130mm frame... what to race?

Santa Cruz 5010 would be my pick.

Loads about everywhere I think, and plenty of model years to go at, Alu and carbon options, I’d happily race my 2014 v1

Bird Aether 9 would probably go the job if you want aggressive ish geometry but only 130mm rear travel. Might be tricky to get one in Australia though.

Are you able to get a Nukeproof Reactor there? They’re being sold off very cheaply here with all the CRC/Wiggle issues. Most come with a piggyback shock and you could run with either a 140mm / 150mm fork

Not much Santa Cruz around, apart from a 2015 frame (27.5 presumably and I definitely prefer 29er ),  often silly money here.

Never even seen a Bird in Oz.

Reactors are on sale here through Chiggle - nothing left in my size already. And about 5km from where i'm sitting is the Australian importer for Nukeproof and he price matches ... except he only has Giga, Mega and Dissent in stock.

Run a shorter travel fork and mullet an older 5010? 130mm fork shouldn’t upset the geo too much

It's an option, although a long way round as i'd need a new fork and a rear wheel and i'd have to buy unseen.

The carbon Reactors with the Factory Float X are stupidly cheap - and available in all sizes on Chain Reaction. Does the normal UK site deliver to Oz ? 

That looks good ... would definitely be stretching my budget.

Pretty sure it all gets sent out of the UK apart from some Shimano stuff - post takes the same time as it does from the other side of the country anyway.
The site is an absolute disaster. If I search through bikes using filters there's nothing in my size. When i search for Nukeproof Reactor a load more comes up!

The Banshee i'm eyeing up is nearly half that price with a Formula Mod coil set up.

my experience is that chain reaction prices when viewed outside of the uk do not have the same discount applied.

You’re right- the UK price is way less than the Australian price!

900 quid ($1700) saving 64% compared to $2500 saving 42%

Which is still cheaper than a brand new Banshee my mate has offered at cost price… with a worse rear shock.

Can you get a Norco?

The fluid sounds perfect for your needs. Short travel, aggressive geo, burly enough for some lightweight enduro.

TBH mate it won't much matter.. I mean that in a quite simplistic way of course. But in simple terms, you'll finish in the same position irrespective of whatever you get (as long as you like and get on with it). If you went Reactor, Fuel, Bird, 5010 you're going to lap/descend in a very similar speed/time either way.

With all that in mind, something like my Trek Fuel EX is a good answer, due to weight... Why weight you ask, well, you've got to get yourself back to the top each time and ready to roll again. So i'd be thinking lightish 29er. Punctures happen less than you think so i'd be on the lighter side of carcass on tyres, get it set up fast to both carry speed and to get you back up.

Obviously that's all based upon UK Enduros as i have no idea how simple/bonkers your Enduros are.

Don't rule out a Stumpjumper carbon. Can be built up quite light. Don't know about Australia but in the UK you can  get 30 to 40 % off.

I’m hearing you @weeksy … apart from the tyres (I’m 100kg in my shoes and helmet and have a bit of a history there 😬)

Two of my (older) mates won their age categories (50+ and 60+) last season on Trances, and the third (45 my age) on a Status but he’s going to ride his Intense XC this year.

@Tracey there’s definitely sales on Specialized here, although reckon the carbon will be spendy. I rode a brand new hire Stumpy recently and it was ok, hard to tell with just one day.

I think the Status is honestly a cracking thing for the money (in the UK anyway).

I think he liked it, was the daily ride he used for coaching. His sponsor has changed so the whole team has Intense bikes now. 

“The Banshee i’m eyeing up is nearly half that price with a Formula Mod coil set up.”

Is that the Prime you referred to?

I had two Spitfires and they were excellent. Now I’m a convert to 29” wheels I’m sure the Prime will be even better and certainly quicker against the clock. Their only weak point is they don’t have the deepest dropper post insertion.

Aether 9 would be my suggestion if you were UK based

But if you're in Aus I reckon an aluminium Stumpjumper would be a common enough model to find that fits requirements and hopefully budget...

Is that the Prime you referred to?

Yes.

We've gone from one recommendation based on light weight for climbing to another which is definitely not in the 'sprightly all rounder' category there!

With all that in mind, something like my Trek Fuel EX is a good answer, due to weight… 

I think the Status is honestly a cracking thing for the money (in the UK anyway).

No agreed, but the post was related in direct comment to his mate how raced a Status.. I don't think it'd be as good as something lighter/faster in some ways... but in terms of value for money they're excellent and if wanting a bike for racing, i'd happily own one.

Bit of weekly weak logic weeksy ;d

a 12.5kg aggressive ti hardtail

I'd start with that and see how you get on. Exactly what I did my first few Enduro races on. (Sonder Signal Ti) I got a FS (140/130) a couple of years later, because I wanted one anyway, now I ride that, but I couldn't say for sure I'm having any more fun.

If your mate had said 150/160 is the sweet spot for the tracks, fair enough to look for a FS. But if he reckons Downcountry is ideal, your aggro 130mm Ti HT should be great.

Also, Hardtail Cat. is usually open, so you feel younger - you haven't got "Vets, or Grand Vets next to your name!

I’ll be keeping the Ti HT and running it as my 100km day / commuter bike (commute is 60km) and I’d be able to swap wheelsets over if I want too.

I’m riding with a group of bike shop guys/coaches etc that all ride FS. Can keep up on pedally, smoother tracks but get dropped on anything too rocky. And now the (big) 12 year old is pretty much as fast as me on smoother descents too.

Just thinking of other bikes around that sort of travel that have decent geometry for tech stuff:

Norco Optic

Canyon Spectral 125

Forbidden Druid 

Spec Status 140 (but compared to the above a bit heavy)

Cotic Flatemax / Jeht (not sure if they export)

Vitus Escarpe 

Marin Roft Zone 29

Santa Cruz are spendy but the new mullet 5010 or for full 29 you’re between the Tallboy and Hightower somewhere - both pedal quite well

I’m riding with a group of bike shop guys/coaches etc that all ride FS. Can keep up on pedally, smoother tracks but get dropped on anything too rocky. And now the (big) 12 year old is pretty much as fast as me on smoother descents too.

Fair enough! Norco Optic here, Canyon Spectral 125 would have been on the list if it had been available at the time. 12y.o. nephew has just got one and loves it. Previous bike was a knackered old M5 Stumpy hardtail which was too small for him, so he'd love pretty much anything after that!

@joebristol - just missed out on a second hand Jeht that sold locally last week. First i've seen here.

A mate in Tas is going to check out the Banshee Prime for me next week to see if it's as good as it looks online. That might need a stiffer spring in it, but otherwise it's a great option given i'll get warranty cover.

The raw frame is a plus too, as I hate scratched paint.

@reeksy - the prime doesn’t look too bad - geometry is standard trail sort of stuff. Fairly long chainstays should help it feel balanced - for me the tall seat tube and low dropper insertion would rule it out for me.

At 5’9 I can run a full 210mm dropper in my Transition Sentinel (medium / alloy) and I wouldn’t want to lose that large drop. I’d

@reeksy – the prime doesn’t look too bad – geometry is standard trail sort of stuff. Fairly long chainstays should help it feel balanced – for me the tall seat tube and low dropper insertion would rule it out for me.

At 5’9 I can run a full 210mm dropper in my Transition Sentinel (medium / alloy) and I wouldn’t want to lose that large drop.

Dropper 'drop' is a funny one.  In some parts (Pinkbike I'm looking at you), there seems to be an obsession that any dropper under 200mm won't do.  Fair enough if you're 6ft+, but at 5'10 I've never had a dropper over 180mm and never felt that the seat is in the way.  I'm currently on a 150mm as my new bike (Kenevo SL) is a bit of a pain for longer droppers due to the frame configuration, I'd been worrying about it but so far so good (I was tempted to go for a OneUp 180mm and reduce the height to 160mm to squeeze every last bit but am struggling to see the value at the moment).  Given the OP is after a trail bike it doesn't sound like he's going to be riding the sort of steeps or doing loads of jumping that you'd really benefit most from a longer drop post for.

Do you want it to be solid and planted (and you don't mind it being heavy and slow uphill), or lively and responsive (and you don't mind it being less planted)?

Dropper ‘drop’ is a funny one. In some parts (Pinkbike I’m looking at you), there seems to be an obsession that any dropper under 200mm won’t do. Fair enough if you’re 6ft+, but at 5’10 I’ve never had a dropper over 180mm and never felt that the seat is in the way

I'm with you. Mine are 150 and 170.... I could arguably run a 200 in my Trek... but 3cm drop, i don't see it.

I ride a 180 and a 200 in my HTs and I’m 6ft. Seems good to me. @joebristol where did you get the seat tube information? The website says the V3.2 has sorted the insertion issue…

As does this little nugget

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/banshee-prime-v3-seat-post/

@cha****ng - I want it all, and I want it now

@reeksy I got it here:

https://www.bansheebikes.com/prime-v3

The geometry chart on that link is below - looking at the medium there’s a 430mm seat post and 190mm insertion for a post.

Conpared to my medium Sentinel with the same 450mm reach - I have a seat tube length of 390mm - not sure what insertion is but at my height I’m running the full 210mm drop.

I like to have as much drop as possible - started at 100mm, then went to 120, then 150mm then 180mm then 210mm. As I’ve ridden steeper stuff it means I can get nice and low over the middle of the bike keeping my arms a bit bent. My current bike has really pushed on what I’ve gone down - although it’s still lack of bottle holding me back at times!

Fair enough. Judging by that thread I posted it should be ok. I have a 200mm post that will fit … although there is nothing I’ve not ridden locally with the 180mm 

Definitely worth looking at the Stumpjumper carbons (2021 on) for that type of riding. Really light frame that can be built up lighter or burlier - some are running 150mm 36s on them, some are going more xc with them but they obviously come in the middle, which is how I’ve kept mine. High/low geometry flip chip gives you more room to adjust it to your preference too. I would imagine the Trek Ex weeksy mentioned will be similar in breadth of abilities, but it weighs a bit more which may matter to you if you’re racing. 

I’ve seen an Evo Expert frame on my size at a good price… but it’s 1000km away and I don’t know anyone near to check it out for me so a bit risky.

There’s a Ripmo AF frame with a Factory X2I could check out. Any idea how they climb?

I got a scott spark from a local shop (I'm in warrandyte, melbourne). Was over your budget as it was high spec complete bike but it is great. Took a while to get used to the lockout and dropper post lever but now is second nature.

Ripmo AF is meant to climb and pedal well for the travel - better than my Sentinel. Santa Cruz Hightower is often compared in those 3 as well. There was a review I found comparing a few of them (American one) but can’t find it at the moment

edit - here’s one comparing ripmo and sentinel - the ripmo sounds decent for what you’re after

Thanks Joe I’ll have a look at that.

Funny that I don’t really see many Sparks for sale given they’re a fairly popular bike.

Wouldn’t use a spark for the use you mention anyway tbh. Whilst you say it’s not highly extreme I wouldn’t be using an xc or downcountry bike for that sort of thing. Think it’s firmly trail bike territory.

Well I guess that’s settled then.

Ripmo AF?  Should do the job nicely 

Yep.

I've had my ripmo AF for just over a year now and it's been trouble free . It pedals really well and doesn't feel like too much on easier downhills. Mine is a bit of a tank but it's got a coil shock , big grippy tyres ( assagai and dhr ) and the stock wheels are pretty heavy but everything has lasted well .

I'm looking to change the tyres to something a bit faster rolling for summer time in New Zealand but 25 years in Scotland has made my default to be to set my bike up for wet conditions 😁

Frame certainly feels heavy compared to the hardtails I’m used to 🤣

I’ll be running my current DT Swiss Fr541/XM481 which will be a bit lighter I guess.

I always run an Assegai up front as it’s perfect for my local conditions.

Looking online it suggests a medium with an air shock is about 3.74kg with a Marzocchi bomber air shock.

My Sentinel alloy with Fox Float X is quoted as 4.4kg by Transition and it does feel like it has its own gravitational pull when you pick it up (previous frame was a Bird Aether 7 and that felt significantly lighter in the hand).

Once it’s rolling it pedals well enough though - and the Ripmo is meant to pedal slightly better / be a bit poppier.

But it’s all context - riding my sentinel with air shock / Lyrik back to back with a  Nukeproof mega 297 with fox 38 and Ext coil the sentinel felt like a poppy trail bike in comparison 🤷‍♂️

Yeah, absolutely. I won’t weigh until it’s built up… strongly suspect it will be more than my 12.5kg hardtail 🤣

A friend is currently riding in Tasmania on a Ripmo AF running 38s he says it’s been excellent at Maydena and out on the west coast. If it manages that as well as the tamer stuff where I normally ride I’ll be very happy.