Which bike to buy ?

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May 24, 2012, 09:06:20 AM

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Total Voters: 287

[jonesy07]

Hi guys
Not been on here for a bit as I haw been riding non stop when not at work. Started to ride downhill about two years ago and just couldn't get enough. Unfortunately it all ended in tears with a prolapsed disc which I have Just been operated on.

Before the op I had had enough of looking at my bikes so sold both my meta 6 and my supreme dh. I should be able to ride again in about 4 weeks but only light duties.

So the new bike, I am capable of building my own but can't decide where to start. I am thinking either meta 5 carbon. Flame or flame  titanium. Spec will be as light as possible with xtr etc etc.

Does anyone know what size forks the Flame titanium will take as I was thinking of a light long travel hard tail.

Have tried to call Steve b today but there seems to be no answer at the shop at the mo.

Any help and opinions would be much appreciated. Cheers.

[iain1775]

Ti Flame -
officially designed around 100mm
but I reckon mine would be better with 120mm
wouldnt go any higher than that though
Its definately not a long travel HT, more a race whippet
is great fun though, also note frame size is quite small compared to a normal Flame (my medium is half way between a M and S according to the normal Flame dimensions
stupid expensive too though, no way worth £1600 or whatever they are listed at now (picked mine up ex trade show and magazine demo bike for £600 frame only couple years ago)

For a hardcore LT HT you would want something like an On One Ti456
Ramones is just too heavy I reckon

[Steve P]

I am thinking either meta 5 carbon. Flame or flame  titanium. Spec will be as light as possible with xtr etc etc.

Meta & Flame are somewhat different bikes.
Where does your priority lie? Low weight or full suss?
Steve b does have some good deals on meta carbon frames at the mo...

[Ant]

Have to say though, since you've had back problems with the disc, it'll be FS all the way. When sat down pedalling, there will be less vibration and bumps travelling up your back.

[damo]

Agree with Ant. I have a hardtail and when your riding and you get a bit tired and sit down, it don't half bounce you about. I know mine is very stiff but a I heard, might be wrong, that a carbon bike is a damn site more stiffer than an alloy one. Maybe a totally blinged alloy might be the solution.

Damo

[jonesy07]

Hi guys. Thanks for the replies.

Think I am goin to go meta 5, so will give steve a buzz later to see What deals he has. I know I have to take it easy for a bit, but your comments about the back vibration are very true so I think FS is the right way to go.

Cheers guys, wii update when she's here ! 

[fazanders]

I got a 55 meta carbon the other week. Don't think i'll be looking for anything else for a long while (as long as i don't break it!!  ) It is stiff but the suspension works a treat on it and now the longer rides seem a load easier and more forgiving than previous (Specialised Enduro b4)
Picked up a deal from Evans cycles. Might be worth a look and see how that compares Good luck

[iain1775]

i find the HT easier in some ways to be honest as over rough stuff you tend to stand up and let your legs act as suspension, gather than sitting and hammering through
Also the Ti back end of the flame is stiffer than alot of Ti frames but a damn site more flexable than Damo's arse beating Santa Cruz, thats 'Bong in a whore house' stiff
still no comparison between meta and flame though they are totally different kind of bikes, one is an all round trail bike, one a lightweight race bike just with more trail friendlier angles (having said that my flame is prob faster down the 'red' Style Cop downhill tracks at cannock

[damo]

 

Damo

[AlexBH9]

'Ramones is just too heavy I reckon'

I ride a Ramones and it doesn't feel heavy.

I can't work out what the guy who wrote the Bike Radar review was on, it's a hardcore hardtail and yet he
seemed to be amazed that it didn't handle like a 23lb Kona XC bike for the lycra clad racing snake crew!

At 31.5 lbs mine it's marginally lighter than a Specialized Hardrock, and within a 1lb or less of a Kona 5-0 or a Marin B17....everything is stock with the exception of DMR V12 pedals, e thirteen bash ring, Nuke Proof grips and Halo QR skewers......oh, I shaved 300g by fitting Pike 454 Coil U-Turn, then again the Tora forks weren't tough enough for that type of bike really.

Sure, you could save a couple of lbs by getting a Cotic bfe (for example), but then you'd struggle to get a full build on that for £664 which is what I paid thanks to the 30% sale on 2010 Commies.