Where to from here...?

[Da Vinci]

I currently ride a 26" Stumpjumper and I like the bike but I need to upgrade in the near(ish) future... I've all but ruled out 29ers so looking at the 650b range. I ride trails and the occasional stage race ( and train on long dirt stretches ) I like the feel and the handling of the Stumpy so I guess I am looking at something similar set up wise.

So what are similar styles of bike? Spez seems very slow on the roll out of 650b - only one model announced I think in RM it's the Thunderbolt, Giant the Trance?

120mm travel min in front.

Please help me with some other names of models that may fit the bill. Thanx

[Joeboy69]

Do you want to upgrade "just because" a.k.a. I have an itch I must scratch :-) or is something going wrong with your current bike?

 

If you like the frame, stay with it and replace the drivetrain and wheels?

[Da Vinci]

It's complicated - the bike is heavy but I don't know if it makes sense to to spend money upgrading a 26er - in all fairness. Also a moot point as I am replacing my drivetrain next week.

I also ride with 29er riders and in my circle there is a definite advantage over me ( with out a long sob story just trust me on that one) yes and mayb it's not "the bike" but I have no more lungs to bust trying to work out what it is.

I'm not going out tomorrow ( well not quite) to buy a bike but I want to start looking at options and options means trying to arrange where I can test ride a bike. Look at budget and just get my ducks in a row. I seem to know what I like wrt feel and handling and I guess if I can't find that in the 650b range then I will start looking at upgrading the 26er.

 

[Spokey]

It's complicated - the bike is heavy but I don't know if it makes sense to to spend money upgrading a 26er - in all fairness. Also a moot point as I am replacing my drivetrain next week.

I also ride with 29er riders and in my circle there is a definite advantage over me ( with out a long sob story just trust me on that one) yes and mayb it's not "the bike" but I have no more lungs to bust trying to work out what it is.

I'm not going out tomorrow ( well not quite) to buy a bike but I want to start looking at options and options means trying to arrange where I can test ride a bike. Look at budget and just get my ducks in a row. I seem to know what I like wrt feel and handling and I guess if I can't find that in the 650b range then I will start looking at upgrading the 26er.

I bought myself a Titan 650 PRO as the collection of parts on it is pretty good and makes it good value. I realise the frame may not be in the league you are looking at but the intention is to replace that when I get the chance. (Currently have a 26er Zula in build, hard to keep diverting the kids education fund!) For me that will be with a Reynolds steel Pipe Dream or a Cotic, if they ever come to the 650 party. However I am slowly being swayed by the Pyga carbon frame. So in the meantime, I ride and enjoy the Titan while deciding which upgrade frame to aquire, and of course save the cash.

[gummibear]

Pyga 120mm 27.5 :thumbup:

 

 

http://www.pygaindustries.com/images/pyga_120650_or_profile2013.jpg

 

http://www.pygaindustries.com/onetwenty650.html

[gummibear]

For me that will be with a Reynolds steel Pipe Dream or a Cotic, if they ever come to the 650 party.

"Hijack on"

Pipedream have a Alu 650b and a Ti 650b.

 

I love my Reynolds 853 Sirius

 

Ti 650b frame.

 

6096 650b Alu Frame.

 

 

"hijack off"

[Spokey]

The Current one

[Spokey]

 

"Hijack on"

Pipedream have a Alu 650b and a Ti 650b.

 

I love my Reynolds 853 Sirius

 

Ti 650b frame.

 

6096 650b Alu Frame.

 

 

"hijack off"

That Sirius is the one I am after, in red!

Am liking this carbon Pyga too.

[gummibear]

That Sirius is the one I am after, in red!

Am liking this carbon Pyga too.

 

Any idea on the price of the carbon Pyga?

[Stretch]

That pyga 650b would be my first choice on an upgrade.... As a matter of interest that carbon pyga is being made in cape town

[mikethebike234]

The Current one

those Titan frames are really pretty...Thinking about getting my kid a Titan

[Spokey]

those Titan frames are really pretty...Thinking about getting my kid a Titan

It rides pretty nicely too, I do have a 650b size small frame available if anyone is keen, I foolishly bought the incorrect size! Can let it go with headset, seat post, bottom bracket bearing amongst other bits. (Have not advertised as I am not in SA)

 

Re the Pyga

 

Gummibear, not sure on that pricing at all.

Stretch, I like the fact its made in SA, and that Patrick Morewood is involved. I love a steel hard tail, but that carbon, man it is gorgeous!

Edited April 18, 2014 by Spokey

[nolipoli]

I think the OP is looking for a dual suspension bike that fits a similar mould to the Stumpy FSR.

 

Giant Trance 27.5 2 is a winner 140mm front and back. The spec works much better than you would expect. Even the brakes are spot on.

[Da Vinci]

Thanx guys!

Some food for thought - need to find a Trance to test ride now - no one can fault that bike it seems!

Having said that I have done another reassessment of my riding and chatting to a few ppl this weekend, 140mm of travel is nice to have but in all honesty it is wasted on me...

I also rode a Spez Camber and I loved it - it was the Pro so full carbon - ridiculously light and Really out of my budget but for the first time I didn't feel like a 29er was too big...

I test rode the Stumpjumper 29 ,also full Carbon and it felt too big. And the Rumour was awkward but maybe that had to do with the Test the Best guys not being able to measure the set up properly....

The reason I'm leaning to Spez is the service I have always gotten from my LBS and I know they will work on sourcing me a test bike.

So if anyone knows of any test days coming up please shout!

I'm going to investigate Scott bikes too - they seem to be popular.

The real hang ups seem to be finding a shop who will allow you to test bikes on trails you know.