Frame ideas for my next build

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Frame ideas for my next build
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flag jwellford
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Posted: May 20, 2020 at 9:18 Quote
Hi all, I’m hoping you could throw out some of your favorite frames in the 130-150mm rear travel range to help me choose my second mountain bike. I’m looking for something on the aggressive end of the trail category, to complement my first bike (Lux, 100mm front and rear, stiff race style suspension). I do all my own work and lean toward the direct sales model, most bang for my buck, but also happy to get a frame from my local shop (Santa Cruz & Trek I think) if I choose to go with one of their brands’ frames.

My local trails (Adirondacks) are always up and down and usually quite rocky and technical, with a handful of flow trails too. I’d like to be able to tackle super steep trails or even the bike park a few times a year as well, and am fine with being under-biked for those days.

Currently looking at frames like the Commencal Meta TR or YT Jeffsy. I’m open to a complete build too if it makes sense, like the Jeffsy Pro build at $3900 for a carbon frame and similar components to what I would choose.

What do you all like for a bike like this? Thanks!
flag alaskarider89
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Posted: May 20, 2020 at 9:50 Quote
im kind of in the same boat (also have a recent thread poking around about the topic "poppy long travel 29er")... except i have a DH rig as well and looking for something in the middle...a long travel and poppy rig. right now i have my eyes set on a Cube Stereo 170 SL....insane amount of value for what you are getting. its long travel but most are calling it a long travel trail rig rather than an enduro do to its short chainstay. it is a complete bike (i know you mentioned you wanted to build up) but there little to fault on their build spec, especially at the SL trim level.

ohhhh and the Loamwolf has very high praise of the Spot Rollik 150 which might be just what your looking for. https://theloamwolf.com/2019/12/06/review-spot-rollik-150/
flag russellherman
Posted: May 20, 2020 at 9:56 Quote
jwellford wrote:
Hi all, I’m hoping you could throw out some of your favorite frames in the 130-150mm rear travel range to help me choose my second mountain bike. I’m looking for something on the aggressive end of the trail category, to complement my first bike (Lux, 100mm front and rear, stiff race style suspension). I do all my own work and lean toward the direct sales model, most bang for my buck, but also happy to get a frame from my local shop (Santa Cruz & Trek I think) if I choose to go with one of their brands’ frames.

My local trails (Adirondacks) are always up and down and usually quite rocky and technical, with a handful of flow trails too. I’d like to be able to tackle super steep trails or even the bike park a few times a year as well, and am fine with being under-biked for those days.

Currently looking at frames like the Commencal Meta TR or YT Jeffsy. I’m open to a complete build too if it makes sense, like the Jeffsy Pro build at $3900 for a carbon frame and similar components to what I would choose.

What do you all like for a bike like this? Thanks!

Check out Ferrum bikes. Hand made steel frames out of Vegas. great value for what you get and if you want something a little different steel bikes are pretty unique. Also supporting location US custom manufactures is always good. I have the 170mm option as my do it all rig and love it.They have options in the travel range you mentioned and may be worth a look. Loving mine and they do offer some degree of customization with the order. Good luck on your search.

I did start a thread under Ferrum Bikes https://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=215914&pagenum=2#commentid6853696
flag 2zmtnz
O+
Posted: May 20, 2020 at 11:10 Quote
jwellford wrote:
Hi all, I’m hoping you could throw out some of your favorite frames in the 130-150mm rear travel range to help me choose my second mountain bike. I’m looking for something on the aggressive end of the trail category, to complement my first bike (Lux, 100mm front and rear, stiff race style suspension). I do all my own work and lean toward the direct sales model, most bang for my buck, but also happy to get a frame from my local shop (Santa Cruz & Trek I think) if I choose to go with one of their brands’ frames.

My local trails (Adirondacks) are always up and down and usually quite rocky and technical, with a handful of flow trails too. I’d like to be able to tackle super steep trails or even the bike park a few times a year as well, and am fine with being under-biked for those days.

Currently looking at frames like the Commencal Meta TR or YT Jeffsy. I’m open to a complete build too if it makes sense, like the Jeffsy Pro build at $3900 for a carbon frame and similar components to what I would choose.

What do you all like for a bike like this? Thanks!

Check out Guerrilla Gravity's 29ers
pistola (over shocked trail pistol for 130mm)
The SMASH (145mm)

I would also say the SB130 is a darn good choice for the ADK's
flag jwellford
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Posted: May 21, 2020 at 8:03 Quote
Thanks for the great suggestions, I’m intrigued by a few of them for sure.
flag jwellford
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Posted: May 21, 2020 at 8:06 Quote
russellherman wrote:
Check out Ferrum Bikes

These look amazing. I’m not sure the weight weenie in me is ok with a 4kg frame, but I might get over that.
flag jwellford
O+
Posted: May 21, 2020 at 8:08 Quote
2zmtnz wrote:
Check out Guerrilla Gravity's 29ers
pistola (over shocked trail pistol for 130mm)
The SMASH (145mm)

I would also say the SB130 is a darn good choice for the ADK's

The Smash seems ideal. I have a Stans flow wheelset ready for whatever I build: would I need to re-dish the hub? Confused by the offset...
flag jwellford
O+
Posted: May 21, 2020 at 8:44 Quote
alaskarider89 wrote:
im kind of in the same boat (also have a recent thread poking around about the topic "poppy long travel 29er")... except i have a DH rig as well and looking for something in the middle...a long travel and poppy rig. right now i have my eyes set on a Cube Stereo 170 SL....insane amount of value for what you are getting. its long travel but most are calling it a long travel trail rig rather than an enduro do to its short chainstay. it is a complete bike (i know you mentioned you wanted to build up) but there little to fault on their build spec, especially at the SL trim level.

ohhhh and the Loamwolf has very high praise of the Spot Rollik 150 which might be just what your looking for. https://theloamwolf.com/2019/12/06/review-spot-rollik-150/

Thanks for the ideas, I hadn’t heard of either of these. The Spot looks great but I’m pretty set on a 29er (already have the wheelset even). The Cube geometry is a little old school in the 150, same reach as my several year old XC bike. Looking for something closer to 475 in size L I think.
flag 2zmtnz
O+
Posted: May 21, 2020 at 13:01 Quote
jwellford wrote:
2zmtnz wrote:
Check out Guerrilla Gravity's 29ers
pistola (over shocked trail pistol for 130mm)
The SMASH (145mm)

I would also say the SB130 is a darn good choice for the ADK's

The Smash seems ideal. I have a Stans flow wheelset ready for whatever I build: would I need to re-dish the hub? Confused by the offset...

the rear offset is on their website:
"Rear spacing: 12 x 148 Boost rear hub, offset 3 mm to the drive side for optimal chainline and clearance"
If you have more questions shoot GG an email/call (they are always quick to answer) or contact your local shop.

If you are in the ADK's I would also say contact/ go see Leepoff cycles in Keene Valley as he sells (or at least he did sell in 2016) GG's and can give you more information especially if you have existing parts you want to make sure will work.
flag jwellford
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Posted: May 21, 2020 at 13:14 Quote
I didn’t realize Leepoff was a GG shop. Good info, I’ll ask Mark. Thanks!
flag 2zmtnz
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Posted: May 21, 2020 at 13:29 Quote
jwellford wrote:
I didn’t realize Leepoff was a GG shop. Good info, I’ll ask Mark. Thanks!

I don't see him as a "demo center" on the GG website currently but he definitely would still know the bikes and the offset's since things have not changed between the metal/ revved frames all that much.

Also don't forget whiteface bikepark is having a sale SAT and SUN this weekend at Highpeaks cyclery (if I didn't now live in the PNW I would be trying to purchase the main road sign or trail map) here is a link to DH mikes post.
https://www.pinkbike.com/photo/18713366/
flag WasatchEnduro
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Posted: May 21, 2020 at 14:32 Quote
That's a great category to be shopping in.

My recent semi-finalists were the Sentinel (still some v1s on sale on their site!), Smash, Banshee Prime v3 (gorgeous frame), Jeffsy29, and Ripmo AF.

When it came time to pull the trigger i had narrowed it down to the unridden Banshee (custom build) and the AF. went with the AF (4 weeks on it now) but half the time I do wonder if I should have gone Banshee or Sentinel. No buyers remorse but damn there are so many awesome sleds in this category.

If you're looking to save bucks, the AF is like $1800 frame only, which is awesome. Banshee Prime $2200 and carbon Sentinel sale price $2400 on their site currently. All including rear shock.
flag no-good-ideas
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Posted: May 21, 2020 at 16:43 Quote
Banshee Prime v3?

Edit: I see now it's been mentioned already. But the prime looks like a great bike for this.
flag jwellford
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Posted: May 22, 2020 at 17:53 Quote
I ended up finding a complete bike locally and bought it today. Fezzari La Sal Peak! Maybe a little more bike than I’d planned but it feels great. Thanks everyone for all the ideas—reading the specs of all the bikes mentioned really helped me when picking out the Fezzari.
flag WasatchEnduro
O+
Posted: May 22, 2020 at 18:52 Quote
jwellford wrote:
I ended up finding a complete bike locally and bought it today. Fezzari La Sal Peak! Maybe a little more bike than I’d planned but it feels great. Thanks everyone for all the ideas—reading the specs of all the bikes mentioned really helped me when picking out the Fezzari.

A solid choice! I know plenty of shredders on the LSP and have taken one out before. Similar in performance both up and down to the Ripmo.
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