Has anyone ridden the new Five 650b and have any views on it?
I have an RS, In my option it's much better than my 26" one, quicker and lighter. Try then back to back is the best way to see any differances
Slightly more room in the drawers.. brings your filing alive!
I have been offered one at a very good price, but the wheel set is putting me off.
I can't compare to the 26" as i have never ridden one, i know, can you believe it! 🙂 It's a bit of a punt to be honest, but the single pivot is a bonus as i can't be arsed with all the fettling of multi pivots, and the rets of the kit is just as i would spec, apart from the wheels and tyres.
Anyone else?
WMB seemed to like the one they tested, but the "problem" with the RS model is that it isn't just the wheels that have changed. You've also got 1x11 and a 150mm Pike fork to add into the mix. So, if it feels better (which is, of course, a subjective term anyway) than the 26" model is that the new frame/wheels or the fork etc?
That may not matter to you of course. A good bike is a good bike and the 26" Five is no longer available, so it's 650b or 29er. But I'd be interested to see some reviews of the new Five in Pro spec, with the 140mm Fox 32s.
I have a 650 frameset ( not RS) built up with fox forks dropper, hope and Stan's crests10 speed thick thin Goldtec chainring, 27.5 lbs without pedals,
Had it a month, and it's is probably the best Five I have had, (5 in total).
Long slack and low, given that I rode this week with guys that did a 30 foot road gap on trail bikes with summer tyres, my bike will be underused, in fact on their basis most will be!!!
good opportunity to pick up a late model 26er and spec it how you like?
I have the Pro spec. I love it and can't stay off it. It coped with everything at Bike Park Wales and has made a serious dent in my lap time at Gisburn. Not a scientific opinion because I'm not a bike expert, and I'm too long in the tooth to fuss about spec. Presently I see no reason to upgrade anything from the factory spec (except maybe a dropper post). Just demo one and haggle with your LBS over the price. I paid nowhere near RRP.
Thanks for the views. The deal I have been offered is very good so I reckon it's worth a punt.
Hebdencyclist how much of a discount did you get if you don't mind me asking?
I've rode both versions, I had a 26" on demo and then a couple of weeks later had the new 650 b on demo, I went for the 650b it just went a lot better and felt planted. Go for it you won't regret it.
Haven't read the 650b one but I did read that the RS doesn't come with any cable guides etc for a front mech, so you're committed to XX1 or whatever. Too big a step for me, wonder if they could build you an RS spec on a standard frame?
Oh and it still comes with incredibly cheap wheels and tyres for a £4000 bike, and their most pisstakingly expensive upgrade option of all time, but that's probably a side issue if you're happy spending £4000 on a bike to be fair
Like i said, I can get the RS for a lot less than rrp, and with the savings the first thing to change would be the wheels and tyres.
The lack of cable mounts is a bit annoying but I like 1x whatever systems anyway do shouldn't be an issue.
Hebdencyclist how much of a discount did you get if you don't mind me asking?
I think I ended up getting 12%.
I'm pretty sure if you buy the frame only it comes front mech compatable
Nice bike shit colour, build your own!
Just demo one and haggle with your LBS over the price. I paid nowhere near RRP.
hebdencyclist - Member
Hebdencyclist how much of a discount did you get if you don't mind me asking?
I think I ended up getting 12%.
12% sounds fairly close to RRP 😉
Try Steels in Newcastle !
www.msteelcycles.co.uk
Historically they do 20% off in jan but you have to pay for ure bike,I.e no finance deals !..
Give em a buzz & speak to Simon.
Loving mine. It's replaced an alpine and a five so I justified it as a cost reduction! Great set of kit - reverb, forks, shock and the drive train are superb. Wheels might be relatively cheap compared with some others but the hubs are great and rims are disposable items anyway. I changed the (beautifully made) Thompson bars and stem for something a bit wider and beefier - not keen on lightweight carbon bits.
Seems to carry speed as well as the alpine but at a similar weight to the five. Feels way more solid than the the older five. Loving it - and imho it looks great!
There's a reasonably comprehensive review in the January issue of What Mountainbike.
[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/11296788463_c7b23fe0a9.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/simon_r/11296788463/ ]Untitled[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/simon_r/ ]Simon_R[/url], on Flickr
