So starts my new 27.5 build

[Clinton - theCOW]

Enjoy, looking forward to reading the ride/test review.

 

I'm more keen on the 27.5 as a shortie, this is definitely a route i'd follow.

 

Happy riding, hope she brings you many (S)miles

[Musketeer]

Thanks my maat ek waardeer, nou waar is jy nou lat ons kan braaaaai!!!

 

As dit nie vir die werk was nie, was ek nou daar met klokkies aan.

[Izak]

Ok so took her out for two rides on the weekend, one more technical and single track at Red Barn so not very technical but at least some turns and berms.

And on Sunday did a nice fast flat(ish) ride.

 

Lets get down to the review:

 

Ok so this is what I have on the bike at the moment:

iCan 27.5 Frame Rear Shock: Monarch XX Front Fork: RockShox Revelation ICINI 680MM FULL CARBON FLAT BAR MTB Grips: ESI Stem: OLD alu stem just used for setup to be replaced. Saddle: OLD Saddle from my Ghost used for setup to be replaced Seatpost: OLD Seatpost used for setup to be replaced Brakes: Sram XO Crank: Sram XO 2 x 10 RD: Sram XO Casette: Sram PG1070 Chain: SRAM FD: Sram XO Shifters: Sram XO BB30 Pedals: Shimano MD540 Bottle Cage: Carbon Wheels: ZTR Crest with Hope Hubs Tyres: Schwalbe Racing Ralph 27.5

 

This brings the bike to about 11 kg flat with pedals and sealant. Which I am quite happy with as too light is also not good.

[shaper]

Ok so took her out for two rides on the weekend, one more technical and single track at Red Barn so not very technical but at least some turns and berms.

And on Sunday did a nice fast flat(ish) ride.

 

Lets get down to the review:

 

Ok so this is what I have on the bike at the moment:

iCan 27.5 Frame Rear Shock: Monarch XX Front Fork: RockShox Revelation ICINI 680MM FULL CARBON FLAT BAR MTB Grips: ESI Stem: OLD alu stem just used for setup to be replaced. Saddle: OLD Saddle from my Ghost used for setup to be replaced Seatpost: OLD Seatpost used for setup to be replaced Brakes: Sram XO Crank: Sram XO 2 x 10 RD: Sram XO Casette: Sram PG1070 Chain: SRAM FD: Sram XO Shifters: Sram XO BB30 Pedals: Shimano MD540 Bottle Cage: Carbon Wheels: ZTR Crest with Hope Hubs Tyres: Schwalbe Racing Ralph 27.5

 

This brings the bike to about 11 kg flat with pedals and sealant. Which I am quite happy with as too light is also not good.

 

So where is the review on your rides and how it handled?

[Izak]

Red Barn:

 

As this was the first time on the bike and also my first time at Red Barn, I was expecting to struggle since it's a new wheel size etc.

I was amazed at how quickly I was feeling confident on this rig. After about ten minutes I was pushing through berms and flowing through the single track areas with ease and confidence.

 

Since I had never been there all the trails were new to me, I even attempted and nailed all the black sections with relative ease.

 

The two things that really stood out for me both had to do with the wheels I suppose. The amount of traction is amazing. Even when going through tight technical sections and standing up to get some power going there were no spinning on the rear and acceleration was immediate. Through the tight and twisty stuff she really just sucked into the corners and no dipping on the front end either. Probably also because I was more confident and did not have to touch brakes most of the time.

 

I found myself wanting to go back to quickly make an adjustment or two but every time I saw the signage back to the barn I took the next turn onto another trail.

 

To summarize: Loads of traction and nice stiff reactive ride. Shocks need some more fine tuning but that will come.

I am pleasantly surprised at how nimble she felt!!

[Lone_Ranger]

Great looking bike. Super weight for dual suss as well. Especially considering you still have to add stem, saddle and seatpost, which I assume you'll go weight weenie on. Probably save another 100g or so at least. Looking to do a hardtail 27.5 build in the new year, so been following this closely.

 

Now ride it like it's stolen .

[Izak]

Longer, Flatter ride:

 

On Sunday I went out for a faster longer flatter ride. Did 59.7km in 2h16min with three adjustment stops .

So nothing great but first thing I noticed is that I was struggling to get my heart rate up!!

Longer rocky climbs were completed with ease as the power was there the whole time no need to get out the saddle to get momentum, once it's there it was maintained with ease.

I am truly happy with the way this bike climbs, loads of grip and great power transfer.

 

Flat and down sections saw me running out of gearing a bit bit I will fix that with a bigger big ring.

Haven't done any long hard climbs >5km so will have to see how the gearing works then but I am quite confident that there will be that same smile on my face.

 

Rough road conditions were soaked up well by the combination of 650 wheels and suspension. However as mentioned I will fine tune the suspension somewhat as it is good but not great yet.

 

Apart from that not much to report. I am very happy. I think the bike looks good and performs really well. Some more time in the saddle might change or support this but lets see.

[Vetseun]

And so starts my 27.5 build ....

Even got a handwritten card with bad engrish

Crystal seems to love you long time.

[Izak]

Only way to really get this closer to 10kg will be a different front shock and XO 1 / XX 1.

But I am really not worried, I wanted to come in under 11 and when I change the mentioned components I will be below that.

 

I don't feel dropping another 250g on the bike is worth the extra couple of K it's gonna cost me. I'd rather drop another kg or two on the rider

Edited December 17, 2013 by Izak

[Lone_Ranger]

Only way to really get this closer to 10kg will be a different front shock and XO 1 / XX 1.

But I am really not worried, I wanted to come in under 11 and when I change the mentioned components I will be below that.

 

I don't feel dropping another 250g on the bike is worth the extra couple of K it's gonna cost me. I'd rather drop another kg or two on the rider

 

Fully agree with you. To get this close to 10kg you looking at dropping big randelas, for a smallish return. I reckon what you've got is an excellent balance of the weight - reliability - cost equation.

 

Take a dump before you ride and you will drop the 500g (or so) you'd save by upgrading the fork .

[Izak]

Fully agree with you. To get this close to 10kg you looking at dropping big randelas, for a smallish return. I reckon what you've got is an excellent balance of the weight - reliability - cost equation.

 

Take a dump before you ride and you will drop the 500g (or so) you'd save by upgrading the fork .

bwahaha wanted to say that but was afraid some okes might be reading this whilst having their b'fast

[Izak]

Oh and glad I went the thru axle route.

Feels more solid overall and I think that adds to the confidence factor when riding the bike.

[Musketeer]

Awesome review en 'n awesome bike ou maat! Jy sal maak dat ek plan maak om my silver assasin se lemiet te gaan verhoog!!

[Izak]

Awesome review en 'n awesome bike ou maat! Jy sal maak dat ek plan maak om my silver assasin se lemiet te gaan verhoog!!

hehehe thanks buddy!!

Laat weet dan bou ek vir jou ook een

[Clinton - theCOW]

Thanks for the review! @ sub 11kg's, it's not bad imo. I ride a sub 11 26" dual so to get 27.5 below that is going to cost many mandela's.

 

Not sure if it was menioned before, what bike did you come from, 26/29, HT/Dual etc.

 

Being a lil person, i think the 27.5 wheelsize is going to suit me best

[Scotticus]

Nice bike ... One day!