TyronLab Posted December 4, 2018 Posted December 4, 2018 *snip* Out of interest, how comfortable would you say that bike is i.t.o. terrain absorption and fatigue resistance? I'm currently on a HT 29er XC bike (2.1" tyres). I'm looking at getting a bike that's a bit more comfy to ride, but I really don't have the cash for a FS bike, so I'm looking at a plus bike (26" or 650B) as a happy medium. Also, your bike is metal AF (|m|), so I'd love to build one (excluding the juicy Hope components unfortunately).
Steven Knoetze (sk27) Posted December 4, 2018 Posted December 4, 2018 .  Really want one of these Sovereign's but they don't make them anymore!!!!!!
MORNE Posted December 4, 2018 Posted December 4, 2018 Out of interest, how comfortable would you say that bike is i.t.o. terrain absorption and fatigue resistance? I'm currently on a HT 29er XC bike (2.1" tyres). I'm looking at getting a bike that's a bit more comfy to ride, but I really don't have the cash for a FS bike, so I'm looking at a plus bike (26" or 650B) as a happy medium. Also, your bike is metal AF (|m|), so I'd love to build one (excluding the juicy Hope components unfortunately). I have not thrown it down a trail yet, been busy the past few weekends with friend and family commitments. Only some urban messing about, bedding brakes, riding down some stairs and sidewalks and doing some wheelies, listening to the swarm of bees chasing me lol(rear hub). This thing goes onto its back wheel like nothing, looped out the first few goes. I've realised im going to have to relearn how to manual it as its weight is so far back compared to my old bike it feels alien almost. with a XC bike you have to force yourself over the back wheel so much more to get it in the air.It also pedals quite nice, even with the 160mm up front. Cant see me having any issue riding it to Blouberg from obz. Im so over XC geometry bikes after riding this for 3 times it is not even funny. This is my first steel bike since 1999 ish. Ive only had Alu bikes ever since. I had a 9kg alu bike before this. The BFE weighs about 14kg pre-dropper post so its definetaly not for weight weenies, but i have to say that it really doesn't feel heavy at all while riding. It is super plush and compliant and definitely absorbs small chatter better than my last alu HT did...and that was a cannondale with their so called 'save' tech chain stays. I usually ride XL frames but decided to size one down since this is just a fun messing around trail bike, but the reach is actually more than my old XL frame so it actually feels really good and comfy and i have plenty of standover now compared to my old gate. The High volume tires definitely acts as secondary suspension. I havent converted it to tubless yet so the pressures are quite high with tubes in and even then it feels WAAAAY softer than my 2.2s felt like. Surly make a 2.75 dirt wizzard in 26" and maxxis also now does a minion in 26x2.8 which all apparently fit in this frame so ill see how it goes.  I would definitely recommend steel frames and high volume tires for comfort even at this early stage. it might be translated as a bit placebo effect but i honestly feel super comfy on it, where it took me about 6 months to get comfy on my previous bike. Let's put it this way, my next bike will also be a steel frame bike.  Brick_Top 1
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