Upgrade from 4" to 5.5" Travel Bike?

[G-MONEY]

Originally Posted by Chaos

I soooo miss my E46 M3, should have NEVER traded her in.
Tell you what, you can test your skillz with you buds on either of my Turners 7" Highline w/Totem or the 6.4" RFX w/66 we can use your M3 as the deposit. Take my STi and bike with you where ever you want to go in SoCal.

Let me know when you want to do this

are you on any of the bimmer boards?

LOL! I just might take you up on that! You've got some sweet rides there.. STi included!

Yeah, I'm on M3Forum.net-- SEXYBEAST (which obviously refers to my baby, not me! )

[G-MONEY]

Originally Posted by Pato

There will be a pretty considerable difference. Not so much due to the increase in travel, but moreso because the geometry of the frame. You will be more stable at high speeds at the expense of a slower steering response. Best bet is to take any one of the 5.5" bikes out on a demo. Is it justified is more of a personal question you need to be honest with yourself to answer. If you have the means and the desire then yes, it's a worthwhile upgrade. If you have hungry mouths to feed and this will cut into your available funds then no.



If you are more of a downhill oriented rider I'd suggest you consider the Rock Shox Lyric at 160mm. It will slack out the frame even more and handle a bit better. If you prefer a quicker steering response, I'd go with a Rock Shox Pike at 140mm. I personally don't like the feel of the Fox compression damping systems, but you may. If you want to stick with Fox, go with the RLC. I don't feel the lockout is necessary, but compression adjust is worth it to have.

One major item to note is that if you go with either of the Rock Shox forks you will need to get a new front wheel as they are 20mm thru axle forks (which I highly recommend if you are a big fella or like to ride rough stuff). The Foxes use the standard QR axles (unless you go with an 09 which uses a 15mm thru axle not absolutely positive on that though).



Can't honestly answer that one as I do not know nor am I really that concerned where it is made for the most part.



There are so many choices out there in that category. For 140mm/5.5" frames you should also consider the Pivot Mach 5 (available at the Path) and Ibis Mojo. The Foes FXR is a 165mm/6.5" travel frame, but pedals better than most 130mm/5" bikes so you should take that one into consideration as well. I have an 07 which is only 150mm/6" travel and love the way it handles.



Sorry, but I have no experience with them.



If this is your first purchase from them I'd look for a better price and see if they'll price match it for you. Did you know The Path offers a 10% discount to STR members?



You may also need to get a new front derailleur depending on the new frame. There are different clamp sizes and cage pivot location designs when it comes to them. Another thing, as I have mentioned before, is your from wheel may need to be replaced if you go with a fork with a different style axle. The Crossmax SL is a 9mm QR and, as far as I know, is not convertible. I know the Crossmax ST and XL can be converted to a 20mm thru axle, but not the SL.

All that being said, you need to be honest with yourself. As dssgaffler said, is it really your bike that's holding you back from going faster or is it your skill/fear. If it's you then $3000 into a new frame/fork will only make you marginally faster. If it is the bike then cough up the money and enjoy the newly added speed.

If you are anywhere near 5'6" or so, you can try out any of my bikes. Well, as soon as I have them put back together that is. A couple of them have forks out on rebuild and I should be getting my new frame tomorrow. What ever you decide, good luck and post up the pictures so we can all ogle it.

Thanks very much for taking the time for putting together this very thoughtful reply. A lot of things to think about and consider. Much appreciated!

[G-MONEY]

Originally Posted by Tedroy

Old Turner Burner with the XR rockers and all the bells and whistles rides real well, but S##t, Old man needs some softness on the way down. 5.5" sounds like a couch to me!

Turner Burners! sweeet ride! wish they still made 'em. Well, they say 5" is the new 4"!

[DISCO]

The Taiwan FSR bikes aren't all that great anyway, Fisher just launched a 5.5 bike but the octalink stripper model starts a three grand, ouch.

If you wanna throw a leg over a chumba just let me know, the five inch XCL suits most everyone and while light is rugged enough to take whatever you got without flexing. The evo is badder still, but could very well be more bike than most can handle but still pedals like a dream at a price that will snap you out of the deepest slumber. I am assembling some of the demos for interbike this weekend of our upcoming models that have yet to be unveiled, but me being cool the STR folks my get the first peek...

[katonk]

Originally Posted by Pato

If this is your first purchase from them I'd look for a better price and see if they'll price match it for you. Did you know The Path offers a 10% discount to STR members?

Switchback sells Santa Cruz frames and offers STR members a 15% discount.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

5 spot unless you gotta have a single pivot.

Blur LT is not a single pivot........

[mtnbikej]

Blur LT2's are out of stock at Santa Cruz until beginning of October....unless you need a XL white or black powdercoat.

We have a XL Ano Black in stock.

Come see us at Switchback Cyclery.

[katonk]

Originally Posted by Trance Pilot

LOL! I stand corrected! I have 2.1 Panaracer Fire XC Pro tubeless. As for the 5" fork, wouldn't that mess up the geometry?

I didn't have any luck with the Panaracers on my 2005 Trance 1. I can't really explain it, but they didn't seem to deform fast enough. I really like my Specialized 2.3 2Blis Eskar's. The max width on the Crossmax is supposed to be 2.2, but the 2.3's seem to work fine.

Before the Trance X came out there where a few guys who put 5 inch forks on their Trances to give it a more AM feel. Yes, it does slacked the head angle and will change the handling, as Pato mentioned above. The positive is that it will most likly make the bike less twitchy at higher speeds. Try the Giant board at MTBR.com.

If you have the budget, I'd consider leaving the Trace the way it is and buy a Reign 0 or Reigh X0. That's my "someday" plan.

[Danimal]

Most bike shops will let you demo a bike for a small charge.
Then apply it to your purchase.
This may be a good idea to help decide if the SC is what your looking for.

[dennis]

You should definitely check out the Giant Reign line. I moved from a specialized stumpjumper hardtail to a giant reign 1, and its awesome- it climbs like a goat and descends even better.

[NA1NSXR]

What do you think of the new Gary Fisher Roscoe?

[herzalot]

OK Trance, here's the deal. Most 5+" plus bikes have a slacker head angle which makes life a lot nicer when you are confronted with sudden drops (5 Oaks, Rattlesnake) or sudden compressions (Rock-it). The extra cush completes the deal. You can go faster, safer and with more confidence because you are muuuuuch less likely to go OTB. That said, the rear susp doesn't seem to matter as much (IMO), since most of your weight is forward anyway - gravity makes it so, (no matter how far you hang your butt behind the saddle). If you went to a 140mm fork, you would slacken your head angle, raise the bottom bracket and pass me on your next downhill - just make sure you get a thru axle! As for a new frame - there are too many good ones out there to choose from. Go with your heart. If you look at it and it makes you want to ride, you'll ride more. I agree with others though - you shouldn't need to spend over 1500 for a great frame and shock.

Originally Posted by DISCO

The Taiwan FSR bikes aren't all that great anyway, Fisher just launched a 5.5 bike but the octalink stripper model starts a three grand, ouch.

If you wanna throw a leg over a chumba just let me know, the five inch XCL suits most everyone and while light is rugged enough to take whatever you got without flexing. The evo is badder still, but could very well be more bike than most can handle but still pedals like a dream at a price that will snap you out of the deepest slumber. I am assembling some of the demos for interbike this weekend of our upcoming models that have yet to be unveiled, but me being cool the STR folks my get the first peek...

I've always wanted to try an evo. Got anything that'll fit my 6'4" self? I'll let you drive Trance's Bmer!

[herzalot]

Originally Posted by drew12

Most bike shops will let you demo a bike for a small charge.
Then apply it to your purchase.
This may be a good idea to help decide if the SC is what your looking for.

Yeah - $40-$50...if you don't buy, that stings a little.

[G-MONEY]

DISCO-- woohoo! would love to try Chumba out. I was just at The Path and they had a 2009 Intense Tracer demo bike that I'll probably take out this Thurs to Aliso. A bit pricey for the frame-- was quoted $2200. Would I be able to try the XCL out on Fri or Sat next week?

Originally Posted by DISCO

The Taiwan FSR bikes aren't all that great anyway, Fisher just launched a 5.5 bike but the octalink stripper model starts a three grand, ouch.

If you wanna throw a leg over a chumba just let me know, the five inch XCL suits most everyone and while light is rugged enough to take whatever you got without flexing. The evo is badder still, but could very well be more bike than most can handle but still pedals like a dream at a price that will snap you out of the deepest slumber. I am assembling some of the demos for interbike this weekend of our upcoming models that have yet to be unveiled, but me being cool the STR folks my get the first peek...

the boys at The Path have this sweeet 2009 Intense Tracer medium frame for demo- $55 a day. Think I'm going to try it out on Thurs next week if anyone wants to join!

Originally Posted by herzalot

Yeah - $40-$50...if you don't buy, that stings a little.

Herzalot-- thanks very much for the thoughtful comment. I was in The Path today and the guy there said that a 140mm is a bit too much for my bike adversely effecting the handling characteristics (in his opinion). He suggested not going more than 120mm on the fork-- which he said would be noticeably better than my 100mm. He also highly recommended the thru-axle which would mean I would have to get a new front wheel built.

Originally Posted by herzalot

OK Trance, here's the deal. Most 5+" plus bikes have a slacker head angle which makes life a lot nicer when you are confronted with sudden drops (5 Oaks, Rattlesnake) or sudden compressions (Rock-it). The extra cush completes the deal. You can go faster, safer and with more confidence because you are muuuuuch less likely to go OTB. That said, the rear susp doesn't seem to matter as much (IMO), since most of your weight is forward anyway - gravity makes it so, (no matter how far you hang your butt behind the saddle). If you went to a 140mm fork, you would slacken your head angle, raise the bottom bracket and pass me on your next downhill - just make sure you get a thru axle! As for a new frame - there are too many good ones out there to choose from. Go with your heart. If you look at it and it makes you want to ride, you'll ride more. I agree with others though - you shouldn't need to spend over 1500 for a great frame and shock.



I've always wanted to try an evo. Got anything that'll fit my 6'4" self? I'll let you drive Trance's Bmer!

Don't know anything about it, but did see an ad for it in MTB Action. Looks sweet though.

Originally Posted by NA1NSXR

What do you think of the new Gary Fisher Roscoe?

[G-MONEY]

I flatted yesterday at Aliso (apparently my Stan's dried out too) so I went over to The Path and they put on a new set of Maxxis High Rollers (2.35s)-- so will give them a shot. The guy at The Path said I should have better traction control with the beefier tires.

As for the 5 inch fork, The Path guy recommended not going over 120mm for the Trance. Think I'm gonna sit on my Trance for a while still and think about the longer travel fork- either 120 or 140. They did definitely recommend getting a thru-axle-- which would then mean I would have to get a new front wheel

Originally Posted by katonk

I didn't have any luck with the Panaracers on my 2005 Trance 1. I can't really explain it, but they didn't seem to deform fast enough. I really like my Specialized 2.3 2Blis Eskar's. The max width on the Crossmax is supposed to be 2.2, but the 2.3's seem to work fine.

Before the Trance X came out there where a few guys who put 5 inch forks on their Trances to give it a more AM feel. Yes, it does slacked the head angle and will change the handling, as Pato mentioned above. The positive is that it will most likly make the bike less twitchy at higher speeds. Try the Giant board at MTBR.com.

If you have the budget, I'd consider leaving the Trace the way it is and buy a Reign 0 or Reigh X0. That's my "someday" plan.

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

Blur LT2's are out of stock at Santa Cruz until beginning of October....unless you need a XL white or black powdercoat.

We have a XL Ano Black in stock.

Come see us at Switchback Cyclery.

Just may do that! I was at The Path today and they had a 2009 Intense Tracer demo bike which I took around the parking lot. Very nice! I'm gonna take it out this Thurs. Do you guys do Intense? Think it's gonna be between the SC and the Intense for me.

[Geronimo]

Just came across this thread and have a few thoughts. Like others have mentioned the rear travel won't help you as much as the front. If your going to swap or buy a 32 for a new frame then 10" of rear travel won't help you. Pike's are great forks and would be a HUGE upgrade to your current frame, however a FOX 36 Talus is also adjustable (120/140/160 I think) and allows for more options on your next frame purchase. There will be ALOT of Turners for sale in the MTBR classifieds. A five spot or 07/08 RFX with an RP23 will take the bike out of the bike/skill equation.

[SKULLY]

I have an '06 LT and love it. I am sold on VPP. Looking
at the '09 32 Talas RLC w/ 15mm T/A and a new wheel
set. The stiffness of the T/A and ability to raise or lower the travel on the fly is perfect for the