Banshee Rune 26". Built to ride down and up mountains.

[JTmofo]

Basic fork rebuild, pretty quick and simple, then get told how great the forks are everytime we stop for a breather, and for me I like rests so it was a lot. They look noticably more active particularly on the small stuff.





Yeah definitely, it's quite a bit more fun to ride over the Nomad, geometrys pretty close between the two, nomad is longer, I wonder if that makes all the difference.

WIll have to put my 27.5 wheels on the Rune and see what difference it makes too.

Have a play around the the dropout height, it does make a difference.

I had it in its slackest setting when I had the 160mm Vengence on my Spitfire, but swapped to the steepest Wien I changed over to the 150mm Pike.

I'll throw on the medium chips this weekend and see how it goes!

 

[moorey]

Can't believe I missed this build thread. Very nice. Might see one of these replacing my current AM frame soon.

 

[Zac Hinton]

bit of an update on the Rune. pic taken in a derelict scout camp building on Anglesea trails.

Using Xpedo Spry flat pedals now, loving them. I was pedal striking the DMRs all the time but haven't hit these once. Didn't think a low profile pedal would make that much difference. Highly recommend them, about $70 delivered from eBay I recall. They are about half the weight of the DMRs also! Also the 2.35 rock razor on the back is going ok, rolls really well, but feels a bit soft sometimes, even with 28psi. Probably better suited to you yangs rocks than more sandy areas like Anglesea. Not sure if I would buy another, might try something a little narrower next time for less roll. The high roller 2 on the front is lasting really well.

Changed to a 32 tooth black spire narrow wide chain ring from the 30 tooth. The 30 tooth has a thread built into it which is nice, don't know why they don't do it on the other sizes as well. Less bolts. Would love to work up to a 34 tooth if I can loose some body mass or get fitter, spend more time in the middle of the cassette would be good.

Took off half the stickers on the Flow rims, I think they look better being a bit less visually busy now.

Loving 26" still, in no hurry to change to 27.5. Still trying to fine tune the suspension, running 30% rear sag and trying 25% in the forks which is working well for me. So much adjustment on the forks and rear shock, it's all a bit daunting to get the perfect settings.

 

[moorey]

Nice. I'm riding the 27.5" with an open mind currently, but feeling no noticeable difference. Reckon the 26" will be back on in a few weeks, then reverse compare. If they feel good, they stay.

Kicking myself for passing on a well priced rune frame 6 months ago. out:

 

[Mywifesirrational]

Loving 26" still, in no hurry to change to 27.5. .

Let me know when your out at youies next, I'll bring the 27.5 zelvys and you can go for a whirl on them while I cook a steak or two.

Specialist has told me not to ride for another few weeks out: so it's not like I am missing out.

About to swap the rock razor for a 2.25 Ardent, the rock razor is an awesome tyre for youies, but I'll be curious to see how they compare.

Nice. I'm riding the 27.5" with an open mind currently, but feeling no noticeable difference. Reckon the 26" will be back on in a few weeks, then reverse compare.

I'm not overally impressed with 27.5, different yes, better? not really, both have strengths in different ways, not sure what koolaid everyone is drinking, the marketing is all powerful.

 

[datnat]

Ran the Rune both 26 initially and then changed to 27.5, to sum up in one word "Meh"...

Certainly hasn't changed my life, but do notice some slight rolling/roll over benefit, and seems like less effort to climb in some circumstances (think Rockwell Run going up).

Rune is in parts due to frame sale, so the wheelset (Hope Hoops Flows/HD & RRazor) is sitting in the garage waiting for new frame, happy for you to give them a run.

Only staying with the 650b as don't have funds to spend changing back to 26 at this stage. Can relate to the Koolaid analogy!

Cheers

 

[JTmofo]

Only staying with the 650b as don't have funds to spend changing back to 26 at this stage. Can relate to the Koolaid analogy!

Cheers

I agree that they're might not be a huge difference between 26 and 650... But why would you even think about going back to 26?

26 is dead... All major manufactures are now not producing any 26 frames for non DH bikes , fork manufacturers are reducing the options for 26" , tyre options will be reduced, etc etc.

I could understand not paying out the money to switch to 650 from 26, but to switch back the other way ???!!!

 

[Zac Hinton]

MWI, sounds good. BBQ and some equip changes, would be good to do a direct comparison. Can try 27.5 wheels in 26 dropouts, then swap it over to 27.5 dropouts. As we use the same rear tyre at the moment, and fronts are pretty similar. Let's lock in next weekend.

Datnat, did you sell a Rune frame? Why? What could possible be better :noidea:

Moorey, seems you have lots of bikes. I reckon just stick with the wheel size of the majority of your fleet. Easier to do equip changes.

JTmofo, I reckon there are too many bargains on 26" gear to run 27.5 by choice, given the small differences. I am a massive tightarse (like lots of rotorburners) and I am more interested in having a fun ride than racing so 26" works for me. I think also because I'm 34 years old and have been on 26 for so long that it would feel funny. My bike also fits in the back seat of my car with front wheel off (just). That extra tyre diameter might just make the difference of it not fitting.

 

[datnat]

Datnat, did you sell a Rune frame? Why? What could possible be better :noidea: .

A Spitfire! Feel the geometry, travel and size will better suit my needs.

Trying to sell, is an awesome bike which I feel guilty for selling. Is just a little too much bike for me...feel I have narrowed down what I want in a single MTB after trying a number of different options previously.

Sorry JT, the bike felt somewhat 'livelier' with the 26 wheels, but there are still plenty of 26er parts and bargains out there, and the advantage of the Banshee is that we have the luxury of choosing!

Nice rig by the way Zac, looks like you are putting it to good use!

 

[Zac Hinton]

A Spitfire! Feel the geometry, travel and size will better suit my needs.

Trying to sell, is an awesome bike which I feel guilty for selling. Is just a little too much bike for me...feel I have narrowed down what I want in a single MTB after trying a number of different options previously.

Sorry JT, the bike felt somewhat 'livelier' with the 26 wheels, but there are still plenty of 26er parts and bargains out there, and the advantage of the Banshee is that we have the luxury of choosing!

Nice rig by the way Zac, looks like you are putting it to good use!

Spitfire...ok you are forgiven. Havent ridden one but i hear ALOT of people consider them more suitable for a majority of Aussie trails. They look really killer in black!

 

[datnat]

They do :wink:

 

[JTmofo]

A Spitfire! Feel the geometry, travel and size will better suit my needs.

Trying to sell, is an awesome bike which I feel guilty for selling. Is just a little too much bike for me...feel I have narrowed down what I want in a single MTB after trying a number of different options previously.

Sorry JT, the bike felt somewhat 'livelier' with the 26 wheels, but there are still plenty of 26er parts and bargains out there, and the advantage of the Banshee is that we have the luxury of choosing!

Hey mate, I had a Spitifire (the one Moorey now owns) and ran it with both 26" and 650b guise.
For me the difference between them wouldn't warrant an upgrade to either or. I would have left it 26" only I wanted to upgrade wheels and fork, so 650 was the logical choice for me as i tend not to keep bikes for long.

I know there are great bargains to be had with 26" stuff, but I couldnt justify selling 650b gear that I already had, to by cheaper bargain 26"... the long term economics dont work for me, and the difference in 26" and 650b is negligible at best.

 

[datnat]

Hey mate, I had a Spitifire (the one Moorey now owns) and ran it with both 26" and 650b guise.
For me the difference between them wouldn't warrant an upgrade to either or. I would have left it 26" only I wanted to upgrade wheels and fork, so 650 was the logical choice for me as i tend not to keep bikes for long.

I know there are great bargains to be had with 26" stuff, but I couldnt justify selling 650b gear that I already had, to by cheaper bargain 26"... the long term economics dont work for me, and the difference in 26" and 650b is negligible at best.

Agreed, will stick with the koolaid, just thought I would offer my opinion as I have been through the changeover. Would be nice to have a set of each to change out a I please!

Cheers