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I've got a large On One Carbon 456 bike with 140mm revs, which I'd like to swap the frame out for the mrs to ride (bimble). But I'd also like to ride it as a pump track bike. I', 6"1', she's 5"8'. Would a medium frame be good for her as an XC bike, and for me as a pump bike? Or would I feel totally squashed on it?
What sort of XC bike?
Do you mean race or just lighter trails?
Tyres are potentially something to think about... especially winter and if your wife isn't happy sliding about or unless you REALLY want a workout on a pump track.
Dropper or not?
I did similar, it didn't get my wife into riding. Bikes that are good for a pump track tend to be harsh and twitchy.
As a result I ended up building her a parts bin Liv, and now I have the Sidekick with no pretense about it being anything else!
We're all much happier, and she comes riding with my son and I, and actually enjoys it.
No not a proper Xc race bike, just something to get her out on a bit more than canal tow paths. Probably not worried about a dropper.
Tyres are a consideration, but first off is the frame.
How would a medium Inbred or 456 work for a 6 footer as a pump track bike?
If you can find a frame that has a low standover/short seat tube (410 and 400 on my bikes). This is important because getting air is much safer with the seat as low as possible and you shouldn't really be sat down at all when pump tracking! A shorter reach than your usual, somewhere between you and your Mrs will be fine. I'd fit a stem that's a little bit short for me and little bit long for her, with some nice high rise bars. Slack and long reach aren't necessary or advantageous on pump tracks!
I use an NS Eccentric Alu Evo with 26 inch wheels (it's 27.5 frame with a 27.5 fork) for this exact purpose. It's light enough for less powerful people to throw around, is a really capable trail bike (I've had Blue Pigs before) and is reasonable enough on pump tracks.
To be clear a dirt jump bike with short travel/rigid, low profile tread tyres (pumped up solid) is best for (mountain bikers) pump tracking but would be pretty compromised on all but easy flow trails. You can't have it all!
Grab a Jack flash from planet x, dirt cheap at the minute.
I think you’ll need to compromise more on the pump track nature of the bike if you want it ok for her for trails.
If you have 650b wheels then trying to find something like a Medium Vitus Sentier frame secondhand would probably do the job. I’m 5’9 and used one as a do it all hardtail with a 60mm stem / 140mm Pike RC / 150mm dropper etc.
It was on the livelier side of trails - manualled / cornered / jumped really well - and with the dropper slammed it was a lot of fun on a pump track.
This sort of thing:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224239422475
(Obvs the above one has sold)
It definitely will be small for you with a 432mm reach but maybe that would be ideal for pump tracking.
I think you need to work out who is going to be using the bike most and tailor it towards that. I have a ti456 which has enough standover clearance for my other half but is too long for her. If you really want her to get out and enjoy riding get her a bike that's perfect for her. Get a cheap used jump bike or BMX for the pump track, you may not find yourself using it very much anyway.
I did something like this with an older Cotic BFe frame - but it's only for me as my Wife doesn't like cycling!
I had a medium sized frame, which was a bit small for me (I'm 5' 11"). I fitted a single speed kit, a rigid fork, some Magura MT5's with 200mm discs, Hans Dampf tyres and dropped the saddle as low as it will go.
I use it for a bit of everything.
Hooning around the woods in Summer, riding street trials stuff (pathetic skills but I try), pump track stuff and trips to the shops/pub when I need to. It does it all and is great fun to ride.
other than the phenominal weight.
IS this not what old Trailstars and sidekicks are for.
How would a medium Inbred or 456 work for a 6 footer as a pump track bike?
I take the Small Trailstar 27.5 and Jack Flash 26 to the pump/jumps.
Both are theoretically shared bikes.
just something to get her out on a bit more than canal tow paths. Probably not worried about a dropper.
Tyres are a consideration, but first off is the frame
Either would be "a bit more than canal tow paths". The Trailstar is easily capable of way more and it's been my go-to bike for Windhill and Rogate for a month or so.
Last time I took the Trailstar though I had grippy tyres and it was horrible on the jumps where I had to pedal like mad where usually I can roll. Deakin was there at the time on his XL Trailstar sending everything with 29" wheels in.
Previous times it's had fast rolling tyres and been fine (at least on the jumps) loads and loads of bum clearance. It's also probably a lot more pedal-able ... £320 at the moment direct from DMR website.
I'm 5'10" but shorty legs.