6-7" travel, yet pedallable?

rideitgood · June 2007

Apologies if this is in the wrong part of here, but it isn't specific to any 'genre', so I thought General would do. So, the story is; I've realised how impractical my faith is, and how it's silly me having one as;
1. I can't drive, and the rents won't drive me to dh tracks very often.
2. Does any track in the UK (bar the obvious scottish one, and a few in Wales) warrant having 8" or rear sus?
3. most of my riding involves a bit of a slog to the spot, so a lighter bike is more suited.

I'm looking into selling my Faith now. Initially I was think of selling as a whole bike, then with the money search around for a 2nd hand steal, but now I'm think maybe along the lines of looking for a part exhange. There's also the option of buying a frame only (after selling my faith frame and forks, which may allow me to buy a relatively new, good frame).
Does anyone have any suggestions for frames witha round 6-7" of travel, can take hucking and hammering (obviously nothing too extreme), jumps etc, yet pedal me along the bridleway to face the long rocky downhill, in reasonable confort up there becasue of it's weight, and comfort down the hill because of its travel?
I've thought so far of;
-Giant reign
-Giant reign X
-Da bomb Cherry bomb (not too keen on the 5" though)
-Coiler/deluxe/primo

If you can point me in the direction of any others similar to them, that'd be great. Sorry for the essay, it's just i've been deliberating about this for a while now. I'd be happy in achieving an overall weight of around 35lbs, as I class that a pedable and reasonably light-weight.

faith
Home trails

TSawyer · June 2007

The Da Bomb Moab Bomb-- http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=16057 That has 7"

Reign X looks a great bike.

In MBUK this month they have a grouptest on freeride bikes, BigHit, Devinci Frantik, Norco Shore and Coiler.

Also the Kona Coilair might be worth a look, 160mm travel IIRC bit more allmountainy like a Reign but worth a look. I think they are full bike only though.

Obvious one- Bottlerocket. Or maybe a Dirtbag with slightly longer travel. www.transitionbikes.com

I don't know what the travels like but maybe a Morewood Shova LT. Or an Orange Patriot.
Thats all I can really think of off the top of my head.
Hope I've helped.

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Sir HC · June 2007

Specialized SX
Commencal Supreme 6
Yeti ASX
Santacruz Bullit

All can be built into around the 35lb mark.

You'll be fine with 6inches front and back on any track.

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joshleb · June 2007

I was going to reccommend the Specialized SX trail, they seem quite popular

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Anonymous · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
1. I can't drive, and the rents won't drive me to dh tracks very often.
2. Does any track in the UK (bar the obvious scottish one, and a few in Wales) warrant having 8" or rear sus?
3. most of my riding involves a bit of a slog to the spot, so a lighter bike is more suited.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I don't see anything over 5" travel being neccesary. Hell, 5" is a luxury, more than a necessity in most places.
The only kind of riding I could ever imagine you needing 8" travel in the UK, is if you're just going BIG down mountains. Proper mountains. Not tracks, just back country craziness.

So, if most of your riding involves a slog, go for a 5" all-mountain bike, and quit being a tart.

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My trusty steed
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schmako · June 2007

I'll put my vote in for the Patriot 66. I've conquered a few decent sized uphills on it!

Orange Patriot 66 FR
Clubroost XC-4
Pinkbike

jimbo-norco · June 2007

Norco shore 3, i have one. theyre only œ999 complete now (last years model) and i ride 5 miles to my local trails, have fun on everything ( jumps, DH freeride etc.) then homewards too. although its a bit heavy, it still makes light work of everything and i have even used it on long hauls, ive just entered a 29mile road race for charity on it, just change the tyres to roads and off we go! hehe

"The Giraffe was invented when Chuck Norris uppercutted a Horse"

rideitgood · June 2007

Schmako, what's the singe pivot on the patriot like? As in, bob uphill, and jack under braking? I must admit I'm tempted, and I've always fancied an Orange. The SX trail also looks very nice, I rode on one at Shining cliffs a while back built with saints, 66's and beefy dh gear and It still felt fairly nimble, yet a bit heavy for the climbs. I'll scout about, and look out for your suggestions. Regarding the shore, how much travel does it have? As there's one selling new on winstanleys for a reasonable price.

faith
Home trails

jimbo-norco · June 2007

7" up front and the same at back, and winstanleys is the place i got the quote for 999 from hehe
awesome bike!

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Simple Jumper · June 2007

I'd have a Giant Reign X personally, I really like them and I've heard they handle really well.

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Snapper · June 2007

I more work on bike that ride them to be honest and have been out of the DH end of riding for years. But where I work sells the Giant Reigns and I have to say they are very nice pipe for messing about on. Every one sings its praise. I have had a few rides on them and they appear to be good. Way better than my old stead at least. I would go with say though I prefer the Orange Patriot. Its just so nice to ride. One of the people I work with actually uses one as his proper XC rig. But don't tell any one I said that as we don't sell Orange. I did not like they Specialized SX as it just did not feel to ride that well. But I do think shock setup has a lot to do with it. well there is my 2p worth.

rideitgood · June 2007

I'd love a reign X, yet as they are pretty new bikes, a second hand one would be near impossible to find. They're advertised as around the 1K mark for frame only, and I'm looking for around that for frame and forks to be honest, but It all depends on how much I can get for my Faith & 888's.

faith
Home trails

Snapper · June 2007

You have been a great help for me getting back in to DH riding rideitgood. If you are after the Giant I am positive I can give you a very good deal on them. The forks I could do a good deal as well. If you do want it let me know what your after and how much you can get it for. then I can see what we can do them for. No harm in trying at least.

rideitgood · June 2007

Wow, thanks alot! Ideally, I would go for a new frame, but the likelyhood of my faith selling for enough to get me forks and frame is slim. Still, thanks alot for the offer, i just ned to get my Faith sold first to see what sort of financial situation I'm in.

faith
Home trails

paulf2007 · June 2007

the reign will be ideal. You already know the faith pedals well sitting down, but is a bit heavy for all day riding. You shouldn't have any trouble selling it. I rode my faith in the alps last year and across country to switzerland, a lot depends how fit you are. But why struggle when something more suitable is out there. I sold my faith 'cause I fancied a change and bought a versus trigger, versus also do a blitz2 6.7" travel, if you want to stand out they are awesome. check this out [url=html://www.versuscycles.com/blitz_detail.html]html://www.versuscycles.com/blitz_detail.html[/url]

rideitgood · June 2007

Yeah. If the Faith was slightly ligher it'd be ideal, as it is a good pedaller when I'm sat down, but it struggles on hills. If I'm unable to get a reign X, would a standard reign 1, suffice? I think I'd upgrade to a coil shock pretty quickly though, as I've never run air and for my type of riding I presume coil would be better.

faith
Home trails

thaibog · June 2007

I would strip your frame and sell it..then go find a 2006 enduro s-works with the dhx.air 5.0...stick all your downhill bits on it and hey p[resto you have something that will pedal uphills and be mental on the way down..

Its what i use for an all round bike...i am 18 stone and never bottom the dhx out...

good thing to do then would be have 2 sets of bits for it..

i have big wheels and big forks / short stem for mostly downhill...and a set of crossmax enduros / fox talas x... well just look in my sig for my XC setup.

SX trail is corr blimeye uphill. too slack a head angle

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... rid=148766

El Capitano · June 2007

I'd vote for the Kona Coiler. There is very little in South Wales that can't be climbed on it. [:D]

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rob cole · June 2007

Mythic Chaparral

pedal mine everywhere (14 miles a day on road), very firm under power, rolls very well..even take it out for hill climbing [}:)]

check out my riding - www.robcole.co.uk Banshee Factory Team rider, Da Kine UK Team rider, www.freeborn.co.uk www.eshershore.com

dave_s · June 2007

It depends on your shock setup as to if a longer travel frame bobs or not.
Obviously something with a 6"+ rear end isn't going to be the best at climbing but they can be setup to be acceptable climbers.
My SX Trail climbs ok and it's got a 7" modded rear shock on it but it was revalved and setup with the correct spring for my weight so it's not that bad on the climbs.
It won't be as good as a 4" XC full-susser on climbs but then again it's miles faster on descents because that's the prime purpose of a frame with 6"+ arse-end travel

paulf2007 · June 2007

from what I can see the reign 1 has avid brakes and the x has hayes. I would steer clear of hayes but thats my choice, I don't want to start a war. Its a matter of choice,each model has different components, you pays your money and you takes your choice.Have you looked at pauls cycles website, they have all the models mail order, you can at least check out the specs there. I have nothing to do with them and am not recommending them especially

RidefastRidefree · June 2007

Ok Ok, you heard about all the big brands, but what about Bionicon bikes? never heard of them? well check out their website cos they're doing some pretty special stuff. Climb amazingly and descend even better! can be bought as a frame and fork set aswel! perfect for ya. going to test one next weekend and if all goes good will be a proud owner of a edison before long. Well have a look, you wont be disappointed. www.bionicon.com

If you aint living on the edge, your takin up too much room

rideitgood · June 2007

I thought about the mythic. I didn't want people to dwell on the hill climbing aspect of what I'm after, as I expect anything will be easier than currently. This bike will need to be able to ascend alright, but it's on the descents that I'm after it for, that's why I'm not too tempted by the Enduro sx, and moer so by the SX trail. And the coiler has always seemed a little to 'xc' for my tastes...Even though the spec on some say otherwise I suppose. How is it for trails and dh?

faith
Home trails

EvilSpike · June 2007

Thought about a 2006 marin wolf ridge? With 4 to 6" of travel and a propedal shock you can ride up the hills like a goat with pp engaged and the bike in 4" mode. Get to the top and drop the saddle, open the gate, slide up the pivot then close gate so bike is in 6" with a lower bb and pop off the pro pedal. plummet downhill. jobs a good 'un!

Like moths to the blowtorch...

hewison · June 2007

I bought an SX trail for the same purpose. Its fantastic on the downs but at first it was a bit of a killer on the ups however after changing the rear shock mount to the high bottom bracket option and changing the (1.4kg each) Chunder tyres for some 2.35 6oa high rollers it climbs ok. Well enough for the black loops at Llandegla and Dalby anyway.

The medium weighs 39lb standard but by just changing the tyres it now weighs 37lb and i'm sure that with a few more changes you could get it down to 35lb.

thaibog · June 2007

Thats the reason i bought the enduro s-works frame over the sx trail.. i have a bike that wieghs 30lb but is beefy enought to take full on chalk,roots and flint canyons at high speed + 6 ft dropoffs with no bottoming out. I tried teh sx trail and it was like riding a heavy chopper compared to the 06 enduro.
On the climbing front you aint never gonna be the first up the top but with the change of shuttle to the steeper head angle and the dhx-air with propedal its not a slog.
I use mine primarily for hardcore xc..as i said earlier..you dont need two bikes..just a change of wheels,stem and forks to make it into a semi downhill freeride rig ( marziochi all mountain 1's..Brooklyn 35mm stem , sun mtx rims.) i will stick a post on my sig when i change the parts again
Big up the 06 enduro..very underated bike..

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schmako · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by rideitgood

Schmako, what's the singe pivot on the patriot like? As in, bob uphill, and jack under braking? I must admit I'm tempted, and I've always fancied an Orange. The SX trail also looks very nice, I rode on one at Shining cliffs a while back built with saints, 66's and beefy dh gear and It still felt fairly nimble, yet a bit heavy for the climbs. I'll scout about, and look out for your suggestions. Regarding the shore, how much travel does it have? As there's one selling new on winstanleys for a reasonable price.

faith
Home trails

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I quite like the single pivot design on it, can't go wrong with it! I've notice there is minimal bounce on the bike during braking and cycling uphill is surprisingly easy! (Orange say it shouldn't have much pedal bob or any under braking I think)

Orange Patriot 66 FR
Clubroost XC-4
Pinkbike

Anonymous · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I quite like the single pivot design on it, can't go wrong with it! I've notice there is minimal bounce on the bike during braking and cycling uphill is surprisingly easy! (Orange say it shouldn't have much pedal bob or any under braking I think)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The orange patriot shares the same pivot location as the Marin full sussers (before they went for a linkage system). The Marins were incredibly efficient pedalling machines. They sold the same suspension design as super light XC rigs (mount vision pro etc) and as all-mountain rigs (wolf ridge etc - see my sig) and as a downhill machine (original B-17). The only difference was frame strength and travel options - apart from the obvious component changes.
My Marin hardly bobs at all, and braking doesn't affect the rear suspension at all. The rear end is very stiff, and it really can do all mountain expeditions, and descend incredibly well

so the Orange patriot should likewise pedal very efficiently

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My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
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Alex · June 2007

SX trails suck badly. You'd have to be a first class moron to buy one. Go buy a giant.

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ben2323 · June 2007

rideitgood were you at dalby last thursday?

CarlNottm78 · June 2007

Or, if u wana really mix it up (as I'm about too!) get a reign and fit a dhx coil - you can flog the 3 way swinger / rp3 (depending on model year) for œ100 and you can get a dhx 5.0 coil for 275 new - my reign has been amazing, but now I'm really starting to push even harder, I wana get the coil shock on before I start facing bills for blowing the air shock!

You get the assurance of a coil shock, with uber pedalable geometery.

Those checkig out my sig, yes, I will be changing the forks too!

She's got a filthy mind:

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1091348/

6-7" travel, yet pedallable?

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