Mountain Biking - Chumba Racing

Has anyone heard of Chumba Racing? Particularly, I'd be interesting in hearing about the XC bike, the XCL, if anyone has any experience with it. An LBS may be picking it and he was saying it's pretty sweet. Of course, like I said, he may be selling them shortly.:rolleyes:

I do mostly non-competitive riding right now but may start getting into racing for next year, FWIW.

They used to call themselves Chumba Wumba. I know them mostly for their DH hardware; if their XC frames are of comparable quality, it should be a good machine.

Okay lets try this, PICS!

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m134/tommyo_58/ChumbaXCLSide.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m134/tommyo_58/ChumbaXCL3-4view.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m134/tommyo_58/chumba_xcl_BB.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m134/tommyo_58/chumba_XCL_dropout.jpg

And Geometry:
Frame Size Small Medium Large
Top Tube Length 22.5" 23.5" 24"
Head Tube Angle 69 69 69
Head Tube Length 4.5" 5.0" 5.5"
Head Tube Diameter 1.125" 1.125" 1.125"
Seat Tube Angle 73 73 73
Chainstay Length 16.75" 16.75" 16.75"
Wheelbase 42.5" 43" 44"
Bottom Bracket Height 13.5" 13.5" 13.5"
Bottom Bracket Width 73mm 73mm 73mm
Seat Post Diameter 31.6mm 31.6mm 31.6mm
Disc Brake Mount Yes Yes Yes
Rear Travel 4.5" 4.5" 4.5"


So, with the head tube angle being a 69 deg., is it more like AM geo than XC? I thought the web site had weights as well, but I can't find them now... I think it's a little on the heavy side as well (compared to a Racer X). Am I off base thinking it's more AM oriented?

hi, there are many reviews at mtbr about the xcl frame. go to http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=122

from what i have read, it is a pretty beefy machine for a 4 inch travel bike. definately not comparable to the racer x. in fact if you go to that link above you will find a thread in which the bike is compared to the motolite (5 inch version of racer x) and those guys found the xcl beefier and a little heavier and a little more stable on the downs. i think the xcl is okayed by the chumba people for 5.5 inch travel forks. so yep, definately not an light weight xc machine (as in not for racers etc), but sure looks like a very fun bike. if i had the cash and the bike fit me well, id buy it in a heartbeat. i love the way the bike looks and the gussets are very beautiful. they leave one side of the gusset unwelded cuz that way it offers more strength? eh, i dont know, might be market speak, but i sure am willing to buy it, its a beautiful frame!

Oh! The forums! I looked for it in the review section without any found. Thanks for the link. Who would've thought there would be a forum dedicated to the manufacturer? I'll have to peruse that later.