Which one would you get?

[patches]

I'm in line for a new DH frame and I've been looking at a few options...

 

2011/2012 Morewood Izimu (would be the most straight forward replacement, but not my 1st choice)

 

http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/stories/2011/10/19/full_izimu_frame_blk_360.jpg?1319066006

 

2011/2012 Morewood Makulu (if I can wangle the upgrade at a good price)

 

http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/7267/photos/16577/s1600_makulu_red_side_shot.jpg

 

2011 Commencal Supreme DH Atherton Edition (I know MtbBarbie will drool over this because of her Gee crush)

 

http://www.commencal.com/web_bicycles/2011/pictures/supreme_dh_atherton_1.jpg

 

2008/2009 Intense Socom FRO Raw (Brand new, but old stock. Ridiculously good price... R8000, but I'd need to change my rear hub)

 

http://erinabikeworxonline.com/images/intensesocomfro.jpg

 

 

So... wat would you guys suggest? Which one of these? Any other options I should you wanna add to the list? (and no Cap, I can't afford an M9 )

[Capricorn]

 

So... wat would you guys suggest? Which one of these? Any other options I should you wanna add to the list? (and no Cap, I can't afford an M9 )

 

and i was wondering how come i couldnt scroll through more options, till i realized there was fine print

 

The Mak in that red looks hot. Commencal is always good. Definitely cannot ignore that Socom's price. Jeepers.

What sort of ride you looking for: linear, progressive etc? budget?

 

Latest giant glory? Scott? (trying to think of the locally available stuff.)

 

and of course, world peace... i mean the M9

[jimmy hardtail]

Makulu is probably the fastest dh bike there, and the izimu the most bullet proof. Plus its good to support local. Although its hard to find a really bad bike at this price range.

[patches]

and i was wondering how come i couldnt scroll through more options, till i realized there was fine print

 

The Mak in that red looks hot. Commencal is always good. Definitely cannot ignore that Socom's price. Jeepers.

What sort of ride you looking for: linear, progressive etc? budget?

 

Latest giant glory? Scott? (trying to think of the locally available stuff.)

 

and of course, world peace... i mean the M9

 

hahaha! I would love a M9... but I may have to beg at robots after office hours for a month or 2, so that I can afford to eat!

 

Budget: Well, that all depends on what the insurance pays out for my current frame (hence the Izimu option being the default). So I'm guessing R17 000 - R20 000. But I'm willing to put in some extra bucks for an upgrade... so max will be approx R25 000.

 

As for ride... linear... progressive... not too fussed as ong as I have 8" of forgiveness. I'm used to the single pivot way of life. May be interesting to try something else.

 

Scott and Giant... I'm very impressed with the versatility displayed by the Voltage FR when in the hands of the Coastal Crew. DH, FR, Slopestyle, and even some AM. So yeah, that may be an option. Giant... whilst I've heard good things about the Glory, and it is the bike of the current world champ... I also know of 2-3 that have cracked at that upper pivot on the seatpost tube.

 

Also... I'll admit... I'm a namebrand whore... so I would prefer one of the more rare boutique brands (Morewood, Intense, Transition, Evil etc) if I can afford them... but may sell out to the mass produced if a good deal presents itself.

 

Here are a few other options I will investigate

 

Transition TR 450 (I know someone who brought one in so will speak to him)

 

http://www.lodgecycles.co.uk/WebRoot/Store2/Shops/es134215/4D1B/2CF5/2F29/85BB/3EBC/0A0F/1119/2A9A/transition_tr_450_green_black_2011.jpg

 

Trek Session (Don't know if the local Trek agents can supply... also think they're out of my budget)

 

http://jamesfrostracing.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/trek-session-88.jpg

 

Mondraker Summum (No local agents, but found a store that'll ship to SA. Reasonably priced too)

 

http://venturesportimports.com/images/mondraker-summum-pro-team-2011-frame.jpg

 

Yeti 303 RDH

 

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41fWvUIM1XL.jpg

 

so many to choose from... so many...

Edited December 26, 2011 by patches

[Capricorn]

oh my word, the Mondraker, His Royal Slackneess!!!!!!!!!!! Get that!!! I dont know of anyone with a Mondraker.

That and the Transition gets my vote as your import purchase.

[patches]

Makulu is probably the fastest dh bike there, and the izimu the most bullet proof. Plus its good to support local. Although its hard to find a really bad bike at this price range.

 

sadly my Izimu was not so bulletproof... but she was going on 7yrs (which is like 80 in DH bike years), so I guess it was time.

 

How's the Yeti treating you Jimmy?

[patches]

oh my word, the Mondraker, His Royal Slackneess!!!!!!!!!!! Get that!!! I dont know of anyone with a Mondraker.

That and the Transition gets my vote as your import purchase.

 

I just checked the Mondraker again... It's from Evans Cycles in the UK. They ship to SA for free. The cost is just over R17 000 (marked down from R25 000). The colour is different from the first pic. They're selling he white version. Only problem is they don't have a large in stock.

 

http://www.pearcecycles.co.uk/images/1416-0-full-summum_pt_frame-15_large.jpg

[Capricorn]

Dont like morewood, but as a local support goes, well, it is locally made so spares shouldn't be a problem. The imports always hold a spares delay risk. Anything on the mondraker and TR450 that 'tends' to break, or are speciality parts? That might curb the enthusiasm, or spur u to purchase a just_in_case spare along with the frame.

 

as an aside, what's the rest of the build looking like?

[TheV]

The YETI you have to see in real life, pictures just dont do them justice... and you wont find many DH models in SA?

[Jaco-fiets]

Decide on a brand that is represented on the world circuit. That is a good indication of reputation in my opinion

[patches]

I have had the privilege of seeing the yeti RDH in real life, Daft Vader has one with a WC fox 40 limited edition fork, and many other awesome parts... It's killer!

 

As for choosing a brand that's represented on the world circuit... That is good in principle, but in practice, I don't get a new frame every race if needed. So carbon bikes are out of the question, until some hubbers start sponsoring me, haha!

Edited December 26, 2011 by patches

[patches]

Dont like morewood, but as a local support goes, well, it is locally made so spares shouldn't be a problem. The imports always hold a spares delay risk. Anything on the mondraker and TR450 that 'tends' to break, or are speciality parts? That might curb the enthusiasm, or spur u to purchase a just_in_case spare along with the frame.

 

as an aside, what's the rest of the build looking like?

 

Cap, sadly it's only my frame that is being replaced, so build is as per current Izimu...

 

2008 Boxxer team

Hayes stroker trail brakes

Saint cranks (although any 83mm bike will require new ones)

SLX RD

Answer Pro Taper red bars (780mm)

And for wheels... Spank spike rims on hope pro II hubs, and 203mm hope flaring rotors

 

I may consider the commencal kit from crc, as it includes a fox 40 and done other nice bits for 25k

 

Plus as per Jaco's comment... The commencal DH supreme has proven itself on the the WC circuit

 

My heart still lies with morewood though

[jimmy hardtail]

Yeti is sweet thanks! A bit small for me but otherwise great. A real fun bike. That yeti dh looks awesome. Get a large one and then sell it to me in a couple of years! Btw what happened to your izimu?

[Capricorn]

all those frames have proven themselves on the WC circuit. You spoilt for choice Mr Patches

 

sadly? You've got a super decent setup! But R25k incl a Fox 40?? Ahem. dare i say teh choice has been made for you

[patches]

Yeti is sweet thanks! A bit small for me but otherwise great. A real fun bike. That yeti dh looks awesome. Get a large one and then sell it to me in a couple of years! Btw what happened to your izimu?

 

glad to hear you're having fun on the AS-X. I was at morningside cycles about 2 weeks back and saw one hanging up on their wall of fame. I started to miss it again!

 

As for the RDH, if I get one it will be a large

 

@Cap... I know... The commencal is way too tempting... Also included in the kit is

 

Thompson elite seatpost

Sunline DM stem

Sunline V1 bars

e*thirteen LG1 chainguide

 

So yeah... Pretty good deal!

[Capricorn]

and i see the commencal meta AM is landing soon.. decent'ish price.