Considering a new frame; from a 2009 Wolf Ridge to what?

mikezer0

I'm currently riding a 2009 Wolf Ridge and I like it a lot, but it's pretty heavy... So I'm considering a new frame, any recommendations? I ride the Peak District mostly these days, as well as trips to Wales & Scotland. Hopefully I'll get out to the Alps again this summer too.

So; lighter, 140-160mm travel, low BB, slack-ish HA, active suspension... Basically I want a lighter version of my Wolf!

Torres

What's your budget? Unless you've got a bucket load of cash I doubt you'll do better than the Marin, like you say they're, excellent.

How's it specced, you may find a lighter set of wheels or forks may make a difference.

lawman

as the above really, unless you have a fairly big budget, circa £1500 or more then you won't see much of a difference upgrading the frame, lighter wheels, bars, stem, seatpost, saddle, tyres and forks would be a good start, i presume you have pikes fitted to it?

cooldad

Also depends what will swap across. Bits that don't will have to be replaced.

mikezer0

Budget is fairly big... maybe up to £2000. I'm easily talked into spending mo' money, haha. The bike is pretty much stock at the moment, it's the 6.9 version, so the lightest version that was available... Yep, Pikes still on there, I guess some Revs would save some weight, But I don't want to buy some new forks, then find that I still want to get a new frame in 6 months and they might not be compatible.

1mancity2

For £2000 you can get a decent 160mm AM bike,

Lapierre Spicy 316, Giant Reign, Specialised enduro.

oodboo

Can you get a carbon whyte 146 frame only?
Maybe a Yeti SB66 or 575
SC Nomad
Transition Covert
Orange 5, ignore that, you wanted something light.

ste_t

Sell the Marin and put the cash towards a new bike?

Rozza

I have the same bike, 6.9 2009. Fitted Rev XX 150mm forks, XT cranks and a Reverb seatpost, 745mm bars on it as well with a shorter stem. Pimp yer Wolf, you know it makes sense.

Torres

mikezer0 wrote:

Budget is fairly big... maybe up to £2000. I'm easily talked into spending mo' money, haha. The bike is pretty much stock at the moment, it's the 6.9 version, so the lightest version that was available... Yep, Pikes still on there, I guess some Revs would save some weight, But I don't want to buy some new forks, then find that I still want to get a new frame in 6 months and they might not be compatible.

Well, a set of 150mm revs would drop a load of weight and add more adjustability; however if you want to do some big descents in the alps then a lyrik may be more appropriate (however you won't save any weight.)

A decent set of wheels would help, Flow rims on hubs of your choice would be my reccomendation. Tyres are a good way to lose some lard aswell so have a weigh of what you have and compare it to what's available.

If you want to start getting really picky then weigh your bars, stem and post to see if any savings can be made there; however you'll find you need to spend a substantial amount to make savings in these areas.

Northwind

6.9 already came with 719s on Pro 2s so Flows on Pro 2s will be stronger and wider but the weight will be comparable (the OEM spokes are PG though). There's actually not that many easy hits on the 6.9, it's a well judged spec.

Switch to Revelations would be good- save a decent chunk of weight and upgrade the suspension at the same time, and they'll fit most other comparable frames. They're a little less stiff than the Pikes but not drastically.

kenan

I also have a wolf ridge and have looked into lighter options. However when I ride other bikes they don't impress enough to make the switch.

What I did is get a carbon HT for the days I want a lighter bike and the wolf for the others.

mint5auce

[/quote]

Northwind wrote:

6.9 already came with 719s on Pro 2s so Flows on Pro 2s will be stronger and wider but the weight will be comparable (the OEM spokes are PG though). There's actually not that many easy hits on the 6.9, it's a well judged spec.

Switch to Revelations would be good- save a decent chunk of weight and upgrade the suspension at the same time, and they'll fit most other comparable frames. They're a little less stiff than the Pikes but not drastically.

What did you do in the end mikezer0 ?

Would be interested to know the outcome especially if you changed the Pike fork.

rockmonkeysc

Wolf Ridge is excellent but heavy. My choice for a replacement frame would be a Turner 5 Spot, 140mm frames don't get much better than this and Merlin have them discounted.
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/f ... ner+Frames

lawman

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Wolf Ridge is excellent but heavy. My choice for a replacement frame would be a Turner 5 Spot, 140mm frames don't get much better than this and Merlin have them discounted.
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/f ... ner+Frames

They are very, very nice and the Dw-link is the imo one of, if not the best design around, but something about the way it rides just doesn't sit with me, could be the weight or ride position, couln't put my finger on it, but something about it felt out of place when I rode one. Very nice bike, and the post 2012 ones come with iscg tabs and the 142x12 rear end, but, and I hate to say it because from a looks point of view its stunning, it's over-priced for what it is, you could get any of the carbon bikes from Ibis, Pivot or Intense give or take abit, which is why I think you see them discounted so much. It's a very good deal if you like it though at that price.

supersonic

How much does your Wolf Ridge frame weigh? What savings do you want to make?

rockmonkeysc

lawman wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Wolf Ridge is excellent but heavy. My choice for a replacement frame would be a Turner 5 Spot, 140mm frames don't get much better than this and Merlin have them discounted.
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/f ... ner+Frames

They are very, very nice and the Dw-link is the imo one of, if not the best design around, but something about the way it rides just doesn't sit with me, could be the weight or ride position, couln't put my finger on it, but something about it felt out of place when I rode one. Very nice bike, and the post 2012 ones come with iscg tabs and the 142x12 rear end, but, and I hate to say it because from a looks point of view its stunning, it's over-priced for what it is, you could get any of the carbon bikes from Ibis, Pivot or Intense give or take abit, which is why I think you see them discounted so much. It's a very good deal if you like it though at that price.

I rode a mates 5 Spot, it's now the only frame that I would consider buying for my FS build next year. The best trail bike I have ridden. I hate the look of the Ibis frames (beauty is in the eye of the beer holder) and Intense frames come out of the factory crooked, if you get a straight one they do ride great though.
I really like the DW link, I really wanted an Iron Horse Sunday, great ride but impossible to find a large one. If I had the cash I would get a Turner DHR.

lawman

RockmonkeySC wrote:

lawman wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Wolf Ridge is excellent but heavy. My choice for a replacement frame would be a Turner 5 Spot, 140mm frames don't get much better than this and Merlin have them discounted.
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/f ... ner+Frames

They are very, very nice and the Dw-link is the imo one of, if not the best design around, but something about the way it rides just doesn't sit with me, could be the weight or ride position, couln't put my finger on it, but something about it felt out of place when I rode one. Very nice bike, and the post 2012 ones come with iscg tabs and the 142x12 rear end, but, and I hate to say it because from a looks point of view its stunning, it's over-priced for what it is, you could get any of the carbon bikes from Ibis, Pivot or Intense give or take abit, which is why I think you see them discounted so much. It's a very good deal if you like it though at that price.

I rode a mates 5 Spot, it's now the only frame that I would consider buying for my FS build next year. The best trail bike I have ridden. I hate the look of the Ibis frames (beauty is in the eye of the beer holder) and Intense frames come out of the factory crooked, if you get a straight one they do ride great though.
I really like the DW link, I really wanted an Iron Horse Sunday, great ride but impossible to find a large one. If I had the cash I would get a Turner DHR.

The Dw-link is amazing, everyone struggles to get round how well the HD pedals, but as soon as you start going down its almost with equal imo in terms of suspension, especially now I've had the Rp23 kashima'd and tuned, so plush and stupidly well controlled. One thing I do love about the HD its forgiving ride, its mega stiff laterally so you can really throw it into corners and it won't flinch, but there's definitely some give in the frame thats aiding the suspension, it could be the carbon layup but its a trait I've yet to find in any alloy bike I've ridden, let alone any other carbon ones.

The DHR is fugly as sin though!!

rockmonkeysc

It is fugly but it's an amazing DH race bike

lawman

RockmonkeySC wrote:

It is fugly but it's an amazing DH race bike

Carbon v10 anyday of the week over the DHR, and I tried a mates intense M9 its seriously fast, like stupidly fast. I'm no DH racer but shit a brick that thing can carry speed so well its unreal, slightly off topic but oh well