looks great! It still is the only red ano in the UK, which is a shame as its a lovely finish, even nicer in the flesh!

The VF2 is pretty tough, but does use thinner walled tubes than the XCL and has a carbon rear end. If you want an AM/Trail type bike with no massive drops or jumps then the VF2 will handle most stuff just fine, it really is a versatile frame.

Ant more just let me know.

Another vote for the Chumba XCL 😉

I have started to offer the XCL as a full build option, and they represent good value for money for what is a 'boutique' frame so too speak. A little over your budget but good kit for the money.

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

Tangent, I have a few sets of TALAS and Floats at good prices, certainly much cheaper than shop prices 🙂

Mail me for details.

Beagles! Except they never do as they are told….

Ignore the idiot in the cool sunnies 😉

I have used SLX with no issues when the shiter windows are removed and the brakes inboard of the shifter 🙂

If you want a quote just drop me an email…

I would say the Fox. They just work well out of the box, and the new FIT damper is very good.

I also know where you can buy them at much cheapness 😉

I have a VR jacket and find it much too warm for anything other than sub zero conditions. Good jacket for walking though 🙂

I actually think the gap in cost between boutique and main stream bikes is getting smaller. If you take a similar equipped Lappierre/Trek etc with a similar specced Santa Cruz heckler i doubt there is much in it, if you shop around.

Thumbing through this months WMB with the trail bikes, there is a giant for 4K, Lappierre for 3.7K and a Trek for 3.5K, that sort of budget will buy you a good boutique frame and kit imo.

I am not saying that boutiqe is better, just that it is as affordable 🙂

oooh very nice! I like that a lot!

To lose some weight, go down the Stan's Flow/355 route (the 355 is a surprisingly tough rim for the weight!) the SLX bash is also prety heavy, a Gamut p30/20 would sort that. Apart from that keep it as is, the weight will help with that bike imo.

Which Lyrics are they?

How tall is she 🙂

The Trek's look really nice, but both Spesh and Trek make great bikes these days, you won't go far wrong with either.

Gary Fisher HiFi is also very highly thought of so worth a look.

If you want something different then have a look at this 🙂

http://www.singletrackworld.com/2010/01/new-deals-from-chumba-progressive-bikes/

Chumba HX1

What is the weight saving over the 5.1/standard Pro2's?

You cannot get understeer on a two wheeler. I think you need to define a little more what is happening. People often use the term understeer but it is not correct.

I see your point, but if the op is having to put more into turning his bikes into corners or getting the feeling that the bike is not turning is that not understeer?

Just finished The Road, and bloody brilliant it was too! Very haunting!

Not sure what us next on the list but I quite fancy On the Beach by nevile Shute

Chumba XCL is your frame! 'Only' 5" travel but tough as old boots and very very stiff, can be run with 160mm forks and built up light if needs be.

I have a few ex demo frames too, and a blue one just like the one below 🙂

IMO i am surprised if a bike shop does not try to recoup some of the monies invested in their demo bikes. As onion said demo bikes will only ever get a handful of outings and will only be worth about 50% of their value, especially if they are mainstream full builds. Really the amount of people buying these types of bikes are very small, and the shops are aiming at a very narrow band of people/customers so the uptake on demo bikes is not that great.

The bike industry is not in the same league as the car industry and thus is not subsidised by the manufactures to the same degree with things like demo's etc.

IME most people will buy a frame/bike without a demo, as most are likely to swap their bikes/frames quite frequently anyway and in this day and age their are very few poor bikes out there so the risk is less.

Up shot is if you really want to try a bike before hand then i think a small rental fee is fair.

Hardcore would be the XCL and CCDB

that is on ther cards for the next project, just deciding on the forks…

I really like the ano red, looks great in the flesh and i am not sure why its not more popular.

What headset have you fitted?

Are the 36's on the DW set to 140?

I had a few dealings with him from the STW classifieds, top bloke. Really sad news and puts things into perspective. RIP fella

forge, how you getting on with 160 up front on the XCL?

Chumba HX1

Does he want a full bike or frame? Frame = Chumba XCL! I would say one of THE stiffest 5" frames in existance!

Hell of a statement…..

So the bikes you sell with air shocks are rubbish and perform badly? Did you go to the same suspension theory school as Alan at Chumba? You got a bunch of CCDB to sell or something?

I do not have any CCDB's to sell I only order what I sell.

It is just my belief that most coil shocks will out perform most air shocks. I didn’t go to any bike school, just my observations from riding and the tech used within the shock world.

So the bikes you sell with air shocks are rubbish and perform badly?

Where did I say that? The Chumba frames work well with the Fox air shocks. A bike is more than the shock of course, but better shocks can improve already good or bad designs, no? I am not dismissing air shocks, I use them on my bikes too, but the only reason we buy air shocks are due to weight savings and perhaps a lockout function?

Chumba sent over a VF2 frame to Malcolm at CC. they then mapped the frame with a CCDB and worked out some base settings for customers to start with, including preload, spring rates etc.

The CCDB is a great shock, and can tune out bob to a greater degree without losing much, it will certainly be miles better than an RP23 and Pro-pedal.

Imo coil shocks should be used more, people spend thousands on bikes and stick with the relatively basic and poor performing air shocks such as the RP23, which to me is a great waste. Even light weight trail bikes can benefit from having a good coil at the expense of a pound in additional weight.

Rather than say prices on here mail me for details, ta!

Si – how much?

\

For what? CCDB or Van 15QR's?

15QR Vans would also be my choice, and i know where you can buy them cheap 😉

what's the travel on that chumba?

5 inch!

Jon YGM.

Si we'd be after a small I think, she's 5'5" and currently rides a 16.5" HT frame.

How about a new small or XS any colour you like for £775?

What size do you need?

Ooops, medium 🙂

I have an ex demo white Chumba XCL frame, barely used in excellent condition for £725

Braaap!!!!

Chumba are also offering a grass roots deal, mail me for details!

Ton, try giving the Bikeworx a call in Dundee. John is the owner and tell him i sent you 🙂

The Canfield stuff is really nice and at that money good value! Do it…

Bit of an ugly duckling but it works well with the hammershit (whatever) and is a really under rated frame! Everyone who ever rides one loves it!

This particular medium frame is uber cheap too 🙂

full bike pic