I’ve got a Rampant, it’s a great fun bike but can be a struggle as an all-rounder as you can’t fit a front mech. Mines a short (I’m 5′ 8″) with a 50mm stem and with 1×9 steep climbs are a bitch 😀 +more for technical climbing. Just gone 1×10 with 2 lower climbing gears, but not used it yet – hoping I won’t have lost too much in the smaller cogs. Quite a lot of the struggle is down to a short reach, but I’ve survived the climbfest of the Dyfi Enduro on it.
I looked through loads of similar and the only ones that ticked all the boxes for me were this and a modern Spesh SX, but seeing as they don’t come around too often rampant it was. Costly and does have some bushings issues (although not very bad), but suspension design is v. good in the chop & for pedalling and does drops & jumps nicely. Very strong for its weight. Descends well, but with a pretty short wheelbase there are times when I’ve felt I’m approaching going a little too fast. SX is claimed to be more stable; Rampant to have more pop.
Would love to have a go on some similar bikes to see how they compare – have seen few frames come up at decent prices, but it’d be an expensive waste past-time 🙂 Most tempted by Meta 4xs – seen a few recently & think they can take a front mech…