New AM frame time!-advice wanted

rhyko7

I have a budget of 650£, would consider spending a little more if i bought new or unused

Opinions wanted on the following bikes:
Its time for me to get a new AM Frame, ideas and reviews wanted, the shortlist so far:
Rules:
bike must be designed to ride with 160 mm forks
between 66-68 head angle
BB height under 14.25"


Current bike : Giant Reign X 2009
Strengths: Awesome descender good sus design, built like a brick out house.
Weakness: too heavy for an AM bike

Option 1: Titus El Guapo 2011-700£ new
Strengths seems to get good reviews on here, lighter than reign X
Weakness: unknown life time, High BB, short wheel base, designed more for 150mm forks

Option 2; Lapierre Spicy 2010 650£ 2nd hand
Strength: proven to work on Mega avalanche, lots of thought has gone in from pro riders, designed to be run with 36's
Weakness: not sure if this is true seat post does not go all the way down

Any other contenders?
Opinions on bikes mentioned please

jonnyashworth

I am a big advocate of buying 2nd hand and building up. Its saves alot of money if you know what your doing!

Check out the 2008/2009 Trek remedy frames they tick all your boxes and are great frames (Ihave one and love it).
Also consider a Santa Cruz Heckler. Its a single pivot design but a bloody good one. The santa Cruz Nomad is a nice bike too but probably slightly out of your budget.

As you familliar with how good the Maestro Suspension system is I will plug my ebay listing if you dont mind......
I am selling a brand new Giant Reign X0 2011 Frame on ebay in med. The Reign x was re designed for 2010 and is a lot lighter this frame weighs just 6.14lbs (checked it myself) Bought it to build a bike for the alps but the Chancellour (Mrs) is making serious cutbacks for our wedding so its gotta go

leaflite

Got a titus FTM carbon here(also from on one, slightly shorter travel than the el guapo) and think that it is excellent, especially considering the price. On ones warranty is usually good too. If you havent discovered it yet, mtbr.com has lots of titus owners, and a special titus section in the forum, which should give you some more information if needed.

lawman

push the boat out and get a nukeproof mega, sounds like it will be perfect for your needs

rockmonkeysc

New Reign X (2010 or later) frame is loads lighter than the old one & rides even better. I have tried a Spicy & the Reign climbs better & descends far better. I have heard of too many Nukeproof Mega's breaking.

ilovedirt

lawman wrote:

push the boat out and get a nukeproof mega, sounds like it will be perfect for your needs

This. Nukeproof have just issued all current owners of the frames with a revised chainstay as well.

Though if I were you, i'd just keep the reign, don't think you'll find much better than that. I'd quite like one of the new reign x frames, can be found online for around £1200.

rockmonkeysc

Shop around and you can get a complete 2011 Reign X for only £400 more with Lyriks & a Van R shock. Rides like a mini downhill bike but climbs like a hardtail. Amazingly good bike. Mine is down to 31lb now but still takes a the abuse on DH trails.

jonnyashworth

HMMM Maybe I should look at keeping my Reign X0 frame, The Mrs did go nuttier than a squirrel on acid when I came home with it tucked under my arm the other nignt :shock: She thinks we should be putting all our money aside for trivial things like our upcoming wedding and renovating the house we are buying :roll:....... Women THEY JUST DON'T GET IT DO THEY!

rockmonkeysc

My wife encouraged me to buy my Reign X & is looking for an used Iron Horse Sunday for me
Get the Reign X built. You won't be dissapointed. Mine was badly built by the shop I bought it from & I thought it was a shit bike but now I think it's awesome. I have done an 35km XC enduro & DH race in the same day on my Reign with just a change of tyres, suspension settings & saddle height. Didn't do too badly in either race.

jonnyashworth

I do really fancy building a bike up again but I already have my 09 remedy custom build which I love and they are pretty similar bikes. I do reckon a Reign X with a 160/170mm fox float out front and the standayr DHX 5.0 out back with a 2x10 drivetrain and a nice set of wheels about 1.6kg with a reverb would make a blinding bike

ilovedirt

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Shop around and you can get a complete 2011 Reign X for only £400 more with Lyriks & a Van R shock. Rides like a mini downhill bike but climbs like a hardtail. Amazingly good bike. Mine is down to 31lb now but still takes a the abuse on DH trails.

Those OEM lyrik R forks are pretty rubbish though...

rockmonkeysc

For £180 you can convert them to the RC DH2 spec & make them 170mm which makes them awesome. Also You would get more than £400 selling the unwanted parts as new.

ilovedirt

£180 is a fair wedge though!