Go on, tempt me into a fashionable bike. What's out there that would match well with a 35mm 120mm SID
29er, in a similar vein to Spur/Izzo, preferably 65ish HA. Not too heavy. Ali or carbon, but must be fun.
470ish reach, shortish stays.
And the fun part, max of 2kish.
Basically, I want a half price Hightower *shrug*
Needs to replace an Aeris 120, and complement a Ripmo AF
Second hand Optic?
Also, moon on a stick please
Stick a slack set in the Aeris 120?
Optic is very nice but they normally come with a 140mm Fox 36 or Lyrik don’t they? 120mm SID might not be ideal.
What travel is a Sonder Cortex - that might do the job and the frame would be well in budget?
Maybe a Cotic Flaremax - although it will come up heavier than a Spur or Izzy I should imagine.
Hightower is 140mm travel - I’d think the Tallboy was more what you mean with the fork suggested. You could see if you could find a previous gen alloy one to get within budget.
A bit rowdier than most of the above you have the Nukeproof Reactor (actually again 140mm fork / 130mm rear) and the Saracen Ariel x 30 (also 130mm rear and I assume 130 or 140mm rear. The latter is massive - the medium has a 480mm reach!
2nd hand tallboy 4? Or do what I did and get a new flaremax 4 and see if you don't mind the extra heft.
Nukeproof reactor carbon on CRC for that money?
Tallboy! That's what I meant. Natively out of touch with SC as they're so far out of my budget.
Afraid I can't do a Cortex on looks alone. I'm that shallow.
Flattened is a good shout though, never really liked at Cotic, I'll investigate that one. Ta.
Aeris is 27.5, that's why I'm looking at changing, I love a modern 29er. It's already got a -2 set in it!
SH Yallboy 4 would be good!
Can you just stick a 29 fork and wheel on the Aeres and ride it as a Mullet
Second hand Spur frame (good luck finding one).
How about an Aether 9 built light with a 130mm pike / exo tyres and light wheels etc?
Or keeping in brand an Ibis Ripley AF
Wasn't the Canyon in the last Singletrack magazine what you're describing?
Edit.
Didn't realise how expensive it was, still looks like fun.
https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/canyon-spectral-125-review/
The Canyon Spectral 125 is basically the same weight as the full spectral….
Going back to the original post you could just get an Izzo - that’ll be very different to your Ripmo
*Bookmarks*
I've a 2018 Scalpel SE that is good fun. More xc though. It has got me a few Strava KOMs. It's 115mm rear and 120mm front.
How about a Whyte s-120?
I bought the Scalpel instead as I wanted a bike for long days in the saddle. Would have bought the Whyte if it was more for a couple of hours in the woods and on the trails.
That’s the fork I put on my (not full suss) Zero29.
That’s a fun bike. Fast in a just riding sort of way and remarkably capable for a hardtail.
But you want full suss.
I've been looking at a Rocky Mountain Element lately,that seems to fit what your after- although 130mm front end stock though.You could get a complete Element for a bit more than 2k and sell the parts/customise it....
Banshee Phantom
🙂
there are probably some good deals on the v3 frame kicking aorund ( i just bought a spitfire with a good 40% off)
Cube Stereo 120?
Intense Sniper Trail? 120mm F&R & about 66 degrees.
I’ve the XC version (100mm F&R) & it’s a riot. Love it.
Though is going to want a bigger fork than a 120mm (which is restricting you a bit, could you change the travel?).
Nothing to do with me but might be what you're after op depending on size? Can't say I've looked beyond the size and model though so could be in poor order
If that was an L I'd be all over it to be honest!
Thanks for the ideas people, definitely some food for thought. Have to admit I'm being seduced by the FlareMax. That purple ..
I haven't actually bought the forks yet but I'm keen to differentiate the bike from my Ripmo, so I think keeping it in the 120ish range would work well. Plus that means I could use a nice light fork.
If that was an L
Worth mentioning incase you haven't twigged but XL for a Santa Cruz is a large in most... (equally you might normally be a medium and can completely ignore me)
(same reason if it were an XXL I'd probably be logging into PayPal by now.)
Yeah, cheers dude, did have that at the back of my mind, but the XL is just a bit too long in the TT for me. I've come to the conclusion my happy medium is around 630ishb and a 470ish reach.
Ohhh. Also not me then but...
Mine is awesome fun, if a bit teensy weeny for me.
Still a bit longer in the TT mind.
Trek Top Fuel in current guise would suit perfectly - 65.9 HA, 470 reach (ML). Ally frame only is £2,400 though...
I was in a similar place a year ago and my shortlist was Tallboy, Stage evo, Evil following. Ended up with an alloy tallboy reduced to 1650. Very happy with it. This is the place I got mine from and appears to have been further reduced since this morning.
https://thebikestable.co.uk/product/santa-cruz-tallboy-alloy-frame-flatte-earth/
If you are going with 35mm Sid's you'll need to bear in mind that they aren't super plush. Ive got 2 pairs of Ultimate 120mm and they are brilliant forks, mid stroke support is really good but they are definitely on the XC side compared to say Fox 34's. I'm running them on a Pivot 100mm and Orbea Occam 120mm and have had to put a bit of air in the rear to balance the ride feel. Having said that they are great forks.
That Tallboy looks a good deal above.
Secondhand Trek Top Fuel would also be a good option - the one before the current one. Comes with a 120mm travel Reba as standard I think - so a 120mm SID goes on there nicely. If you wanted the head angle a little slacker to match the RS Top Fuel or Transition Spur you can use a SlackR.
I'd never really cared for Cotics until yesterday.
Now I'm desperate for a candy purple FlareMax
Why do you need a heavy, slack 120mm bike when you have a heavy, slack 145mm bike?
They aren't going to be that different. Why not just get a second set of faster rolling tyres on some nice carbon wheels?
If people are talking sniper and spur, then I'm gonna suggest EpicEvo.
Slightly rowdy, and a lot of fun
In the finest tradition of recommending what you own, I’ve got an Orange Stage evo that I bought direct from Orange fitted with a Fox dpx2. It has 120mm rear & mine has Cane Creek Helms set to 130mm front. I got it for £1900 including a headset.
It’s insanely capable for its relatively low travel. The Fox shock suits it perfectly - it’s tight, lively, predictable, poppy, just fantastic.
Tallboy looks good but be warned - the alloy ones are heavy. I had the alloy Hightower (which is basically identical other than geo and choice of shock) and now have a similarly aluminium stage Evo - its a LOT lighter.
+1 to all the suggestions for
- Evil The Following v3
- Santa Cruz Tallboy v4
- Banshee Phantom v3
- Transition Spur
They were all on my short list last year, I ended up going for the Following and my mate went for a Tallboy. Both are cracking bikes able to cover long distance XC rides and technical terrain. They are really good all rounders.
Evil is designed around a 120-130mm fork so would work fine straight out the box. The Tallboy is designed for 130mm frame so angles will be slightly steeper than intended but shouldn't be too far off.
Most people here are ignoring that you want to fit a 120mm SID.
I suggest a secondhand Orange Stage 4 (large) with a -2deg headset.
Yes, I do happen to ride one myself.
It's not just that they're ignoring 😀 but I'm fine with curveballs that make me think.
I think I could be ok with an orange, but I'm not brave enough to buy one without warranty
In answer to why I want one when I've got a 150ish trail bike? Because 120mm bikes with lighter builds ride very differently to 150/160 ones, but I still want to be able to throw it around.
Just playing the CRC random description generator game and trying to work out if the 100mm cheap SIDs are actually the 35mm ones. I don't think they are.
Another vote for a short Travel Orange with or without an angleset depending on the geo you want. They’re light and are wicked fun to ride.
If things are getting rowdy wouldn't it be better to have a stiffer fork than a SID?
Im defo chucking my hat in the ring for the v4 Tallboy. I bought my frame in July and its kept my Megatower monthballed ever since (well apart from riding BenLawers last week.. But still the Tallboy wouldnt have sstruddled there neither. With a 140 fork upfront it truely is a local trail weapon. Fantastic bike and the differnce between the Alloy tb and cc Mega is minscule.
I have a spur with Sid 120 forks. Brilliant bike and love riding it. Repeated fast bumps on steeper trails and it gets a little hard work, but it's only 120mm. Around my local area and it's pretty perfect.
Oh and I also have a ripmo af 😉
There is still a bit of a distinction in the shorter travel category I think. Stuff like the Tallboy, Optic & Spectral are (well, these days) shorter travel trail bikes & seem to be similar weights. Probably great as a one bike solution, but they ride very differently to a properly lightweight 120mm bike.
My other half was using a Tallboy for a while & it still was well over 30lbs by the time you actually put some decent tyres on it & its a very different bike to my 26.5lb Spur.
The Spur is a great little bike though, albeit currently vapourware to find. If I didn’t have one I would probably be looking at a new Top Fuel as an alternative, the numbers are almost identical & I think it ‘might’ be the better bike, with a better suspension system than a flex stay. or maybe a bit leftfield for the short travel Rocky Mountain.
The Spark might work, but the sizing is a bit weird for me.
It’s not just that they’re ignoring 😀 but I’m fine with curveballs that make me think.
I think I could be ok with an orange, but I’m not brave enough to buy one without warranty
Get a go on a Stage Evo and see how you like it. They are stiff, fast and pretty light. Not particularly compliant or planted.
I love that, but my longer-travel bike is the total opposite - so I can pick according to my mood.
As HobNob says, it's important to distinguish between "downcountry" bikes (light and zippy) and short-travel enduro bikes like the Spectral 125 or FlareMax. The Orange sits on the cusp, but rides very light and is incredibly engaging and fun.
superfli
Free Member
I have a spur with Sid 120 forks. Brilliant bike and love riding it. Repeated fast bumps on steeper trails and it gets a little hard work, but it’s only 120mm. Around my local area and it’s pretty perfect.
Oh and I also have a ripmo af 😉
OK now I'm going to have to hijack a bit...
How do you find the ripmo compared to the spur bit of an odd comparison I know but, by way of explanation, I'm currently on the look out for N-1. I've got a following which is great but a bit small for me in honesty, I've also got a process 153 which is great but very much a big days bike. The process needs repairing after a brake failure in Italy and I'm very tempted to shop both in for something a bit more middle of the road instead of getting the process patched.
So I'm thinking something about 130/140 ish, that pedals nicely, descends nicely but will generally be an all day ride bike. It doesn't need to be brilliant at plowing down or up stuff because frankly, nor am I, but it needs to be reasonably capable.
I'm tempted by (amidst others) a Ripley but a lot of the reviews of the Ripmo make it sound much more of an all rounder than a lot of bikes in that sort of space.
How do you find the ripmo compared to the spur
Sounds like his is a Ripmo AF which is alloy and a IIRC a bit different and more burly than the carbon version.
I *think* the ripmo/ripmo af are now the same ish bar material, the af was a bit different when launched as it was still the v1 carbon but the V2 is the same.
The Ripley AF is a little slacker than the current Ripley I believe so I'm guessing there will be a revision of the Ripley to bring it in line.
Thanks, bit not really what I'm after:)
@dangeourbrain I would not class the Ripmo as a trail bike. It's much more of an enduro bike. It feels burly and tough. Eats up the trail (or at least most local trails) and is a plush ride.
From the sounds of what you want (13/140 trail bike) you'll be after a Ripley. It'll feel lighter and zippier than the Ripmo I bought the Ripmo to replace my Patrol as my enduro bike.
It’s much more of an enduro bike. It feels burly and tough. Eats up the trail (or at least most local trails) and is a plush ride
thank you! I'd originally discounted it but then a lot of reviews mentioned how good a climber and pedaler it was etc, what i couldn't seem to find was if that was when compared to other enduro bikes or more trail oriented stuff.
as is I'm pretty much sold on a stumpy, ripley or bird aether (though I keep looking at the fuel ex then muttering about the kit-spec for the money)
^^ that reeb is basically an updated turner 5 spot. not a bad thing! and it looks lovely!
My experience of 'slightly aggro 120mm ish bikes' is that they have the right shape to push on, but run out of suspension travel when you do so. There's also virtually no difference in weight to something thats got another 20 or 30mm more travel.
Ripmo - I've had one since mid summer.
It's not really an Enduro bike IMO, but the epitomy of the mostly disused all-mountain category. It's not as plush as these big old Enduro 180/170mm crushers but despite having fairly conservative geometry by current standards, it doesn't seem to have any particular foibles and shines in technical climbing situations.
I'm delighted to be back on a DW link bike after 6 years of trying to find something else that works as well for all round riding (and failing).
My experience of ‘slightly aggro 120mm ish bikes’ is that they have the right shape to push on, but run out of suspension travel when you do so. There’s also virtually no difference in weight to something thats got another 20 or 30mm more travel.
That’s kind of stating the obvious though, is it not? Short travel bike runs out of travel sooner than bigger bike when it’s fast & rough? That said, whilst it definitely feels a bit more spicy when you are trucking on, it’s only the really nasty stuff where there becomes an appreciable difference in actual speed on the trail.
The weight point though, a lot of assumptions there. I’m not sure I’ve seen a sub 27lb ~150mm travel 29er I’d want to ride any more than my Spur. Personally, I think there is a noticeable/appreciable difference between 26/27lb short travel DCaF bikes, 31/32lb all mountain bikes & 35-37lb enduro specific bikes. Weight, however, is only part of the equation.
That’s kind of stating the obvious though, is it not?
Kinda, but kinda not. Its only relatively recently that shorter travel bikes have been packing the same kind of geometry as the bigger ones.
I'm making the observation from my own mistakes that assuming because its got the same/similar geometry that its got the same capability. Easy to spot in hindsight, but pretty sure I'm not the only one to have made a mistake like that and ending up with the wrong bike.
Weight - theres always assumptions.
Another shout for an orange stage evo, love mine. Had a ripmo previously and didn't like anything about. Mine weighs 14.4kg with pikes, cane creek and proper tyres and inserts. Most fun bike I've had for years and really easy to live with
That Orange Stage Evo looks a load of fun. 🤤
Of course you could just forget the rear suspension entirely and rely on a big fork and good geometry on a nice steel big wheeled hardtail. Or is that a silly idea?
I ride a Hello Dave as my aggro bike and it is fantastic fun and very capable. It does have a habit beating the s&&t out of me on rocky descents.
I think a progressive geometry, mullet 150/120mm full sus would be the ideal bike for 99% of riding I do, and probably most people do.
I've never looked back since cutting hardtails out of my life and getting my Stage 4.
And much as I like longer-travel bikes too, there's no feeling quite like absolutely flying along on a short-travel 29er.
Brings the trail alive, as we used to say.
😀
