Lookin for a Medium 130-150mm FS Trail Ride, 27.5 preferred

[SchralphMacchio]

I had my old 2008 Norco Fluid (purchased in this forum!) stolen in June, replaced it with a used SB-66 in July, and promptly had that one stolen in January!

I finally got around to submitting the insurance claim so I'm looking around to see what's available right now while we're haggling over money and getting ready to write up the check.

Basically I'm looking for something that has the same uphill prowess as the SB-66, and a similarly low bottom bracket height feeling for descending. I'm open on chainstay configuration ... the SB-66 wasn't always playful but it was always stable, so I'm willing to dial that down a bit. I did love that freaking ride though, I had it set up with Pike DPA fork (130-160mm), XTR Wheels, 1x10 w/ XTR rear derailler, XT brakeset ... light sturdy, pretty damn fast. I don't ever send anything bigger than 4', so I feel like the newer 130-140mm suspensions would be just fine for my needs ... but of course it's always fun in South Lake Tahoe having that extra 20-30 mm up front for some of the bigger granite features, Corral downhill, etc.

Hoping to keep it around $3 to $4K, size Medium, very good to new condition. Anyone got anything they are thinking of offloading but haven't posted up yet?

BC.com has a sweet deal going on Bronson CC complete build right now, $4K for a brand new CC with X01 drivetrain, Pike fork, RF Aeffect wheels. I've not yet pedaled the Bronson, but it has a very similar geometry to what I was on before with a touch lower BB, bigger wheels, and slightly tighter cockpit. I'm kind of half-contemplating just picking it up sight unseen if I end up convincing myself that I can't find a better deal ...

I didn't see anything on JensonUSA that caught my eye.

Any other thoughts from the collective?

[TahoeJ]

I was going to recommend the SC 5010 based on what you said, but that Bronson deal is pretty sweet. I have the v1 Bronson (just the carbon C, not CC) and I wouldn't describe it as great on the uphill (it's fine though), but the downhill makes up for that. Also, the CC plus 1x11 is going to make it that much lighter and more accommodating on the uphill as well. I do love the tight cockpit feel which makes it more playful than it seems like it should be.

[mcski]

How about an ibis hd3?

How were the bikes stolen? Also, a buddy of mine that had his bike stolen got an offer of straight cash from the renters insurance, but they covered more if he bought something and submitted receipt. Like a 2k diff. I'd never heard of that before but it worked out great for him.

Mtb mag just reviewed a bunch of 27.5s for whatever that's worth.

[smmokan]

Have you thought about a Nomad instead of the Bronson? IMO, the Nomad- with the updated geometry- climbs better than the V1 Bronson ever did, and it's obviously a beast on the DHs. I absolutely love mine.

This one seems like a pretty ridiculous deal: http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1928693/
Similar one here too: http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1938257/

If not a Nomad, then I'd echo what mcski said with the HD3.

[TahoeJ]

Have you thought about a Nomad instead of the Bronson? IMO, the Nomad- with the updated geometry- climbs better than the V1 Bronson ever did, and it's obviously a beast on the DHs. I absolutely love mine.

Consider me very skeptical of this statement. How in the hell is an even slacker nomad a better climber? It's even more DH oriented than the previous version.

[smmokan]

Consider me very skeptical of this statement. How in the hell is an even slacker nomad a better climber? It's even more DH oriented than the previous version.

The new Nomads have the updated geometry and different linkage systems than the V1 Bronson and 5010. That said, I'm pretty sure the newest generation of Bronson/5010 are better climbers for obvious reasons, now that they have the updated VPP suspension. But in all honesty, I went from an older 5010 to a new Nomad last summer and I actually felt like it climbed better despite having 20mm more travel.

It's similar to the comparison between my Nomad and an Ibis HD3 (I have both). The HD3 has 160mm of travel as well, but it rides more like a 140mm trail bike because of the geometry, specifically the higher BB and steeper HTA.

[TahoeJ]

I don't know, man. Sounds like new bike syndrome if you ask me. ;-) The geometry isn't really *that* different.

[TheK12]

New nomads and Bronson's are longer and slacker but they have more upright seat angles making for better climbing overall.

[SchralphMacchio]

Hmmm wait, I can't quickly tell by the geo - is the 2015 Bronson on BC.com a v1 or v2?
EDIT - whoops nevermind, looks like it is a v1. Hmm I'll keep that in mind - still a solid deal with 2016 components and proper warranty, but not my "ideal" frame coming from the Yeti Switch linkage.


For my needs I'd think that a v2 5010 w/ Pike DPA would be pretty tits, but given the linkage updates in the v2 I think I'd also be happy with a Bronson.

Interesting comment on the Nomad, smmokan. I'll keep that in mind but I only weigh 150 with pack so I think the Bronson could hold up to most of what I need. I really want to try to get the thing dialed in around to 28-29 pounds.

[ticketchecker]

Got a buddy selling a carbon Med Devinci Troy, he got it last June and is getting the new one. I think he's looking for around 2500, if you're interested I can get the build details.

[TahoeJ]

New nomads and Bronson's are longer and slacker but they have more upright seat angles making for better climbing overall.

The slightly more upright seat angle was a necessary offset for the longer top tube and slacker front, so there's a bit of a wash there IMO. I guess what I'm saying is, bike companies will tweak a few things by a matter of one degree and everyone acts like it's this huge revolutionary change, when it's really not. But anyway, to each his own.

Schralph - the new 5010 is a touch more downhill oriented than the original but is still going to climb *way* better than a nomad. Seems like everyone loves that bike. I have two friends who are about to pull the trigger on it as well so I'm curious to try it out soon.

[kidwoo]

Shralph: how tall are you?

[SchralphMacchio]

How were the bikes stolen?

Pry-bar to locked steel shared bike room inside apartment complex shared parking garage, angle grinder or professional 3' bolt cutters to the 3/8" high-carbon shackle I had on there. No signs of damage to my 3/8" high strength chain. Those fuckers also stole my road bike in the same crime, so they either had 2 people or a getaway car. I bought used via Paypal but it was all so recent that I submitted my Paypal receipt plus receipts all bike component changes & updates, so if I get every single dollar back I'll be satisfied with that. My girlfriend (shared apartment) is now okay with the next bike going in the living room

Got a buddy selling a carbon Med Devinci Troy, he got it last June and is getting the new one. I think he's looking for around 2500, if you're interested I can get the build details.

Yeah, please do, you can send them offline. What state, and where does he ride???

Shralph: how tall are you?

I'm 5' 8". Pretty much any medium frame bike works fine. The Medium SB-66 with 40-50mm stem felt just right. Ideally looking for a similar reach as I'd like to keep the stem length close to 40mm. I use 170mm cranks BTW, as I like to spin and I also like low BB heights.

[evdog]

I demo'd a 5010 and Nomad back to back about 9 mos ago. The 5010 was a goat, obviously. The Nomad climbed better than I expected on moderate grades but as soon as things got steep I literally couldn't pedal it any further - not just struggling, but dead stop. I wasn't expecting it to be as good as the 5010 but I did expect to be able to climb part of that steep section that the 5010 trucked up.

You should be able to pick up a nice used bike for $4k. The ticket might be to find a used HD3 Special Blend, which are around 4k to begin with, and upgrade the suspension on it.

How were the bikes stolen? Also, a buddy of mine that had his bike stolen got an offer of straight cash from the renters insurance, but they covered more if he bought something and submitted receipt. Like a 2k diff. I'd never heard of that before but it worked out great for him.

This happened to me too. My contents were covered for the MSRP replacement cost. Initially though, the insurance co only pays out the depreciated value of what you had. In order to claim the rest I actually had to replace the items and provide a receipt. For that reason I couldn't buy used. Turned out pretty well though, until State farm declined to renew my policy (this was a second claim in 2 years).

[powpig]

Probably older than you're looking for, but I've gotta 2008 Intense 5.5 FRO in a Med. 27lb w/no pedals.
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1874675/

[mcski]

Evdog, was that a homeowners or renters policy? Both claims for theft? State Farm has been pretty good to us mostly but we did file a claim for a bear attack on our house so I'm wondering where there trigger point is on this stuff

[SchralphMacchio]

I have AAA Insurance, and renters is the same as homeowners. Same deal as you evdog, you can get depreciated value and not replace, or replace and get up to their max assessed replacement value after you buy. They allowed me to buy used as long as I sent them the PinkBike or eBay listing screenshot and Paypal receipt. I got a smoking deal on an XTR/XT SB-66 as a result ...

[babybear]

Hey shralp I just posted my ibis mojo for sale- 26" wheel but thought I'd throw it out there in case it's of interest
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...90#post4696690

Ibis Mojo SL, 140mm travel (26" wheel)
Size Medium
White
2x10 set up
Fox Talas 150mm (130-150)
Rear: Fox Float RP23 (140)
Stan's ZTR Crest Wheels
Hans Dampf EVO F/Racing Ralph R Tires 2.35 F/ 2.25R
Formula RX Brakes (180mm F/160 R)
sram x9 front der
xo rear der/cassette
KS 125mm adjustable seat post
carbon handlebar (crank bros)
weighs in at like 26 pounds- maybe a touch less

$1700

[evdog]

Evdog, was that a homeowners or renters policy? Both claims for theft? State Farm has been pretty good to us mostly but we did file a claim for a bear attack on our house so I'm wondering where there trigger point is on this stuff

It was a renter's policy. Yes, both claims for theft. First one my truck was broken into, second was a stolen bike. In each case stuff taken was older but the sum of individual items at MSRP came to > $3k (bike was built up). State farm was very easy to work with on both claims. Come renewal time however I get a letter saying they can no longer accept the risk of insuring me. I had asked if the second claim would affect my rates. It didn't, but what I should have asked is if they would refuse to renew me. Turns out lots of companies will not insure you if you have 2 or more claims in a 5 year period. Had I known that, I wouldn't have claimed the bike. Sounds like no company will insure you with 3+ claims in 5 yrs so now I can really only make a claim if it is massively catastrophic. Not sure if a bear attack would be looked at the same way as a theft. Maybe it would if they deem you to live in an area where the bears are all assholes? Schralph hopefully you have a better experience and don't get dropped, but be prepared. If it happens you can find replacement coverage it will just cost a bit more.

[SchralphMacchio]

I'm a bit closer to pulling the trigger on that BC.com Bronson v1 deal ... they're able to swap crank length to 170 mm and swap the fork to a DPA for an $85 upcharge. So that gets me a brand new, lifetime warranty frame, lightweight bike that is very close to my ideal bike but still fun and awesome. I am thinking that with the money saved by going with last year's Bronson I can put a bit of money into the rear shock (Avalanche customization, vorsprung corset etc) to address some of the deficiencies between that implementation of the VPP compared to my old bike's climbing abilities.

[TahoeJ]

If you were a large I'd say you could come take mine out for a ride. It's a rad bike - you aren't going to be disappointed. Plus yours' would be lighter. It climbs fine.

[One (+) Sentence]

I have the v1 Bronson (just the carbon C, not CC) and I wouldn't describe it as great on the uphill (it's fine though), but the downhill makes up for that. Also, the CC plus 1x11 is going to make it that much lighter and more accommodating on the uphill as well.

It is counter-intuitive, but Santa Cruz's new carbon "C" is the less expensive and heavier option and all 2014 and 2015 bikes including your V1 Bronson are actually the CC level carbon.

[SchralphMacchio]

^ yeah good point. They didn't make the original Carbon version any lighter ... they added a heavier and less expensive Carbon version and then renamed the original one to "CC".

[mcski]

Anybody seen any deals on HD3s w the XT or special blend set ups? I'm seeing a few XTR and werx packages w good discounts online but those are overkillz for me and too spensive

[babybear]

I'm a bit closer to pulling the trigger on that BC.com Bronson v1 deal ... they're able to swap crank length to 170 mm and swap the fork to a DPA for an $85 upcharge. So that gets me a brand new, lifetime warranty frame, lightweight bike that is very close to my ideal bike but still fun and awesome. I am thinking that with the money saved by going with last year's Bronson I can put a bit of money into the rear shock (Avalanche customization, vorsprung corset etc) to address some of the deficiencies between that implementation of the VPP compared to my old bike's climbing abilities.

oh yeah that will be a fun summer toy!

Anybody seen any deals on HD3s w the XT or special blend set ups? I'm seeing a few XTR and werx packages w good discounts online but those are overkillz for me and too spensive

will keep my peepers open for you
are you looking for a med or large frame?