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Wierd either or I know. In short, I got a promotion at work and I'm gonna get a new bike frame. Always wanted a superlight, currently riding a Maxlight XCPRO2 and is wonderfully light (1.5kg) and climbs like a rocket. I'd like a full bounce that climbs well too and was dead set on a superlight (2.3kg). However LBS which I would really like to buy from can't get a superlight until xmas but have promised a great deal on a Nikel (3kg).
Linkage does look a lot nicer than the superlight but it is twice as heavy as my hard tail and not the bike I originally intended to get.
Argh. What to do? thoughts?
it's not twice as heavy once you put the stuff on it - it's 1.5kg heavier
get a test ride, preferably on both; I bet they feel quite different due to the sus set-ups
I think you're getting too hung up on (frame) weight. I like the look of both but I must say I like the idea of swing links for modifying travel (though whether I could tell, who knows) and for stabilising the shock to minimise transverse loads on the shaft of the shock to minimise wear.
But then again you are getting another set of bearings/bushes to consider wear on.
But then again replacing a pair of bearings is probably quicker/easier and cheaper than a stuffed shock.
I've got a superlight and love it... climbs and handles like a hardtail with some cushioning out back. Imagine the nikel will feel plusher and burlier for only a touch more travel.
For my money... if I were set on keeping a hardtail as the extra lightweight bike, I'd get the nikel. If it's a bike to replace the hardtail, I reckon you'd get on well with the SL.
I should add that for me, if I had the option of either now, and they were the same money, I'd still go for the simplicity of the Superlight.
How tall are you? I'm tall (6'4") and I know a superlight to fit me would be a flexy beast.
Heckler.
Same weight as Nikel but way more capable and fewer bearings to wear out.
If you're considering the Heckler, then get the Butcher I say. But get the Nickel.
Honestly if you believe the crap about linkage driven shocks...