160mm bike options and sizes

simple
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AU
Edited Date/Time 8/18/2014 7:52am
I'm overdue a new 150mm-160mm bike and seem to be spoilt for choice. Best combinations of aggressive geometry, decent spec seem to be:

Orbea Rallon X team
Specialized Enduro 29er expert
YT Capra

I was going to go for the Enduro but have been confused about the sizing. I'm 6ft2 and had been talked into the XL with a 40mm stem based on progressive geometry, it's a reasonable reach but the wheelbase is getting massive. Whilst I've been thinking about sizing I've had a chance to look at the YT and Orbea.
Enduro looks good but it's a lot of money for the spec, not too keen on the shock or the wheels for $6500
Orbea Rallon looks good-decent suspension, and geo but no X01 in the $6999 Xteam spec.
YT Capra looks awesome but 170 is getting long, it might feel a bit sluggish. If you believe Steve Jones from dirt it's the best thing ever but I have less and less trust in the guy recently.

Comments on sizing/bikes appreciated particularly if you've ridden any of them.
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3/1/2014 12:17am
How can You consider The YT with The biggest size being An L with a Short TT?
simple
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3/1/2014 3:41am
The wheelbase is good at 1196 but the slack head angle and steep seat angle make a cramped toptube. I think you're right, I'd definitely be compromising on size if I went with the Capra. It's hard to overlook the value though!
I think the pro version is worth the cash for the parts but I'd much prefer it to be a 160 at either end. I'd also like to drop the bb a little using offset bushings but that would rake out the front even more (I'm keen for slack geo but that could go below 65).

Think the Specialized Enduro 29 expert XL with an offset bush, 35mm stem (or possibly one of these ugly things http://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=2629) and possibly a monarch plus in a slightly shorter length (as suggested in the latest issue of dirt) has the edge at the moment. Definitely more than I was looking to spend though!

Maybe it's cheaper to make me shorter...
3/1/2014 3:50am
I Told You that for I'm in the Same ballpark, being actually on a Banshee Rune V2 size XL 650b At 65°,, Which I'm Very happy With Except for the weight... I already run BOS front & rear setup, I'm gonna consider a frame swap With a Norco Range Carbon whose Suspension design Is Very good indeed...
simple
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3/1/2014 2:13pm
The range also looks awesome. So you think the BOS is worth it? Any problems with servicing? The Enduro really seems like the safe bet but $6500 for an aggressive bike with a FOX Float CTD Performance shock seems steep. I guess they want to separate the S-Works a bit more.

Anyone else have any thoughts on the fox float on the Enduro 29? Or sizing/bike comments?
3/1/2014 2:24pm
I have only bad experiences With The float With My weight Which Is Close To 92 kg dressed... The hydraulic and rebound in particular At 210+ psi Is useless after 2 minutes of descent, At that condition I need a Monarch plus At least, regardless of The weight penalty on The bike... I Think BOS Kirk was the biggest surprise being so Close To The Coil feeling...No more specy for me due To proprietary shocks
bturman
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Durango, CO US
3/2/2014 8:33am
For what it's worth, the new Capra features a VERY progressive linkage curve. So much so that I doubt all 170mm will be used except on the biggest of hits in combination with the air shock.

Have you considered the new Trek Slash 27.5? The geo fits well with what you've described. Our review: http://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Bikes,3/Trek/Slash-9-27-5-650b,13…

We'll have a Test Sessions review up on the Orbea soon. The X Team model impressed us.
3/2/2014 8:41am
Very progressive but with a quite Low leverage ratio, isn't it?
3/2/2014 8:58am
Yes it needs a Big volume air ammo, And The Kirk Is Just perfect as At BOS they can custom valve it... Never seen a curve like this, however, kudos To YT
3/3/2014 8:11am
simple wrote:
I'm overdue a new 150mm-160mm bike and seem to be spoilt for choice. Best combinations of aggressive geometry, decent spec seem to be: Orbea Rallon X...
I'm overdue a new 150mm-160mm bike and seem to be spoilt for choice. Best combinations of aggressive geometry, decent spec seem to be:

Orbea Rallon X team
Specialized Enduro 29er expert
YT Capra

I was going to go for the Enduro but have been confused about the sizing. I'm 6ft2 and had been talked into the XL with a 40mm stem based on progressive geometry, it's a reasonable reach but the wheelbase is getting massive. Whilst I've been thinking about sizing I've had a chance to look at the YT and Orbea.
Enduro looks good but it's a lot of money for the spec, not too keen on the shock or the wheels for $6500
Orbea Rallon looks good-decent suspension, and geo but no X01 in the $6999 Xteam spec.
YT Capra looks awesome but 170 is getting long, it might feel a bit sluggish. If you believe Steve Jones from dirt it's the best thing ever but I have less and less trust in the guy recently.

Comments on sizing/bikes appreciated particularly if you've ridden any of them.
Without enough time on the Capra to make any definitive statements, after a couple of test rides I can tell you that it is most definitely NOT sluggish. Moving out, you really wouldn't think you're on a 170mm bike - but all the composure you could want is there once you open it up. It felt good right away, and that was without paying any attention to suspension setup. I rode the BOS version, but if you're worried about 170mm as a number, the high-end Rockshox version drops to 160mm travel.
simple
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AU
3/7/2014 2:05am
Thanks for the feedback, interesting that both the yt and orbea seem to be designed around the BOS yet the Orbea was has a linear leverage ratio while YT went for a very progressive one. Maybe the YT uses a larger air can than the Orbea?

This is all getting confusing, I'm slowly going mental! Updated thoughts on each below:

YT Capra- L = Wheelbase1196.2, chainstay 430, Reach 445, stack 602.5
Value is great and the BOS does apparently make a noticeable improvement over standard fox/rockshox. Still not sure about the sizing for 6ft2, perhaps I'm getting too wrapped up in hype around long and low geo. The bb is still quite high (or not super low which I know I prefer) - just over 350.

Orbea Rallon- L = Wheelbase 1204, chainstay 420, Reach 467, stack 624
A lot of money. A pound heavier than the others. Probably the least pedal friendly. I like the idea of the geometry. BOS suspension. Large sizing seems like a good size for 6ft2

Enduro expert 29- XL = Wheelbase 1209, chainstay 430, Reach 465, stack 655
Always reviewed positively, light, big wheels with similar geo to the others. BB is high ~350 but could be lowered without making the front too slack. not great value for all the own brand kit. Seems that only a monarch plus or a cane creek can be fitted aftermarket.

Still leaning on the Enduro in XL with the ugly drop stem but could be creating the long 29ers that everyone hated a few years back. If I went with the reduced length monarch and offset bush the bb gets down to around 340 and the reach and stack are 458 and 660 respectively.

My riding - based in Australia at the moment mostly riding shuttle assisted rocky xc routes. Bike needs to be capable of riding smoother singletrack but that will be in group rides and not too quick. Will be trips to NZ and the european alps. I'd probably sell the DH bike too so this would have to be capable of a few DH runs.

Test riding opportunities are limited here - the enduros are sold out before they get to the shops, the orbeas take 6-8 weeks to get in and the yts aren't available until may and would require a friend to resend to aus from europe.

Anymore pearls of wisdom? specifically sizing info from any 6ft2 people who have ridden similar size bikes and/or general comments on the relative merits of the bikes.
3/7/2014 11:12pm
Simple, can You link me How To Fit a Monarch plus on The Specy proprietary mount?
Thank you!
simple
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AU
3/8/2014 12:54am
Hi nightfuel, no instructions I'm afraid but I've confirmed that it's possible with a specialised dealer. You need to buy a shock with a particular mount via specialized. The monarch plus and cane creek dbair are available aftermarket with this mount.

Curtis Keene and Anneke Beerten have been running them for a while:
http://www.iamspecialized.com/members/annekebeerten/
http://enduro-mtb.com/en/pro-bike-interview-curtis-keene-specialized-en…

Steve Jones (dirt mag) seems to think it's better than the dbair.

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