Bikerdude

I've raced on Carbon Treks for years now, the only failures I've see are due to impact. Carbon is extremely strong in terms of normal stresses a bike will experience, it's the impact stress that will cause failure. Say crash into a rock or hit a tree, that will crack the epoxy/resin therefore causing a failure at that point.

I've raced on it all, Steel, Ti, Aluminum, and Carbon, out of them all I stick with carbon. I don't take it easy on my bikes, they are there to be ridden, and I ride them into the ground riding in the Pro class.

Don't be afraid to go carbon, it's strength, lightness, and bump dampening characteristics make it a great material.

Endo

Not true, carbon is one of the strongest materials on earth when fabricated correctly. I have had nothing but good luck with racing on carbon components. For freeriding, though I wouldn't trust carbon as far as I could throw it.

GT_ATB32

someone give me a carbon fiber bike

PeterG1185

Im late on this but my vote definately goes for the Jamis Dragon. Sub 23 lbs built with discs, and it's STEEL...mmmmmmmmmmm steel

Tobman

Moots x 10

JrXCracer

k here it goes
i suggest....
The Kona Kula Deluxe
a 23lb. bike
Fox f100RLT FOrk 100mm of travel Hayes HFX-9 Carbon XC Disc Brakes
shimano decore Xt/lx 9 compontry
slapp some sick crankbors on there
a new set of tires
and you have a GREAT XC racing bike

JrXCracer

or build ur bike up like a am doing and just get the kula primo frame
can u say scandium tubing???? oh ya

luciano

get a sycip

rich t

2004 Scott Racing frame is the lightest in production 2.5lbs! Its a race winner

Ktulu

I have a XL 98' 9900 OCLV that I don't ride and wouldn't mind selling.

capsicum

Continuous gradiant tubing with inverted forks and a customized paint job(even a glow in the dark theme if desired), yum! Attitude xx disc

knunchucksammy

What do you all think about the Santa Cruz Chameleon. I am extremely suprised I didn't see this mentioned... is it more for Dirt Jumping then XC? A 19' Chameleon ways just under 4 pounds and is extremely durable. You could do some 6 foot drops and it wouldn't break.... yet it isn't mentioned? Isn't that "one" pound or less that we are talking about a little excessively picky? Just lose a pound on your body, and go with a strong frame that is handmade....


Matt

sarsparilla

I wouldn't say that this thread is being excessively picky. They are talking about the TOP ten racing bikes. That means that they are the bikes that will give them the biggest advantage over competition. Also, think about it. 1 pound over 20 miles can make a big difference.

breggurns

Giant sucks. Specialized looks cool but is just aluminum. Klein is all paint. Its all about the scott usa scale carbon hardtale. 19.6 lbs for their top of the line race bike. FSA cranks. DT 240s wheel set. SID WC. Pure sweetness.

DjRider04

You guys are arguing about a pound.....and if the extra money was put towards training, that pound wouldnt matter. Klein's are very nice HT's....not as nice as they used to be, but nice. Some people dont want to take the chance with carbon, nor do some have the money to replace such a frame. I swear, XC race guys just keep getting funnier and funnier. I think you should just get a Specialized! But, dont run it with paint, or the stickers...it add's 75g's. If you remove a few bolts you could save some cash, possibly drill holes in your crank, and shave the sidewalls on the tires. Hell, why dont you guys get road bikes.....Its much more rider than it is bike, when will some people learn that. Going out and dropping an extra 2k because your lacking. ::rant over::....The biggest advantage over the competition is training, skill, and pace. I rode a XC trail on my 43lb Bullit...might be a bit more now, and it was tough. I rode it again on a 24 or 25lb Yeti, and sure the hills were a bit easier....but I barely noticed the weight. I noticed the rotational weight, but the 4lb difference in frames wasnt noticeable....only while picking it up.

Knun, the SC is a great ride. Its an all around ride, all dependent on setup, very versatile. At least somebody else see's my views on this whole thing, as im sure some others do as well. The bike that will give you the biggest advantage over the competition will be the one you feel most comfortable on, period. Do you see StevePeat winning on the fanciest ride out there, no. He rides what he feels comfortable on, a SP FS bike....that rides pretty light, and is flickable. Man.....some people just want to believe all this hype, when it really comes down to what you like.

O yeah, my list.

-Seven(doesnt matter which one)
-Specialized
-Trek
-Giant
-Klein
-SC
-Bianci
-RM
-Yeti

Waldo

Those of you pining for a Homegrown ought to check out the Yeti ARC. Slight difference in frame design, but it's hard to tell a difference between mine. 21.5 lbs with a Duke Race and XTR/XT/Race face stuff on my ARC. If anyone wants to buy one, let me know.

Akak

WHAT? Are you people insane? Two pages of posts and no one has mentioned the incredible Fetish Discipline??



Best 4.5 lb. hard tail for $99 you'll ever find

OK, I'm eventually getting a Yeti ARC, which gets my vote for best racing hardtail but until then, the Fetish will do.

swifferman

Is that frame actually $99?

Akak

Yes, if you buy it from them on ebay. Well, that's not exactly true; the bid price is $99 but the shipping is $50. Still a pretty good deal, I thought.

There are usually 2-3 of each size for sale at any time, in addition their selection of road and other frames. This was my first ebay purchase so I'm pretty happy it all worked out.

swifferman

What is the MSRP on that bad boy?

Akak

Well...they list it at $499 but I doubt they expect anyone to pay that price. My guess is that they list it at $499 so when they sell them on eBay for $99, they can say "this is normally a $500 frame!"

Anyway, the builder says it's in pretty good shape. Headtube was almost perfectly faced but the bottom bracket needed a bit of work. Everything's lined up well and seems very sturdy (at over 4lbs., it should be!). My only disappointment so far is the Marzocchi fork. I didn't realize how heavy it was until I picked it up. Weight weenies listed it at 2085 grams!! Well, considering I need to lose 30 lbs., I don't think it will matter. My personal deal is when I'm under 160 lbs. I can buy a lighter fork.

Here's the in progress shot:

royale

Have you thought about a custom steel hardtail?
I've had my thylacine custom XC for about 6 months and it is awesome.

Checkout www.thylacinecycles.com
For more details.

or www.thylacinecycles.com/gallery
for more pics.

hardinge915

if you can, get a Giant STP

TimB

cannondale F-series

KleinRider

I *love* my '95 Klein Attitude. The frame is stiff (Al, afterall) and very responsive. Obviously, finding one would be tough, but you never know. I'd try to get a higher-end pre-Trek Klein (you know, before Trek bought them - '97 or '98??).