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Demo XC bike


Supagav's picture

By Supagav - Posted on 28 August 2008

Hey, do you guys know of anyone bike shops that has demo XC race bikes in XL?
Im starting the hunt for a new race bike and was hoping to be able to ride a few bikes before buying.....
Im looking for a fully with XT or better.

Cheers for your help
Gav

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Rob's picture

Hmmmm... it's hard enough to find an 'L' for demo. You could try and ring around the usual suspects (BA, CBD, etc) but think it's a big ask.

Best way to demo bikes is to get cheeky on group rides and ask you're mates. Smiling

Supagav's picture

Yeah I know that is what I was think would be the case, You dont know if you dont ask though.
I have started doing the ringaround thing with no luck as yet...

Rob's picture

What are you looking at? Just ask next time we're out if you want a fang on the Rush.

Supagav's picture

Im thinking a Scalpel, Anthem X or Epic at the moment.
the bike would be a pure XC race bike as the 29er is really my trail bike.
Is there anything else I should consider I wonder maybe a Scott Spark.

ADRIAN B's picture

i may have a large scalpel team in a week or two if you want to test ride it? dont forget scalpel have longgggggg top tubes.

mate might want to check this out good value.
http://northernbeachescycles.com.au/shop/product...

Paul's picture

Gav, don't forget to check out a Yeti AS-R (Carbon or alloy).

I have a medium where I usually ride large in other bikes, so a large Yeti may suit and also be easier to get a demo on.

Supagav's picture

The yeti would be a sweet ride as well. problem is I really like leftys!!!!!

I would be very keen to take the large for a spin at some stage....

Rob's picture

Young Supagav, I believe this is the Yeti that you seek (although for the $$$ you'd have to spend to get it - go a Scalpel):

http://forums.mtbr.com/showpost.php?p=4604507&po...
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=4604507#...

There's pictures if you are logged into MTBR.

ar_junkie's picture

Now that is light!
Shocked

Supagav's picture

Man that would be almost my dream bike!!!!! I wonder how it rides?
probably costs a bit too...

CB's picture

Does look like a dream come true...

I just recently went from hardtail to dual suspension. Sold my Cannondale F1 and bought a Yeti 575 with race kit ( plus Xmax ST's).

I tried the Rize 3 demo bike which was great but not quite as good as the 575 ( i know these are not xc bikes but it still seemed relevant...) I commented at the time that I would love the 575 with the Lefty 130 carbon SL fork ( headset diameter notwithstanding). I've got it with a Revelation 426 which is a great fork but just not quite as direct as the Lefty on my old F1( I imagine that Robs QR15 Fox could be the answer ?) . The other interesting thing is that while I'm a large on the Cannondale, I'm a medium on the Yeti, in fact my mate who is 4 inches taller thinks the medium 575 is pretty much perfect for him. There's a AS-R ( alloy) on the floor down at CBD.... looks beautiful but I don't know what size it is.

For what it's worth, I think the 575 is fantastic but haven't ridden the AS-R.

bri's picture

hey gav you know there is know there no better bike the yeti asr.ask your better half..aye!!!

Supagav's picture

I was in at CBD Having a look around yesterday as it happens. CBD have a demo day coming up on the 14 of sept so I will be trying to get my hands on a bike or two then.

Im rather looking forward to it!!!!

Alysum's picture

but how long will you be able to borrow it for? not the best place to try out bikes the CBD :S

Tom

CB's picture

I borrowed CBD's brand new Cannondale Rize 3 demo as well as their equally brand new Yeti 575 demo. Both times I had the bike for the weekend to take to whichever trails I wanted... a few laps of the dam as well as the Quarry Road track hillfest in Hornsby. Great way to test them out on trails you know well. They have lots more demo's you can try....

The problem with doing consecutive weekends is that you tend to forget what the previous bike was like.

The demo day sounds great for direct comparisons. ( I couldn't make the last one unfortunately). Check with the guys as to which bikes they will have at the demo day... some from Santa Cruz, GT and Kona as well as Cannondale and Yeti I'd suspect ( they usually have a wide selection of posts and stems to fit as many people as possible... not sure how big they go though....) Steve Peat and Greg Minaar had some of their demo bikes out last week so you will be in good company !

Can't speak highly enough of the service from CBD.

If anyone is interested, the Rize was really impressive too...just got shaded by the 575 after a great deal of deliberation.

CB

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