beeb
Dr. Beebenson, PhD HA, ST, Offset (hons)
Frame - Banshee Spitfire XL (2018)
Rear shock - 2019 Fox DHX2 (200x57mm) with 550lb SLS spring and RWC roller bearings.
Front shock/fork - 2019 Fox Factory 36 Grip2 37mm offset (140mm travel)
Handlebars - Spank Spike Vibracore 50mm rise (cut to 760mm)
Stem - Hope DH 50mm
Headset - Cane Creek 70 Series
Grips - ODI Elite Pro (So comfy, good feel!)
Saddle - Ergon something...
Seatpost - Vecnum Nivo 212mm Travelfit (non-indexed)
Front brake - Formula Cura 4 w/ 203mm rotor
Rear brake - Formula Cura 4 w/ 203mm rotor
Cranks - Shimano XT M8000
Chainguide - T.B.C
Chain - Shimano HG-701
Pedals - Pedalling Innovations Catalyst
Rear derailleur - Shimano XT M8000 (with WolfTooth Wolf Cage)
Rear shifter - Shimano XT M8000
Cassette - Garbaruk 11-50t (HG driver)
Front hub - Project 321 Boost
Rear hub - Project 321 Boost 216POE (Quiet pawls)
Front rim - Nextie Premium trail 40mm
Rear rim - Nextie Premium Enduro 36mm
Spokes - DT Comps
Nipples - DT Brass
Tyres - Maxxis DHF 2.6" front, Aggressor 2.5" rear.
Tyre Sealant - Stans
Total weight - No idea, don't care.
Basic intention of this bike was to replace my 5010 (<<< clickable link) with something that had a more progressive leverage curve so I could run a coil shock. I don't really know why, but I just don't get on with air shocks. Maybe being a heavier bloke running in the high pressure ranges required to get the sag right doesn't show off their best attributes (I also seem to always somehow push 10-15psi out of them across the course of a big day out too), so coil just feels so much more predictable to me. Predictable is good as predictability is confidence inspiring. I also like having all the damping adjustments as I'm a chronic tinkerer! I chose the DHX2 partly for a wide range of adjustments, but also because I had hoped to install a LiftMTB remote lock-out kit to the shock. However having tried installing the LiftMTB kit, discovering that you need about 4 hands to install it, and somehow accidentally killing the shock's climb switch (now repaired) in the process - I was defeated. Luckily I discovered just how bloody well these Spitfires pedal - so I'm not going to worry about trying again. With the benefit of hindsight it does give me some pangs of regret for not buying an EXT Storia instead, but we'll chalk that one up to experience.
Have only had one ride on it so far, and initial impressions seem really good, though the low stack height effectively makes the bike feel quite 'short' (reach wise), but sometimes I like that so we'll have to see how that plays out long term. I have only just installed the Formula Cura 4's, and even though they aren't properly bedded in yet I can already tell they're going to provide more stopping force - a lot more - than they Hopes the replaced. No more aching knuckles on shuttle days up the high country then hopefully!
Oh, and an FYI for anyone reading regarding the Vecnum Nivo (212mm) dropper - it just fits at full insertion on this XL frame. I have my bikes setup at 750mm from crank centre to seat-rail and it is slammed in the seat tube. Got to say too - the mechanical operation of this dropper and lever is an absolute delight, I had somewhat low expectations of this coming off a BikeYoke Revive 185mm (with WolfTooth lever) and am happy to say I was sorely mistaken - this is even better again. Light lever action with a quiet, precise but still audible thunk at top-out and just-right extension speed. I know it's not everyone's cup off tea, and it's a silly thing to get so enamoured of - but I friggen love this dropper. Plus with the rediculous amount of travel I can position myself basically anywhere over the bike and not have to worry about smacking myself in the nads. So liberating!
For what it's worth, I am currently running it in the high position and have the fork set a 140mm travel as this is intended more as a burly trail bike than an 'Enduro' sled, so the steeper angles are a bit more all-day ride friendly.
If you made it through all that - thanks for reading!
Rear shock - 2019 Fox DHX2 (200x57mm) with 550lb SLS spring and RWC roller bearings.
Front shock/fork - 2019 Fox Factory 36 Grip2 37mm offset (140mm travel)
Handlebars - Spank Spike Vibracore 50mm rise (cut to 760mm)
Stem - Hope DH 50mm
Headset - Cane Creek 70 Series
Grips - ODI Elite Pro (So comfy, good feel!)
Saddle - Ergon something...
Seatpost - Vecnum Nivo 212mm Travelfit (non-indexed)
Front brake - Formula Cura 4 w/ 203mm rotor
Rear brake - Formula Cura 4 w/ 203mm rotor
Cranks - Shimano XT M8000
Chainguide - T.B.C
Chain - Shimano HG-701
Pedals - Pedalling Innovations Catalyst
Rear derailleur - Shimano XT M8000 (with WolfTooth Wolf Cage)
Rear shifter - Shimano XT M8000
Cassette - Garbaruk 11-50t (HG driver)
Front hub - Project 321 Boost
Rear hub - Project 321 Boost 216POE (Quiet pawls)
Front rim - Nextie Premium trail 40mm
Rear rim - Nextie Premium Enduro 36mm
Spokes - DT Comps
Nipples - DT Brass
Tyres - Maxxis DHF 2.6" front, Aggressor 2.5" rear.
Tyre Sealant - Stans
Total weight - No idea, don't care.
Basic intention of this bike was to replace my 5010 (<<< clickable link) with something that had a more progressive leverage curve so I could run a coil shock. I don't really know why, but I just don't get on with air shocks. Maybe being a heavier bloke running in the high pressure ranges required to get the sag right doesn't show off their best attributes (I also seem to always somehow push 10-15psi out of them across the course of a big day out too), so coil just feels so much more predictable to me. Predictable is good as predictability is confidence inspiring. I also like having all the damping adjustments as I'm a chronic tinkerer! I chose the DHX2 partly for a wide range of adjustments, but also because I had hoped to install a LiftMTB remote lock-out kit to the shock. However having tried installing the LiftMTB kit, discovering that you need about 4 hands to install it, and somehow accidentally killing the shock's climb switch (now repaired) in the process - I was defeated. Luckily I discovered just how bloody well these Spitfires pedal - so I'm not going to worry about trying again. With the benefit of hindsight it does give me some pangs of regret for not buying an EXT Storia instead, but we'll chalk that one up to experience.
Have only had one ride on it so far, and initial impressions seem really good, though the low stack height effectively makes the bike feel quite 'short' (reach wise), but sometimes I like that so we'll have to see how that plays out long term. I have only just installed the Formula Cura 4's, and even though they aren't properly bedded in yet I can already tell they're going to provide more stopping force - a lot more - than they Hopes the replaced. No more aching knuckles on shuttle days up the high country then hopefully!
Oh, and an FYI for anyone reading regarding the Vecnum Nivo (212mm) dropper - it just fits at full insertion on this XL frame. I have my bikes setup at 750mm from crank centre to seat-rail and it is slammed in the seat tube. Got to say too - the mechanical operation of this dropper and lever is an absolute delight, I had somewhat low expectations of this coming off a BikeYoke Revive 185mm (with WolfTooth lever) and am happy to say I was sorely mistaken - this is even better again. Light lever action with a quiet, precise but still audible thunk at top-out and just-right extension speed. I know it's not everyone's cup off tea, and it's a silly thing to get so enamoured of - but I friggen love this dropper. Plus with the rediculous amount of travel I can position myself basically anywhere over the bike and not have to worry about smacking myself in the nads. So liberating!
For what it's worth, I am currently running it in the high position and have the fork set a 140mm travel as this is intended more as a burly trail bike than an 'Enduro' sled, so the steeper angles are a bit more all-day ride friendly.
If you made it through all that - thanks for reading!
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