long travel hardtails.

garsr6
garsr6 Posts: 135
edited November 2007 in MTB buying advice
right.....im planning getting rid of my 04 stumpy full suss frame and decided i want a long travel hardtail as my local black trail is a bit rough for 4" travel, however the only frames that i have seen that i really like is the cove stiffee fr and the santa cruz chameleon.

has any one ridden either of these? how do they feel? is the cove worth 500 quid?

any other suggestions on 150mm plus travel hardtail frames will be looked into.

cheers. :wink:

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/Sale_Bikes.html

    Have a look at the B52 half way down. Not just the frame for that price - which is Easton Rad, like the Cove, BUT THE WHOLE BIKE!!!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Amos
    Amos Posts: 438
    i love my Cove!
  • garsr6
    garsr6 Posts: 135
    hmmm.... you have me thinking. i have 07 xt full groupset at present so if i swapped all my parts over cept forks i could sell new parts from that??? savin me money in the end.

    one problem, im 6ft with 32" inside leg and there is only 14" and 16" choices or are the frames smaller on these Lt hardtails?
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Its close wheter it would fit. But I do the swap thing all the time, make loads of money!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • garsr6
    garsr6 Posts: 135
    very nice stiffee you have there amos, how does it ride? how is it on long rides? :shock:

    nah innuendos aside how does it handle the ruff stuff?and is it comfy for all day riding?
  • garsr6
    garsr6 Posts: 135
    thanks supersonic that is a very good option for me as im planning to save for another full suss once i have a hard tail up and running. i just need a hard tail just now cos im missing the feel a bit.

    i cant find any larger pics of that bike, is it merlin only? i googled it and only came up with merlin?
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Yep Merlin only. The frame sold for 400 quid for ages, so the whole lot for 500 is amazing. Its no worse than a Cove Stiffee.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • garsr6
    garsr6 Posts: 135
    sound, il fone them on monday to ask about sizing. i think this could be the one im after.makes sense. thanks again. :D
  • Amos
    Amos Posts: 438
    garsr6 wrote:
    very nice stiffee you have there amos, how does it ride? how is it on long rides? :shock:

    nah innuendos aside how does it handle the ruff stuff?and is it comfy for all day riding?

    I find it alright on long rides, its only a 17.5 inch frame and im 6'2" so its a bit short in length. Its got me round the trails in Afan and Cwm Carn alright, and due to its smaller sizing its easier to throw around and i feel more confident on it when its airbourne.
  • garsr6
    garsr6 Posts: 135
    was your bike sized for you or was it what you felt comfortable on? have to say i really like the stiffee its my no 1 choice but supersonic has thrown a spanner in the works with his suggestion. :? :wink:

    cheers
  • Downhill dominator
    Downhill dominator Posts: 33
    I had a question like this and was told to look at the
    2008 giant stp3. it sells for £295. and it can hold 140 to 150 mm travel.
  • Amos
    Amos Posts: 438
    garsr6 wrote:
    was your bike sized for you or was it what you felt comfortable on?

    I had a larger framed bike before and it felt a bit awkward and sketchy at times, especially on descents. Now I am use to the smaller frame I do feel really comfortable on it.
  • Splasher
    Splasher Posts: 1,528
    Just to throw a stone in the pond what about this

    MaxlightPha5eGreen.jpg

    for £360 from CRC
    "Internet Forums - an amazing world where outright falsehoods become cyber-facts with a few witty key taps and a carefully placed emoticon."
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Its axactly the same as the B52, even the same rear end bar the slight difference in the place seatstay is welded and the seatube gusset.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Splasher
    Splasher Posts: 1,528
    So it's exactly the same except for the differences :wink: Doesn't that apply to all bikes?
    "Internet Forums - an amazing world where outright falsehoods become cyber-facts with a few witty key taps and a carefully placed emoticon."
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Lol, I mean all the main 7 tubes are the same. Not many bikes can claim that! So whi is one 360 quid, and the other 200? kinesis make the B52...
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • garsr6
    garsr6 Posts: 135
    yep thats quite nice splasher, but for another 140 quid the b52 is a full bike which has £400 off rrp. and lookin at the spec its a pretty solid abuse friendly cheap bike= winner :wink:
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    The B52 frame's build quality is outstanding. I was looking at one a few weeks ago in the Merlin shop. Easton tubes for that money is a crazily good bargain.
  • easyg
    easyg Posts: 266
    Its a late post as I am looking through past threads for full susser buying advice and stumbled on this thread.

    You may have made your decision but for what its worth the Marin Rocky Ridge is according to What MTB one of thee, if not the, best long travel hardtails around. I agree as I am building one up right now. Also on the frame sizing - the inches on these types of hardtail frames are lower proportionally due to the geometry - my Rocky Ridge medium is 14" centre to centre which will suit my 6' height according to the lbs I got it from.

    Others to check out that I came across when i researched it are the Orange Crush or Sub Zero, Marin B-17, DMR Trailstar MKIII, and Kinesis Maxlight XC120.

    Anyway, its prob. too late but if not happy shopping.
    "If you think straight enough, you can see round corners"
  • rob cole
    rob cole Posts: 706
    another canadian alternative to the Stiffee is the scirocco

    check this out http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1460058/
    check out my riding - www.robcole.co.uk Banshee Factory Team rider, Da Kine UK Team rider, www.freeborn.co.uk www.eshershore.com
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    Transition Vagrant - just bought one - excellent frame. £290 - sod your SC chameleons and all them £400+ frames - really is a beaut. I found out by accident - totally bombproof and unless you're a weight weenie - not too heavy! :wink:

    Check out this bad boy...

    http://www.moredirt.co.uk/ratebike.php?id=839

    Unless you're blind/have no taste (delete as applicable) that is feckin awesome!!! :lol:

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