You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Has anyone got one? I’m looking for real world feedback.
I do. Although i haven't ridden it since November due to snow where I am.
Cool, how do you find it? How are the linkages/bearings holding up?
MTBR banshee forum is the most useful place to look.
As above. Although it can be a bit fanboiish, but they are easy to spot. I think pink bike and singletracks reviewed it at the end of last year.
Hi OP sorry for the late reply, fell asleep. Tbh I got the frame in late august and rode it until Nov, so cant really comment on bearings or linkage longetivity. I did put a little guard there at the back mind to stop mud spraying up from the rear wheel.
The frame is gorgeous, the build quality very apparent. The internal cables rattle a little but can be fixed easily with foam/sugru.
I am totally sold on long chainstays . 90% of my riding is lift assisted bike park and the bike is rad for that. I've got hold of a Zeb and i'm going to try 180mm at the front this summer. Keen to test it mullet too.
Thanks Howsyourdad1
I’m going to be pedalling up as well as down so the Prime might be more appropriate. I have a Paradox V3 with a 150mm Zeb up front. The Zeb is amazing.
“ I have a Paradox V3 with a 150mm Zeb up front.”
Well that’s a fairly hardcore hardtail!
I have a V3 Spitfire, the new/v3 ones tend to have the same details. Its really well built, finished and aligned, unlike my v2. Only issue was a few of the driveside bearings died really quickly, went proper notchy after about 2 months. Replaced them and been fine since, I'm assuming the seals were bad on them and/or really low grease fill. I've put some foam on the internal cables/hose and a bit more chainstay guarding on (used nukeproof stuff cut up) and made a mud fender for the chain/seatstay brace thing.
The shock cage can be a little picky with shock position/design if using something else, my CCDB air valve cant be reached without taking a shock bolt off.
No creaks or loosening bolts or anything in 6 months.
I’m going to be pedalling up as well as down so the Prime might be more appropriate.
I should think so, I thought the same with my V2, but I ended up building it a bit too heavy for an aggro trail bike at 34.5lbs.
I sold that last summer but couldn't bear the idea of even more weight on the V3, because the frames are definitely heavier
They do look to build up chunky, I think the spitfire would be the only one that could get below 30 lbs without a ton of pennies.
I got mine a few weeks ago. It's certainly a bit on the heavy side, but I'll echo the comments about frame quality and looks. It's really well thought out and generous clearances make cleaning all the muck off it pretty easy. Running as a mullet and really enjoying it so far.
Don't worry about the weight. I built a V3 Rune from my V2 Spitfire & it was climbing the same hills a gear or 2 higher despite a significant weight increase.
I also added a rear mudguard.
Don’t worry about the weight.
Thats what I thought. However, the Prime (V2) just became a bit lumpen and uninspiring on anything that didn't have a gradient assist of some kind - where upon it was brilliant.
My rune V3 is one of the best climbing bikes I have ridden for its travel. It is not far off my 2020 optic 125mm rear travel 29er. Better than most other Am, trail bikes I have spent time on. The KS2 platform works really well. If I was all about raw speed over the rough stuff or racing I would go with the Titan. I find the Rune a lot more playful. The Titan I feel climbs better than the Privateer 161 and feels better on downs. Smoother for sure.
I have a Prime V3 and can't sing its praises enough. Great geometry and superb build quality as mentioned above. Have ridden BPW, Dyfi and the usual mix of trails up Dunkeld etc and its super capable - never felt under-biked that's for sure. Mine is around 32-33lbs but it rides lighter, it's all in the geometry.
Does this mean we have to bring out the unofficial STW Pedals Bike Care Banshee Support discount again? 🤩🤩
Here's mine. I could not for the life of me get the tyres I wanted and had to settle for the skinwall on the rear. I reckon it would look ok with skinwall on the front as well, but of course schwalbe don't do a 29 magic mary in super gravity/ultrasoft.
I found the long stays a bit odd on the first few rides, but it started to gel last time out and gave me loads of confidence.
I've also fabricated the DIY rear fender on mine after the first ride
[url= https://i.ibb.co/mRRNPWW/PXL-20210129-133600201.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/mRRNPWW/PXL-20210129-133600201.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/frjFLyc/PXL-20210129-133625452.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/frjFLyc/PXL-20210129-133625452.jp g"/> [/img][/url]