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Is this the ultimate bike for Manly Dam
Was going to look at converting my Sworks Epic to 650B, but I reckon that its a good chance to wreck it as its not really built for Manly Dam type tracks which is the majority of my riding these days.
I think this thing will blow the socks of at Manly Dam. What are your thoughts? To me it looks like a good mix of everything!
http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/bronson-carbon/
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http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/solo_carbon/
if i had to have a 1 bike to do it all (which I do)
I'd go for the longer travel Bronson
Just a bit more versatile so you can get out on some hairier trails without your balls shrinking too much
If you need a 1 bike do it all but like a bit of racing, go the shorter travel Solo
You'd be unlikely to be disappointed with either
For those that really can only have one bike, make that one a Pivot Firebird. I'm not clever enough to post a photo. So look it up yourselves.
Trust me though, it's awesome. They can be built heavy and tough or light and still tough. And, for those who are fond of band wagons and jumping upon them, it's now available in 650B!
Much has been said of DW link suspension. This version of it is the very best. Read some reviews and learn how this bike can scratch up the loosest climb and get down all but the very steepest descents.
5" travel is really the most you need at Manly Dam on a 26er, on a 29er or 650b you could easily get away with 4".
If you think you might want to hit up Red HIll though, then a 6" (150mm) travel bike with its slacker geometry will make life more comfortable and less faceplant-ey.
How would MD wreck your Epic?
FWIW I think the Bronson is overkill for MD. Have you seen the SC Solo? Perfect bike for most of the northern beaches tracks.
On my Cyclocross bike.
32mm tyres, No suspension, Canti brakes and drop bars.
It's not easy and it shakes the hell out of you.
It makes you realise how nice a full suss Mtb is!
Keep your eye out for a second hand Mojo
http://digitalhippie.net/ibis-mojo-hdr/ibis-mojo...
I was thinking of a larger travel bike than my epic for a couple of reasons. My best lap on my Epic (9.6kg) is 31:50. There isn't much difference between that and my Spesh Enduro (14kg), which my best time was 32:20. It may well be my riding style, but a 4.4kg lighter, less travel bike was nowhere near as comfy. I still think that I could have pushed the Enduro harder, maybe even matching the Epic.
The plushness of the longer travel bike makes it stick a lot better, other people's opinions may differ, but that is for me.
So I am looking at getting a single bike to do all, which in turn includes no races as I feel I have a better time riding with my mates and would rather put race entry money to bikes and travel, not races.
Am thinking about a Stumpy or Bronson
In that case, i would strongly consider looking at the Mojo HDR.
It has a huge variety of configuration from 160mm travel rear + 180mm travel front with 26" wheels, down to 130mm F&R with 650b with options in between.
That gives you a range of possibilities that match the SC Solo, SC Bronson and your Enduro in one bike with just a swap of wheels, forks and shocks.
Matt P, that's precisely why I posted that link above.
It is also one of the few reviews I have seen where the reviewer has taken the exact same bike to the same trails two days in row with the only difference being the wheel size. Most comparison reviews between 'tweeners and 26" use "similar" bikes.
There are also good links within that original link that show how to convert
Huh? you make it sound like Manly Dam is like......errr a lot harder than it is. LOL
but geez I wouldn't knock that bike back. LOL. It loks like a real weapon.
Sounds like a lovely Bike. Perhaps it should travel to OMV or Mt Stromlo or parhaps even Rotorhur. Or even Red Hill.
I have been looking at the Bronson for a while and then the Solo comes out and thinking Im a bit more swayed to this. The bigger question is to make the jump to the new size wheels and if its really going to be more beneficial.
Currently have a 4 yr old Stumpy which I loved and cherished but would love to test a test ride on one of them, unfortunately the only places that sell SCs here do not have any test rigs
There is nothing difficult about MD, I personally just think it is better with a longer travel bike, more enjoyable. Plus I would like to explore more of Red Hill as well.
Don't get me wrong, the S Works epic is an amazing bike, but pretty much a race machine. I don't see a lot of fun factor compared to the others I'm interested in. Once again, it's personal preference and riding style.
The other bike I'm interested in is the Intense Carbine, this also has the option to change dropouts to convert between 26 & 650b.
your riding these days blootster?
Hey Matt - long time no see mate
You up there in the proper mountains again with Bernd
I got a 2010 stumpy - straight steerer, 9mm QR, 3 x 9, so a bit behind the times, but it goes pretty good
Bloke i ride with just picked up a Stumpy 29'er (evo I think) and proceeded to school me on the single track
Out trail is tight and twisty and I can't believe how well the 29'er handles it - really p'd me off lol
He did come off an old SC Nomad boat anchor, but says the bike is AMAZING
Another guy has a Specialized enduro 26'er - the new 29'er is only a few mm longer in the wheelbase I think it is
When I look for a new bike in a few years, I certainly won't discount the other wheel sizes
i reckon they are progressing fast with less drawbacks each year
What have you got these days
i see the photos on FB, but can't make the bike out
Got the frame for a grand off torpedo 7 and built it up.It switches between 140mm and 165mm rear travel if you invert the shock, with 150mm up front.Goes pretty well about even though at 15kgs these days is considered a tank. But since i gave up the booze and dropped 10kgs it seems pretty fast and Bernd def couldnt keep up on his 10kg titanium hardtail 26b!haha
just seen on santa cruz website they have upgraded the heckler to 27.5, does make me think they are getting rid of 26' all together. makes the purchase of a new bike harder and harder does it not?
Only until you try a 'tweener
Interesting reading and all very objective of course
Most would offer an opinion on either what they ride or would wish to ride. The only true test is to ride bikes until you find one you like. Travel - I have a whopping 75 mm up front and nothing on the back and that's no issue at Manly Dam at all, anything more than that should be "better" for those that feel the need.