The "Find Neil the perfect Megavalanche race bike" thread
Discussion
Here we go chaps: A thread for you to get your teeth into.
Now then, I currently have the following steeds:
Commencal Supreme DH
Commencal Supernormal VIP
Commencal Meta 4X
and finally as a frame
Commencal Supreme 6.0 FR
Now then, I love all of these bikes like they are my children. However, bar the DH, which is the perfect UK DH bike (and thus all I need for the French/Canadian stuff), and I'll use that for the Sprint Oz race (pure DH course) and the qualifying of the Mega, whereupon a DH bike is most suited, with only one real climb that can be stomped up - the DH is actually reasonably handy at pedalling, so will cope.
However, I'm troubling over the race bike (and to a greater degree an all round bike to tootle about on in the UK). I want something that climbs well, but I don't want heavy, nor do I want something so light it snaps at the first hint of a rock.
Essentially I want the moon on a stick. Or a Lapierre Spicy 916.
But as you all know, I'm a demading sort, and I want your input before I go a bit nuts: Some friends have suggested things like a Blur LT - another thought I had was an Orange Sub 5 possibly, but as I've been purely in the world of Commencal, and I've scratched the Meta 5 itch, and the newer ones are more XC than FR, I'm keen to hear some thoughts.
I'm game for selling both the 4X, Supreme 6.0 and the Supernormal in order to get whatever is suggested - either as full bikes or as parts - bearing in mind that between the two bikes I have the pick of some of the juiciest kit going...
ETA the DH stays. Its going to my grave with me.
You thoughts please chaps
Now then, I currently have the following steeds:
Commencal Supreme DH
Commencal Supernormal VIP
Commencal Meta 4X
and finally as a frame
Commencal Supreme 6.0 FR
Now then, I love all of these bikes like they are my children. However, bar the DH, which is the perfect UK DH bike (and thus all I need for the French/Canadian stuff), and I'll use that for the Sprint Oz race (pure DH course) and the qualifying of the Mega, whereupon a DH bike is most suited, with only one real climb that can be stomped up - the DH is actually reasonably handy at pedalling, so will cope.
However, I'm troubling over the race bike (and to a greater degree an all round bike to tootle about on in the UK). I want something that climbs well, but I don't want heavy, nor do I want something so light it snaps at the first hint of a rock.
Essentially I want the moon on a stick. Or a Lapierre Spicy 916.
But as you all know, I'm a demading sort, and I want your input before I go a bit nuts: Some friends have suggested things like a Blur LT - another thought I had was an Orange Sub 5 possibly, but as I've been purely in the world of Commencal, and I've scratched the Meta 5 itch, and the newer ones are more XC than FR, I'm keen to hear some thoughts.
I'm game for selling both the 4X, Supreme 6.0 and the Supernormal in order to get whatever is suggested - either as full bikes or as parts - bearing in mind that between the two bikes I have the pick of some of the juiciest kit going...
ETA the DH stays. Its going to my grave with me.
You thoughts please chaps
Edited by neil_bolton on Monday 19th January 10:34
k off and all 
WildCards said:
P-Jay said:
What you need is a shocker for qualli and a Hustler for the race.
5 and a bit hours. I was wondering how long before a Cove was mentioned. Neil, stop being ghey and get a 6 bought. Bloody shandy drinkers.Find me a similar bike, thats a bit longer and I'm there.
666's and 6's do appeal, but they are too close to the DH, and likely to compromised for me to razz up the climbs (honestly, you Mega virgins have NO idea how hard the climbs are)...
I ride a Marin Quake XLT 7.3 fantastic pedaling and it goes over everything you throw at it. Ofcourse I need to decided what I will be riding though. Possibly my Ironhorse SGS pro might get a show, I love the fact that its a tank but obviously the pedaling will be an issue.
Some of the Intense FR bikes fit the bill perfectly imo
Some of the Intense FR bikes fit the bill perfectly imo
-C- said:
neil_bolton said:
Find me a similar bike, thats a bit longer and I'm there.
Blur 4X. 44.5/45" wheelbase, BB is DH bike low, 1.5lb lighter than Meta 4X & a lovely slack headangle.You won;t regret it!
Whats the difference between the normal Blur and the Blur 4X? Is it more ridable than the Meta 4X?
The 4X is built up with a bit beefier tubing & a few extra gussets. Its about half a pound heavier overall, comes in at just over 6lb for the frame alone.
Geometry wise, its longer, lower & slacker. I find mine works best with a fork around 110-120mm, but you can run from as little as 100 to 150 if you please. Head angle is 68.5 with a 100mm fork, so 120mm is about 68-67.5 forke dependant.
My Mrs has a Meta 4X she uses for everything, and put it this way, she wants to sell it for a Blur 4X! The seat angle is steeper on the Blur so it makes it far easier to actually ride about. With the low BB & slack head angle it will never climb like an XC whippet, but it makes up for it on the downs, which was the important bit for me.
It's definately worth trying one though - for me, its pretty much the perfect do it all frame. Its the one bike I will never sell
Geometry wise, its longer, lower & slacker. I find mine works best with a fork around 110-120mm, but you can run from as little as 100 to 150 if you please. Head angle is 68.5 with a 100mm fork, so 120mm is about 68-67.5 forke dependant.
My Mrs has a Meta 4X she uses for everything, and put it this way, she wants to sell it for a Blur 4X! The seat angle is steeper on the Blur so it makes it far easier to actually ride about. With the low BB & slack head angle it will never climb like an XC whippet, but it makes up for it on the downs, which was the important bit for me.
It's definately worth trying one though - for me, its pretty much the perfect do it all frame. Its the one bike I will never sell
neil_bolton said:
WildCards said:
P-Jay said:
What you need is a shocker for qualli and a Hustler for the race.
5 and a bit hours. I was wondering how long before a Cove was mentioned. Neil, stop being ghey and get a 6 bought. Bloody shandy drinkers.Find me a similar bike, thats a bit longer and I'm there.
666's and 6's do appeal, but they are too close to the DH, and likely to compromised for me to razz up the climbs (honestly, you Mega virgins have NO idea how hard the climbs are)...
I've ridden Cannondales for the last 18 years, but for for my latest bike went for a YETI 575 which I love. Admittedly I'm from the old-school era of downhilling so don't get massive air, but IMHO the Yeti os a superb all rounder.
Not sure how it would cope in the Alps though
Not sure how it would cope in the Alps though
Edited by hot66 on Tuesday 20th January 09:35
nervous said:
Im told the Lapierre zesty is amazing, better than the spicy in fact. pricy, mind. and potentially too orangey for crows.
I can confirm that the Lapierre Zesty is an awesome bike, brilliant all-rounder that climbs suprisingly well for a 5.5 inch travel bike and it's far more capable on the downhills and rough stuff than I am! It has a roomy front end with an effective top tube length of 600mm on the medium and a longish wheelbase. The only trouble is the prices have jumped a fair bit on the 09 bikes with the addition of the carbon rear triangle, but it does make what was already a reasonably light bike, for it's amount of travel, even lighter.AbarthChris said:
neil_bolton said:
WildCards said:
P-Jay said:
What you need is a shocker for qualli and a Hustler for the race.
5 and a bit hours. I was wondering how long before a Cove was mentioned. Neil, stop being ghey and get a 6 bought. Bloody shandy drinkers.Find me a similar bike, thats a bit longer and I'm there.
666's and 6's do appeal, but they are too close to the DH, and likely to compromised for me to razz up the climbs (honestly, you Mega virgins have NO idea how hard the climbs are)...
It needs to be a 140mm ish travel frame or less - 4 to 5 inches is perfect Mega race material, and I will also be building it with a view to a tight, light, and hammerable XC bike for when I get back.
Like I said, the 4X is perfect if it wasn't so bleeding short and slack (which is not its fault, as I brought it for jumping and larking about on)...
definitely give trek a look, superb 08 kit and frames, relatively similar dimensions to the meta 6 when alls said and done but trek tend not to be complete tools when it comes to honoring warranties.
Bad experiences with the andorrans that have never been satisfactorily concluded.
trek also has the ABP Technology which makes and incredible difference. \
Soon be another industry standard i reckon.
BTW why so many commencals???
A wee thing for rachel atherton perhaps???
yeah,.........me to.]
Switch
Bad experiences with the andorrans that have never been satisfactorily concluded.
trek also has the ABP Technology which makes and incredible difference. \
Soon be another industry standard i reckon.
BTW why so many commencals???
A wee thing for rachel atherton perhaps???
yeah,.........me to.]
Switch
neil_bolton said:
AbarthChris said:
neil_bolton said:
WildCards said:
P-Jay said:
What you need is a shocker for qualli and a Hustler for the race.
5 and a bit hours. I was wondering how long before a Cove was mentioned. Neil, stop being ghey and get a 6 bought. Bloody shandy drinkers.Find me a similar bike, thats a bit longer and I'm there.
666's and 6's do appeal, but they are too close to the DH, and likely to compromised for me to razz up the climbs (honestly, you Mega virgins have NO idea how hard the climbs are)...
It needs to be a 140mm ish travel frame or less - 4 to 5 inches is perfect Mega race material, and I will also be building it with a view to a tight, light, and hammerable XC bike for when I get back.
Like I said, the 4X is perfect if it wasn't so bleeding short and slack (which is not its fault, as I brought it for jumping and larking about on)...
AbarthChris said:
neil_bolton said:
AbarthChris said:
neil_bolton said:
WildCards said:
P-Jay said:
What you need is a shocker for qualli and a Hustler for the race.
5 and a bit hours. I was wondering how long before a Cove was mentioned. Neil, stop being ghey and get a 6 bought. Bloody shandy drinkers.Find me a similar bike, thats a bit longer and I'm there.
666's and 6's do appeal, but they are too close to the DH, and likely to compromised for me to razz up the climbs (honestly, you Mega virgins have NO idea how hard the climbs are)...
It needs to be a 140mm ish travel frame or less - 4 to 5 inches is perfect Mega race material, and I will also be building it with a view to a tight, light, and hammerable XC bike for when I get back.
Like I said, the 4X is perfect if it wasn't so bleeding short and slack (which is not its fault, as I brought it for jumping and larking about on)...
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