On One 456 Or Summer Season??

kyle_172@hotmail.co.uk
kyle_172@hotmail.co.uk Posts: 113
edited April 2011 in MTB buying advice
I was wondering what the differences are between the 456 and the summer season are?? Am i correct in saying the summer season has a slacker head angle and is that the only difference? Also which of these would suit my style of riding? I mainly ride trails and do a bit of downhill nothing extreme, although i do tend to ride aggressively. On some of my routes theres medium sized jumps and 3-4 foot drop offs. Thanks.

Comments

  • warpcow
    warpcow Posts: 1,448
    Summer Season is plain-guage tubing which is stronger, but heavier and doesn't have much of that 'steel-feel' (though it's arguable whether the normal 456 has it).

    Even though you can chopper out an SS with a 160mm fork, they were primarily designed for 100-120mm. Based on your description either would suit you.
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  • kenan
    kenan Posts: 952
    I have a summer session I use for normall trail riding. It feels more at home going downhill then on climbs but is a great ride.

    Am selling the frame soon as I now have the carbon frame sat in my garage :D
  • noggs
    noggs Posts: 10
    TBH I'd get the one whose colour appeals to you most. I had a 456 and my lad has a SS and both are suitable for looning around on or for all day adventures although as has already been said the steel feel is pretty much absent.
  • peter413
    peter413 Posts: 4,909
    I would go for the regular 456 since it's a bit lighter so easier to get up the hills.

    It's still sensibly slack, I take it down the DH trails at Innerleithen regularly with no problems but I also do long XC rides on it so it's a very versatile bike
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  • BungleGsy
    BungleGsy Posts: 4
    Love my SS with a raw finish! I ride it for everything but at 15st the bikes not a huge % of weight anyway.

    I'd go the same again. Nice to have to the added strength in case I feel like chucking myself down a the hill in a proper DH.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    I've got a 456 (had three now)

    and a mate has a SS, which I've ridden

    The 456 is nicer, for me. The SS is slacker and that makes it a tad more stable downhill but the 456 is slightly more responsive so there's not much in it really.

    But everywhere else the 456 is better IMO. The SS steering is too flip-floppy when climbing, even when you wind the forks down to sub 100mm travel, and the slower steering is noticeable on technical singletrack.

    The 456 is just an excellent all-round trail frame. Don't underestimate it just because it isn't expensive :wink:
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  • kyle_172@hotmail.co.uk
    kyle_172@hotmail.co.uk Posts: 113
    What amount of travel are you all running on the SS? As mentioned in one of the post the SS is best at 120-130mm but im wanting to run the full 150mm travel and was wondering if anyone else was and what the handling was like? Thanks

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