Do we really need long travel bikes in SA?

[Duane_Bosch]

if you rock a 66, you are not a weight weenie...

It's chills. Myles will come to more of my shuttle days. Coz he won't be able to ride that thing up any hills.

[Duane_Bosch]

I weigh 105kg. An extra kilo on an already reasonably light bike will not kill me.

Plus, it's an experiment I just need to carry out for my own sanity. If it doesn't work - fine. I'll scratch it off as a stupid decision and buy another fork. If it does work, win.

On the ruin your bike thing... I don't see DH bikes suddenly being out of balance with the heavier forks on the front end.. and if so. I can compensate by moving around a bit more

Just don't commit to it yet. 1.2kg is a lot. I'm not trying to be a dick here.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

It's chills. Myles will come to more of my shuttle days. Coz he won't be able to ride that thing up any hills.

Lol. Still need to sign up for another one. Cant make the next one unfortunately

[CdT85]

I weigh 105kg. An extra kilo on an already reasonably light bike will not kill me.

 

Plus, it's an experiment I just need to carry out for my own sanity. If it doesn't work - fine. I'll scratch it off as a stupid decision and buy another fork. If it does work, win.

 

On the ruin your bike thing... I don't see DH bikes suddenly being out of balance with the heavier forks on the front end.. and if so. I can compensate by moving around a bit more

 

The weight difference between my current Marz Drop-off and the 66 I want to replace it with is a mere 800g, vs my 96kg. With you on the relative weight.

When rocking a longer travel fork you do it for one reason, to pin the bike going downhill. I don't know if it is just me, but a heavier front end makes me feel more in control when bombing it down hill.

[Mongooser]

The 66...Screenshot_20161030-120410.png

Great idea make all the pike users understand what a real fork is

[Hairy]

Yeah, it's a top contender for me. However, I will be bumping the fork up to 150mm, to slacken the head angle out a tad and for the extra travel.

 

YT have got an autumn sale running this November. The Jeffsy Comp AL 1 is selling at €2.199, which is a not inconsequential saving of €300. Pity is that all of the large bikes are sold out and they won't be replenishing stock this year. If they had stock, I would've bit the bullet and bought one now.

the capra al is on special for 48.5k right now

[Hairy]

if you see do determined to go Marx, why Not go new age marz with a dvo diamond

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

if you see do determined to go Marx, why Not go new age marz with a dvo diamond

cos I already have the Marz

[Duane_Bosch]

cos I already have the Marz

Ok so that's why you want a coil for the rear. #parkbike

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Ok so that's why you want a coil for the rear. #parkbike

Also cos I'm a sucker for wanting to test **** out. When someone says that a well set up coil shock "transforms the bike" then I'm not sure how much that is confirmation bias and I gave to see it. Eventually.

 

Problem is when you need a 600/650lb spring.

[T-Bob]

Also cos I'm a sucker for wanting to test **** out. When someone says that a well set up coil shock "transforms the bike" then I'm not sure how much that is confirmation bias and I gave to see it. Eventually.

 

Problem is when you need a 600/650lb spring.

 

Have you had a mattoc? I hear they are the sh*t.

[nox1111]

If this counts as long travel, then yes.

subtle bragging at it's best

[nox1111]

I just bought the Mattoc to replace a Pike - Odd move I know, but there's some method to my madness, and it's a super well balanced fork, with loads of bells and whistles.  I'm actually flippen excited to start riding it.

 

Have you had a mattoc? I hear they are the sh*t.

 

I may be well late to the conversation; but in regards to the topic - long travel bikes for SA;

 

I have been on a 26" Trance with 140mm 32 Talas front and 120 rear and were able to ride just about everywhere - and hold decent pace doing so.  The bike was poppy and light, nimble.  A super fun bike to ride.  Climbing was easy.  But then riding something like Paarl's DH course, you realise how quickly forgiveness runs out, on that geometry, coupled with 140/120. 

I would argue that the same travel, in a more modern trail geometry would be close to perfect.  But since I have the opportunity to upgrade, though that I'd get a couple more inches in the process.  Not being overly greedy or anything, going to 150mm front and 140 rear.  That to me still feels like a long travel bike, even though it is not.

For me I want an aggressive feeling bike, with efficiency - and that translates in my case to being able to do a long ride one day, and chase someone down Red Pheonix the next. 

So overall Geometry, trail feel and weight would trump travel, especially if the suspension platform is well designed.

[T-Bob]

I just bought the Mattoc to replace a Pike - Odd move I know, but there's some method to my madness, and it's a super well balanced fork, with loads of bells and whistles.  I'm actually flippen excited to start riding it.

 

Not being overly greedy or anything, going to 150mm front and 140 rear.  That to me still feels like a long travel bike, even though it is not.

 

What did you go for? I actually regret selling off my Trance 26'r. I had it dialled and it was such a BMX of bike to throw about. Actually looking for a Shova to compliment the Smuggler. 

[nox1111]

What did you go for? I actually regret selling off my Trance 26'r. I had it dialled and it was such a BMX of bike to throw about. Actually looking for a Shova to compliment the Smuggler. 

I'll show you guys next week.

Just waiting for one or two more bits

[T-Bob]

Not that this should really go in a thread about long travel bikes but trigger has been pulled and build is happening at Stoke. Should get it back today... and can find out the answer to my own Q on Sunday.

It's a 29'r that's going to be 115 @ the back running the recommended 35% sag and 140 up front. Thanks to Robbow for his feedback on his one. If you look at the numbers it's a bit of  ahead scratcher and to spend that kind of money on a non carbon, short travel 29'r for some one who likes the stuff I like was a real adjustment on my views. It's been reviewed to all hell and repeatedly came up glowing in comments. "A trail bike that likes to be pushed incrediblly hard. BCXC (British Colombia XC) - think go up big gnarly hills, bomb down very punchy descents". Think that should cover most of it until I can save some pennies for a Patrol as a stablemate. 

HT Angle: 67.5 on a 130 fork

Chainstays: 436

Seat tube angle: 75.4

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2bwuccnrkA/VCnviQ8amRI/AAAAAAAAPDI/thb60teRbbo/s1600/Transition_2015_Smuggler_05.jpg

 

"With the shock wide open, bombing down very rocky runs like Geronimo on Phoenix's South Mountain was a blast. We were able to easily lift the bike and place it where we needed it to be, and the larger diameter wheels took away a large degree of the harshness from the boulders strewn across the trail. It was as if we were riding a 140 -150mm travel 650b wheeled sled, and the comfortable geometry kept us at ease when poor line choice would otherwise get us into trouble. The bike's ability to get our testers out of these moments unscathed was inspiring. Sitting a little deeper into the shock than normal gives the bike plenty of control and small to medium bump compliance, and only through the rowdiest chunk, big hucks, and large compressions are you really reminded that you're on a "little" bike." - Vitalmtb.com Test Sessions

 

 

Stupidly excited.