I had posted an idea I had last year about dropping my Parker down to 30# and using it as a trail bike. Bleh...it's a no go.
I dropped it down to 32 by cannibalizing stuff from my Komodo. Test ride felt promising, but after a little while on it...the conclusion was that it was the same old Slopestyle bike with a short seat tube. It would still be more of a chore to pedal than my Komodo for sure.
Back to the drawing board.
May have to just sell everything I own and buy a proper trailbike.
I was bummed to discover that my PIKE was so heavy. (5.25#) More than a Fox36. Parker frame is 8lbs7oz. My Komodo frame is 5.1#, I think. I really would like to sell both frames,.both forks, and snag a 456c and either a Revelation, DT, Argyle Rct, or 32 Talas fork.
Daggum money!
Dooo iiiiiiit.
Got a small Trans-AM frame, and small 2011 Trance-X frame sitting around that'll be going cheap, but am pretty sure they'd be way too small for you.
Pike = nice fork. Revelation = better fork. The first gen. Pike coil I had was ridden hard for near six years. Then I sold it, and the dude who bought it is still pounding on the thing.
That said,things have come a long way in a few short years. My Rev is lighter, stiffer, better damped, and 10mm more travel.