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A DHer's trailbike journey, What do you run?

Threepointtwo

Monkey
Jun 21, 2002
632
0
SLC, UT
Here is the new trail bike. 5.5" front and rear. A little lighter build for lots and lots of climbing but still strong enough to handle some good descents. The best feature is the 5" drop post. After riding with it for a while now, I cannot ever trail ride again without it.

 

Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
18,855
9,560
AK
Here is my new trail bike. Pretty stoked on it so far.
Pretty detailed thread on mtbr where Jeff (the designer of intense bikes) states that using the SS bike for trail-riding is a bad idea. The leverage put on the seat tube is not what was intended, that's why they make bikes like the 6.6, uzzi, etc. The SS is basically for SS, that's why they came out with such a specialized bike.
 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
Pretty detailed thread on mtbr where Jeff (the designer of intense bikes) states that using the SS bike for trail-riding is a bad idea. The leverage put on the seat tube is not what was intended, that's why they make bikes like the 6.6, uzzi, etc. The SS is basically for SS, that's why they came out with such a specialized bike.
But that's what happens when you make a 6.6 with too high a bottom bracket, too steep of a head angle and people want to ride your brand.

Can't blame'em.
 

bsphere

Chimp
Aug 14, 2004
64
0
I've had the Nomad since the begining of the season. It's not all that bad. That said I'm still on the hunt for a trailbike that meets all my needs.

CS can't be under 17" & I'd like it if they were more of an elevated style (ie not low like most VPPs)
ISCG tabs ( but not welded on )
Normal-ish seat angle
67 deg HA is fine
TT around 23.5", & keep that TT low
BB height around 14" (maybe a lil lower)
Seat tube thats short enough to get the seat low to go play, but not too short
Indestructable rd hanger from hell
Accommodate full length shift housing
Lots of mud clearance
bonus:
1.5 HT, options are nice
Thru-axle rear
Some solution to even up dishing of the rear wheel's spokes would be cool, but I'm not sure I'd like the wider cranks that need to go with a wider hub.

For me it boils down to 2 main areas. Reliability & seated position on the bike.
Take a tall 6" fork, long legged rider w/ the seat up high enough to go places, 60-70 mm stem, & reasonable TT length. If the CS are real short, it sucks fighting to keep the front down on long steep climbs. I also like low bars, and right now my levers smash into the Nomad's hump.
Chain guides need to be clocked around, out of the way of being hit. Low CS prevent this.

The new RFX is looking better all the time. Looking forward to hearing some more once this thing drops.
banshee rune ?
 

Salami

Turbo Monkey
Jul 17, 2003
1,784
118
Waxhaw, NC
Pretty detailed thread on mtbr where Jeff (the designer of intense bikes) states that using the SS bike for trail-riding is a bad idea. The leverage put on the seat tube is not what was intended, that's why they make bikes like the 6.6, uzzi, etc. The SS is basically for SS, that's why they came out with such a specialized bike.
Not concerned. My idea of a trail bike and how it is used are not like how "most" people use a typical trail bike. Also the seat post I use is extremely long allowing for tons of post insertion at the much lower than "normal" seat height I run.

Not saying I will never have a problem, but the bike so far is almost perfect for my needs for a trail bike.
 

stinky|Dan

Monkey
Aug 3, 2002
229
0
Not the greatest pic, but it'll have to do. My large Yeti 575 Carbon (2007).

I've just put flat pedals (atomlab trailkings) on instead of the Crank Bros Mallets so that i can have a bit more fun on the trails this year. Though I really like running clipless, I feel like i've been missing out on the descents lately. I'm also thinking hard about upgrading to a Fox Vanilla 36 as well. It is an awesome bike and it seems to do everything well. I really can't fault it as a trail bike.
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
But that's what happens when you make a 6.6 with too high a bottom bracket, too steep of a head angle and people want to ride your brand.

Can't blame'em.
That's why I prefere bike riding instead of brand riding ;)
 

Santa Maria

Monkey
Aug 29, 2007
653
0
Austria
Living where I live, a trailbike is what I ride at least 80% of the time.
Most of the best downhills in Pisgah and other places I ride locally need to be climbed to get to. But since I spend so much time on my trailbike, I need one that I can ride with the same aggression as my dh bike. Also, I need to be able to race this bike on some of the smoother pedally courses we have here in the Southeast, the originators of the Super D.:busted:
So, the bike has to feel comfortable for jumping, railing corners, and everything in between. Years ago, I owned trailbikes by Intense and Turner.
They worked exactly like they were marketed. Great trailbikes. Take the 5-spot for instance, it was practically perfect for trailriding, but it has an upright feel to it, like a xc bike with 5 inches of travel. It wasn't comfortable jumping and being pushed hard on something like a super d course.
Next, I rode a Specialized SX slalom bike for trail. Its geometry was great for aggressive riding, and it kicked ass jumping and ripping up small bike courses.
But I was taking this bike on rough rocky trails that a 4 inch air shock bike was getting beat on.
Next, I turned my SX trail into my trail bike, and I actually had it built to 33 pounds at one point. I loved this joker. Super aggressive geometry and the travel to ride anything at least comfortably. There are not any "Buts" with the SX trail. I only sold it because I had a full blown Dh race rig, and I wanted more or a separation between my bikes, as it was not made for riding rolling xc trails.
Which brings me to my current bike and the end of the journey.
The Morewood Shova ST, its their 5.7 inch trailbike.
On paper, the geometry looks like any other good trailbike, but this bike just rides different.
Fun is the best word to describe it.
It's extremely snappy. The bike wants to pop over everything on the trail.
And in corners, the bike loads up and pops out. The first few berms I hit, I came out with my front wheel off the ground and a smile on my face.
It livened up all the old trails I was riding.
It rides like a slalom bike, but with more forgiving travel. It suits the trails I ride perfectly, as I can be as aggressive as possible on the downhill, and it climbs back up with the lightness of a 5 inch trailbike.
This is my first single pivot trailbike. I always run a 34t single ring on my trailbike, so as far pedal interaction, I simply don't have any. The pivot location is in a perfect place for my setup. As far as brake interaction,
it is the same way that is was on all those years running a Turner DHR.
If you are dragging you brake down a steep rocky downhill, you can feel the suspension stiffen a little. Normally for me, its just a little reminder to lay off the brakes and let it run.
The bike climbs as well as anything I have ever ridden, but the reason I like it so much is simply how fun it is to ride.
It weighs 28.5 pounds.
So, I am curious to what other DHers run as their trailbikes, post 'em up!!
I've found my huckleberry.
Here are the pics:



great build Jeremy!

Looks like the new reba up front? Is this the 120 mm Version with maxle?
How does she work? Stiffness?

Thanx

Santa
 

Demomonkey

Monkey
Apr 27, 2005
857
0
Auckland New Zealand
Pretty detailed thread on mtbr where Jeff (the designer of intense bikes) states that using the SS bike for trail-riding is a bad idea. The leverage put on the seat tube is not what was intended, that's why they make bikes like the 6.6, uzzi, etc. The SS is basically for SS, that's why they came out with such a specialized bike.
I cannot quite honestly think why Intense would do such a thing. Sure, SS is a specialized chassis but intentionally not making the seat tube strong enough to handle "trail riding" is ridiculous in the extreme.

How much extra material would be required to make it strong enough? SFA I would imagine. What happens in a slope style competition if rider slips a pedal and bottoms out on the saddle? A broken bike? That is so lame.
 

SkullCrack

Monkey
Sep 3, 2004
705
127
PNW






My IH 6point. This bike is a ton of fun. There are a few things I would change if I could. Slacker HA for one, and I'd like a 73mm BB. I like the wider stance of the 83mm for the DH stuff, but it bugs me a little when there's a lot of pedaling.
 

Sir_Crackien

Turbo Monkey
Feb 7, 2004
2,051
0
alex. va. usa.
right now i have a giant reign with a lyric on the front but i'm about to replace it with this!



should be a really sweet ride. i'm probably going to let it replace my dh bike as well as i'm will not be on the slopes all that much net year

* Seat Clamp:
GT Alum QR
* Seat Post:
Thompson Elite
* Saddle:
WTB Pure V Race
* Headset:
FSA Orbit X 1 1/8" forged cups, sealed bearings
* Grips:
GT Lock Down, co molded locking grip system
* Stem:
Thompson Elite X4
* Brake Levers:
Shimano NEW Saint
* Handlebar:
Syncros AM 20 carbon "grunge" with 20 mm of rise
* Rear Brake:
Shimano NEW Saint , 160mm rotor
* Nipples:
DT Swiss
* Front Brake:
Shimano NEW Saint , 203mm rotor
* Tires:
Front/ rear 26"x 2.3 Kenda Nevgal, 120 tpi with Kevlar bead
* Front Hub:
Shimano NEW Saint DH 20 mm
* Rear Hub:
Shimano NEW Saint 135 x 12mm
* Spokes:
DT Swiss 2.0 stainless steel
* Chain:
HG-73 Nine Speed
* Rims:
Mavic EX -325, 6061 heat treated rim with stainless eyelets
* Front Derailleur:
Shimano NEW Saint for 22.36
* Rear Derailleur:
Shimano NEW Saint shadow
* Crankset / Chainwheel:
Shimano NEW Saint with 2 chainring, 22/36 with bash guard
* Rear Cogs:
Shimano XT 11-34t
* Shifters:
Shimano NEW Saint
* Bottom Bracket:
Shimano Saint Outboard
* Pedals:
Crank Brothers Acid
* Rear Shock:
FOX DHX Air 4.0 XV, air sprung damper with rebound and compression adjust
* Fork:
FOX 36 Talas RC2, air sprung travel adjustable 20mm through axle with rebound and compression damping.
* Frame:
All new 6061 monocoque frame with 6.0 inches of rear wheel travel. With new forged I-link. Standardized bearings and modular dropout system with 12mm rear maxle.

# FRAME SIZE: XL
# HEAD TUBE ANGLE:
66

# SEAT ANGLE:
71.6
# CHAINSTAY LENGTH:
16.96
# STANDOVER HEIGHT:
29.95
# HORIZ. TOP TUBE LENGTH:
25.20
# SEAT TUBE LENGTH:
20.0
# HEAD TUBE LENGTH:
5.91
# BOTTOM BRACKET HEIGHT:
13.94
# FORK OFFSET:
1.57
# WHEELBASE:
46.79
 

JayCee

Chimp
Jul 17, 2008
27
0
What do people think about the new Commencal Supreme:



Could this make a good trail bike? I think single ring in front is the only option. What's it like climbing with only a mid ring? I've always either had 1 or 2 (1 for DH only).
They are super fun to ride, and I use mine as a trailbike, but only as I can't afford a separate bike for that. It is fun and for the travel it has pedals decently, but it iskinda heavy for trail use and is made for going down.
 

Sir_Crackien

Turbo Monkey
Feb 7, 2004
2,051
0
alex. va. usa.
mattmatt that is a good bike as well. the only reason that i'm changing up my right from a reign to the gt is that i want something a little more burly and the reign frame that i have is a 05. it has served me very well.
 

Jeremy R

<b>x</b>
Nov 15, 2001
9,698
1,053
behind you with a snap pop
great build Jeremy!

Looks like the new reba up front? Is this the 120 mm Version with maxle?
How does she work? Stiffness?

Thanx

Santa
Thx,
That fork is actually the new revelation. It basically uses Pike lowers.
It rides identical to the Pike dual air, but is a little lighter.
Stiffness feels the same as my old Pike.
 

Banshee Rider

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2003
1,452
10
Thx,
That fork is actually the new revelation. It basically uses Pike lowers.
To my understanding, the lowers are actually what seperate the pike and revelation. The part number for the uppers on both forks are the same according to a phonecall with SRAM last week. This would lead me to believe that swapping the pike with revelation lowers and a maxle light would give you the weight of a revelation since the guts are the same.
 

al-irl

Turbo Monkey
Dec 9, 2004
1,086
0
A, A
damn this tread. Its costing me too much money ordered a shova st in red today and got a pair of manitou minutes for it aswell. Its gonna be sweet.Thinking of getting an oversize air can for the rp23 do you know if fox will sell these seperatly.
 
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Hulkamaniac

Monkey
Oct 10, 2001
501
0
Germantown, MD
Thx,
That fork is actually the new revelation. It basically uses Pike lowers.
It rides identical to the Pike dual air, but is a little lighter.
Stiffness feels the same as my old Pike.
Jeremy, in your short time with the fork, have you found any shortcomings or wanting any more travel? That is the dual air model, correct? Do you miss any travel adjustment options, ala, Talas?

Essentially, I am nearly dead set on this fork, but it just seems to good to be true. For some reason, I keep trying to talk myself out of this and into a Fox talas 150......but I just keep hearing nothing but absolutely positive things about the revelation.
 

Jeremy R

<b>x</b>
Nov 15, 2001
9,698
1,053
behind you with a snap pop
To my understanding, the lowers are actually what seperate the pike and revelation. The part number for the uppers on both forks are the same according to a phonecall with SRAM last week. This would lead me to believe that swapping the pike with revelation lowers and a maxle light would give you the weight of a revelation since the guts are the same.

If you look on SRAM's website the weight difference is so small, I think the only difference is the maxle light. Revelation = 4.4 Pike = 4.5
Oh well, at least its white with cool stripes.:busted:
 

Jeremy R

<b>x</b>
Nov 15, 2001
9,698
1,053
behind you with a snap pop
Jeremy, in your short time with the fork, have you found any shortcomings or wanting any more travel? That is the dual air model, correct? Do you miss any travel adjustment options, ala, Talas?

Essentially, I am nearly dead set on this fork, but it just seems to good to be true. For some reason, I keep trying to talk myself out of this and into a Fox talas 150......but I just keep hearing nothing but absolutely positive things about the revelation.
Well, I have been riding this fork for over two months now, and no surprises yet. Its rides and feels just like my old Pike air and the revelation QR I have on my hardtail. I don't need anymore travel out of a fork for this bike, so it works well. For some reason I have not had good luck with travel adjustment forks being consistent. I ran a 36 float before for trail and loved it, so with my 140 revelation being a good bit lower, I did not bother with the travel adjust. But yeah, so far so good.
 

Hulkamaniac

Monkey
Oct 10, 2001
501
0
Germantown, MD
Well, I have been riding this fork for over two months now, and no surprises yet. Its rides and feels just like my old Pike air and the revelation QR I have on my hardtail. I don't need anymore travel out of a fork for this bike, so it works well. For some reason I have not had good luck with travel adjustment forks being consistent. I ran a 36 float before for trail and loved it, so with my 140 revelation being a good bit lower, I did not bother with the travel adjust. But yeah, so far so good.
Ah, didn't realize you've had the fork that long. Thanks for the mini-review! Good point about the travel adjust, my last experience with a talas on my personal rig wasn't stellar....not entirely bad, just not that great either. Guess I need to stop listening to the xc guys I ride with and just go on my dh intuition!!!!
 

brocelif

Chimp
Oct 28, 2006
48
0
The Meta 5.5 and Blur 4x are two of the best trail bikes I have been on. The Blur is a bit cramped but so fun. The Meta 5.5 is nearly as fun and a bit faster.
 

W4S

Turbo Monkey
Mar 2, 2004
1,282
23
Back in Hell A, b1thces
ironhorse 6point. it wish it were lower and slacker too, but i still really like it. It's a great bike to have around here but I'd love to have a twin but about 8lbs lighter for longer xc'ish rides. Like a mini-dh geo DW 5spot!


 
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dropmachine

Turbo Monkey
Sep 7, 2001
2,922
10
Your face.
Ah, no. It bobs like mad in the granny, LSC or not. LSC is not a fix for poor suspension action. I would say my nomad is the worst bike for suspension feedback I have ever ridden when in the granny gear.
 

SylentK

Turbo Monkey
Feb 25, 2004
2,287
854
coloRADo
Man, you guys and your Nomad bob. Yeah, maybe some bob in granny, but it def does NOT bob "like mad". It's either my Avy or I must have one hellaofa smooth pedal stroke, cuz I'm sticking to my story. You guys wanna try out my Avy DHS w/ LSC? Maybe that's the difference, and maybe pedal some circles, not squares, eh? :biggrin: