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For various reasons I've ended up with a FS and an HT, both of which I really enjoy riding but for different reasons. But: we're a cycling family now and we're just running out of space to keep them all.
Thinking about things, I realised that I like the HT because its light and accelerates quickly, and is good for trail blasts, and I like the FS for its suppleness and ability to keep the back end down. Then I had a quick go I had on a friends Pivot Mach and wondered- would a very light FS add the best of both worlds? And then I began to go deep down into a world of bike porn from 3 to 4 years ago on mega high-end 5-7k bikes that are now closer to my budget. (About £2.5k....jeez).
I'm looking for ideas on used superbikes that you may know about, something with 100-120mm of travel, 650b or 29er, 1x, and as close to 10 or 11kgs as possible.
So far I've got one on my list: a Scott Spark 900 RC Pro. In black. Drool.
Any other ideas?
Geometry has massively improved, as has damping, so 3-4 years old may miss out on those improvements. So a newish second hand bike could fit the bill. I would go for the Scott.
Santa Cruz 5010.
Maybe a bit more travel than you want but they pedal very well and often built up light.
I'm selling a large 2017 Pivot Mach 429SL frame and fork bundle, plus pretty much everything but the wheels. You should buy it. 100mm rear, 120mm front, builds up to sub 23lbs with the right kit. if its the wrong size, you should grow or shrink accordingly.
Pedals waaay better, and is loads quicker than my 5010... brilliant for marathons or trail riding, it's just my marathon days are over.
Its in the classifieds here, but linking to it is a pain in the iPad, so heres the PB link.
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2700167/
You can solve this problem by eating lots of pies.
The weight advantage of the HT over the FS becomes much less pronounced.
Thanks all-
TomH- looks excellent but I'm far, far too short :/
ONP- they'd need to be vegi pies these days.
If you get back on the meat pies you might grow a bit 😉 Good luck with the search!
I recently did a similar thing and bought a 2017 cannondale scalpel si with a lefty - I appreciate that they can be a bit marmite for some people!
It’s a bike that I’ve wanted ever since I started riding - with a bit of patience I found one last year for less than what your budget is.
I adore it. It’s so light (for a full suss), and I’ve not found anything yet that it wont go down/across/over.
The spark is very nice too!!!! Enjoy choosing!
MrSparkle: hard to beat but I gave up motorbikes for health reasons on the 25th of September, 1993.
beaney- glad its not just me, nice to hear you're still enjoying it too.
Geometry has massively improved, as has damping, so 3-4 years old may miss out on those improvements.
Geometry has often changed a bit in that time period, but damping really hasn't (if your 3-4 year old forks don't work, give them a service). It might have developed a bit, but in terms of the kind of machine you're after, it will have absolutely minimal effect.
When all the magazines talked about how 29” were like running an extra bit of suspension I bought a full xtr canondale scalpel.
Super fast super light but I broke a linkage and never really trusted it after that. (90kg and not the lightest on my bike).
It was like a rat in a drain pipe up hill 😀
It was ace but I run a hardtail and full suss.
I don't really believe in "superbikes", and a lot of the justification in a £6k+ bike's RRP is the high-end wheels and drivetrain stuff which may be shagged or on the way out.
Run-of-the-mill components are so good now that I tend to get the used frame I want, source a nice fork and wheelset and combine with XT/SLX level kit (with Zee or Deore brakes) and a reasonably priced dropper.
New bike is an Orange Stage 4 build that I wanted for the same reasons you mention in the OP.
Scott Spark 900 RC Pro
I’m 100 miles into owning this bike, so just getting the hang of it. It’ll do what you want, fast and pretty fun. But does not ride like a hardtail, and my old blinged up scale is faster. (By about a minute a loop on the swinley blue if you know it 24/25ish mins)
Things I’ve changed, bar was too narrow, didn’t come tubless, and I’ve ordered a 54t rachet as the hub engagement is not good for technical uphills (other bike has a Chris king)
Stuff that I currently don’t like but think I’ll get used to...12speed xtr, jumps in the ratios seem massive, really noticeable when I change gear (I’m used to a much closer ration 2x10). I haven’t been using the biggest 2 ratios. I think it would be quicker walking...may need to change the ring
I also currently don’t like the dual lockout, I find I want the front fork active for grip, but the rear locked out for putting the power down. This is probably because I’m used to riding a hardtail and need to change my style.
Oh and the bloody saddle keeps pointing towards the stars despite the clamp being tightened to the correct torque
Other than my gripes it’s a pretty nice bike!
Thanks guys. You've just reminded me why I ended up with an FS and an HT in the first place...