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Going through a bit of a garage reshuffle and ideally want to combine two bikes together. I have a sherpa which is built up as an xc bike and a trance 650b frame which is sat unbuilt (as a result of the parts being moved to a reign).
What I'm after is:
-slack (67-68degree head angle)
-100-130mm travel
-29er
-Full size bottle on the top of the downtube
Any suggestions?
Smuggler
Horsetheif ?
Kona Process 111
I think one of the Banshee range would suit too but I forget which one
picaroon
Hustler 29r on CRC?
Not sure if this fits the bill but frame is cheap.
Evil Following
Transition Smuggler
Whyte T-129
Kona Process 111
Santa Cruz Hightower
Then there's a few you can't mount a bottle cage inside the frame...
Orange Segment
Banshee Phantom
Banshee Prime
3 years ago people would have called your requirements absurd, but thankfully 29er geometry has moved on!
The hustler 29 is just the same as the Hammerhead Thumper / Unveil 9 but with a much higher price
Camber. You didn't mention carbon and on sale but you might as well. Think the HA is 69 thjough
http://www.bikescene.co.uk/Specialized-Camber-Expert-Frame-10942-92-0.html
You won't get a bottle on the downtube of the Process, so I'm gonna say Smuggler.
Or the Whyte T-129 looks awesome too, but I haven't tried one.
Yeah sorry the Process has the bottle mount under the down tube
That Hustler on CRC is a total bargain. Head angle 68 degrees.
packer - That Hustler on CRC is a total bargain. Head angle 68 degrees.
As mentioned above, its the exact same frame as someone else was selling but even at the discount price its more than they were selling it for.
The RRP was vastly inflated.
+1 for Salsa Horsethief (it's what I have!)
Orbea Occam
Evil Following all the way. This bike just blows my mind every time i ride it.
Camber evo,29er,120mm travel. Gets good reviews to from what I've read.
I don't have one but very nearly did last year. Used the money for a road bike instead
Can you get a switchback Thumper now?
+1 for Orbea Occam. Amazing bike
Having just got off mine I'd say a following......so good it made the trails dry and the sky sunny. It made me smile too
Can you get a switchback Thumper now?
Only with a Cove label on it.
😉
Or secondhand. Email me if you;re after a medium.
Having just got off mine I'd say a following......so good it made the trails dry and the sky sunny. It made me smile too
😆
Keep quiet round these parts mate, they'll burn you for being a heretic! 😉
Glad you're still enjoying it... Mine was ace! It's only just made way for a... Evil Wreckoning (which is also ace, there's just more of it).
Front travel is 10mm more than your range but how about a 29er Codeine?
Pyga stage max - 123mm rear, up to 140 mm front
2 bottle cages
Don't get one or I'll be v jealous
It's a shame that fitting in bottle within the front triangle (as is currently popular) limits suspension designs and/or makes for very odd frame shapes (Lapierre I'm looking at you! And Ibis a bit...) Banshee's KS-link performs really well but you can't move the shock mount without changing the leverage ratio and adding extra friction due to increased bushing rotation.
Eh CM?
Anyone mentioned the Evil Following, as you have to recommend the bike you own, it's STW-law
Tallboy 3? Looks like it should fit a bottle
Yup wrong thread!!!!
Couldn't work out how to delete so edited it out
Are you selling the Sherpa?
Purely recommending what I've got. But liking it a lot so far so what the hell.
Second hand 2014/2015 Specialized Camber Evo frame, 120mm rear travel, full bottle cage, come in ally or carbon. 140mm Pike, offset shock bush. Not sure but reckon HA is about 67 degrees.
Well I'm not going to reccomend what I own..........
I'm going to reccomend what two of my mates own - camber evo
Both really love it and are quicker than on their old bikes.
That said another mate has just bought a following which looks LOVELY
If a Horsthief is of interest, I'll shortly be selling a medium Aluminium Split Pivot version, with CK headset and BB and possibly with Pikes too.
Email in profile if interested.
Following. It's an absolute rocket ship. Perfectly balanced, it's like it runs on autopilot. PB on every trail, up or down. Best full suss I've ever ridden.
Smuggler for alu Orbea Occam TR for carbon...
Both great fun
[i]Camber evo,29er,120mm travel. Gets good reviews to from what I've read.[/i]
Under the recommend what you have...
I bought a s/h Camber evo carbon recently and have upped the Pike to 140mm. Rides well and I'm already PRing descents that I've ridden for years (latterly on a 160/140 26er). Under 29lbs in a large too with hefty tyres, dropper etc.
Currently trying to get my hands on a liteville 101 to test ride... 2 bottle mounts, 120mm, slack and 29er or 650b
Would you really discount a bike that can't take a water bottle?
Last year's Orange Segment (newest was reviewed yesterday by STW) was fantastic.
Would you really discount a bike that can't take a water bottle?
Studies* have shown that some people hate hydration packs almost as much as Hitler but not quire as annoying as being in a slow moving short queue at the supermarket. They will literally explode if they can't carry 750ml of water somewhere other than the bike frame.
* From the University of Polytechnic's Stuff and Shit Department
Thanks for all the replies. Been interesting looking at all the suggestions in detail.
makecoldplayhistory - Member
Would you really discount a bike that can't take a water bottle?
Bike will generally be used for rides of no longer than 2hours and a water bottle on the frame and a bag in my jersey pocket for tools/tube/crap.
Last year's Orange Segment (newest was reviewed yesterday by STW) was fantastic.
Oranges have never done it for me, the last one I had (Five) was poorly made and developed a number of cracks, it didn't pedal all that well despite endless fiddling with the shock.
Currently trying to get my hands on a liteville 101 to test ride... 2 bottle mounts, 120mm, slack and 29er or 650b
Quite like the look of the liteville. Ticks all the boxes (apart from the price)!
bigad40 - Member
Are you selling the Sherpa?
Not until September at the very earliest. Have the Mega to race first.
Since posting this thread, I've been giving it some thought whether its really possible to consolidate the Trance and Sherpa into one bike. Current train of thought is to build the Trance up as an all day/trail bike (already have wheels/post/forks, just drive train and finishing kit). Then get something more racy than the Sherpa (Trek Procaliber, etc), as the midweek rides I do are with XC whippets and CX racers, on fairly flat trails for the most part.
Pole Evolink 130 is very slack and takes two bottles..
[i]Bike will generally be used for rides of no longer than 2hours and a water bottle on the frame and a bag in my jersey pocket for tools/tube/crap.[/i]
For that you don't really need a bottle, something like this would cover it:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Milestone-Collapsible-Drinking-Carabiner-Camping/dp/B00CLAMG0E
And would fit in a pocket.
Bike will generally be used for rides of no longer than 2hours and a water bottle on the frame and a bag in my jersey pocket for tools/tube/crap.For that you don't really need a bottle, something like this would cover it:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Milestone-Collapsible-Drinking-Carabiner-Camping/dp/B00CLAMG0E
And would fit in a pocket.
Its an alternative, but not for me. The bikes on the list which don't have bottle cages, I wouldn't consider for other reasons anyway.
Pivot 429?
My mate has one of these. Its a weapon. Light and fast. Its 26lb (max) with 130mm XFusion on the front. Strangely flexy side to side rear end - far more so than the old non boost version, but he says he doesnt notice it at all on the trail.
I'm convinced this bike (and his old one pre boost) is the reason why he wins most of the races he enters around these parts!
there's a nice transition bandit 29er in the classifieds..............
Probably selling an Orange Segment frame / Hope headset / Dropper in a week or so.
[url= https://goo.gl/photos/TQVUQ26UKRcEWLLG9 ]Segment[/url]
Am very happy with my Following - it ticks all the boxes except 'cheap'. As someone else said, a rocket ship up along and down.
Pyga OneTen29, front works well with 120 or 130 travel
[img] 
[/img]
If you're not bothered by brand snobbery the Camber Evo's are excellent. Basic version needs a Pike on the front to really shine, but I prefer my Evo to my blinged up Tallboy LTc. I picked up a basic Alu Evo for £1600 and liked it so much I replaced it recently with a discounted carbon expert model.
Before getting the 2015 Carbon Evo, I tested a 2016 Camber (which is effectively a shorter chainstayed Evo), but preferred the additional stability of the slightly longer CS on the Evo for fast rough descents in the Peak.
Thinking about it don't most 130ish mm bikes fall into this category?
Anything shorter tends to be aimed at a more xc group so ends up with steeper angles.
After a bit of thinking and a spreadsheet with build weights, the 29er frames on the list (there was a budget constraint) were no lighter (Smuggler frame is heavier than the trance!) than the trance and had 20mm less travel. Was cheaper to build up the Trance frame I already have.
Come to the conclusion I can't do with less than 4 bikes:
-29er hardtail (midweek xc training rides, mixed group included CX'ers)
-4x hardtail for pump track/bmx tracks
-Enduro gnarpoon (Steep, technical, fast riding - Bringewood, bucnell, revs)
-Trail bike (for everything in between the 29er and gnarpoon)
-Enduro gnarpoon (Steep, technical, fast riding - Bringewood, bucnell, revs)
-Trail bike (for everything in between the 29er and gnarpoon)
I have a Banshee Spitfire to cover both those bases - 140mm on the back like your Trance but 160mm on the front and slack. If the Trance's BB height is low enough and seat angle steep enough you could stick a 160m fork on that for gnarlier fun.
There's that new Norco Optic? £250 off if you trade in a knackered old bike when you buy it from Evans.
£250 off if you trade in a knackered old bike when you buy it from Evans
[sarcasm]Wow, £250 off if I trade my old bike in, crikey that's a steal![/sarcasm] 🙄
You not been round these parts for very long? Doubt that a USP like this is going to appeal in any way shape or form to your average STW forum member quite frankly...
Come to the conclusion I can't do with less than 4 bikes:
Came to a similar conclusion recently, but bikes are expensive (even if you own a shop), so I'm making do with fast tyres on my 160mm Enduro bike for normal "trail" riding right now. That and my 29er HT is a bit slacker and more agressive than most so it's very nearly as quick and capable as a 120mm travel FS trail bike would be anyway. Besides I've got a road bike and a CX bike too anyway!
It's 250 quid off if you trade in "any" old bike. 10% off for buying a wreck for fiver sounds OK to me. Or have I misinterpreted your tags?
Camber Evo 29
Brilliant bike!
Whyte T129. I absolutely love mine. Does everything I want and more.
Only way to improve it would be carbon and more mud clearance outback.
That would be my bike for life.
Get yourself a test ride on the bikes mentioned in this thread. It's the only way to truly know. Lots of different geometries and suspension platforms. One riders perfect is another riders nightmare.
Only way to improve it would be carbon and more mud clearance outback.
😆
You see what you want is one of these...
[img] 
?oh=07e91d90a07a24da25295581feebf62c&oe=57E84B1E[/img]
😉
You see what you want is one of these...
I did tell him, back when he was looking at the Whyte. I even offered him a go on mine.
Conversely a Following really didn't do it for me. The XL felt too low at the front and too short in reach amongst other things; I was very surprised how much I disliked it when I rode it. All personal preference ain't it.
Orbea looks good and reasonably priced. Smuggler looks pretty much ideal (probably what I will end up with) or the new Tallboy3.
Evil, not a cat in hell's chance.
Conversely a Following really didn't do it for me. The XL felt too low at the front and too short in reach amongst other things; I was very surprised how much I disliked it when I rode it. All personal preference ain't it.
Yes of course.
It certainly took me a while to get the fit right, and I'm a MOR medium. You're right the headtube is short, I have risers and more spacers than usual. I find the ride fine tho, I guess it's a good thing to have the option of putting the bars lower for some people. Also the seattube is pretty slack and chainstays don't lengthen with frame size so I can see how in an XL there could be a lot of body weight over the rear axle.
I was surprised how low the front end on my following was, but again a couple of spacers and a set of riser bars sorted it. Again I'd prefer this to feeling it was too high, which is what I'd expected on an XL frame, and wishing it was lower.
XL length works well for me @ 6'2, I won't be buying shorter again, but were all different sizes and shapes.
How about a YT Jeffsy, ticks all your boxes apart from it has 10mm more travel at 140mm
Im in a similar position myself and finding it hard to look past Evil The Following
How about a YT Jeffsy, ticks all your boxes apart from it has 10mm more travel at 140mmIm in a similar position myself and finding it hard to look past Evil The Following
140mm 29" is a bit of a nothing bike, if you already have a proper all out 160mm 650b 'Enduro' bike.
It's got some odd sizing too. Bit like the Following. Not really designed for tall people who like long bikes, kinda ironic, given the wheel size & that 🙂