[Closed] Banshee Spitfire

Ive had my spitfire since may 13 and I love it, it's handled everything ive thrown at it including crashes . I would definatly get the cane creek shock , I took the fox option and although it works fine I do wish I had gone with the dbair. Im using a fox 34 160mm, it works great with the frame much better than the 150mm rev I originally used.

heres some pictures

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Nice! How would you say it rides? As I'm after something shorter, lighter & snappier than the Alpine, would you say that it's still OK even with 160mm up front?

As an aside, I'm now after an XL frame second-hand if anyone's got one, as the deal I thought I had on the 2015 new release isn't as attractive as I first thought!

I've looked at one of these for my wife, it would have been ideal if it wasn't an 8lb+ 140mm frame.

Otherwise it could have been ideal. But she wants something a bit lighter, she's already got a 8lb Meta SX frame, and it's too much for the general use she's going to put it through.

Mine has the ccdb cs. I feel most of the time it is bloody good, it controls low speed chassis movement better than any shock I've used. Occasionally it gets choked up on hard hits when you think it should absorb the impact better. The climb switch is decent although the spitfire will climb perfectly well without it. It can be used as a switchable firm set-up for particular trails.
I've used a fox 36 at 150mm and it was incredible in the corners and trails that aren't so steep but at 160 it's an all-round bruiser. I have about 5 months on a Bos deville now which are sublime. I'll most likely swap the ccdb for a Bos kirk to see if can get any better.

Are they fairly heavy built up then? I was hoping for an all in weight of around 30LB.

My medium is 3.5kg/7.7lbs with the normal CCDBA - with a DBinline it would be 200-250g lighter. Neither light nor heavy for a hard hitting bike that'll take 160mm forks with 140mm of travel that feels like way more. The rougher the trail, the quicker it is relative to my mate's 150-160mm bikes (SB66/Covert/Stumpy/G150/Guapo/etc).

My medium build wieghs in at 30ib 4oz although it rides like a lighter bike , I could get it under 30ib with a carbon handlebar and less burly tyres / wheels easily...but im really happy with it as it is, I use it for all my riding as I dont have the space or cash for a second bike ....

Mine's about 30lb with carbon bars and rims but everything could be lighter if I were to start again.

That's not too bad then, I'd probably not be building it up with carbon anything to start off with, so I'll expect it to be 30LB+

Regarding weight, 7.7lbs for a Spitfire with CCDBA vs 5.3lbs for a Bronson C with Fox Float. So without the shocks that's 6.6lbs vs 4.7lbs - so there is a difference but nothing like the difference you'd think when you read about Bronson builds being 26-27lbs and Spitfire builds 30-31lbs. It's the same for all the fancy carbon enduro frames out there - you're not going to save more than 2lbs.

It simply comes down to the parts you bolt on - and for my liking I'd rather have heavier, less expensive and more robust parts. My Spitfire weighs about 31lbs, almost 5lbs more than my Soul - and it's quicker everywhere bar tarmac.

I've had my banshee for just over a month, moving from a Nomad. I'm not really one to count the grams on my bike and it's me that needs to lose the weight- so bike weight is not really a factor for me. I was attracted to it by the adjustability and that it was designed for 26" & 27.5".

Initially I ran 26", as I didn't want to spunk money on 27.5" when my wheels are still good. However I bought a pair of 27.5" and now running them. To be honest, I preferred the 26", but thats probably due to what I'm used to. I'm running 160mm Pikes and the bike feels well balanced.

Things I'm not too impressed with- I was quoted a couple of months for the frame and it was a just under a month late and I received the wrong dropouts. I was a little bit frustrated with the lax attitude of the bikeshop I bought it from and I had to do all the chasing up..

The front mech cable routing is a bit questionable.

The CCDBA just has too much adjustibility for me 😉 You always feel you should be tweaking it and making it better (even though it feels ok with the recommended settings)

Lobby where'd you get your frame from? So I know who to avoid..

I've had my spitfire for a couple of months now. I went for the CCDBA, and I've only just got it feeling perfect. In the end I went with a lot less HSC (1 turn rather than the recommended 2)and a small volume spacer. This stopped it feeling harsh on medium sized hits but still makes it ramp up at the end.

In terms of fork I went with a 150mm 650b pike. In terms of geometry this matches the bike perfectly in the slack setting, though now that I've got the CCDBA set up perfectly the pike isn't feeling as good in comparison. 😕 I may try lowering the compression a little and sticking a 2nd bottomless token in.

My eye is currently on the Spitfire too.
I wish they were a bit cheaper though - the prices have crept up to the point where I'm struggling to get a build I'm happy with for under 3k.

Whereas the Cotic Rocket is doable.

Had mine a few months now and love it, carbon bars, carbon cranks and its a shade under 30lbs and that's with 2x10 but it rides a lot lighter. Reveb stealth, flows, X2 brakes, 160mm Pikes and full XT.

I don't like the front mech cable routing either, instead of running it up the underside of the downtube I've run the cable under the bb, up the seatpost and used the dropper cable mounts as I run a stealth.

Been like that for a couple of months now with no problems. Looks a lot cleaner and helps when the bikes on the thule bike carrier.

P.s. Bought mine from Liam @ Creation cycles, well priced and arrived a couple of days later after he fitted a headset for me. Would 100% recommend.

A friend of mine rode his Spitfire in Les Arcs / La Thuile this year, and tbh, i was secretly quite impressed by the bike. It took a weeks worth of serious battering in it's stride and look composed and capable all week long. Ok, the Guy can ride a bit (understatement) but still, impressive bike imo

[URL= http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/max_torque_2006/TheWhiteRoom14_LesArcs/BANSHEE_HOWL_zps39e230c7.jp g" target="_blank">http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/max_torque_2006/TheWhiteRoom14_LesArcs/BANSHEE_HOWL_zps39e230c7.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Looks like he bought it in the right colour!

Crappy phone pic but here's mine.

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Can't get Dropbox to link my pics but I've had mine for about 4 months now in the best colour which is the blue 🙂

I've got X-Fusion Sweeps up front with the CCDBA with CS, which as has been said it doesn't really need because it climbs so well, it's an awesome frame and Keith at Banshee has done a great job designing plus it has huge rear tyre clearance. It's probably built up at 30-31lbs without any carbon bits but it feels much lighter than that as it climbs so well.

Would I have paid another grand for a carbon frame like the Bronson to save 2lbs, not a chance as the Spitty is so good.

My only issues are the paint is crap as it marks/scratches way to easily, the Sweeps whilst great value forks don't track as well as I'd hoped in really rough stuff when you're blasting it and I'm getting a bit of spiking mid stroke from the CC after several successive medium hits in a row but I think it's just a case of taking a turn or half a turn off the HSC.

Just looked at Creation Cycles, £1750 with CCDB, the new 2015 ones can be had for less than that when they come out soon!

Dont suppose any of you nice fellows are in the North of England (West Yorks to be precise) and have a L or XL frame I can throw a leg over do you?

Payment in beer can be arranged..

Edit; I would also need a 'new' build to come in under 3k, otherwise it will have to be second-hand. The new Cotic Rockets look ace, but I'm put off by them being 26" only.

Mmmm could be tough for that unless you have some old bits you can swap. Although saying that if you shop around you can get some bargains on various bits.

My 1x10 setup cost £150 but I already had cranks I could convert, Hope hoops £310 for both on Stans Flow with red hubs and my X-Fusion fork for £400ish from J-Tech. All the other bits and bobs were what I had lying round. Cost me under £3k all-in.

Will upgrade as I have the cash with the first being a dropper.

Just looked at Creation Cycles, £1750 with CCDB

I paid a fair bit less than £1750, although mine did come with a ctd.

I've been pretty pleased with the paint tbh, I'm a serial cleaner/faller offerer and the paint is still like new. I did lag it with helitape from new though.

Would be interested to see the new frame design/colours.

paints been good on mine, im also a serial cleaner who helitaped the entire frame before I built the bike though:)

mine was a lot less than 1750 but there was a biggish price increase between 2013-14

on a different note everyone knows reds the best colour because its faster( and the rarest spitty colour apart from the ltd orange) :P....

the blue is nice though

Lobby where'd you get your frame from? So I know who to avoid..

I've not read of any other bad reviews so I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and maybe it was a one off.

I'd literally be buying new everything, I've seen Hope Pro 2's with Stans Flows at around £340, Pikes around the £450/500 mark, dropper, transmission and tyres. It's the frames I'm really stuck on as there seems to have been a price hike in recent years!

I'd literally be buying new everything

There's also a couple of companies doing 0% on the frames. Put down a large deposit and keep money back for the bits you want.

Are there any changes for 2015 apart from colour?

Lobby - I'd be looking out for second hand bargains on here, naturally!

Apparently the 2015 frames have slightly different tubing, CCDB inline, and new colours.. so not much difference really!

I've said it here many times before, but I love my Spitfire. I've had it since November and done little to change my original build of 650b Pikes and CCDBA CS with 26" wheels. If you look at previous threads I've put more detail into my build. I got a great deal at the time by pre-ordering through Blazing Bikes near Church Stretton in Shropshire. They were very helpful and did a frame and forks deal for a smidge over £2k. I guess with everything new my build would come in a little over £3k but I used a number of bits from my old bike.

I've not had any major problems over the summer and I've been riding 2-3 times a week, everything from forest bimbles to full on Ffestiniog downhill. The suspension pivots sometimes work a bit loose and you really need to protect parts of the frame near the chain. Even with a clutch mech and a single ring I found I was getting a lot of clatter on the rough stuff. I does like to collect the dirt as well in all those tight spots. I have never tried to fit a front mech, or a chain device but it's pretty tight around there so could imagine it being a bit of a pain. That really is all I can think of that's negative.

The suspension works so well for me. On the CCDB with 15mm (25%) sag and the small volume spacer, I have reduced the HSC by a half a turn and added a turn of HSR. I found it was bucking me a little with the base tune (I guess some like that pop 😯 ). Now it's working great. The Pike I have set with one token and 25% sag, a couple of clicks of compression and the rebound somewhere in the middle.

I have a hope headset that was driving me nuts a week ago with a click whenever I compressed the front end. A nice chap in a LBS suggested that I position the crown race with the slot facing sideways. Well I did this and tightened all back up and all is now silent... result!

Last weekend I rode Penmachno. It was wet and windy but just the perfect trail for the Spitfire. It peddled well and descended even better, proper smile inducing fun! Interestingly there was another chap there with a Rune. Only the second time I've seen someone else in the wild riding a Banshee...

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awesome bike!

You'll do well to have a read on the MTBR forum as well

http://forums.mtbr.com/banshee-bikes/2013-spitfire-802889-73.html

Mines here;[img][URL= http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag473/suiontour/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0462_zpslzr9ndoc.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag473/suiontour/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0462_zpslzr9ndoc.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL][/img]

Large Spitty
Pike RTC3 27.5 150mm
CC DBAir CS (EV)
Saint Stoppers
SLX cranks
MPR Chain guide
Middleburn N/W hardcoate 34T Ring
1 x 10 with 42T OneUp
Saint Shifter
XT shadow clutch mech
Mavic 719's on Hope PRO II's
Reverb Stealth
Renthal Fatbar Lite, on Renthal Duo Stem

I'll echo all the usual sentiments about it riding the DH type stuff like a bigger bike, but will climb exceptionally well and is comfortable to ride all day. I've had mine a shade under two months now, it's first outing was BPW and that's when I realised how decent the KS link works. IT's had a number of Surrey Hills blasts, as well as a long weekend in Port du solei region (DH storm troopers are slow 8) - it handled at 48mph blast down FML DH track well without being skittish, and then carried on with the rest of the 40mile hike across the mountains - achieving this on the defunct GSpot would have been a killer (impossible).

Mine is not a light build, but then like said it doesn't feel any heavier to ride than a £6K IBIS Mojo HDR build either!

I've been offered a similar deal on the 2015 frames Mmel, but only if I pre-order, which Pikes did you go for, 150 or 160mm?

Thinking about buying both sets of dropouts and sticking with 26" to get the build considerably cheaper with some of my existing parts..

(Can't get a 'new' build less than 3K with a decent 27.5" spec)

It's a cracking deal bennn and well worth the pre-order if your set on a Spitty, you'll save over £400 off list price!

If your going with 650b pikes, as I have done, I'd recomend 150mm travel. The frame was designed around 160mm fox 34's and they have the same axle to crown length as the 150mm 650b Pikes. If you want more travel in the future, just buy the airspring and make the changes.

And yes, 26" wheels run just fine in a 650b fork! 😉

PS, if your anywhere near Cheshire your welcome to come and have a go on mine if you can't get a demo.

benn, both sets of drop-outs should come with the bike as standard along with spare mech hanger!

That didn't used to be the case Sui, you specify which dropouts you want when you place your order and that's what you get + a spare mech hanger

Edit - Here's a quote from the Blazing Bikes blog

There is no structural changes to the Rune/Spitfire and Prime for 2015. The decals have been updated, the bikes look simpler and pay homage to the Canadian roots of the brand. We have seen a considerable change in consumer demand for 27.5’’ drop outs, so from August/September, all frames will be shipping with 27.5’’ dropouts, unless requested otherwise.

Yes Sui, you only get one set, or at least when I ordered mine you did. The extra set is only £100 anyway so no big deal to buy a new set when you feel the need to switch to 650b.

mmel, where did you get your spacer from and is it easy to fit as I'm having that issue where it feels like it's trying to buck me off mid stroke. I'll also try taking half a turn off the HSC first to see how I get on with that though.

I tested loads of bikes recently. Of everything i tested Banshee spitfire would have been my second choice. My brother who came along to a few of the bike tests with me wasnt even looking for a bike and ended up buying a spitfire because he liked it so much.

Mmel - not near Cheshire but Leeds, what size is your frame? That is a very generous offer!

Also; from Blazing Bikes you do only appear to get one set of dropouts, I'd be a bit stuck unless I got the 650b ones anyway, £2k is a lot of outlay though!

Just to point out that you don't get both dropouts with the frame, you get what size you specify at point of order. You get flipchips, spare hanger and fresh decals.

ultimateweevil - You should of got two volume reducing spacers with your CCDB air. They are blue foam rings that fit in the air can. An easy job, just let the air out, slip off the O-ring and slide off the can. The volume spacer wasn't to reduce the bucking, but to create a more progressive feel and prevent bottom out at my preferred sag. I reduced the HSC to increase the sensitivity a little at the expense of bob (that's sorted by the CS anyway). It's the HSR that sorted the bucking, so that's what you want to increase. It made a lot of difference when landing jumps to flat.

Bennn - My frame's a large

Pedals in Edinburgh have m & l frames with cane creek for 1575. Very, very tempting!

Cheers Argyle BUT YOU ARE FULL OF LIES

They are £1487.50

[url= http://pedalsbikecare.co.uk/product-category/instocksale ]Cheap Spitfires[/url]

I am absolutely loving my spitfire, i have only had it a month but its a definite step up from my old 5 spot. It climbs very very well and descends like an animal.

Why all the CCDB's though guys. On the recommendation of a guy i know who really knows his stuff suspension wise i bought the frame with am X Fusion 02 shock. Its pretty awesome to be honest. Way better that the Fox RP23 i have had on previous bikes.

Rude lil piggy(n)

Large and Medium frames only though, I'm fairly sure I'd need a n XL 🙁

(Great PSA for others though!)

Hahahahaha! You are tall!

sorry but been looking at becoming a Banshee dealer in Leeds, was about to go for it, but then just seen the 2015 Trqansition range

Holy moly sweet mother of jesus!

am dribbling still.

as a dealer, i would say better priced and just would say better all round.
wait until you see them !

I loved my Bandit but the Spitfire was/is better. Don't know what the 2015 looks like but it'd have to be a step change in geometry to get there.

the 2015 Trqansition range

Bit more carbon, more middling wheels, some pretty new colours?

Edit: Having said that I would rather like to see a cheaper carbon 650B Trans Am in a nice colour 🙂

totally different bike from last year

new suspension platform, 29er 650b and 26"
and much cheaper frames, carbon may happen in 2015, ally for now.

Seriously Banshee came to us to ask if we would be a dealer, but had to go with Transition.
in my view better bikes

Show/ give us some info/ prices then.

Also, which shop in Leeds? I know a fair few.. (serial browser)

The new Transition proto does indeed look v v nice, [url= http://www.pinkbike.com/news/pit-stop-enduro-world-series-round-5-winter-park-2014.html ]clicky ere![/url]

bennn - try York Cycleworks, as they have just started stocking Bansee, and also EDS Bikes (nr Scarborough) normally has them in stock

I know some of the Transition bikes have moved from linkage driven single pivot to four bar this year but the old ones certainly had a very different approach to suspension than the KS-link Banshees - more active and much less efficient under pedalling. My mate's Covert is as bobby as a bobby thing compared to my Spitfire.

we are crosstrax.
havent done anything with transition last few months as importer was a douche, so banshee came in. not knocking banshee i was interested in one for myself, but new transition range and importer has restored my faith, i think they will be brilliant this year

Cheers Argyle BUT YOU ARE FULL OF LIES

They are £1487.50

Ratbags - why didn't they do that a month ago 😀

I had a good blast out on mine tonight and I'm still not satisfied on the suspension set up. Feel free to point and laugh if this is a stupid question, but in the CCDB manual some of settings are described as ''4 clicks" or '4 turns". The click one i get, but what is a 'turn' ? Is it a 1/4 1/2 or full turn 😳
I think I'll need to start experimenting with volume reducers and bottomless tokens on my pikes.

Is there such a thing as too many options?

The small adjusters are in clicks, the large adjusters are in whole turns. Set it to the base tune, get the sag right and if it doesn't ride how you want then refer to the tuning guide and only change one of the six things (pressure, volume, 4xdamping) at a time - and note down what you've done and why and its effects.

All I've done is slowed the HSR by one full turn and am running 30% sag. Took me longer to get the Pike sussed out - 25% sag, one bottomless token, about 6 clicks of LSC, slow-ish rebound (because when you're deep in the travel it's always fast due to the Rapid Rebound circuit). I added another token but then needed more sag and it didn't hold up enough when pushing off lips, so took it back out (after quite a few rides).

It probably takes longer to get a CCDBA set up if you're less middling in size/speed/skill! I'm guessing I needed the slower HSR because I'm not as good at getting big air as the Banshee guys, so I wanted less pop. Still flies high when I dare give it some! 😀

My 2015 Spitfire. Got frame last weekend. Very impressed so far 🙂

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Holy thread resurrection batman!

Nice build though [b]Chipbutty[/b], pretty similar to what I'd have, what's the full spec?

Weight?

Ta!

Must say, picked my 2015 black Spittie up 3 weeks ago. Coming from a Commencal Meta SX. Spittie rides just as good DH but pedals a whole lot better. Did BPW last week including the 2 blacks from the top. Didn't feel underbiked once. Love it!!

Wasn't a fan of the raw but like that a lot Chipbutty.

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Here's mine in its latest spec. Still not a fan of the CTD, would love an inline. How have you found yours CB?

Where are you all getting the 2015 frames from please? If you don't mind me asking..

Hi Bennn, got the frame from Base Camp bikes up at Grantown here in the highlands.
It's a raw large with CC Inline, 150mm Pike, XT chainset (1x10 32t front and 40t rear) brakes and rear mech, Deore pedals, Renthal carbon fat bar, 50mm Nukeproof stem, Reverb stealth, Charge scoop saddle, Hope pro 2 hubs with Stans Arch EX rims, HR2 3C front and Hans Dampth rear both tubeless set-up.
30.5 on the bathroom scales.
Cheers
CB

Thanks Bluearsedfly,
Only had 1 ride on it, hopefully out again later this morning. I've come from. SC solo alloy, this is a little heavier but pedals really well. Feels a lot more confident and stable on the descents, a good bit slacker and longer than the Solo, which is what I wanted.
You enjoying yours? They look great in the Blue. I would have had that colour had they done the 2015 ones that colour.

Bennn. The guys at Pedals in Edinburgh have some in stock and were super helpful for me (though I very cheekily am actually going to pick up Alunms second hand frame on Sunday instead). Def drop Pedals an email.

Just saw this this morning: why buy an alu one when you can build a carbon one? [url= http://happymtb.org/forum/read.php/1/2591796 ]Like this guy.[/url]

(for those who can't be bothered with google-translate and want to skip to the pics: first 1 1/2 pages is people telling the OP not to be stupid, it can never be done, etc, followed by a swift about-turn when he starts posting pics of his build)

Just saw this this morning: why buy an alu one when you can build a carbon one? Like this guy.

(for those who can't be bothered with google-translate and want to skip to the pics: first 1 1/2 pages is people telling the OP not to be stupid, it can never be done, etc, followed by a swift about-turn when he starts posting pics of his build)

Brilliant!

Just had a look on both of their websites, can't instantly see any prices. Will drop them a line Monday as I'm away this weekend.

warpcow - Member

Just saw this this morning: why buy an alu one when you can build a carbon one? Like this guy.

(for those who can't be bothered with google-translate and want to skip to the pics: first 1 1/2 pages is people telling the OP not to be stupid, it can never be done, etc, followed by a swift about-turn when he starts posting pics of his build)

Has anyone got any 26" Dropouts they do not require anymore?

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Can finally join this post as proud owner. Proper first shakedown round the Lakes today. It's brilliant. Climbs better than it ever should and very stable on the descents. Very happy. Running it with my old 26" wheels for now but to be honest in no rush to change at the moment.

(Sorry for instagram phone photo!)

Well if we're posting photos...

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😀

Jesus...that's the biggest mudguard I've ever seen!

The bike looks...mint 😉

I'll take that as a compliment! 😀 It works though!

How are owners finding their bikes over the winter for creaks? My Rune has developed a load of creaks. I'm in the process of stripping the pivots to clean and inspect the bearings. Hopefully bearings are ok. Although cheap I dont want to be doing this regularly.

Mine gets used a couple of times a week, regardless of weather in all sorts of moors gloop etc. I will admit I am a bit of a stifflad when it comes to cleaning it, but up until to now it's still silent.

#kissofdeath

Minty
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Creaks? Just finished building mine and I think as I've put a new chain and cassette on the SS N/W is the cause.

Did read on either MTBR or PB that the Rune pivot holes can become elongated [url= http://forums.mtbr.com/banshee-bikes/2013-spitfire-802889-87.html ]Here - post 2156 [/url]

Wallpaper could do with some paste, looks like you have lost a red grip, a rim, a plastic egg and some 3 prong thingy under your "colourful" seat

Wallpaper is ancient and well pasted down.
Red grip is a foam dart from the Boy's shotgun
3-pronged thing is a metal lizard.
Egg is a Ben-Wa ball.

I'll get a pic of it against the front garden wall and there'll be shit-fits!

I've had my spitfire since Oct. Only thing that's starting to go as far as I'm aware are the CC shock bushings, there's a little play when you lift the bike up. But I'm leaving it for now.

Keith at banshee said most of the problems with bearings wearing quickly was because people try to clean them too much. He said he just waits for mud to dry and brushes it off, which is good because my bike is [s]rarely[/s] never clean.

2015 rune owner here and haven't experienced any creaks, it's a lot quieter than my old lapierre 🙂

A couple of pivots worked loose though so I've had to use a little thread lock which has sorted it.