Post Your XC Machine

[Pastavore]

Ha! Exactly the same experience I've had over the last month or so. Been riding a 2013 (26") Trek Fuel for the last couple of years, which is an awesome trail bike, but lacks a bit of top end speed on flats and climbs for racing.

A very good deal popped up on a barely-used 2013 XTC Advanced 1, so I bought it and started smashing out PRs all over my local trails. It's amazing how easily you can get up a climb on a stiff, 10kg 29er by just standing up and smashing the big dog. I still haven't actually used this bike's granny ring. Would go under 10kg with the removal of everything to do with front shifting, so has plenty of room for improvement.

But my descending now sucks - I simply can't belt through rock gardens with the reckless, plow-like confidence that the Fuel gives me. However, I'm faster overall on the HT 29er, so all good for racing.

Get back on the Fuel a couple of weeks ago and think it feels like riding a bowl of porridge... until I hit the first rocky descent at speed... and OH MY F*(&ING GOD I LOVE A GOOD DUALLY!!!

:hail:

So now I'm frustrated by BOTH of my bikes (which is doubly-frustrating, because they're both pretty decent), meaning I probably need a short-travel 27.5" dually so it meets both in the middle somewhere. Or will that be the worst (instead of the best) of both worlds. Who knows?

:frusty:

Might have to go chat with a certain Giant dealer that I know pretty well...

If your wife really loved you, she would shuttle the Fuel to the top of the hill as you smash up on the 29er. Every single time.

 

[Duane]

Ha! Exactly the same experience I've had over the last month or so.

Yep, same. I can hear all the hardtail riders laughing. Just not sure if my aging body can handle it.
When are they going to make a 200mm travel bike that changes head angle by the flick of a switch and has a climb mode that pedals like a XC bike and only weighs 10kg?

 

[markgab]

Get back on the Fuel a couple of weeks ago and think it feels like riding a bowl of porridge... until I hit the first rocky descent at speed... and OH MY F*(&ING GOD I LOVE A GOOD DUALLY!!!

LOL! i feel you.
Back in the day when I was teen, I hated dual sus and swear by sticking with a hardtail bike as it takes skills, but ever since my main XC bike got stolen from my house and replaced it with a giant trance and I never looked back! NEVER!
My backup hardtail has been left alone collecting dust, wanting attention since 2007 lol
I've got an ass like Jennifer Lopez.

It's been a good 9 years, but if anyone has seen such a bike roaming around please contact me
I so want justice to be severed! My hard earned savings as a teen ****ing **** who stole my bike!

It was a 2004 Kona Kula/XT DC groupo/marz air fork/thomson stem+seat/chrisking iso with mavic 117

 

[cooken]

Might have to go chat with a certain Giant dealer that I know pretty well...

if it's the same certain Giant dealer that I know pretty well (and I think it is) they have a size large demo Anthem 1 27.5. I borrowed it the other weekend. Loved throwing it into corners and down rocky decents but I couldn't believe how tired I was afterwards compared to a ride on my 29er HT. I was much slower overall too. Maybe not a fair comparison as my HT has much lighter wheels than the Anthem.

 

[Bodin]

If your wife really loved you, she would shuttle the Fuel to the top of the hill as you smash up on the 29er. Every single time.

The fact I have a dilemma about the 2 nice MTBs I own is a pretty good sign she loves me. N+1 is a step in the direction of W-1. Must be careful...

I was much slower overall too. Maybe not a fair comparison as my HT has much lighter wheels than the Anthem.

Nah, I think it's fair. We get all caught up in trying to compare accurately, but at the end of the ride, you were either faster, had more fun, or (hopefully) both and that's what's ultimately going to determine what bike you take of the hook next time you go for a ride. If I want fast lap times, I'm gunna take the XTC. If I want to smoke the descents I'm gunna take the Fuel.

If I want to do both, I'm gunna have to bike the bullet, sell both bikes (and possibly a kidney) and horrify my wife with "Honey, this is a Turner Czar... do you mind sleeping in the spare bed tonight?"

 

[Big JD]

The fact I have a dilemma about the 2 nice MTBs I own is a pretty good sign she loves me. N+1 is a step in the direction of W-1. Must be careful...



Nah, I think it's fair. We get all caught up in trying to compare accurately, but at the end of the ride, you were either faster, had more fun, or (hopefully) both and that's what's ultimately going to determine what bike you take of the hook next time you go for a ride. If I want fast lap times, I'm gunna take the XTC. If I want to smoke the descents I'm gunna take the Fuel.

If I want to do both, I'm gunna have to bike the bullet, sell both bikes (and possibly a kidney) and horrify my wife with "Honey, this is a Turner Czar... do you mind sleeping in the spare bed tonight?"

gidday Bodin, Tsar would be really nice as would a Flux/ Burner- cant remember which one is 4 inches, alloy and 27.5. I think of all the bikes Ive owned, the one FS that could do everything really well (including have fun) was the Yeti 5 26er. Ive had three turners- two different Sultans and a 5 spot. The 4 inch Sultan TNT was very capable XC bike, the DWL was more trail and the spot was certainly trail. Ive always liked the idea of a 4 inch light bike that can be beefed up at times to handle the odd Buller trip.
In the past most 4 inch FS 29ers were rather XC and alittle flexy for my heft. This has changed somewhat. Look at Rocky Mountain bikes, Devinci, Yeti (too expensive and going carbon) or what about a Santa Cruz tallboy or SOLO or search out a deal on BH carbon FS
I sold my FS 29er for a CX as I needed something to commute on and clock up some KMs for fitness. I have a really capable and playful HT - Yeti Bigtop and I miss a FS for the chunk- it is really only 5% of most rides. Im not in a hurry, dont race and strava in a dirty word, I will not beat FS riders to the bottom of Bandages or charge the rock gardens on Cressy but thats the only limitations really. My HT is lighter than a FS, hammers the flats and climbs, rails the fast flowing trails and jumps and drops just fine- fine enough for a big bloke on the wrong side of 40. I have it set up comfortable with a ti post, SMP saddle, adjustable forks, carbon cockpit, really solid set of King wheels and 2 x 10. I even had a dropper post on for the fast flowing, downs and chunk (but there aint that much of it)
I think if you want the one bike you would want a FS carbon wonder bike that costs $6 to 9 grand. You'll get $3.5 for the Giants. You could look at another Giant, Specialised, Trek 29er or 27.5 for around $4.5- with some SLX, XT and not that light.
Look secondhand mate- you know what to look for (wear and tear, cracks and stuff). Buy a frame and swing your good stuff over. Turn the HT into a SS for something different and for fitness.
I personally feel your search will never end. Its quite liberating only having one MTB- it just works everytime- cause it has to.

 

[quiggs]

Being a Rocky Mountain follower, my opinion is very biased. The Element is an amazing fun, comfortable bike, it seems to just plod along really well when out on the Sunday fun ride with mates. But put the race face on and they come to life, it just seems that the harder you push it the better it responds. It's really stable on descents, the rear end bites in well on steep sketchy climbs and depending on which model you obtain (like many others bikes out there) you can flick the switch and lock the rear end out.

quiggs

 

[silentbutdeadly]

But my descending now sucks - I simply can't belt through rock gardens with the reckless, plow-like confidence that the Fuel gives me. However, I'm faster overall on the HT 29er, so all good for racing.

I can't promise reckless plow like confidence on an XTC but give a thought to a fatter rear tyre, a low friction/plusher fork tune, some carbon bars and a compliant carbon seatpost (like a Niner RDO).

The issue you might find with the Anthem is that it might be the one bike in your fleet that does it all...but doesn't do any of it quite as well as the Fuel or XTC does some of it. And I run an Anthem 29er. But I prefer the rigid Siren HT...

A club mate has just got himself a Czar by also getting the missus a Giant Liv Lust 2...not sure that was the cheapest way of doing it but it worked!!

 

[tugboat]

Scott Scale 20 2005 carbon.

Scale 20 2005.

Bit retro, but she's still very quick up a single track.
Apart from the odd replacement here and there, never had a problem.

Pedal on weight is 10.4 kgs.


Frame: Carbon CR1 XL
Fork: Fox RLC 100
D. Front: Shimano XT
Rear: Shimano XTR
Cranks: Shimano XT
Hubs: Shimano XTR
Rims: Mavic XC717
Tires: Maxxis Ardent Race
Brakes: Shimano XT
Pedals: Shimano M505 SPD
Stem: Thomson Elite x4
Handlebar: Truvativ flatbar
Saddle: Selle Italia carbon

 

[stocktrials]

Twenty six inches until the next bike.

Frame - Merida Ninety-Nine (carbon front end/alloy rear)
Rear shock - Fox Float-A F-S CTD BV SV Remote, custom tune
Front shock/fork - custom Fox 32 Float, changed to 15mm lowers, Kashima coat, FIT CTD cartridge
Handlebars - PRO Tharsis XC, 5mm rise, 720mm
Stem - PRO Tharsis XC, 100mm x -6°
Headset - FSA
Grips - Merida foam lock-on
Saddle - PRO Turnix, Ti rails
Seatpost - Merida carbon
Front brake - Shimano XT, 160mm XTR Ice-Tech rotor
Rear brake - Shimano XT, 160mm XTR Ice-Tech rotor
Cranks - XTR 40-28
Chain - XTR
Pedals - XTR Race
Front derailleur - XTR
Rear derailleur - XTR Shadow+ short
Front shifter - XTR
Rear shifter - XTR
Cassette - XTR 11-36
Front hub - XTR 15mm
Rear hub - XTR
Front rim - XTR Race
Rear rim - XTR Race
Tyres - Maxxis Ardent Race 2.2 / Ikon 2.2
Tubes - tubeless
Total weight - 11.1kg

 

[Cúl-Báire]

^^ Nice ride, I bet it rides well!

I will leave this here! :dance:

 

[Nath8]

Are you enjoying that smooth Ti feeling.

 

[Zaf]

Was interested in getting a Hettly, guys don't answer their e-mails though. Both a friend and I sent them mails around the same time a month ago, nothing ever came from it.

 

[Cúl-Báire]

Are you enjoying that smooth Ti feeling.

Smooth as butter! I love Ti, this is not the first Ti frame I have had but it's probably the best IMO. :dance:

Was interested in getting a Hettly, guys don't answer their e-mails though. Both a friend and I sent them mails around the same time a month ago, nothing ever came from it.

Odd they were pretty responsive to my emails a month or so ago when I was chasing down some dropouts. Maybe they have had issues with their email who knows! :noidea:
I will PM you Brett's number if you would still like to get in touch with him.

 

[Zaf]

Cheers, I tried calling them as well. No answer. I ended up buying a Honzo.

 

[Pebble]

This is my baby, not that I get that much riding time these days...

2010 Apollo Taos C
Fork: Manitou Marvel Comp 120mm (replaced the Dart 2)
Wheels: ProLite Arvier 26"
Tyres: Minion DHF single ply and Larsen TT both 2.35
Brakes: Avid Juicy 3
Cranks: Truvativ Blaze, Race Face Light bash ring, Blackspire NW chainring 34T
Cassette: Sram PG950 11-32
Chain: Sram PC991
RD: Sram X9 9spd
Shifter: Sram X7 (chainging to Sram X0 grip shift with goodridge outer cable ...going full length)
Bars: Ragley Wiser Alloy Riser 740mm
Grips: ESI
Stem: Funn Funduro 60mm
Seat: WTB SST
Seat Post: Easton EA50
Pedals: DMR V12 Mag





Haha you can see the broken off double g's in the front tyre too! Tubes and slime here....

 

[Stew41]

Was interested in getting a Hettly, guys don't answer their e-mails though. Both a friend and I sent them mails around the same time a month ago, nothing ever came from it.

Same here.............multiple emails but gave me donuts.............how hard is it?

 

[steve jobs' pancreas]

My new old bike

 

[ogjon]

2011 Giant Trance(soon to be upgrading to clipless)

 

[LukeGX]

My XC bike is at the front. Giant XTC Advanced 650b.
Although not shown in this picture it now has M9000 brakes and 1x11 drivetrain.
Has XT 2x cranks but I will probably get some XT 1x cranks when available
Easton Haven bar 710mm
Giant Carbon stem
Ikon rear tyre and Nobby Nic fron tubeless
Fox CTD something or other fork (the one that came with the bike)
Giant carbon seatpost
XT SPD pedals

Next major upgrade will be the wheels. Maybe American Classics?