Burlyish Single Pivot Frame Choices

[Flat Broke]

I've been having a good time with my Vagrant, but I'm feeling the itch to build a dual squish rig. I'm not buying anything next week or something like that, but would like to start checking out frame choices. I'm looking for something with a single pivot configuration with a minimum of 6" of travel. A bullit would be nice, but they're fetching too much money (IMHO) for a used one, and new isn't currently an option since they don't make em.

Morewoods look sick and a few of their models have geo that looks comfortable to me on paper, but they are too $pendy.

My brother picked up an Iron Horse Yakuza Ojiki frame, and with some rear shock tuning, that bike could be fun. But it is a little hefty compared to a similar spec bullit, and all the reviews seem to be from people who just bought them.

I've heard that Supergo had a house brand bullit clone, by the name of the 67; but I'd have to get it used and consider it a throwaway deal if it breaks. Has anyone heard anything about those frames other than whats on MTBR.com?

The only other thing that comes to mind is an older Specialized Big Hit SPEC, but I have heard/read about rear swingarm strength issues.

Any other models that are similar in build and purpose that I've missed?

Thanks,
Chris

[jfsh]

I have a Gemini and I like it a lot. It is a single pivot, 170mm frame and I have a propedal Fox shock on it.

[CalEpic]

If a used Bullit is out of your budget, Your choices are going to be pretty limited. Would you be willing to wait a little longer and save more $ to get what you really want?

heckler. almost has 6 inches of rwt, the price is right and the frame is burly.

[TURNERob]

I had one of those Weyless 67 frames for awhile, it was a decent frame although the rear end was a bit flexy. I think CalEpic is right, if used Bullits are out of your price range you may just be better off saving until you can get one of those. The Bullit sounds like the frame you want.

[spookydave]

So Chris, when do you want to take my Bullit for a spin?

Didn't those Big Hits have a 24" rear wheel? If so I'd stay away from those.

You are to big for one of those Weyless 67's. It would be like a noodle under you.

Your bro's bike is pretty cool. I'd like to take it for a spin when he gets that lighter spring on there. For the price I'm thinking it would be hard to beat.

You know what we really need to do is leave everyone else at home but us 3. Then we could ride a few sections back to back swaping bikes around.

[CalEpic]

Maybe hit up McGrath. I think he's selling his Foes?

C

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

Maybe hit up McGrath. I think he's selling his Foes?

C

He sold it already.

[spookydave]

I can't see a Foes being any less then a Bullit.
But yes, those would be something to look for also.

[cru jones]

Those weyless frames are complete crap. Dont buy any of those unless youre on a serious budget. They are way too flexy and crack left and right.

Check out the rocky mountain slayers. You can get one for pretty cheap considering the next 2 months the bike shops are blowing out all the 2006 models. They are based around a single pivot design and have the fox rp3w/pro-pedal. Buy the complete and part it out, save $$$

[Flat Broke]

I should have made myself a little more clear. It's not that a used bullit is too expensive. I just have a hard time paying what people want for a clean used bullit. When all is said and done, it's used, has no warranty or crash replacement value and is an expensive gamble from that aspect.

I looked at the Heckler, but I'm pretty sure I want slacker geo/longer travel for the next frame. Basically I want something along the lines of my Vagrant but in a full squish. Strong, comfortable, fun, and simple. It's not that I have a hard on for a Bullit, but they happen to be a good example of what I'm looking for, and are a proven design.

The input about the 67 being a noodle is exactly the type of info I was trying to get.

Dave, You're right. I think if I wanted to go inexpensive, the deal Ty got on his frame would be hard to beat. He has a 500lb on there now and I think it might be just a touch too firm still. It may well be that a better shock in general would go a long way. I know you can get Romic's and Rocco's in the required dimension and stroke. If they'd throw me a $100 bone for the shock on the deal he got, I'd probably just do that.

The only other bike that really looks like a solid match on paper is the Transition Bottlerocket. But it's a little short on rear travel, and has more pivot points which may or may not be an issue I really need to worry about.

I like the idea of finding a small section that can be hiked and repated swapping bikes around. The only problem is daylight. We're in Parker this weekend for the 300, but maybe we could do somethin like that next weekend.

Chris

Chris

[Pain Freak]

Why single pivot? Why not look at all the others.

[FoShizzle]

Hey Chris,

How much coin you looking to spend? I have had a Bullit and while I liked it, would MUCH rather have a Ventana El Chamuco.

Sherwood (owner of Ventana) decided to discontinue it due to the popularity of the other models but will stand behind this bike for sure. It is killer.....I ALMOST bought one instead of the RFX I just bought.

http://www.ventanausa.com/frame_elchamuco.html

Depending on what size you need, a killer deal may be able to be found. For example, a small at Cambria is pretty much half price at $799....perhaps not cheap, but a great price for that frame.

problem of course is finding the right frame size

[Flat Broke]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Why single pivot? Why not look at all the others.

I'm a fan of the keep it simple philosophy. I weigh a lot, and as such will put more stress on things. That and I've pedaled some Kona's around and I wasn't overly fond of how they felt, so I'm kinda guessing that similar suspension setups from other mfgs might feel similar. I like bikes with lower standovers and typically single pivots can achieve this easier because the seat tube and top tube don't have to be at a certain height to accomodate other linkage mounts.

Chris

[spookydave]

Originally Posted by Flat Broke

We're in Parker this weekend for the 300, but maybe we could do somethin like that next weekend.

Chris

Chris

I gotta admit, I wish we were racin the bus again. It was fun while it lasted!

[Flat Broke]

Originally Posted by FoShizzle

Hey Chris,

How much coin you looking to spend? I have had a Bullit and while I liked it, would MUCH rather have a Ventana El Chamuco.

Sherwood (owner of Ventana) decided to discontinue it due to the popularity of the other models but will stand behind this bike for sure. It is killer.....I ALMOST bought one instead of the RFX I just bought.

http://www.ventanausa.com/frame_elchamuco.html

Depending on what size you need, a killer deal may be able to be found. For example, a small at Cambria is pretty much half price at $799....perhaps not cheap, but a great price for that frame.

problem of course is finding the right frame size

Thanks for the tip. Very clean looking piece. The geo on the Medium would be pretty close to what I'm looking for. The price is doable, but I'm still in "shopping" mode. I'll have to keep an eye out for mediums when the time comes. I'm assuming the little link deallio is to help tie the top of the rear triangle to the front of the bike and reduce lateral flex and strain on the pivot? Do you know if the bike is a "6 inch and thats it" bike, or a bike with 6" of travel that feels like more?

Chris

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by Flat Broke

Thanks for the tip. Very clean looking piece. The geo on the Medium would be pretty close to what I'm looking for. The price is doable, but I'm still in "shopping" mode. I'll have to keep an eye out for mediums when the time comes. I'm assuming the little link deallio is to help tie the top of the rear triangle to the front of the bike and reduce lateral flex and strain on the pivot? Do you know if the bike is a "6 inch and thats it" bike, or a bike with 6" of travel that feels like more?

Chris

i hear nothing but good things about the bike from much better riders than I, both in terms of plushness and stiffness.

since you are still in shopping mode, though not single pivots, for completeness, here is a good deal on a horst-link azonic 5 or 6" travel frame. Saber on sale at $699



http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cf...gId=39&id=2683

and hell, it aint no single pivot but a SICK price for a 6" bike at only $399


http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cf...gId=39&id=3831

on the heavy side, but cool. Banshees at $749

[roadkillross]

CHUMBA EVO awesome biike to ride soo fun 6 in of travel

http://www.chumbaracing.com/evo.shtml

[LBmtb]

Evo = $1850. If you're gonna spend that $$ on a frame there are tons of options available. Turner RFX, Turner 5 spot, Ibis's swet lookin mojo carbon, ventana x-5, yeti 575, Intense 5.5, Blur LT, etc etc. Plenty of those bikes are less then the Evo's price too . . .

[Chaos]

Originally Posted by downhillross13

CHUMBA EVO awesome biike to ride soo fun 6 in of travel

http://www.chumbaracing.com/evo.shtml

Gag me with a spoon! Sorry but IMO that is an ugly bike. It may ride really well, but aesthetically it's not easy on the eyes...
to each his own