Banshee Live Chat Transcript

Hi All,

We thought we would share our transcript from our Chat with Banshee today:


12:46
Cane Creek: Hello Everyone, we are just waiting a few minutes for everyone to arrive. Go ahead and submit your questions. Just a reminder, that this is a moderated chat, and we will try to get to as many questions as we can!

12:58
Cane Creek: We are excited to welcome Dennis, Jon and Keith from Banshee Bikes. We are going to go ahead and get started!

1:01
Comment From ed@dirtmag
Do you feel any pressure to make carbon frames? It's just that I get the feeling that some companies have joined the carbon bandwagon not because they want to, but because they feel they have to.

1:01
Keith @ Banshee: There definitely is pressure to look at going carbon. However we are a very small brand, and so the cost for us to do carbon properly (not just using cheapest option as some do) would result in very expensive frames in order to pay off the tooling, plus we would have to change up the whole way we manufacture and build stock. So until I see some significant advancements in carbon technology I feel worthy of the very high prices, or the price of molds and fabrication reduces so that we can offer a good value product to our customers, we are going to focus on high quality state of the art alloy frames that perform at least as well as the significantly more expensive carbon competition, so not everyone has deep pockets.

1:03
Comment From ed@dirtmag
great answer!

1:04
Comment From Thorsten
Yes or no for the XV can on the Rune V2? Will I still be able to use all the travel when using the large Air Can, even if I like my suspension with less sag than the suggested 17 mm?

1:07
Cane Creek: We have been able to achieve great performance from both the regular can & the XVol can DBair on the Rune. The regular can is slightly more progressive, but you can still reach full travel. The XVol can gives a slightly more linear feel. If you like to run less sag, then I think you would prefer the feel of the regular can. However, you can add volume spacers to the XVol can to bring the volume back down to that of the regular can, which gives the rider more options.
-From Jon at Banshee

1:07
Comment From ed@dirtmag
I think what with the current trend for carbon everything some people can easily overlook a quality aluminium frame, which is a shame because as you quite rightly say they can definitely rival carbon.

1:07
Comment From DJ
Yeah, I would rather have a great AL frame than a 1/2 ass carbon one any day!

1:08
Comment From Guest
Does wheel size change the base tune? Ie 26/650b...

1:08
Keith @ Banshee: The linkage kinematics doesn’t change when going from 26” to 650b on the Rune or Spitfire. However the wheel size has an effect on the inputs to the system in some situations like square edge hits. You may want to consider slightly adjusting compression damping for 650B due to angle of attack to square edge hits of bigger wheels…. But equally many people claim 650b’s make you ride faster, so the speed could cancel this affect out… suspension tuning is such a personal thing that the best way to answer this is by getting on your bike and trying for yourself. Just remember to have fun when testing.

1:10
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
Having fun while testing is a cardinal rule

1:11
Comment From Steve
What's the best way to keep my bushing-equipped frame running as smoothly as possible?

1:11
Keith @ Banshee: Regular maintenance of bushing systems is essential. I recommend cleaning the whole system fully every few months, using lithium based grease across whole axle before reassembly. Then purge old grease every couple of weeks using the grease ports (again using lithium grease). Be sure not to over tighten the axle bolts, and replace bushings when any play becomes apparent much as you would a DU bushing.

1:13
Comment From Greg
Who do you look to for testing feedback on new frame designs?

1:13
Jon@Banshee: We take into account all sorts of rider feedback when testing frames. Not only are our proto frames ridden by our pro riders, they are also thoroughly tested by 'average' riders as their requirements can be very different to that of a pro/experienced rider. Having said that, our bikes are generally geared towards the more aggressive rider - we tend to go with slacker head angles than a lot of the competition. All 4 of us at Banshee are experienced riders & all of our protos get well & truly put through their paces on trails in BC & the UK before reaching production.

1:14
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
On the subject of grease - Purging old grease is critical. Grease is made of slippery stuff and stuff that holds the slippery stuff (thickener). If your grease is old, it may not have any slippery stuff left even though things looks well greased.

1:15
Comment From RadMon
What is your favorite food to eat when you are taking a break from all your shredding?

1:15
Jon@Banshee: We're big fans of Mexican food here at Banshee!

1:15
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
Ribs?

1:15
Comment From DJ
How has the prime been doing for you guys? Great bike but most aggressive riders are reluctant to give a 29er a chance in the AM class of bikes. Do you have any plans for any changes in the future to the bike?

1:15
Keith @ Banshee: The prime is surprising people on a daily basis with its capabilities. It’s been raced in everything from international downhill events, to multiple day ironman lung burners. For those who haven’t ridden a 29er for all mountain yet, throw a leg over a prime and it will surprise you! There are no significant changes for the Prime in the works. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

1:16
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
I had one of my favorite Whistler days ever on the Prime

1:16
Comment From DJ
Great bikes guys. Love the adjustability of the new frames. How is the prime doing for you? A 29er for your area was a big deal. Any upcoming changes planed for the prime?

1:17
Dennis@Banshee: Hi DJ,

Thanks for the question,


The Banshee Prime has been a great bike for the aggressive all mountain rider wanting the benefits of a 29" wheel. Stoked you love the adjustability for our new Ks links bikes the dropouts give you the option to set the bike for all types of trails.

There will be slight changes for shock options for the prime in2014

1:17
Comment From Borgda
What is the proper way to pronounce Rune? A friend of mine calls his bike a "Roonie." I'd like to prove him wrong.

1:17
Jon@Banshee: Its a ROON, not a ROONIE, isn't he a washed up soccer player?

1:17
Comment From Thorsten
lol@Jon

1:17
Comment From Guest
Does Keith Scott really exist, or is he Jay’s Snuffleupagus?

1:17
Keith @ Banshee: What the hell is a snuffleupagus?? Should I be scared of them? In Scotland the only animal to be wary of is the highland wild Haggis.

1:18
Comment From Guest!
I just adopted a RoonDog!

1:18
Comment From Pete
Lovin' the RuneV2 DBAir combo! Can't think of a question so simply thanks!

1:19
Cane Creek: Thanks Pete!

1:19
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
I wear a Roonskin hat

1:20
Comment From Cane Creek Brandon
I am going Roon hunting later tonight!

1:20
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
get me a new hat!

1:20
Cane Creek: **No Roons were harmed in the typing of the chat.

1:21
Comment From Thorsten
So how would this maintenance interval apply for the bearings on a Rune/ Spitfire frame? Does the Legend use bushings or bearings?

1:22
Keith @ Banshee: The rune and spitfire V2’s, and the legend all use high quality fully sealed cartridge bearings throughout, so require very little maintenance. I did this on purpose so that you can spend more time riding your bike, and less time working on it. Turning the bearings once every few months should help lengthen bearing life, and you may want to consider replacing them on a yearly basis for best performance if they feel worn.

1:22
Comment From Benny
Keith/Jon, you guys have a number of bikes in the stable, most of which see ongoing development over the years. You also drop a new frame every so often. As a small company, how do you prioritize where your efforts go?

1:22
Jon@Banshee: Hi Benny, we look at all sorts of factors when deciding on what frames we should produce/investigate producing. We look at what is popular in the industry at the time & trends that we feel will take off, but we always ensure that we stick to our key brand values & produce bikes that we actually want to ride.

1:24
Comment From mtbAndy
Any thoughts on a shorter travel ~120mm 27.5" bike?

1:24
Dennis@Banshee: Hi Andy,

Thanks for your question

a shorter travel 650b Banshee could be an option, if we see enough demand for this style of bike

1:25
Comment From Thorsten
Do you guys think the geometry of nowadays bikes has reached an end in terms of "slackness", or do you think their will be more changes coming in the next few years? Are you guys working on a super secret project, or am I on the safe side if I invest my hard earned money into a 2013 frame?

1:25
Jon@Banshee: Hi Thorsten, I think that we have reached a point now where geometry is pretty dialled. I don't think that there is any advantage to going much slacker. Different wheel sizes can make a big difference to the geometry required, but I feel that as a brand, we know what works for our style of bike in all 3 wheel sizes now & for all styles of bike. I think that you would be very happy with a 2013 Banshee & that it would serve you well for many years.

1:26
Comment From ed@dirtmag
do you really think frames can be made to work well with more than one wheel size. Nobody ever seemed to manage to do it with dirt jump bikes....

1:26
Comment From ed@dirtmag
or maybe i should ask do you think your bikes work better with one wheel size over the other?

1:26
Keith @ Banshee: I definitely feel that a frame can be made to work well with different wheel sizes. It gives the rider the choice of how he want to set up his own bike. The geometry info is there for them to look at, so I always let the customer decide what is best for them in terms of suspension setup and build parts, which includes wheel sizes. Every customer is different, has different riding style, preferences, ability and terrain available to them. So I always let the customer chose what is best for them, and the more options I can offer them the better.

1:27
Comment From Cane Creek Sarah
How do you know if someone at a party is a Vegan?

1:27
Jon@Banshee: How do you know if someone at a party is a pro rider?

Don't worry - they will tell you!

1:29
Comment From Guest
All I have to say is my 2013 Spitfire 650B w/ CCDB Air has turned out to be an amazing combo!

1:29
Cane Creek: Awesome!

1:30
Comment From Mike
when/where can we find Banshee Hats/shirt/jocks? My Prime has made me Banshee to the core and I want to show some love.

1:30
Dennis@Banshee: Hi Mike,

Thanks for your quistion

We are plaining to have some Banshee merchandise in the near future.

Some of you distributors have limited stock of Banshee tees, for availability please contact the Banshee bikes distributor in your country
http://bansheebikes.com/international-dealers

1:31
Comment From Cane Creek Holly
You can borrow one from Brandon - he has about 10.

1:32
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
Brandon is our in-house Banshee rep

1:32
Comment From Nobby
Other than loving bikes, what made Keith want to get into bike designing? Greatest achievement/biggest mistake?* What advice would you give to any young budding bike designers out there? *not just in life generally, but about bike stuff

1:32
Keith @ Banshee: Loving bikes is a HUGE part of why I am a bike designer. I turned down jobs that paid double my current salary to do what I’m doing. I suspect the same could be said for many people who work in industries they love.
Greatest achievement: I’m very proud of every bike in our range, so I guess that is it.
Biggest mistake: Oh, that’s a tough one. I guess when I started I felt that I know it all, and didn’t think enough about manufacturing side… but mistakes are part of life, and are there to help you learn and improve.
Advice: Well I got to where I am by doing a masters in mechanical engineering, and specialising on linkage kinematics…. So work hard and follow your passions and you’ll get wherever you want to go.

1:33
Comment From ed@dirtmag
cider or ale?

1:33
Keith @ Banshee: Cider! Oooo arrrr!

1:34
Cane Creek: The Cane Creek team says Beer. Beer City USA!

1:34
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
and shine

1:34
Comment From Cane Creek Holly
Moonshine!

1:35
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
I second Keith's comments on pursuing your passion. It helps to love what you do do when you are making products you want people to love.

1:36
Comment From Rosscobossco
Any thoughts as to creating a more XC version of the Prime 29er? Lighter, 4"-5" travel would be sweet!

1:36
Jon@Banshee: Hi Rosscobossco... You may have seen some photos of a new shorter travel 29er prototype from Sea Otter. If the Prime is a 29er Rune, then this new bike will be a 29er Spitfire. Look out for a 2015 release & keep an eye on our Facebook page for more info.

1:36
Comment From mtbAndy
If you had to pick one bike from the Banshee bike that would be your only bike, which would it be?

1:36
Keith @ Banshee: For me it would probably be a Rune V2 with a 160mm fork. And maybe 2 wheelsets (a light one and a DH capable heavier one). With this I could ride everything from all day trail epics to steep gnarly DH. It would be my quiver killer if I wasn’t lucky enough to have a quiver.

1:37
Comment From Cane Creek Holly
Quite a bit of passion and love there engineers.

1:37
Comment From Mr. Dreds
Are you thinking of a 650 version of the Legend?

1:37
Jon@Banshee: This is definitely something we're looking at... Keep an eye out at Crankworx, Whistler this summer.

1:38
Comment From Mr. Dreds
26 is dead.

1:39
Comment From Ryan D
Question for Cane Creek, when will the DB have finger turning knobs?

1:40
Cane Creek: There are currently no plans to have finger turning knobs because of bike fitment concerns.

1:40
Comment From Guest
So, when's the expected release date for the shorter travel Phantom 29er shown at Sea Otter? Any significant changes ot the design shown at SO?

1:40
Jon@Banshee: We expect to have the Phantom out in MY15, so hopefully by next summer. Not too much will change from the proto that was at Sea Otter, but we are still working on geometry & deciding on the necessary travel. I think we'll settle at 110mm.

1:40
Keith @ Banshee: The Phantom will be released when we feel it is ready. We don’t like rushing products to market; we always take our time to make sure the product is dialled first. So it depends how testing goes on the mules, but so far feedback is very positive, so it may be available in the next year… watch this space!

1:40
Comment From mtbAndy
Boo @Mr. Dreds 26 will always have a place in my heart

1:40
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
And in my stable

1:41
Comment From mensch
With the new rune, spitfire and legend colours for 2013, is the Amp going to get new colours as well?

1:41
Jon@Banshee: The Amp is going to be fluoro yellow & raw for 2013

1:41
Comment From mtbAndy
Any chance Banshee will be doing any demo tours? I'd really like to try one out.

1:41
Dennis@Banshee: Hi Andy,

To find out when the next Banshee bikes demo is going to be, please contact the Banshee bikes distributor in your country
http://bansheebikes.com/international-dealers

1:43
Comment From MorganT@NSMB.com
Noting the irony of a Canadian company liking Mexican food after a ride... there's Mexican food here in Canada?

1:43
Jon@Banshee: There's a new place in Whistler Morgan... We should go check it out!

1:45
Comment From Scotty
Hey guys, I have a Rune V2 with a Fox CTD. Didnt like the Fox so have a CCBD Air arriving in the post any day. A couple of questions - when fitting the mount axle to the shock do I simply hammer (nicely) it in there or is there a special tool required to press it in? Also, will the Rune feel nicer with the XV chamber, is it worth swapping out to it?

1:45
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
The DBair for your Rune V2 should come with the proper mounting hardware. It will simply bolt right in if you bought the shock specifically for your bike. If for some reason you don't have the proper DBair hardware, then you can get some from your local shop.

1:45
Cane Creek: Scotty, email us at info@canecreek.com and we can help you find out the shop closest to you.

1:46
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
The Fox CTD hardware fits slightly different because it uses split bushings with external flanges. Hardware from a Fox RP23 will fit fine.

1:46
Comment From Ryan D
Good choice on the DBa for your rune. My buddy has the CTD and I have the DBa. my Rune feels way better. Although his still feels excellent

1:46
Comment From Rachid
I recently picked up a banshee spitfire v2 and I have a 170mm lyrik coil, knowing that the bike was designed around a 160 fork, how much of a disadvantage would I be at my running the slightly longer fork? thanks

1:47
Keith @ Banshee: The spitfire is only covered under warranty for forks in the 140-160mm range, so I’d suggest you internally reduce your travel to 160mm. In terms of riding performance, if a fork is too long for a bike, the front gets ‘floppy’ and weight distribution is compromised.

1:47
Comment From Milk
Jon, is it true that you know Ozzy Osbourne?

1:47
Jon@Banshee: I have met Ozzy, but more interestingly, Dennis' dad has a Black Sabbath tattoo.

1:49
Comment From Thorsten
Keith, if you had to chose between 26" and 27.5", what would you take? Only one option available

1:49
Keith @ Banshee: Personally I like the playfulness of 26” wheels, so that’s what I run on my spitfire currently. But if I wanted to focus on speed I’d go 650b, as they are a bit faster.

1:49
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
are you saying that Ozzy is Dennis' father?

1:49
Jon@Banshee: The bat population of Squamish is at an all time low... Make of that what you will!

1:51
Comment From earle b
What about the population of strange dudes on the side of the river in Squamish?

1:51
Jon@Banshee: all time high!

1:51
Comment From Ryan D
Other than perhaps a 650b option, are their any significant changes to the Legend in the works?

1:51
Keith @ Banshee: Well, I have a whole load of tweaks and ideas on my Legend ‘to do’ list. But If I told you now, I’d ruin the surprise!

1:52
Comment From Mike
You guys nailed it with the Prime. I've had others and they never really got the aggressive nature down. Even when the were hyped as having it. People are finally getting now. You can absolutely rip on a 29er done the right way.

1:54
Comment From harpie34
It is pretty recent that Cane Creek shocks are available on Banshee bikes. What was the reason for offering them?

1:54
Jon@Banshee: Hi Harpie, we are stoked to be working with Cane Creek - we feel that their shocks offer a real performance advantage & they are a great match for Banshee bikes.

1:54
Cane Creek: Thank you!

1:55
Comment From Steve
Should we expect the KS-link to find it’s way to bigger bikes, like the Legend and the Wildcard?

1:55
Keith @ Banshee: Different riding disciplines require different areas to be focused on, as different parameters need to be optimised for best performance in said discipline. The KS link works great for trail / all mountain bikes, but the legend benefits from a lower shock location and axle path, and so will not be switching to the KS link. As for wildcard and scythe… well, you’ll just have to keep an eye on the whistler line up this summer for something new!

1:56
Comment From Edward the Painter
I currently ride a Banshee Chaparral with 180 mm forks and love the feel and the geometry! What in the 2013 line up would feel closest to what I am used to now.

1:56
Jon@Banshee: Hi Edward, you could try a Rune with a 160 or a 180mm fork. This would be a much more versatile bike than the Chaparral (i.e. it would climb well), but it would be extremely capable on the descents.

1:56
Comment From rivers@themountainbikelife.com
Any rework of the Scythe coming soon?

1:56
Jon@Banshee: Watch this space!

1:57
Cane Creek: Alright we have time for a few more questions....

1:57
Comment From CaneCreekJosh
Is it possible to own one bike?

1:58
Keith @ Banshee: Urban Myth!

1:58
Comment From Adik
why is it such a big problem with the availability of a new frames Rune v2 and Spitfire v2. When they will be available again (in Poland for example

1:58
Jon@Banshee: Hi Adik, we are working hard to make more frames available. Demand is really high at the moment & we hope to have more frames out to our international distributors in the near future.

1:59
Cane Creek: OK it's time for our last question:

1:59
Comment From Cane Creek
And now for our final question - courtesy of our Pinkbike friend Sweatypants...The Rune is amazingly awesome, what type of seat do you recommend for the constant erection I get when I'm riding it?

2:00
Jon@Banshee: Not sure what you mean... Something like this? http://www.stevestenzel.com/photos4/ff_bike_seat_placement.jpg

2:00
Comment From Cane Creek
Yes - exactly like that.

2:00
Cane Creek: Thank you so much to Dennis, Jon and Keith for joining us today!

2:01
Cane Creek: Signing off from the Cane Creek crew....Josh, Holly, Sarah, Malcolm and Brandon

2:01



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