am on a pretty tight budget

Still reckon you could go lighter/better specced on an eBay frame!

Back of a fag packet maths I reckon you could go XT/XTR with some £400 wheels and a SID fork for under £2000.

tootin- im 15, and built my bike up through my wages!!

how do u get that sort of money, I scrape £15 a week for an hour every day

Do you get a guarantee with the e-bay frame?

If not, it may be worth buying a cube/giant over the e-bay frame, even if the frame is the same (or better)!

If so then go for the e-bay one... built with Stans 355 on pro3 hubs built with XTR kit... simples..

Mines just for 1 hour races , I do more cross.
Most popular bike on my local scene is the Anthem.

tootin- I was quite lucky to get a job in my LBS aged 14... a month after i started I bought that XTC carbon frame for 300... built it up over time, this is its second year racing 😀

cullen do you work for square wheels?

I did the same as C-B, started working in the LBS when I was 13, then was doing full time in the school hols from 14, did facilitate having some incredibly nice bikes at a young age!

You don't get a written warranty, but they say they're keen to help with any problems. They're very popular on Weight Weenies and I don't know of anyone who's actually had any problems.

I'd go for something lighter than the Pro 3s personally for racing! Or maybe do that and get some tarty finishing kit to drop the weight.

i couldnt afford a lighter than 1500g set of wheels this year njee! hah.

and nonk- I aint saying nought.... how did you know, and who are you?

i looked at your fine blog in your profile.
i worked as a rep a few years back and used to make the epic trip up to see square wheels, probably some of the nicest folks i met in the trade.
bet its a nice place to graft.

It's a fantastic place to work! 🙂

That's lucky, as it's several hundred miles from anywhere 🙂

Any excuse to show off mine -

[img] [/img]

Nice guys there. When I did the 1st Puffer I went up with a Giant dealer, they were big into them. I always fancied Cube but dealers are a bit thin on the ground down here.

Squarewheels still do all levels of giant and cube...

Nice....
Bar ends, love em but they cause chaos on the first bend. 😈

Whereabouts are you Oldgit?

Nowt wrong with bar ends, I'm still getting used to the riser bar on my bikes, reckon I may go back to flats/bar ends on the hardtail at least!

[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4152295447_4a7e17dc2a_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4152295447_4a7e17dc2a_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

This is my rigid SS, another matching one on the way which will be a front suspended geared bike. There are a couple excess in the first batch arriving next week if anyone's interested.

I admire the spec on that, particularly the DV46s, but I think it's a hideous bike!

Oldgit is fairly local to me Nick.

ooh harsh 😆

hey up sam did you ride 10 around kiry last year?

njee20 - Member
I admire the spec on that, particularly the DV46s, but I think it's a hideous bike

each to their own, I wasn't super enthused about the no name carbon to be honest 😉 lucky we all have different needs/tastes really.

But the no-name carbon was really cheap, and that was the sole motivation for buying it, that's not 🙂

sam what are the forks on that singular?

njee20 you have some lovely bikes, can i pick your brains on kit choice for a build i am doing, not racing but looking to get as light as possible?

It's a Niner rigid carbon fork.

You can indeed, email in profile...

hey up sam did you ride 10 around kiry last year?

Yep, and I loved it. Really great event, nice folks, brilliant course and well run. We were very pleased to take second in the team of three. Hope to make it back up there this year.

That was actually the first event in which I rode those wheels (though on a Gryphon with drop bars) and they blew me away, biggest upgrade ever on a bike. I'd almost be tempted to say to anyone wanting to spend 2k on an XC race bike get some carbon tub wheels instead and stick them on your current bike. Save the balance (though it may not be much) for entry fees and the inevitable chains, cassettes etc. They will make a bigger difference (assuming current bike is not a complete porker and in decent nick) than just buying a new 2k race bike.

nice bike that mate i oggled it a fair bit that day.
what about flats though?
i was on the team that won the three man race.just about killed me thanks to you boys.
i think one of out team said something like..we have to beat them they are on road bikes with no gears.. 😆
in fact i have a picture of us all on the podium stuck to the fridge.

Aha! We'll have you next year 😉

You mean flat tyres? Yes, can be an issue. Eventually had one at 24/12 which was dispiriting. owever Ihave been using caffelatex sealant since then and none since.

nah, were winning it this year... 😯

Not. 😆

bloody dougal and his mate was in the pairs race and did more laps than us 😯
git. 😆

This is what I'm using this year. Set of Stans instead of the carbon rims though. Weight, 18lbs with my Crank Brothers Pedals on. Obviously cost a pretty penny but they do much more reasonable priced ones...

[img] [/img]

Have they stopped them snapping constantly!? It'd better weigh 18lbs for £6300! The demo bike I weighed last year was a whole lot heavier than that, despite MSCs claims! At least you have a constant supply of frames for when yours snaps!

Sam, do you think it's the fact they're carbon that makes them feel better, or the tubs, or the weight?

You could spend less on a lighter clincher set up, which I'd expect would be better for most, more versatile certainly!

Just keep the receipt from the MSC- other than MSC's snapping a lot, that is a [i]Lovely[/i] bike

is that how much it is? fek. 😯
it is nice though.

[img] [/img]
Here's mine (not that I'll actually be racing!) - just ordered a set of American Classic wheels for it. Gone back to risers since this pic though.

I've got a set of SID Race forks for it as well, but having run it with both I prefer the Float 80RLT's even if they're a bit heavier.

epicsteve

Is that a Zion? I was thinking of swapping my Stumper HT frame for one of those. I guess it's a nice ride is it?

Cheers

For what it's worth, GO TITANIUM, IMHO Carbon is for Road bikes - It doesn't like being crashed, You WILL crash. If you're looking for a bike that will last, it's your best option. Doesn't have to be US made!!

Is that a Zion? I was thinking of swapping my Stumper HT frame for one of those. I guess it's a nice ride is it?

It is indeed a Zion. I've had a few months and am still working out the best set-up for me (80 or 100mm forks, flats or risers etc) but have been impressed by it so far. I've no other Ti frames to compare it with but it's noticeably comfier than the Dave Hinde M3 frame I also have (which also a bit lighter than the Zion).

[img] [/img]

With Brant's new carbon Carnegie's bars, Stans new crest rims on American classic hubs from JRA and weighs in a fraction over 20lbs.

It's great for up to 3 hours unless it's a smoothish trail then it can go all day.

Johnclimber - i salute you. What a ****ing gorgeous bike that niner is 😀

my hardtail ..
[IMG] [/IMG]

and my new full sus ....
[IMG] [/IMG]

Johnclimber - i salute you. What a **** gorgeous bike that niner is

Not to my eyes I'm afraid, although usually I find niners the best looking (which isn't necessarily saying much!) of 29ers. Partially I think it's the colour, but also something about the relationship of saddle and bar height seems to make it look like the frame is too big for that rider.

relationship of saddle and bar height seems to make it look like the frame is too big for that rider.

I realised the saddle needed raising a bit after I sat back on it after this shot, the seat clamp wasn't tight enough and it had slide down a little 😳

Probably the weight of that saddle bag that made it go down - How do you fill it ? 😀

Incidentally, are those Carnegies on there at the moment ?

Any excuse to show the old bird:

[img] [/img]

In Sweden I am just about the only guy on the start line riding a FS setup and I do it for the exact reason njee20 wrote before, I can just sit down and peddle. Off road I am racing the 1 hour + lap XC series and some marathon events.

May be her last year with me racing mind as I am being seriously tempted onto a Superfly 100, if only the frame prices would come down

[img] [/img]

When it was brand new

Thinking about some new forks at some point...

[img] [/img]

njee20
Leighton Buzzard or Woburn.
TBH that's my only MTB, if I was only racing it I'd do more to it. Hoping to do well on it in the Grande Vets at this years FNSS.
But cross and road is my main thing.

njee20 & cullen-bay:: I've certainly seen/heard of some MSCs snapping. I wouldn't say a lot though and mainly the full sus.

For the record, I rode/raced last years bike hard tail with full XTR and never had any issues.

I ride for their UK team so £6,300 isn't what I paid but I never said it was cheap!

On the weight front, 18lb IS the weight on my scales (at the moment).

I admit, the tyres are not usuable in this country, the term "semi slick" would be generous.

Having said that, I've only got MSCs 355 wheelset on it at the moment because I've got Stans to go on. This in weight terms will balance out usable tyres so I would still expect the weight to be in this area.

So you've got the Maxxlite 285s on it?

My eBay special with Mud-Xs is 20. So you've got 530g on tyres, yours has XX, and a SID WC fork.

I'll wager if I spent another £4000 I could get mine lighter 😉

That's rubbish about there not being a problem with them snapping and you know it! 2 at Dalby, Paul Robertson's Koncept and I've heard of various other problems. I really want to like them, but they're not tough enough considering the amount of cash you have to lay down!

I'll have a Flash Team if I'm spending that sort of money!

Bream, excellent choice sir!!

[img] [/img]

are most folks running 355s these days?
i am on standard race (not 7000) and find them a bit bendy in the corners.
still true and doing the job mind you just a bit noodly.

njee20, yeah the tyres are insane, although I used them at sherwood last year! Probably shouldn't of, but they got me round quickly! 😉

I didn't say there wasn't any problems, I said I had no issues with my bike last year. Just because I ride for them doesn't mean I'm going to defend them to the death. I can only account for my own bike and honestly it's the best mtb I've ever ridden.

Paul has had a few issues with his bike but it is a full sus and you always have a load more issues with them than HTs. In my opinion they've made the FS too light and are bound to have problems.

A couple of the bikes from last year where considered pre production and I remember there was a problem with a batch of swing arms. I know some bolts have snapped as well but this isn't really the frame.

It seems like your opinion is being coloured by the FS and not the HT.

I'd probably agree with you on the Flash, it's a stunner aint it!

nonk, I'm on the race 7000s and I've found them great. I think from a durability POV, the 355s are a better option in the long run.

My weapon of choice, and yes i know it really shouldn't have gears on it 😉

[img] [/img]

Its not light but then neither am i 🙄 .

I just hope its as quick with me on it as it was last year when Sam rode it (not a chance 😳 )

Actually Paul's was the only FS I was aware of breaking, it was generally the hardtails, as I've heard they've made them so stiff that the seat stays just snap rather than flexing!

I think the Hope Hoops with 355s offer such good value for money too, it's brought Stan's rims to the masses as it were!

I want to get some Podium MMX wheels for the Fuel, but whether I'll get round to it before splurging on something else is another matter!

Sherwood's the place for the Maxxlites, it's about the one course I use Furious Freds! You just need to learn to stay upright Giles, was it Crow and Margam you ended up on the floor in the first half a mile 🙂

Haha actually it was both Crow & Margam... Made up for it at Plymouth though! I do need to ride my mtb more often, my technical ability is shocking...

I didn't realise there were many HTs in the country as I'm the only one on the team with one and there is a demo bike which was pre production and snapped. I'm quoting the rep now but this years frames have had the angle of the brake mount increased in a effort to push the shock through the bottom stays rather than the seat stays. So if nothing else, they are trying.

I want the podiums MXX too but they only do them as a wheelset and I'd prefer to use the same hubs for my race wheelsets so it makes them easier to switch in and out...

Nah you can get the rims from JRA and various places in Europe, they're pretty cheap from JRA, far less than the Race 7000s.

Plymouth was a good result certainly, bet that annoyed Sion, he never did win one!

mmmm, OK the talk of 285g tyres whetted my appetite, I am always looking for something to give me the edge on the race to the chip shop.

I don't think I will bother posting images of my porky old Scandal on this one its got pretty serious racer.

Suffice to say I have raced every bike ive owned, wether it was always suitable for what I was doing is debatatable but when all said and done, its still the bloke on it that makes the difference.

The Maxxlite 285s are unbelievably expensive, I forget how much, but it's over £100 each. Furious Freds are only 10g more and much more 'sensible' for a crazy fast tyre with no grip!

I thought the furious fred was about the same as a Twister Supersonic at 340g?

I wont be buying any 285's anytime soon!!

JRA state on their website they are only available as a wheelset (unless that's changed in the last week). I also asked the question directly to JRA with the same response, strange. I'll have to investigate, where in europe?

Yeah, I wouldn't of been happy if I was Sion!

Google them, Starbike do, I think Action Sports do and various other German outlets, some of them have some really cheap wheelsets, €500 with 'Fun Works' hubs and €800 with DT 190s!

JRA certainly imply they can get them [url= http://www.justridingalong.com/shop.php?product=4295 ]here[/url], but I asked Jon and got the same reply as you.