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Thinking of things like the Brecon Beast, the Maxx exposure, the SPAM etc.
Plan won't really be to ride the AM bike for these, partly because I want to be competitive as possible, partly because "why make it harder than it needs to be"
So debating a 2nd lightish HT. I'm a 29er kind of guy, but would be up for something 26" really if it ticked all the boxes.
I can drop a bit of weight with the HOPE/Crests I have at home spare, so the weight is negotiable on 29" bikes slightly
Currently winning is this Genesis... don't really want to spend more than the £700 that's at.
New or second hand is fine.
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p51965/Genesis-Fortitude-Race-2013-Mountain-Bike.aspx
Fortitude won't take suspension forks mind.
El Mariachi/Mamasita?
I was thnking I may MTFU and take the hit on suspension for the drop in weight it brings ... may be a daft idea... ?
2nd hand 456 Carbon frame @1500gms ?
[quote=weeksy ]I was thnking I may MTFU and take the hit on suspension for the drop in weight it brings ... may be a daft idea... ?
Possibly, but why limit your options?
The distance piece makes the suspension argument interesting.
Yes you save the weight (and possibly reliability/complexity) by having a rigid front end, but over a longer distance ride, would you not benefit more from the comfort and reduced impact that a fork gives?
CaptainFlashheart - MemberThe distance piece makes the suspension argument interesting.
Yes you save the weight (and possibly reliability/complexity) by having a rigid front end, but over a longer distance ride, would you not benefit more from the comfort and reduced impact that a fork gives?
Never ridden a rigid, so i'm leaving the answer to that question to the STW massive really.
I've tried both, mainly due to having ridden back in the day when there wasn't a choice!
For really long rides, where there's any sort of timed/competitive element, I think I'd err towards the added comfort and reduced shock that having a fork brings.
If it was a really long, non competitive/timed ride, more akin to touring, then yes, the simplicity (and added luggage capacity perhaps) of a fork would be preferable.
Some feedback from the Highland Trail Race last year was that many folk had sore hands at the end of it - particularly those that chose to ride rigid.
I've done both with my El Mariachi. The weight saving (and a perceived improvement in handling) with the rigid forks is welcome but on longer rides on rougher terrain, the comfort of some amount of suspension over-rides this. As I said - why not choose a frame that gives you both options - or go for a 29+ frame to let the tyre volume provide some added cushioning?
You'll need to go SH for anything light @ £700.
Long distance = suspension for me, I am 45 though.
Light is of course relative... i'm factoring in 11kg as 'light' in my mind... anything below that is a bonus... anything up to 11.5kg would be acceptable at the right price/spec.
I had to pull out on 24:12 last year after 5 hours because of my rigid fork. (suspension failed on my practice lap!)
Hand cramp was unbearable and i started to lose control of the bike. Most of my training had been rigid on the same bike. I loverigid for a few hours/ my normal riding/ bikepacking stuff but racing endurance stuff then suspension is well worth the weight. IMO.
Dirty Harry frame. Build it up with your Hope/Crest and some Rebas/SIDs and you'd have a light fast bike for not much
+1 for another Salsa (you had a Spearfish, so would fit the bill nicely). £225 in the sales at the moment.
Jesus man, you've just bought a new Commencal Meta AM2 29er! Are you made of money?!
Salsa is a very good option.
rickon - MemberJesus man, you've just bought a new Commencal Meta AM2 29er! Are you made of money?!
Far far far from made of money... This one doesn't need to be bought ASAP, the events are not till Aug/etc, but if the right bike is there at the right price... then no reason why not 🙂
I used to do eventing, personally, I'd have a short travel full sus. There's good deals about on Giant Anthem 29ers, which would be ideal.
If I were into endurance events still, I'd be looking at one of those.
Your requirements scream Kinesis Maxlight to me. I had one and it was the comfiest HT frame I ever rode. Weighed a pittance (3.5lbs) and lasted.
I have an Ibis Tranny with forks that I bought last summer that is very light and versatile. It's a large if you are interested.
I have also run it as a 69er ss with carbon forks and it weighed next to nothing.
For really long rides, where there's any sort of timed/competitive element, I think I'd err towards the added comfort and reduced shock that having a fork brings.If it was a really long, non competitive/timed ride, more akin to touring, then yes, the simplicity (and added luggage capacity perhaps) of a fork would be preferable.
I'd agree. I have one of each and still take the rigid steel bike out reasonably often because it's fun - feels faster but I'm fairly sure it isnt.
Got to 2nd glasgowdan, I rode a Kinesis Maxlight XC Pro3 for a few years, very comfy and quick, kind of wish I hadn't let it go.
http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/products/maxlight/xc-pro-3
There's also this in 29er
http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/products/maxlight/ff29
I'm pretty sure somebody's selling a ff29 in the classifieds at the minute as well.
James