Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted November 4, 2016 Posted November 4, 2016 True. Something that draws me to both the Strive and Meta AM V4.2 is that they have clean profiles. The Capra is a pretty busy looking bike. Between a Capra and a Strive, I think I'd be better served by the more "trail oriented" Strive.That's my thinking, too. I'm finally getting my giant to where it's working well. Changed the air can on the monarch to the non debonair can, so drastically reduced the pressure I need to run it at for my fat ass. It is SO much more active and supportive at the same time. Far more progressive and yet, because I'm running 200PSI vs 300PSI, it's also got better over the small stuff. Win. Next step is the fork swap and new wheel build. Damn, I'm excited.
Odinson Posted November 7, 2016 Posted November 7, 2016 Completely forgot about the Propain Spindrift. 180mm "superenduro" bike. Hmmm. Also very reasonably priced at €2.299,00.
nox1111 Posted November 16, 2016 Posted November 16, 2016 In the interest of research, I set my fork to 120mm (well set to 140, and then all tokens on the IVA so only 120mm travel is available) and rode my bike. hard. To be honest, if you told me I was set at 120, I wouldn't believe you - but that's just because the fork is pretty good and has tokens in, so does not bottom out harshly. Rode Jonkers Firetrails and then spez trails down, into Sneaky-sneaky and corkscrew. Also rode G-spot, Eden, and did a quick run on the Paarl old DH course. Checked, and only used 120mm of travel - so setup works as it should. OK, maybe it's just me, but at no time did I feel like I needed more travel. Sure I wasn't racing, but was not holding back either, rode all the lines I usually ride. So coming back to what I said earlier in the thread - good geometry, well setup suspension that does not dip and dive under braking and does not noodle in rocky sections, and adding in - a cockpit that's set up properly for your style - and you can get away with a lot less travel. But yes, I am going to be going back to 140, possibly 150mm and going to try my hand at a couple of bigger gaps than I normally would ride, which at 120mm would feel flippen risky.
Capricorn Posted November 16, 2016 Posted November 16, 2016 snip So coming back to what I said earlier in the thread - good geometry, well setup suspension that does not dip and dive under braking and does not noodle in rocky sections, .... My experience with an 80mm travel Manitou Circus expert was exactly as you prescribed. Pardon if its cliché, but that thing felt so darn bottomless. No special setup. a straightOutOfTheBoxExperience that was genuinely incredible. So quite in agreement with you relative to the technicality of our local trails.
Headshot Posted November 17, 2016 Posted November 17, 2016 https://dirtmountainbike.com/bike-reviews/orange-segment-longterm-review.html
Grease_Monkey Posted November 17, 2016 Posted November 17, 2016 The tracks down in the Cape vary between easy XC and quite steep and technical. There is a difference between trying to extract the best time and maximum speed on a descent to merely surviving a rock garden or two every lap as you do on an XC bike. XC racers also practice their tracks repeatedly prior to racing them. Nino and co would be way faster on a slack, long travel bike in those rock gardens but also much slower on the climbs due to the extra weight, suspension and such like. XC bikes are a compromise weighted very much in favour of climbing speed. Not much fun and definitely more dangerous and slower on steep tech and rock gardens than an enduro bike though. Thats why XC bike makes such a poor choice for your average rider but in this country, these bikes get punted by the shops because of the emphasis on marathon racing in SA. The knock on effect is skills don't improve and trails get dumbed down. ... I know I am jumping in very late here - but this is TRUTH. I absolutely hate that bike shops push XC bikes exclusively. Went into Cycle Lab the other day to have a look at the new Scott Genuises out of curiosity, and low and behold, there were 20+ sparks on the floor, and not a single Genius. When I asked the sales guy why I was told long stories about the Spark being able to take on any trail if you approach it right. But what if I just want to bomb down and have fun on the bike? Genius would surely make more sense. Just wish SA industry would stop shoving XC bikes down our throat and cater to the guys that want a fun bike even if it is overkill. And hey maybe if enough guys get those bike the trails would be built in such a way that long travel bikes aren't overkill! Anyway, enough on my rant! I ride what I consider to medium travel (135mm rear and 150mm front), and I cannot imagine a better compromise, I can climb efficiently, ride 100km a day, and bomb down hills! The new tech is really amazing in the sense that medium/long travel bikes can really be used for everything short of winning an XC or DH race.
EmptyB Posted November 17, 2016 Posted November 17, 2016 I know I am jumping in very late here - but this is TRUTH. I absolutely hate that bike shops push XC bikes exclusively. Went into Cycle Lab the other day to have a look at the new Scott Genuises out of curiosity, and low and behold, there were 20+ sparks on the floor, and not a single Genius. When I asked the sales guy why I was told long stories about the Spark being able to take on any trail if you approach it right. But what if I just want to bomb down and have fun on the bike? Genius would surely make more sense. Just wish SA industry would stop shoving XC bikes down our throat and cater to the guys that want a fun bike even if it is overkill. And hey maybe if enough guys get those bike the trails would be built in such a way that long travel bikes aren't overkill! Anyway, enough on my rant! I ride what I consider to medium travel (135mm rear and 150mm front), and I cannot imagine a better compromise, I can climb efficiently, ride 100km a day, and bomb down hills! The new tech is really amazing in the sense that medium/long travel bikes can really be used for everything short of winning an XC or DH race.Avoid Cyclelab then Just kidding...not dissing them. There are however plenty shops not shoving XC bikes down our throats...
Odinson Posted November 17, 2016 Posted November 17, 2016 I know I am jumping in very late here - but this is TRUTH. I absolutely hate that bike shops push XC bikes exclusively. Went into Cycle Lab the other day to have a look at the new Scott Genuises out of curiosity, and low and behold, there were 20+ sparks on the floor, and not a single Genius. When I asked the sales guy why I was told long stories about the Spark being able to take on any trail if you approach it right. But what if I just want to bomb down and have fun on the bike? Genius would surely make more sense. Just wish SA industry would stop shoving XC bikes down our throat and cater to the guys that want a fun bike even if it is overkill. And hey maybe if enough guys get those bike the trails would be built in such a way that long travel bikes aren't overkill! Anyway, enough on my rant! I ride what I consider to medium travel (135mm rear and 150mm front), and I cannot imagine a better compromise, I can climb efficiently, ride 100km a day, and bomb down hills! The new tech is really amazing in the sense that medium/long travel bikes can really be used for everything short of winning an XC or DH race. Do you ride a Vitus Escarpe?
Hairy Posted November 17, 2016 Posted November 17, 2016 Avoid Cyclelab then Just kidding...not dissing them. There are however plenty not enough shops not shoving XC bikes down our throats...Fixed
popcorn_skollie Posted November 17, 2016 Posted November 17, 2016 Completely forgot about the Propain Spindrift. 180mm "superenduro" bike. Hmmm. Also very reasonably priced at €2.299,00. Bikes like these have been on my mind for a while.These long travel super enduros just aren't the same as oldschool 180mm freeride bikes. http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb10759216/p5pb10759216.jpghttp://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10724019/p4pb10724019.jpghttp://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb6921423/p5pb6921423.jpg
Thermophage Posted November 17, 2016 Posted November 17, 2016 Sooooo....I bought a nice HT frame to ride W2W with and the whole bike is nicely kitted with 140mm Sektor up front. Very sexy and capable bike...2 Days before the event I decided 4kit and rode my Banshee Spitfire...All 14.5kg, 140mm rear and 160mm front of it...That Spitty is heavy...but man oh man...it pedals like a dream (variable geometry as well).Would I do it on a different bike next time?Only if someone bought it for me and it as STILL at least trail oriented..I see zero point in having a specific bike for marathon (aka k@k) and general riding...unless you don't like your money.So I think the HT will be be being sold shortly. As for W2W...would I do that again...NOT A CHANCE...why would anyone pay R6000 to be stuck behind a bunch of fools who cant'ride a switchback without rear wheel lockup or getting off?
Odinson Posted November 17, 2016 Posted November 17, 2016 Bikes like these have been on my mind for a while.These long travel super enduros just aren't the same as oldschool 180mm freeride bikes. http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb10759216/p5pb10759216.jpghttp://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10724019/p4pb10724019.jpghttp://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb6921423/p5pb6921423.jpg Bikes from the Golden Age of Freeriding.
Hairy Posted November 17, 2016 Posted November 17, 2016 Sooooo....I bought a nice HT frame to ride W2W with and the whole bike is nicely kitted with 140mm Sektor up front. Very sexy and capable bike...2 Days before the event I decided 4kit and rode my Banshee Spitfire...All 14.5kg, 140mm rear and 160mm front of it...That Spitty is heavy...but man oh man...it pedals like a dream (variable geometry as well).Would I do it on a different bike next time?Only if someone bought it for me and it as STILL at least trail oriented..I see zero point in having a specific bike for marathon (aka k@k) and general riding...unless you don't like your money.So I think the HT will be be being sold shortly. As for W2W...would I do that again...NOT A CHANCE...why would anyone pay R6000 to be stuck behind a bunch of fools who cant'ride a switchback without rear wheel lockup or getting off? 14.5kg .... what a load of lead! Mine comes in at a feather-light 14.45kg!
Odinson Posted November 17, 2016 Posted November 17, 2016 Sooooo....I bought a nice HT frame to ride W2W with and the whole bike is nicely kitted with 140mm Sektor up front. Very sexy and capable bike...2 Days before the event I decided 4kit and rode my Banshee Spitfire...All 14.5kg, 140mm rear and 160mm front of it...That Spitty is heavy...but man oh man...it pedals like a dream (variable geometry as well).Would I do it on a different bike next time?Only if someone bought it for me and it as STILL at least trail oriented..I see zero point in having a specific bike for marathon (aka k@k) and general riding...unless you don't like your money.So I think the HT will be be being sold shortly. As for W2W...would I do that again...NOT A CHANCE...why would anyone pay R6000 to be stuck behind a bunch of fools who cant'ride a switchback without rear wheel lockup or getting off? HAWT DAMN, that is a good looking bike!
Bizkit031 Posted November 17, 2016 Posted November 17, 2016 Sooooo....I bought a nice HT frame to ride W2W with and the whole bike is nicely kitted with 140mm Sektor up front. Very sexy and capable bike...2 Days before the event I decided 4kit and rode my Banshee Spitfire...All 14.5kg, 140mm rear and 160mm front of it...That Spitty is heavy...but man oh man...it pedals like a dream (variable geometry as well).Would I do it on a different bike next time?Only if someone bought it for me and it as STILL at least trail oriented..I see zero point in having a specific bike for marathon (aka k@k) and general riding...unless you don't like your money.So I think the HT will be be being sold shortly. As for W2W...would I do that again...NOT A CHANCE...why would anyone pay R6000 to be stuck behind a bunch of fools who cant'ride a switchback without rear wheel lockup or getting off? Would take my Spitty over any XC bike even with its weight,at least I will be having some awesome fun on the downs.
EmptyB Posted November 17, 2016 Posted November 17, 2016 FixedOK, I concede....that is probably more accurate. Smart arse
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