@Peteimpreza New Hightower.

Will give it a go and see how I get on, thanks all.

I’ll give my current non-boost stuff a try and see how it goes

So that’s one yes, one no and one maybe…

Have a 30t 11 speed non-boost ring on there at the moment but it can’t go on the outside of the tabs.Can I add another space at the BB or is that dumb?

All valid points 🙂

Was holding off emailing Steve Jones until I’d heard from people that had paid their hard earned. I’ve only heard good stuff so far.

I’ve got a Banshee Prime and Kona Honzo and they’re both amazing bikes. Coming off a 26″ enduro, I thought I’d have to slow down a bit on the Prime, but I’m a lot faster on the same trails. Short back end and long front on both bikes means they can be thrown about and both are tough as hell.

I ended up buying a pair of Troy Lee 5450 and they’re ace.

I also got the Raceface Charge arms and they are minimal (to say the least) and don’t fit. I even sized up compared to the chart but now considering wether to get the next size up again or find something else.

I’m trying to decide between G-Form and RaceFace Charge – can anyone comment on how hot/sweaty they get? Does either cope with heat and sweat better? I don’t wear my Kyle Straits much because they’re pretty hot for all day.

I’m looking at these rather than carbon at the moment. Can you buy the rims separately?

Anyone know when/if Butcher 29er tyre will hit these shores? That and an ardent/purg rear sounds pretty good to me.

I thought the santa cruz and shinobi felt steep and short – but then again the XL prime is very long and slack. I really like my bikes like that might be down to personal preference. The shinobi was really stiff and well put together though. Try and get a spin on the top of the range fox version, it was worth the extra cash over the RS one imho.

If you’re looking at the prime, def get the cane creek shock. It’s not much more expensive but and it’s well worth it. There’s nothing that I’ve yet ridden on my prime that I haven’t managed to do quicker than on my enduro – but I haven’t taken it to the alps yet…

I’ve got a Banshee Prime after testing a shinobi and a santa cruz lt. It is awesome – I prefer it to my 2010 Enduro that it replaced. I’m taking mine to the alps later in the summer and I think it’s well up to the job, just make sure you get good tyres.

Get a test ride if you can (think distributor has a large demo bike), you’ won’t regret it.

Other options I looked at are Orange 5 29er (not in my size at the mo), yeti sb95 (wasn’t convinced that bearings would survive my laziness) and an intense tracer (couldn’t find one to demo). Hope that helps.

Might hold out for a few more weeks for a HR2 although still tempted by a Minion/ardent combo.

Thanks Sam, always with the ‘no pants’ the option. Any other on-one tyre reviews?

Chunky monkey or smorgasbord for front (on a Banshee Prime) to give a gripper edge than ardent and work on wet roots without needing to change my pants?

2.5″ Minion would be overkill right…?

Link

Hate my front ardent when it anything more than bone dry, hence the move to HR2s. Are ardents better when used on the back?

I got the cc and I’m blown away by the smoothness, it’s unreal. I know what you mean about complexity though, so far I’ve stuck to the base settings and it seems pretty good.

Built my xl up last weekend, some pics on here somewhere (sorry I can’t find the link, I’m in the pub).

What shock did you get? It’s insanely good; bit heavy, but sooo quick.

Sorry Bregante, I forgot to reply – Ison Distribution are dealing with Banshee now. I spoke to Pat at Ison, who was really helpful and ordered through my LBS.

I’ve got a 20L honzo and it’s similar in length and standover as I love the honzo. I’m 6ft5, the standover is ample (I just sold a large enduro, he so I like long, low bikes). Haven’t ridden her in anger yet, will post back when I do.

My only criticism so far is that she’s not very light, but that’s fine by me as there are a fair few heavy bits to upgrade.

It’s an XL. There are more pics in this folder here https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B2H7P8lDtEaHbVlXREk2ZTBGMGs/edit?usp=sharing

Anyone got any idea why public Google Drive photos don’t work on here despite using Google links for sharing?

Try this link in the meantime https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2H7P8lDtEaHcFUxOUlYb05ZbFE/edit?usp=sharing

Didn’t think it had worked, balls – Will try again later. First impressions are that it’s really well made with great angles/sizing for me and the cc db air is awesome. Have only had time for a 5 min tarmac spin so far though.

I got a black one as I was aiming for the stealth/murdered out look sim to one half way down this page

Wish it was that easy Rorshach, the fork is at home, but the frame is not due to the 20th. The suspense is killing me.

Thanks Scruff but getting a headset from my LBS where I bought the frame.

Yep, XL black with a CC double barrel air. Got a set of Fox 34s waiting at home, can’t wait.

Bump. They’re a lot cheaper than Dogtag etc – anyone got any views?

Great, thanks all – was hoping I’d avoided £13 but not to be.

Ok, consensus is for Hope mix and match which I can get for £50 on ukbikestore (thanks for the heads up chopchop).

Now which of the myriad choices do I want? Number 2 integral top with an E bottom?

Would this do the trick?
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=424

I will likely fit myself so split crown race would be great – anything for less than £50?

I’m 6ft5 and have a 2010 large in the classifieds for sale. Awesome bike and good fit even for my gangly frame. Selling to fund a 29er otherwise I’d keep it as an alps bike.

I’ve got exactly the same set up as somafunk – highly recommended and not dropped a chain yet. Also don’t get the drag as I do on the MRP guide on my other bike.

Short and tubby? Damn I’m 6ft5, guess that means I won’t be able to get a black and gold one and will have to wait until the grown up sizes are released.

Short and tubby? Damn I’m 6ft5, guess that means I won’t be able to get a black and gold one and will have to wait until the grown up sizes are released.

Would it be sensible to guess that the first run of 50 black and gold will be in 17 and 19 inch forms, and like they did with the gyro?

Have they released the geometry yet?

Flexy even with a 142mm axle and redesigned swingarm? Dirt and MTBCut guys seem to love theirs and I’m guessing they’ve got more bike experience than most of us…

To replace my Enduro (anyone want a Lge 2010 Enduro?) as a big hitting trail bike for a 6ft5er. Likely taking it to the alps, back home to wales but also for nobbing about in the woods around brighton and south east.