Banshee2011 Paradox
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Love this bike! I've been on it since November as I save up for a more Enduro rig but have just kept the money and kept riding it...
Banshee2011 Paradox
(MSRP $2075)
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I came off riding a Scirocco which was voted best of MTBR and suprisingly was voted best of MTBR.com even after it was discontinued.
The Paradox was a personal pet project and I wanted to take the best the Scirocco had and get it into a 29r package as I knew the bigger wheel would make the Scirocco even better.
So it took a bit of arm twisting of Keith to get the Scotsman to buy into the whole thing, but with guys like Crazy and Sane Fred both helping to bring him over to the darkside we got our way.
Not giving a shout out to Ryan C for his insights into this design would be amiss as well.
The neat thing about the Paradox is at first glance you think... meh another 29r hardtail.
Its seriously special tho and blends everything I ever wanted in a hardtail. Its light, strong, and stiff but has a softness in the vertical department... partly the wheels and partly the shock block, its an aluminum frame that won't punish your ass after the 4th hour in the saddle.
How about ISCG mounts... If you ever get a chance to try the Hammerschmidt it feels pretty awesome on the Paradox and comes with the cable guides and fit to easily bolt one on.
We designed the bike around a 120mm fork for an all mountain application because i like to catch the odd bit of air and jibbing down the trail is always way more fun then just taking the easy line down. I like to have fun when i'm riding so this 29r had to be born to play with the trail. First time i rode it i knew we nailed it... so easy to get the front up to bunny hop over logs, quick and nimble through the tight switchbacks and add the larger tire patch and I was amazed how well it gripped in the corners when it got greasy [nod to the 2.3 WTB Stouts].
Oh yeah speaking of which how about running a normal front derailleur and a Racing Ralph 2.4 - this bike was made to accept some pretty fat tires.
Very confident in the air as well, much like my trusty Scirocco from past seasons.
I really wish I could convey how much this bike has rekindled the feelings when i first discovered mountain biking. Its just such a cool breath of fresh air and email after email from Paradox riders confirms its not just me that feels this way.
all this talk!!!... time to go for a ride :)
Specifications Compare to other All Mountain/Enduro/XC
| Price | $2,075 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Fox 32 F29 - 120mm | |
| Cassette | SRAM PG-970 | |
| Crankarms | Race Face Evolve | |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM X9 | |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano SLX | |
| Shifter Pods | SRAM X5 | |
| Handlebar | Race Face Ride XC | |
| Stem | Race Face Ride XC | |
| Brakes | Avid Elixir 5 | |
| Hubs | Banshee | |
| Rim | Sun Ringle EQ 27 | |
| Tires | GEAX Gato 2.3 | |
| Seat | WTB Silverado Comp OE | |
| Seatpost | Banshee |
Downsides. I have tried to run racing ralphs but the clearence is very tight for a 2.4. I have switched to Panaracer Rampages which, despite being 2.35, fit well. I think banshee has addressed this for the 2012 frame.
Bottomline, this is a fantastic frame and can be built in any number of ways. Riding the Paradox reminds me of those halcyon days of yore, where the ride brought smiles and the bike was your vessel to adventure. Awesome!