[buildyourown]

I know, this thread has been done several times.
What I want is a list of low 5-6" travel bikes. I'd actually prefer a 5", super light frame with a BB close to 13".
HA isn't a deal killer these days since everything pretty much comes with a tapered headtube and you can throw in an angleset.
Let's avoid pro's con's of each since everybody has opinions.

Knolly Chili and Endo
Rocky Slayer
Yeti SB66
SC Blur TR
Yeti ASR5-c
Ibis HD

 

[stoney]

Giant Trance

 

[SkaredShtles]

Definition of "super light" please?

 

[canadmos]

I'd love to suggest the Banshee Spitfire, but yeah the bushings on it blow. Other than that, awesome ride.

 

[buildyourown]

I think 6# is the sweet spot. Lighter than that and they get wonky

 

[SkaredShtles]

I think 6# is the sweet spot. Lighter than that and they get wonky

Giant Reign?

 

[ultraNoob]

Pivot Firebird.... my next bike

 

[AngryMetalsmith]

Mine of course :

 

[Jeremy R]

Here is my asr 5. It is a 5 inch bike with a 5.5 pound frame. Mine has a 12.9 bb with a 140 fork, and 67 head angle. I love the thing. It does have a stiff riding suspension, but it is so solid and direct. Its just really fast and effecient.
I do have the 12mm/142 axle and with I9 wheels, it is a solid feeling bike despite its light weight.

 

[jdcamb]

I want a Covert. I just have to sell my house first.

 

[TheMontashu]

Why not a regular mojo? They RIP. The HD feels a bit DH bike ish too me. I did a downieville run on a regular mojo and it railed corners amazingly, pedaled well, was stiff and responsive. My only gripe is it felt a little dead cause of the DW link, but that's just generally how I feel about DW bikes

a blut TR or LT would be a good option, I've had an AL LT for quite some time, and that thing SHREDS. I've ridden a week at northstar on it, top to bottom, every single hit, as well as 3000+ foot XC rides. The thing goes up and down amazingly.

I would also look at a butcher, it's a slacker lower nomad with less travel, and more lively feeling (single pivot Vs sagged out VPP) my buddy had one last season with a lyric and I did some northstar laps on that thing, and it was even more stable and low than my LT, but I can't speak for it's climbing abilities.

 

[boostindoubles]

I want a Covert. I just have to sell my house first.

Hey, I traded mine off. Wishing I hadn't now. That bike did everything pretty well but nothing outstanding. I'd like to try the 26" Bandit sometime. It looks like a capable trail bike.


A buddy of mine has a Pivot 5.7 and that bike rips. The local shop got their hands on a new Cannondale carbon Jekyll. I was blown away at its stiffness and lightness but haven't taken it for a spin yet.

I've been window shopping for a new squishy trail bike that has gears. Hard to swallow the price on some of these puppies.

 

[jdcamb]

Hey, I traded mine off. Wishing I hadn't now. That bike did everything pretty well but nothing outstanding. I'd like to try the 26" Bandit sometime. It looks like a capable trail bike.


A buddy of mine has a Pivot 5.7 and that bike rips. The local shop got their hands on a new Cannondale carbon Jekyll. I was blown away at its stiffness and lightness but haven't taken it for a spin yet.

I've been window shopping for a new squishy trail bike that has gears. Hard to swallow the price on some of these puppies.

The Jekyll is magnificent. But bang for the buck Transtion has it going on.. My shop also sells Ibis and I am just not that excited about the DW link. Plus they are pricey.

 

[mrbigisbudgood]

I'm VERY happy with my Nickel, and now that they are being discontinued, the prices have dropped.

She ain't the lightest girl at the party, but I know I can throw her around and she won't get hurt.

 

[buildyourown]

So far I'm down to the ASR-5 and a Ibis SL-R w/ an angleset.
Need to ride them for real and see if I hate the DW. I think I've decided I hate VPP.
#1 choice would be a SB66c, but damn, that's a lot of cash. Regular SB is a pig.

 

[PatBranch]

My 4" Stumpjumper rides down things really well. I think the current ones are 5".

 

[Dirtrider]

Cannodale Claymore? HAs 180mm of travel and looks pretty cool, although you do not find many reviews on them.

 

[Sandwich]

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/f19/new-trail-am-bike-time-233949/

 

[buildyourown]

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/f19/new-trail-am-bike-time-233949/

For the record, I did search. There are at least 3 really good threads with the same title.
However, a 2 yo thread on this subject is a bit irrelevant. A lot more bikes that fit the bill have popped up since then.

 

[DirtyMike]

Bottlerocket....

TR 250

 

[stevew]

i have a splinter...undecided on building it.

 

[rockofullr]

SB 66

that geo

 

[jimmydean]

TR 250

That build is sexy.

 

[rockofullr]

That build is sexy.

hope you have a dropper if you want to pedal

 

[jimmydean]

I would change a few things, but I would rock the baby jeebus out of that ride.

 

[Jeremy R]

So far I'm down to the ASR-5 and a Ibis SL-R w/ an angleset.
Need to ride them for real and see if I hate the DW. I think I've decided I hate VPP.
#1 choice would be a SB66c, but damn, that's a lot of cash. Regular SB is a pig.

I hear ya, I am putting up my asr 5 complete for sale today as I have SB66c frame on order.
I wrestled with it too, but I want to try out the new design, and hell I ride my trail bike more than anything else, so it might as well be nice.

 

[qikss]

There's nothing wrong with spitfires, you just need to pay attention to your pivots and use grease as needed. (a 5-10 min job every month if you ride often like me)

Just wait for the new one and you wont regret it



Pictured here in "steep mode" during the first ride last year. back then it was 28.5 lbs, with a dropper now and some light tires its at 29ish currently. I run a zero stack headset now so i get the 66degreez with the vengeance at 160 in low mode.

 

[OGRipper]

Why the hate for VPP? Just curious, because the Blur TRc is exactly what you're describing. Make sure you ride one and that you're not basing your opinion on other VPP bikes.

 

[rockofullr]

For a "DHer" Nomad > Blur

 

[buildyourown]

Why the hate for VPP? Just curious, because the Blur TRc is exactly what you're describing. Make sure you ride one and that you're not basing your opinion on other VPP bikes.

Spent an hour on 1 on Sat on a familiar trail. Decent bike but not what I'm looking for.

 

[Da Peach]

I have a buddy who is certainly a "downhiller", and he loves his Dixon.

Just sayin'.

 

[Rapplez]

SB66 Carbon, thing is a mountain goat on the upside and a raging boulder on the downside. Long top tube makes it feel like a fighter jet at high speed also.

 

[TheMontashu]

For a "DHer" Nomad > Blur

I actually DIDNT get a nomad, because it felt too much like my V10, and in all the wrong ways. I like a lighter snappier trail bike, if I want stability at speed through gnar I'll take the big bike, otherwise I want something that slays corners

 

[buildyourown]

F U.

What size is that?

 

[DirtyMike]

hope you have a dropper if you want to pedal

Not as bad as you think when your actally using it as a trail bike instead of a min DH bike

I would change a few things, but I would rock the baby jeebus out of that ride.

I got to take one for a ride a while back..... It really rides badass....... Not as dH as the blindside, def not an XC bike but it does get the climb on, and soaks up the nasty

Late entry but...
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/technical_trail/slash/

Friend of mine has one and he put a Hammerschmidt on it... effin rocks the bejesus put of it

 

[stoney]

I want the SB66c so bad. Damn baby.

 

[kidwoo]

Come on BYO, WTF. You know bikes and all you've done is list a few pretty new options with ZERO input on what you're actually looking for. Linear suspension, rising rate, low as possible BB, stiff as possible, super light with long travel........

Come one. You're not some mtbr dipshlt who's never ridden fast and is awed by shiny powdercoats (or dull carbn™ that costs a lot). With what you've provided, all you're going to get is the same 'buy what I have' bullshlt responses that plague every other thread with this title.

 

[scrublover]

(buy what i have bull****)

Trance-X? Stick a 140-150mm fork up front, ride the crap out of it. They are light, pedal well, are pretty stiff, and seem to tolerate a fair amount of beating. BB height and angles alterable obviously depending on what fork and headset you run. Mine is about 13.5 and 67.5 with a Revelation at 150mm and internal headset. Alu, carbon front/alu rear, full carbon models.

 

[buildyourown]

snip

Hahaha,

What I didn't what to do was have this deteriorate into a pro/con thread based on opinions. I figured a list would suffice. Mainly, I was looking for options I missed.
I currently have an Intense SS. 140mm fork, dropper post. It's awesome, but it weighs a ton. If it were 3-4# lighter and 1/2" longer, it would be perfect. And yeah, the suspension action isn't it's strong point. I don't need more than 140mm travel as long as the geo is good.


So, better stiffness and pedaling than my SS. LOW BB. Reasonably slack, but nothing silly.
One of the best things about my SS, is that with the post slammed, it really does feel like a big 4X bike. It's the best jumping bike I've ever ridden.


I didn't care for the Blur TR despite the awesome numbers. It still felt like an XC bike. 1# of carbon in the right place to make that thing stiff would transform it.
That, and I'm not in love with SC's sizing.

 

[Rapplez]

Its a medium, with a Fox 34.

F U.

What size is that?