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07-27-04, 12:06 PM
I just sold my 4 yr old Santa Cruz SL. So, now I'm in the game for a new bike. I like the vpp system and am going to be looking at the Intense Spyder and their 5.5 as well as the Blur.
I'm leaning towards the 5.5 because of where I live and the type of riding I do. I live in the Central Rockies and often ride Fruita/Moab as well as local rides here and the Front Range (near Denver.) I mostly focus on the longer endurance rides ...Leadville 100, Vail 100, White Rim in a day and so forth. But I also race occasionally. Although most of my racing is done on the road bike. The 5.5 has the most cush and is still mostly a XC rig. The 5.5 seems perfect for where I am and what I do.
I like the Intense spyder and 5.5 over the Blur because both Intense frames have a shorter chain stay - better for climbing than the Blur. The numbers between all three are pretty tight though. The Spyder chain stay is 16.75"; the 5.5 is 16.8"; the Blur is 17.1".
Weight isn't a huge factor. If it were, I'd have kept the SL and upgraded or buy another. If I get more into local weekly mtb racing series then I'll probably get a hardtail.
I'm interested in your opinions of what I should be looking for in addition to the CS length. I'm focused on frames right now and will focus on the build kit after the frame is decided on. So, if you could focus on frames too that would be very helpful.
Qs:
Is the chain stay length a non issue between these frames?
Are there other frames that you would recommend?
Is VPP not that big a deal with the more sophisticated shocks?
Is the VPP linkage fairly maintenance free?
I'm leaning towards the 5.5 because of where I live and the type of riding I do. I live in the Central Rockies and often ride Fruita/Moab as well as local rides here and the Front Range (near Denver.) I mostly focus on the longer endurance rides ...Leadville 100, Vail 100, White Rim in a day and so forth. But I also race occasionally. Although most of my racing is done on the road bike. The 5.5 has the most cush and is still mostly a XC rig. The 5.5 seems perfect for where I am and what I do.
I like the Intense spyder and 5.5 over the Blur because both Intense frames have a shorter chain stay - better for climbing than the Blur. The numbers between all three are pretty tight though. The Spyder chain stay is 16.75"; the 5.5 is 16.8"; the Blur is 17.1".
Weight isn't a huge factor. If it were, I'd have kept the SL and upgraded or buy another. If I get more into local weekly mtb racing series then I'll probably get a hardtail.
I'm interested in your opinions of what I should be looking for in addition to the CS length. I'm focused on frames right now and will focus on the build kit after the frame is decided on. So, if you could focus on frames too that would be very helpful.
Qs:
Is the chain stay length a non issue between these frames?
Are there other frames that you would recommend?
Is VPP not that big a deal with the more sophisticated shocks?
Is the VPP linkage fairly maintenance free?