Aggressive HT XC set-up??

[bdstorer]

Ok... I'm sick of dragging my HT DH bike around everwhere cause its just to heavy to do anything other than DH comfortably sooo... I want to buy a 2nd bike and I think an (aggressive?) HT XC bike might fill the breach nicely...

Basically I want a HT XC bike that I can thrash a bit on fire trails/single track whilst not being to heavy for long slogs...?? Also dont want to fork out too much intially as I will up spec as I go along... so any ideas? What frame?? forks??? any knowledge to impart guys??? Cheers!

 

[scratchy]

Do you mean Aggressive XC as something with really steap headtube angles, flat bars, low stem and a short travel, (60mm) allowing you to place a lot more weight on the front for absolutely sprinting at the climbs, pinning it through the tightest of singletrack, sprinting like a scared cat and preying to your god on the DHs?

Or do you mean Aggressive XC as something more akin to a trail rider/eduro bike? Longer travel, discs and a more relaxed riding position. Allowing you to feel that you're still the king on the DH's as you pass all those dumb riders on Aggressive XC race bikes. But also efficient enough that you can barely stick it with them on the climbs (stupid roadies and their aggressive XC race bikes, should be banned, grumble mumble).

I'm assuming it's the 2nd option.

 

[Rik]

Check out Dirtworks specials list, they have the DMR Switcback for $430, $200 off RRP. If you want something that's tough and will handle some rough riding yet still be nimble enough for XC racing (pilot dependant, ofcourse), give it some thought.
Combined with a Fox or Reba fork and a light-ish build, it'd be a great trail/xc bike IMO.

 

[bdstorer]

Yep thats it Scratchy..

"Allowing you to feel that you're still the king on the DH's as you pass all those dumb riders on Aggressive XC race bikes. But also efficient enough that you can barely stick it with them on the climbs"

...that discription nails it. Aggressive XC as in trail riding/eduro with longer travel forks, discs and the more relaxed riding position is what I'm looking for.

 

[Cúl-Báire]

What you need is a Cove Handjob frame... In fact there is one in the for sale section right now- going quiet cheap... Infact it's actually mine
Link: http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=38179

*Shameless plug over*



I think you should aim for a steel hardtail- Just because it's steel doesn't mean it's heavy, but they are ultra durable... Plus they provide an awesome feel to them. Something like the Cove, which is Columbus Niva Chrome steel tubing, or the DMR- which is Reynolds(?) tubing would be perfect for the frame.

Forks, you really should be looking at Fox, or Rockshox Reba or Pike Air. Both ofer great suspension, adjustability and are rather light for forks that can handle loads... I love my Foxes on my Cove...

I will send you a PM Re: my frame if you are interested.
-Cul

 

[scratchy]

In the HT range:

IMHO, this is one of the few complete bikes out in mass production that is still the epitome of a classy trail rider.
http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2005/steel/blizzard.aspx

or it's cheaper brother the Hammer.

or:

Kona did/does an lurvely HT. Called Explosif same deal. Couldn't get the website to work though www.konaworld.com

Both the rocky MTN and the Kona are from the NW of Nth America and have a good pedigree of aggressive trail riding. These bikes are design for tight single track while still being able to pull the front up over logs while still climbing well. Ride one for more than 5 minutes and you'll relise how sorted the geometry is.

On the suspension front, bikes are oozing out of a lot of companies that fit your bill. Often called long travel XC, or Enduro. Depending on the balance they might be rugged enough or too XC based. Have a look case by case. All have a minimum of 4" of rear travel, behave well DH and climb well.

Examples: The new Giants.
The old Giant VT's
Turner Flows
Ellesworth Truths
Specialised FSR Long (used to be called the Enduro, before the Enduro became a FR bike. I know, it doesn't make sense to me either), I wouldn't look at the Epics though.
Ironhorse Hollowpoints? (I think that's what they're called).
Farkin did a review on a Titus a while back, it sounded tasty.
Santa Cruz Heckler and Bullit (I know some people XC racing Bullits!)
Scotts
Trek Fuels
Jamis XLT (used to be a Dakar). Great trail build but not a XC race rocket.

The list goes on and on and on.

 

[Cruz]

I think he specifically said he wanted a hardtail for not too much money. Not much there that isnt expensive.

The DMR Switchback is Reynolds 520 tubing. Very nice ride.

 

[DW-1]

Check out Dirtworks specials list, they have the DMR Switcback for $430, $200 off RRP.

another option, (yes... yes... I know it a blantant plug) would be the Banshee Scirocco for $569. Yes... it is more expensive, but it's way burlier than the Switchback and still damn light.

Elvis.

 

[Oddjob]

Don't look past the Jamis range of cro-mo hardtails either. The Dragon would be my pick as it uses Reynolds 853 so it won't weigh a ton, but the Dakota XC and Exile would be fine too.

 

[majura]

Just a suggestion I thought I'd throw into the mix: Norco Charger's... they're an "XC All Mountain Hardtail" Specifically set up for 120mm-130mm forks and harder riding. I used to own one (till some scum stole it!) and it was all those things you listed- light enough to climb, but not so light that the down hills were scary. This year Norco are producing a few XC AM HT's which might be worth a look.

The Charger's this year were so popular that when I came to replacing it- they had no stock (this was around july)... so instead I'm on an Avanti Barracuda (strong frame) with Fox Vanilla 125R's (125mm)... great set up....now to buy my FS hehe soon the Giant trance will be mine.

 

[MrCove]

and another shameless plug.....

actually really glad to hear that you guys are finally getting "it"
"it" being riding your bike as hard as you can, all the time


"it" is just what all Stiffee riders have been doing for years!!
i was riding Cove Stiffee long before i became involved with importing them, they are the PREMIER do it all bike, uphill, down hill, up, across and over
in my opinion they are best built up with a 130mm fork, triple ring, xc/trail groupset, nothing too light, nothing too heavy
my current Stiffee is a 15 1/2", fitted with Fox 36's (set at about 120mm) triple ring, Sun Singletracks, SRAM, Race Face, etc
and it rocks!!

Clict mag currently have a Stiffee FR which they are reviewing, will be in the next issue

there are a few current "specials" going out on cokmplete Stiffees, pm me for more details

/shamelessplug

 

[johnny]

In the HT range:

IMHO, this is one of the few complete bikes out in mass production that is still the epitome of a classy trail rider.
http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2005/steel/blizzard.aspx

Now that's ^^^^ a nice looking go getter of a bike!!

I've cracked this frame, but that's because I rode it like an urban freeride tank. I find I can ride XC VERY aggressively on this bike. It feels great on descents and comes in at 14kg. I know that isn't exactly light, but it has DT Swiss spokes, EFD rims, Deore Hollotechs, R/S Dukes. Bit of a mis-match in the weight dept. but it makes it a tougher bike without going too heavy. I've been impressed by Felt for years, they have my vote!

 

[topher]

Mate, go a steel frame youll know why when you get it and ride it.
My pick would be to buy a DMR Trailstar. Designed around a 125 -130 mm fork nothing to big nothing to small but enough to be good "all-mountain". My vote would be to place some Fox Vanillas or Floats on it. Not to light that youll break the lowers but not uber heavy. These things hold up extremely well, and they are UBER STIFF!

 

[Rik]

For any decent length of riding, I'd think the Trailstar is going to be too short for anyone over 5'8. The Switchback shares the same angles as the Trailstar, and in the 16" model, it's 10mm longer in the toptube (555mm), 5mm longer in the chainstays, and at least 500g lighter.
I'm 5'10 and wouldn't want a bike any shorter than that for trail riding.

 

[topher]

im about 176ish, i was planning on building up a sidekick for single track, dj and 4x type deal, but after what youve said rik would it be the go or should i consider something else from the dmr range?

 

[Cruz]

I am 179cm and I have the 18inch Switchback. The Sidekick would be a pain in the arse for trail riding because of its small size. Look at the bigger frames available.

 

[big dan]

stiffee!

have to agree on the cove. Ive been riding a stiffee (that sounds bad!) since 99 and its absolutely rocks.

Currently running fox vanillas and triple ring set up and it is sweet for trail riding.

On a budget the dmr would be a great option as well...430 bucks is cheap as .