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I bought a bike recently and the frame is a bit too small. Size issue is enough to make me feel very thrown over the bars on steepish stuff. Love the bike but sadly it looks like I can't get an XL.
So, I'm thinking of swapping the parts over to another frame. What would you recommend? Needs to take a 150mm fork and 140 - 150 rear travel. Really looking for a trail bike that's burly enough to take on a proper black trail occasionally.
Had thought Bronson but is there anything else out there?
Banshee Spitfire? Big thread here
Boost or non Boost depending on your choice of dropouts, which can also adjust the geometry, slack or normal. Dropouts available for 26" wheels if you want
Bird Aeris 145 (boost)
AirDrop edit (non boost I think)
Depends if you’re boost or non boost between those 2.
I would wait untill mid July if youare thinking of a bronson. Apparently its now 160/150 travel with the nomad linkage, will fit a 2.6 tyre and will come in gray and a turquoise ish colour.
Some good suggestions. Perhaps some deals to be had on the old Bronson then?
Anyone got / ridden an Ibis HD 3?
Just to add I think both the Aeris and Airdrop frames can be had for near the £1000 mark with a shock I think. Without checking, I suspect even an alloy Bronson costs a lot more than that.
Price for a bronson will be around 3k with a super deluxe shock
2nd the Banshee spity. Mines epic. Liked the Rune too I rode on some challenging stuff in Portugal !
Aeris is £1463 with a super deluxe shock, headset, seat clamp and maxle stealth.
Current bronson cc frames can be had for £1700 with shock. I'm in the market for a new frame, similar requirements to you, not sure what to get...
Spitfires are awesome, but given my experience more than a 2 year warranty is highly desirable.
Aeris was on my short list before I ordered the HB160.
Bike discount sells the 2017 Cube frames for little money.
Stereo 140 or 160 HPA for around 400 Euros. Frames are available in 22" as well.
I by myself bought the last 20" 27.5+ frame:
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/cube-stereo-150-hpa-sl-27.5-frame-blue-n-flashred-692676
Assembled the bike with 2.6 inch rubber. It's a blast. Frame quality is top notch and delivery was very quick.
I'm sure I've said this before that the £2700 complete HD3 is an utter bargain and have various sizes in colours and that the DW link is unreal but that I experience pedal spiking moments on my Mojo 3 purely down to rider technique oh and maybe that it's fairly low BB but the handling is super.
If you can test ride an Ibis, I would go for it if you get on with it. I was nigh on instantly sold round the car park test on the M3 when I was looking at getting an HD3 but knew the HD3 would be too much bike for me for a while.
PM sent Tdog.
Bought a Ibis HD3 when they launched the HD4. I had lusted after a Bronson but the Ibis was such great value for money. I'm really pleased with it. The 35mm mm internal 27.5+ wheels and burly Maxxis Minion Wide Track tyres give it fantastic grip and solidity but it has a relatively short wheelbase so turns well on the techy trails. Be aware its a boost 27.5+ frame though so perhaps may not match your existing 150 fork. It came with a Fox 36 / 160. This is very much my Alps / Enduro Bike and has replaced a Nomad 2.
My Wife has a Bronson and loves hers and a Bronson would be perhaps be a better choice for a 150mm fork. If you are wanting to do the parts swap you mentioned the Bronson would be better suited than the Ibis as you can pick up a non boost one
Other contenders may be beefy 140mm rear travel frames such as the Orange five or the Bird mentioned above.
Some of the new versions of many bikes are much more dedicated downhill sleds than previous models as a quick glance at the specs of the Ibis HD4 and the latest Nomad / New Bronson will show you.
Thanks for all the responses. Plenty of great suggestions.
Keep us updated on the HD3 yeah buddy, and pics when you have it unboxed, hopefully the green one.
IF ONLY I HAD A SPARE £2700 ;( and could give it proper justice right now.