Mountain Biking - Short travel beefcakers...

I'm more interested in what there is for stout 4" bikes, but 5" and less...I know of a few, but let's see what y'all come up with:

Norco 4-X
http://www.bike-alog.com/bikepedia/Helpers/thumb2.aspx?w=400&h=400&filename=2009-norco-4x.jpg


Norco Empire 5
http://www.nsmb.com/assets/images/gear/norco2009/element_full.jpg


Transition Preston FR
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/967345020_e8c19346c2.jpg


Transition Double
http://www.sicklines.com/gallery/data/628/medium/transition_double.jpg


Transition Bottlerocket (5.5"...but I'll still throw it in)
http://www.sicklines.com/interbike2007pics/2008_Transition/2008_Transition_Interbike19.jpg


Kona Bass
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/images/products/Xtra/12369.jpg


Yeti 4x
http://www.sicklines.com/gallery/data/534/medium/Yeti_4x_2008.jpg


Jamis Parker
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/fullsuspension/parker/images/09_parker1.jpg


Banshee / Mythic Rampant
http://p1.pinkbike.com/photo/1883/med/mpbpic1883642.jpg
http://www.bansheebikes.com/images/bikes/completes/rampant_side.jpg

Nemesis Project Double Agent
http://seaotter.mtbr.com/files/2007/04/dsc_0131.jpg


Commencal Meta 4x
http://www.realcycles.com/smsimg/58/1414-3018-main-frame-meta-4x-58.jpg


SC Blur 4x (or is the the "LT" now?)
http://www.santacruzbikes.co.uk/img/frames/485-08/blur4x.jpg


Kona Cown DS
http://si6.mtb-news.de/fotos/data/500/CowanDSklein.jpg

Mountain Cycle Battery...dunno if they're avail. yet
http://www.bikemagic.com/news/images/ib05_mountaincyclefs_big.jpg
http://www.mountaincycle.com/wp-content/themes/Mountain%20Cycle/images/Battery/4.jpg
http://www.mountaincycle.com/wp-content/themes/Mountain%20Cycle/images/Battery/2.jpg
http://www.mountaincycle.com/wp-content/themes/Mountain%20Cycle/images/Battery/battery_specs.gif

What's with all of these rear shocks? ;)

I'm narrow minded. I vote Bottlerocket or Preston. The Preston doesnt look too bad with a Domain. I've "built" one up online, and found it would cost about 2500$ to build up with a Domain and mostly mid-end Sram/Shimano parts.

4X and LT are different bikes (4X had 115mm IIRC, LT has 140mm). 4X is no longer made AFAIK which is a shame IMO, quite liked the looke of it.

I thought Intense did one as well but isn't on their website so I geuss they stopped it.

I would want either the commencal, banshee or yeti sooo much... if they were about £700 cheaper. Maybe come summer.

Preston.

For me...so far...I really like the "Double" with an Argyle.

The MC looks interesting, but there has been some "halt in production" due to some metallurgic testing at the microscopic level. They "said" they didn't like the matrix of the metal or something, so I am deducing that whomever they Pharmed the job out to...used cheap metal and MC is unhappy. Only the first half of this can be verified...the last half is my own thought.



One thing I do like on bikes like the Parker and Preston is that you can get them with a little longer seat tube. I'm trying to think "long term" here. My ride will hopefully last me a while,(long as I don't get bored) but I think it would be alot of fun to one day build a 4x4'ish thingy that is tougher than a Specialized Epic or Giant Anthem or something. I'd still need a tough frame, but not necessarily 6" of travel. I don't get the luxury of pedaling up for a 1/2hr and then enjoying a long "nipple-twisting" downhill...it's just up/down/up/down with little jumps and rocks and crap here and there to bang around on. I think when my kids move out...I may be able to think about building a true DH rig and traveling to the slopes now and then, but that's gonna be like 15-20yrs, hahaha.

. I don't get the luxury of pedaling up for a 1/2hr and then enjoying a long "nipple-twisting" downhill

Yeah, Thats why I love the west. You get the stupid part over with first so you have a sweet downhill after the workout.

I'm hoping Germany will have some sort of downhill. I'd like to try it out (of course not on my bike). Downhillin' looks fun

For some reason im diggin' the Double Agent. I love the look of thin and simple tubing. Im guessing its Cro-mo?

You're probably more interested in the beefcake, admit it...just be sure you pick a bike where they point the seat skyward...

Bottlerocket.
Bottlerocket and . . .
Bottlerocket.

That is all you need to know. Bottlerocket RULES the PNW both in value and the variety of terrain it eats up.

Mountain Cycle Battery...dunno if they're avail. yet


http://www.mountaincycle.com/wp-content/themes/Mountain%20Cycle/images/Battery/4.jpg



Anybody know how that works? I can't figure out what's supposed to be happening there... if any at all...

The hole closest to the right is for the bb, the one to the left is the pivot.

...just be sure you pick a bike where they point the seat skyward...

why?

i mean, what's the point in a seat pointing skywards?

Bottlerocket.
Bottlerocket and . . .
Bottlerocket.

That is all you need to know. Bottlerocket RULES the PNW both in value and the variety of terrain it eats up.

I knew you'd say that, D.

I think you're still thinking in the realms of WA. I'm trying to think KS. The BR is sorta more at home with a big fork. Preston is too, I guess. I wonder how they'd handle with a 5" fork. I really like the '06 Preston b/c you can drop it to 4" in the rear. Run that with a Domain and you could have 4-5" up the rear and 4-6" hanging down out front.;)

This is why I'd personally lean toward the Double. Only bad thing is the short seat tube on the Double. Nothing that a nice long GD wouldn't fix though.

you could have 4-5" up the rear and 4-6" hanging down out front.;)

:twitchy::twitchy::eek::eek:

Someone was going to do this, matter as well get it over with.

He just makes it sooooo easy.

I knew you'd say that, D.

I think you're still thinking in the realms of WA. I'm trying to think KS. The BR is sorta more at home with a big fork. Preston is too, I guess. I wonder how they'd handle with a 5" fork. I really like the '06 Preston b/c you can drop it to 4" in the rear. Run that with a Domain and you could have 4-5" up the rear and 4-6" hanging down out front.;)

This is why I'd personally lean toward the Double. Only bad thing is the short seat tube on the Double. Nothing that a nice long GD wouldn't fix though.It just seems like such a shame to have that nice long-legged Domain and run it wound down to 4" most of the time ;).

My hesitation on recommending the Double is that it is really a purpose-built 4X/DS weapon more than a burly, do-it-all trail bike. It's more than just the travel - - its chainstay length, steep head angle and low bottom bracket height (over 3/4" difference) is all geared toward gated racing. I just am afraid you would not be happy with it trying to use it as a more all-rounder.

The BR is set up to have a nice 67° HA with a 540 a-c fork (your Domain set for 6" is 545, right?). You could still wind down the Domain to 5½ or maybe even close to 5 and still be slacker than the Double's 68½° angle.

Anyway, I stand by my recommend. Besides, you're gonna want the BR under you when you come out to rip up Silver :D.

Yell Heah!

Hi HO Silver!

If it was the '06 Preston, I'd think Domain that way you still have options, but with the Double...I was thinking strictly 4x4 with an Argyle up front.

Looks like the Double's chainstays are short...I like short stays...good "manualability", hahaha.


That Mountain Cycle has a reallly short TT. Def. wouldn't be happy on that sukkah.

+1 for the Rampant but Im biased.

My B4x is awesome...just too bad they're not available anymore. It's an extremely versatile bike...I've used it for commuting, XC races, short and LONG trail rides (and everything in between), Super D, winter riding, shuttling, and lift accessed riding. Actually, one day I rode it to the local lift hill (1/2 hour ride), then I raced in an XC race at the hill, took 3rd place, then dropped the saddle and rode the DH trails for the rest of the day, and then rode it home.

The thing pedals like crazy and the low BB is amazing for cornering. Lots of the other DH racers around here use them as their trail/smaller training bikes (our main DH shop has a big SC race team). I really like the fact that I can hope on the 4x then get back on the V10 and not miss a beat.

My B4x is awesome...just too bad they're not available anymore. It's an extremely versatile bike...I've used it for commuting, XC races, short and LONG trail rides (and everything in between), Super D, winter riding, shuttling, and lift accessed riding. Actually, one day I rode it to the local lift hill (1/2 hour ride), then I raced in an XC race at the hill, took 3rd place, then dropped the saddle and rode the DH trails for the rest of the day, and then rode it home..

You're a freakin' beast. Having spent time on the trails with you I'm sure that every bit of that is true.


Ed, the short stays on the Double is the reason the Girlscout lost a fingernail.

Ed, the short stays on the Double is the reason the Girlscout lost a fingernail.

Hmm...details?

Found another one which I like the look of - Morewood Ndiza.

Warrentied for a 120mm fork if you feel so inclined. Also has ISCG mount. You may not be bothered about this but I'm certainly wanting one on my next bike.

It is socially unacceptable to give such good info and not post a pic;)
http://www.sicklines.com/gallery/data/571/medium/06-Morewood-Ndiza-non_drive.jpg
http://shop1.actinicexpress.co.uk/shops/bikeactive/images/catalog/ndiza-yellow_big.jpg


Good call, Ralph:thumb:

I just found a bike I think I want to marry. It has everything I want. 130mm travel so you may not like it but I would rather have 5 inch than 4 inch. Has an ISCG mount, can adjust head angle from 68.5 to 66.5 degrees. And looks absolutely pimp in white. Only problem is I can't find much in the way of reviews, so it may turn out it's crp and then I'm back to looking at banshee wildcard of one of the transition bikes.

http://www.corsairbikes.com/productimages/Konig_frame_whi.jpg

Yeah...the pinch bolts on the head tube scare me to death.

Oh, didn't realise that was how they changed tha angle.

Also I just thought, if you're looking at 4-5inch then what about the banshee wildcard?

You are so easily swayed by one comment :rolleyes:

You are so easily swayed by one comment :rolleyes:

No, I still love the look of it. Tbh I wouldn't have really thought it would have much effect as long as you keep it tightened, I just cba with an argument with chel atm, he'll prob win in the end anyways.

I'm personally waiting for bikeradar to do a review on it, they've been mentioning it varios magazines quite a bit recently.

I know this thread died a while back, but I thought it was worth bringing back to life to mention the Tazer VP FRO

http://www.sicklines.com/news-images/2009_intense_tazer_vp.jpg

Shame it only comes in 1 size.

This thread will never die.