PePPeR – The XCL is quite unique in that is quite short travel (130mm) but super tough and but still pretty nimble. Its not silly slack nor is it steep with a 68 degree HA so skips along quite nicely, very 'neutral' handling.

I dont have a large test bike i am afraid, there is a few guys on here who have XCL's who might chime in with their experiences.

Ton, drop me an email

🙂

Ton, large has a 21" seat tube, 24" top tube.

tlr, the xs small would fit a 5'2" rider just perfectly 🙂

I love Si's championing of his Chumbas. So come on then, how much would one run to with a reasonably sensible build then?

I thought everyone was sick of me!

Chumba full build for £2150, nice build too, or rolling chassis for £1699, Frame Fox fork Hope wheels etc 🙂

http://www.progressive-bikes.co.uk/xcl_build_kits.html

psychle, i only have 2 pairs left, just a couple, so be quick if you want them soon 🙂

How do Chumba rate in terms of reliability?

I believe you had the 06/07 model? The latest XCL's have a 1 degree slacker HA and can also be run with a different rocker for even lower and slacker, if thats your thing.

All frames have a failure rate, just depends on how high it is 🙂

How do Chumba rate in terms of reliability?

A very few (one or two!) of the early XCL frames broke at the bottom of the seat stay, since rectified. The XCL should really be considered for big blokes, i know i keep banging on but it is very difficult to get heard over all the Orange noise 😉

The level of supposed breakages of Oranges may be due to there being more of them in the UK than say an Intense or Santa Cruz?

I also don't subscribe to the fact that single pivots are better for heavier riders, it is surely more than how many pivots a bike has (apart from less bearings to wear) and more to do with construction and general quality?

Chumba XCL, one of THE stiffest, toughest and over built 'normal' trail bikes there is 🙂

what's real Art? Subjective is art 🙂

Can Can is about to be no more so be quick if you want one. The new The One is to replace all the other frames bar the Jedi and promises to be very interesting.

psychle, £1700 for that level of kit is outstanding, go for it!

I would go with the straight Float, that beast needs no travel adjust 😉

Just spoke with Lance at Canfield, the new 2011 The One sounds awesome!

Forks are 2010 FIT version, though i wont have many at those prices, just clearing a bit of stock at a slow time of year.

Those prices for The One will be hard to beat, do it while you can 🙂

cheers Thom, will take a look.

No VAT if you buy from Germany. I 'may' have some news on the UK distribution front for Canfield in the near future…..

psychle, I have a few sets of both TALAS and Float 36, both RC2, £570 for the Floats and £625 for TALAS 🙂

I would go for the Canfield, the price alone is a no brainer!

Do you still plan to run Hammerschmidt?

Say what?

Orange 5s still look like they are put together by a final year welding project.

Really? The welds look good to me, and i know which frame between the Zesty and the Five will last the longer 🙂

If a few of you are interested i could do a group buy. mail me for info.

Good guys to deal with, speak with Richard and i am sure he will look after you!

Depends if they're quoting static or sagged too though.

I presume like most it will be static. I really think introducing sagged angles complicates things as we all run different sag levels? I see the reasoning, but if we all stick to the same measuring technique then surely the better?

Si from Progressive pimps the hell out of his stuff, but at least he's polite and involved in the STW community (you can post me my free Chumba now).

jeez thanks 🙂

That frame screams for a 36, in Float guise would be my choice, i also know where they can be had for cheap 🙂

What is the recommended travel?

20% import duty

I don't think so. Normal import duty on frames originating from the US is 4.7% ish if i remember correctly, plus VAT on top.

Nice colour Chumba, Si!

I agree, even though that bike is not mine, if i can move my white ex demo frame on then i will have a red one!

Chumba VF2 the BEST bike in the world, maybe 😉

Guys, I'll have a look on Monday and see what I can do.

I would say a nice coil shock, and maybe some heavier more planted wheels, depending what he currently runs of course.

pook, is that wall in iraq?

I like the vans for simplicity but the floats are good forks too and not having to change springs to for rider preference can be easier.

The RLC is the way to go if you like fettling, and the low speed compression can help with fork dive, even though the new FIT forks tend to be better at negating dive (at the expense of small bump compliance). Depends upon budget really as which to go for 🙂

Tom, any chance of a few high res images? I have a customer who wants to see the red up close 🙂

Mail me for a price….

Are you able to get over to psyclewerxs in Bristol? They are not a Chumba dealer but may help me out.

Really enjoyed that, looks like a good fun ride 🙂

Must admit though, if I hadn't replaced my old 5 Spot with a new 5 Spot, I'd have been having a right good look at Chumbas, they look real nice.

If i wasnt riding a Chumba i would be on a DW 5 Spot 🙂

Neil, everytime i see your VF2 it really grows on me. One of my fav VF2's so far 8)

Are you open to suggestion?

have a look at the Chumba VF2, similar in design to the Zesty and can be built for similar money to the 314. See here http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/my-new-chumba-and-some-thank-yous for an idea.

Sorry for the hi-jack!