My New Bionicon....yes I said Bionicon

[Cowgirl]

So after a year of believing what was said about the technology of the bike and watching everyone demo or Bionicon Golden Willow and loving it....I took the plunge and took the one I had hanging on the wall!!!

I took all my parts off my Felt Virtue 1 frame and switched them over to the frame....I was worried that going to a bike with 6 inches travel in the front and 4.5 inches of travel in the back that I would loose the feel of the XC bike I was use to...in the past I have owned a Santa Cruz Superlite too....so Fergus built it up for me last Friday and we loaded up and took off to Hurkey Creek. I figured that would be a great place to break it in!

After the first climb on it I was SOLD on it's technology....with the push of a button I shortened the travel in the front which redistributed the air to a slave cylinder attached to the rear shock which changed the geometry of the bike making the head angle and seat angle steeper but keeping the Bottom Bracket at the same height.....thus I motored right up the hill!

I was amazed at how well it climbed! Everyone thought I was on a long travel bike and that I would suffer on the climbs....when I came to a climb I could adjust the travel to whatever length I wished with a push of a button and shifting my weight...but it didn't lock out so I was able to soak up the bumps and stay active!

The bike makes me want to go ride! So last night I went over to Santiago Oaks to go check out our re-established trails and to test it on steep climbs at the 3 b's...same story...motored up the climbs and actually climbs better then my last two full XC bikes!

Thank you Fergus (who now is riding the Bionicon Super Shuttle) for talking me into this bike and to the great guys at Bionicon, Mic and Paul for taking the time for all our interested customers and convincing me to finally climb on one and make the commitment!

Now I can climb with ease and increase my downhill skills all on the same bike!

And it only weights 28 lbs !!!

Built up with XT drivetrain, Hayes HFX9 brakes, Hope Pro II hubs on DT Swiss XR 4.2....nothing carbon...just a sturdy and reliable build.

[mtnbikerfred]

Nice!!

[1FG rider]

I demo'd this bike a few months back and was amazed on how well it climbed. Looked heavy but actually reasonably light for a full suspension bike and I don't think I've ever descended so fast on a bike before riding this one. A push of a button and the bike totally changes its ride characteristics. Probably one of the best full suspension designs I've ridden.

[xhuskr]

way to go! I got a chance to demo one at Aliso, so I can understand why you like it! See ya on the trails...hopefully the Oaks soon!

[OMR]

Any thoughts on making a 29" Bionicon frame?

How about a thru-axel?

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by OMR

Any thoughts on making a 29" Bionicon frame?

How about a thru-axel?

The design guys in Germany don't understand the whole 29er thing.....we asked the rep......he said nope.


They have a DH rig, the Ironwood that has an inverted fork that is a thru axle. It is really not needed on the other forks. They are pretty stiff as is.

[1080P]

Glad to hear you like it... It seems like the more weight I lose, the better and faster my Edison Ltd II lets me climb. Fergus was smokin fast on his at the Keyesville Classics a few weeks ago. Helluva nice guy to have around the campfire too. I sat, listened and learned a lot.

If you want to see a Golden Willow that goes fast on downhill, watch Chewey Aitken rail one down Dutch Flat above Keyesville. He is simply amazing on that bike. Amazing.

[genusmtbkr5]

I was waiting on a review from you. Too bad I broke my rib and didn't get a chance to try it Hurkey this past weekend. Glad you like your new rig, congrats Sherry.

[Foesnasty]

I took my golden willow out last night for the first ride.... I was also sold on the first climb... All though I did send myself over the bars trying to push the button to compress the front... some how I grabbed a hand full of front brake... oh well, it was still a sweet ride....

[ryandood]

That thing looks sweet!! I demo'd one and it is amazing how that suspension works. With a suspension that complicated you probably can't just take it anywhere to get it fixed or serviced huh? Awsome bike btw

[kanga]

Congratulations! I can't say enough about the Bionicon technology... it has worked for me and really allowed me to step up my all-around riding skills! I had the same experience, better technical climbing ability and waaay better downhill stability than my old XC bike. I look forward to getting out on a trail with you!

Originally Posted by ryandood

That thing looks sweet!! I demo'd one and it is amazing how that suspension works. With a suspension that complicated you probably can't just take it anywhere to get it fixed or serviced huh? Awsome bike btw

Actually, you'd be surprised how simple it all is. The fork cartidge is a sealed system, and the entire fork lower assembly can be serviced in about ten minutes with no special tools. The overall reliability for me has been really good 3 1/2 years and counting....

Originally Posted by 1080P

If you want to see a Golden Willow that goes fast on downhill, watch Chewey Aitken rail one down Dutch Flat above Keyesville. He is simply amazing on that bike. Amazing.

For the record, he took second in the Pro Downhill at Keyesville on a Golden Willow.... yeah, he's fast.

[DBD]

Congrats on the new ride.

Cowgirl and Bionicon remind me of



Now if someone could edit the vid a bit you could add a bike sequence to the end when they rebuild her and use Cowgirls pics instead of Lindsy Wagners.

[1080P]

Originally Posted by Foesnasty

I took my golden willow out last night for the first ride.... I was also sold on the first climb... All though I did send myself over the bars trying to push the button to compress the front... some how I grabbed a hand full of front brake... oh well, it was still a sweet ride....

Something about riding with my brake levers "moto" style solved that dilemma for me. Button always goes on the rear brake side to prevent such boo boos on my part.

[Kid A]

nice. did you feel the urge to scream farfernugen (sp?) on the downs????

[1080P]

Originally Posted by Kid A

nice. did you feel the urge to scream farfernugen (sp?) on the downs????

I think it's "Fahrfrumzantacruzen"

[quaestionis]

I have been interested in a Bionicon for a while now. Would you mind posting how much this frame cost you? Even a ballpark would be OK.

I'm in the market for a Golden Willow, and would also want to do the XT build, so it would be helpful to me for budgeting reasons...

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by quaestionis

I have been interested in a Bionicon for a while now. Would you mind posting how much this frame cost you? Even a ballpark would be OK.

I'm in the market for a Golden Willow, and would also want to do the XT build, so it would be helpful to me for budgeting reasons...

Frame price is $2200 for frame,fork,rear shock, seatpost, handlebar and direct mount stem.

If you need a large frame, we have an '07 on sale.