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  1. #1
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    Looking For A Unicorn...

    I *may* have been bitten by the new bike bug for summer '19.
    Going burlier on the Altitude with a co shock...so now I am looking for something a bit different. Hoping to find a very lightweight, 29-er with 100-120mm up front, 100-120 in the rear. Ideally 67 or below HTA (possibly with a works angleset). 2.4 tires.
    We have gobs of trails here where the Altitude is overkill...
    The Yeti SB 100 is a front runner, but curious what else is out there.
    A Rocky Element might also work with a 120-140 fork and a dropper...
    Anyone have any suggestions that I might be overlooking?
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
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    Click image for larger version. 

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    Well maybe I'm the faggot America
    I'm not a part of a redneck agenda

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    412
    I immediately thought sb100. Santa cruz blur should also be a contender and can be built lighter. Intense sniper.

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    The description of the Sniper got me all jazzed until I saw the reach for a medium...I am built like a t-Rex (long legs, short arms).
    Forum Cross Pollinator, gratuitously strident

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
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    Pivot Trail 429

  6. #6
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    This one already has a dropper post, decent brakes, proper (not GX ) cassette, etc.
    I could probably find one for under 4K

    https://www.gearx.com/rocky-mt-bike-element-c70-2018

    Maybe with a dual air pike 140 (to slacken the HTA)
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  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kopi_Red View Post
    Pivot Trail 429
    Can't seem to find geo for this on Pivot's website...
    Forum Cross Pollinator, gratuitously strident

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
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    Quote Originally Posted by rideit View Post
    Can't seem to find geo for this on Pivot's website...
    Huh. On the mobile sight it's pretty easy. You just go below the description and click geometry.

  9. #9
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    Found it...almost 70 degree head tube angle.
    Nope.
    Forum Cross Pollinator, gratuitously strident

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
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    Quote Originally Posted by rideit View Post
    Found it...almost 70 degree head tube angle.
    Nope.
    No. With 29" wheels on the Trail 429 it's 67.3 without the spacer. Set up with the 27.5+ spacer running 29s it's around 66.7.

    You must have been looking at the Mach 429 sl.

  11. #11
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    Yes, I was.
    That changes things...however, the 440mm reach is a little too long for me.
    Forum Cross Pollinator, gratuitously strident

  12. #12
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    Sep 2009
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    Not much shorter at 435 but norco optic

  13. #13
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    Intriguing.
    The specs, however, are posted here as being identical for the medium and large, which I don't believe.

    https://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain...rbon/optic-c1/
    Forum Cross Pollinator, gratuitously strident

  14. #14
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    Sep 2009
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    Maybe gravitylover will chime in. He’ll know more on them. Nice looking rides. I see most of their xc team has them as their second bike FWIW

  15. #15
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    The Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29-er hits a lot of my desires, but I would like a steeper seat tube angle. And ~430mm reach, but I could live with 435.
    The Norco is my fave so far (aside from the nose bleed cost Yeti)
    Forum Cross Pollinator, gratuitously strident

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Quote Originally Posted by roverdoc View Post
    Santa cruz blur should also be a contender and can be built lighter.
    Blur was my first thought. Even the "low end" builds are crazy light and you can get it with a 120 mm fork.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
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    725

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Canadian Rockies
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    I have an Altitude and Im on my 3rd Element. I wish my Altitude was the Instinct but that doesnt change the fact that the Element is a ripping xc bike. Climbs like a beast and desends like a Rocky. Just got a wider tire for the back and a more aggressive front for our extended fall riding season in my part of Canada.
    Pedal strike when deep in the travel is one of the only negatives I can think of but thats mostly pilot error. Oh and the stupid Fox rear lock out mechanism. What a dumb trigger and to be honest the bike climbs very well with shock fully open and I only seem to lock it out on fireroads or super non tech climbs.
    Havent played with geo too much but every Rocky I have ridden I prefer the neutral set up.
    No info that you dont know already just a vote for Rocky...

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
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    ^^ Haha

    Quote Originally Posted by rideit View Post
    Intriguing.
    The specs, however, are posted here as being identical for the medium and large, which I don't believe.

    https://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain...rbon/optic-c1/
    Quote Originally Posted by grinch View Post
    Maybe gravitylover will chime in. He’ll know more on them. Nice looking rides. I see most of their xc team has them as their second bike FWIW
    Yeah it looks like the website is wrong Click image for larger version. 

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  20. #20
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    Dec 2006
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    Transition Smuggler, in a small?
    Stack is the same as the medium, 425mm reach, but maybe the seat tube would be too short? Probably depends on what dropper you use and how long your legs are.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
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    When you say 440mm reach is too long, do you have any basis for that other than it's longer than you're used to? Have you looked at ETT/TTL in comparison to what you know fits you? As discussed in the other new bike thread, usually these long reach bikes also have a steeper seat angle (which helps climbing, sounds like you'd appreciate that) while keeping the ETT the same. So your seated distance to bars will be the same.

    If you can get past the reach thing, look at the Transition Smuggler or GG Trail Pistol. The TP is aluminum, but they pedal so incredibly well that they make up for the extra 1/2-1 lb of weight.

  22. #22
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    I went through this pretty extensively when I bought the new Altitude...demoed about ten bikes. Went back and forth over whether I was a small or a medium... I simply prefer ~430 reach.
    It really helps me with wheelieing/manualling off of rocks and roots.

    That being said, I am going to ride Mag 7/Portal next week on a GG with their crew. Gonna ride a small.
    Forum Cross Pollinator, gratuitously strident

  23. #23
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    Dec 2016
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    Checked out the new Trance 29er? 130f/115r travel. Not sure what the geo figures are, though...

  24. #24
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    Too long for my tastes.
    Forum Cross Pollinator, gratuitously strident

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
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    A bit more suspension than you listed (130/130) but the Intense Primer may work (in medium). HTA 67.5, reach 431. I'm 5'11" with average-sized limbs, have too much seat-post for my legs (trying to switch to a 125 dropper), and feel pretty upright as opposed to laid out on the bike. A long-legged T-rex might find it perfect. Mine clocks is at 27 lbs, hardly super-light but not horrible either. You can move the attachment point of the rear shock to drop the travel to 115.

    Edit: the 2019 model is 140/130, I have a 2018

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