FS race bikes

[RideMonkey]

Who here is racing XC on a FS bike? Whattya got?

[Yossarian]

I am not really a racer, but I did race my Gary Fisher Sugar 3 disc in a Hi-Tec Adventure race. Are you in the market?

[Heidi]

Sugar baby. I've said it before, perfect for racing with only 2.5 in the rear, NO BOB.

[Yossarian]

Sugars in the House!

[igjr]

I raced the entire '01 season on a Rocket88. I know it got ****ty reviews from Mountain Bike, but I have no idea where they were coming from. Not a good race or trail bike? Give me a break!

I've got a few bikes in the stable to choose from, including a 21.5 pound Homegrown, but I raced the Rocket even in races with extra heinous climbing, and podiumed (Ex & Pro/Semi Pro races). It's great all around bike. Too bad there will be only 2 Rockets and no Homegrowns next year...

I say if you're looking to buy an FS bike for racing, forget all the marketing BS and get something that's very active. You don't need friction built into the design, just learn a smooth spin!

[MtnBikerChk]

ELEMENT RACE http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein/a_smil09.gif !!

[Heidi]

The new Titus Racer X looks nice. Teeheehee You HAD to know I was going to say that!

[RideMonkey]

Hey Ig,

Does that Schwinn dually hold up well under prolonged riding/abuse. What would you say the headache factor would be (in terms of maintenance) if you were racing/training all year on a dual suspension?

Did you race on a SID fork this year?

[igjr]

I actually got a frame and built it myself. I had it built shortly after new year '01. I rode and raced it almost exclusively the entire summer. Training, racing and big getting lost type epic rides. Not once have I even had to touch it. It started to squeak mildly once, but I just took a rag and wiped the dust out of the bearing surfaces - didn't even have to take anything apart.

I can't speak for other suspension bikes, but regular maintanence is key. I'm extremely anal about my bikes. I keep them clean, lubed and in tune. I go over each bike with a fine tooth comb after every ride or 2. Just ask my wife. I spend about as much time in the garage as I do on the bike.

Headache factor will definitely be reduced if you opt for a bike with cartridge bearings at all pivot points. When a bushing starts squeaking, you have to dissassemble and clean off the bushing and the bushing surfaces. Bushings are also quick to wear out. I used to own a bushing bike and I was tearing it down every couple of weeks. 100% bearings are definitely the way to go. A lot of folks riding bikes with bushings don't have a lot of problems, I will say that. However, everyone that I know that puts 12+ hours on the bike, year around, in all conditions, has problems with bushings sooner than later. (rant off)

No SID on the Rocket. I've been running a Mars Elite on this bike since I built it. The MARS is much simpler and it is rebuildable, unlike the SID cartridge. I also like the range of damping adjustment on the MARS. Plus, I'm partial to Manitou - 1 friend drives the truck and the other is in charge of race development.

My Rocket has been an absolutely great bike. I cannot complain 1 bit.

[RideMonkey]

I never liked the feel of the sid race. Is manitou moving away from light weight racing forks in favor of the Black series?

[strakos]

Originally posted by ridemonkey
I never liked the feel of the sid race. Is manitou moving away from light weight racing forks in favor of the Black series?

I think the Mars line is still alive.

I have a Kona King Kikapu. I don´t race it, but I ride it almost everyday to work. I think this is the best FS frame around, it might not be cheap, but it´s worth the money. It´s one of the lightest around(mine is a Large and is lighter than a Superlight L frame), it´s strong, it doesn´t need maintenance(I clean mine once a month only) and you can build it very light. Mine is just under 12kg.

[James]

Monkey-
Obviously, I'm on an NRS, but I love mine. I have an NRS Air I built up from a frame. I'm running v-brakes on it, instead of the discs, just for weight reasons. It's been a great bike, plush on the descents, fast on the climbs (it could be faster with a stronger engine!). I'm not racing anything serious, just for fun, every once in a while.
Most of the time, though, I'll opt for my carbon MCM hardtail. It doesn't ride as plush as the NRS, but it's hard to beat a 2.8lb 21" frame, you know? With my X-Max and SID SL, it's really the lightest hardtail I've ridden, and probably too light for my bulk, but I love it anyway.
Anyway, that's my (admitedly biased) 2 cents on the subject. There are a lot of great XC bikes out there, it's a great time to be in the market.
Hey, drop me a line, I have some info for you.

Cheers

James

[edoz]

I'm racing on a Titus Motolite. It weighs about 27 lbs, but here in the Ozarks there are rock every where. I may buy a hardtail this winter ( the new Titus Riddler maybe) I also raced a little downhill on the Motolite.

[KleinMp99]

I race on my klein, its a great bike and I am selling it this year!!!!

[strakos]

Originally posted by James@Giant
Monkey-
Obviously, I'm on an NRS, but I love mine. I have an NRS Air I built up from a frame. I'm running v-brakes on it, instead of the discs, just for weight reasons. It's been a great bike, plush on the descents, fast on the climbs (it could be faster with a stronger engine!). I'm not racing anything serious, just for fun, every once in a while.
Most of the time, though, I'll opt for my carbon MCM hardtail. It doesn't ride as plush as the NRS, but it's hard to beat a 2.8lb 21" frame, you know? With my X-Max and SID SL, it's really the lightest hardtail I've ridden, and probably too light for my bulk, but I love it anyway.
Anyway, that's my (admitedly biased) 2 cents on the subject. There are a lot of great XC bikes out there, it's a great time to be in the market.
Hey, drop me a line, I have some info for you.

Cheers

James

Hey James, is there still any chance that Giant has a MCM lying around?

[Micro-Sanjay]

well, this is what I'll be attempting to race XC on my comeback to the discipline... 23.5 lbs and more room to shed weight...

Ozzer

[jaydee]

Now yer talkin'. Those Kerfies are gorgeous. Light and stiff and steel and super paint jobs. I like the 7-UP green ones. The wishbone stay is a functional work of art. A lot of guys used to race on those here in BC. If I didn't still have my old Dave Wiens vintage Diamondback Axis Team Ti to race on that I can't destroy, I'd think about a DeKerf. FS is for wimps, as far as racing goes (I hope Roland Green doesn't read this!). Just kidding.

[strakos]

Originally posted by Ozzer
well, this is what I'll be attempting to race XC on my comeback to the discipline... 23.5 lbs and more room to shed weight...

Ozzer

cool.....you have it that light and still with a bunch of heavy parts....if you gave it to me I´d put it under 19lbs....:D

I´m planning on getting a Zaskar Team cause they are going hella cheap now...and have excellent components.

[strakos]

Originally posted by Acadian


yeah I have to agree that the Zaskar LE Team is a great bike! For racing, that bike served me well.

some things I´ll change even before I ride it...the handlebar, the crappy easton MAG stem and the heavy tires.

[Micro-Sanjay]

Originally posted by Acadian


yeah I have to agree that the Zaskar LE Team is a great bike! For racing, that bike served me well.

dude...you're just a jaded GT fannnnnnnnatic....:D could you imagine me saying stuff about Intense over and over????

Nah, I just like the "compliant" feel of steel bikes...I hate Ti's bec they seem to ride like a baked hippie....they flex in groovy psychedelic manner but yet remain cool. I definitely hate alum HT (well, maybe if Intense fabricate one..) bec if I want a jackhammer, I'd work for CalTrans.. and as mentioned by jaydee, the seatstay/wishbone of the Dekerfs are just as beautiful and as functional.. grab the rear brake and you won't even see the seatstay twitch..that's stiff babeee. HT's, I'm all steel, man...groovy.

Maybe the Pacific Xixang Ti would be another good choice...:D

Ozzer (can't sleep)

[Micro-Sanjay]

Originally posted by strakos


cool.....you have it that light and still with a bunch of heavy parts....if you gave it to me I´d put it under 19lbs....:D

I´m planning on getting a Zaskar Team cause they are going hella cheap now...and have excellent components.


I think my weight threshold is 21 lbs..if I go any lighter, a lot of parts will be comprimised... when I ride (and when I race) XC stuff, I necessarily don't switch my aggro brain cells to mute....DH is in the blood, always....

Ozzer (when will I ever wear lycra shorts?)

[strakos]

Originally posted by Ozzer



if I go any lighter, a lot of parts will be comprimised


NOT!!!

Although XT cranks are lighter, the combo cranks+bb is heavier than XTR. Will you compromise the XTR cranks+bb?)
That crappy easton stem.....but a FRM stem there or something like that.
Then there are derraileurs, wheels, tires...etc.

[Micro-Sanjay]

Originally posted by strakos


NOT!!!

Although XT cranks are lighter, the combo cranks+bb is heavier than XTR. Will you compromise the XTR cranks+bb?)
That crappy easton stem.....but a FRM stem there or something like that.
Then there are derraileurs, wheels, tires...etc.

the wheels, I definitely don't want it any lighter... I like Easton bec I get stuff from them for...nah, I get them "cheap." If I have the budget or the weight weenie beanie on, I'd go the distance in shedding pounds and grams but, I just built the Dekerf from what I have laying around my bike closet....

Ozzer

[The Toninator]

Originally posted by Ozzer



Ozzer (when will I ever wear lycra shorts?)

i race xc in baggies.

[tammy]

Right now I'm racing on my Titus Loco-Moto...

[tammy]

The Loco...

[tammy]

And the Titus Quasi-Moto...

[tammy]

And last, but not least, the Titus Racer-X...

[strakos]

cool tammy......titus rulez!

[Heidi]

Did somebody say Titus?

[strakos]

Originally posted by Heidi
Did somebody say Titus?

no....we weren´t talking bout 'titus', you heard wrong.....we´re talking bout tits

[tammy]

Funny you should say that - Steve and I were just saying that if we decided not to race on the team next year, we might take the "U" stickers off...

[Heidi]

Originally posted by strakos


no....we weren´t talking bout 'titus', you heard wrong.....we´re talking bout tits

:( Oh, OK, nevermind then.:(

[rad_mtnbiker]

I have raced an Intense Uzzi XC since 97 (when it wasn't cool to have a full suspension bike on the course). I love it to pieces...Allows me to go faster downhill...:cool: Raced both hardtail and FS and prefer the FS.:crying: No whining allowed!!!

[Serial Midget]

Wow... searching for Carbon Gaint and this thread turns up - Tammy had some fly rides... sadly we don't hear too much from my hero anymore. :( Tammy can color coordinate ANYTHING, ANY TIME, ANTWHERE. :D

[spincrazy]

Damn this is an old thread. Glad I didn't post in it. Funny to see the past though.

I miss Strakos. no....we weren´t talking bout 'titus', you heard wrong.....we´re talking bout tits

[tammy]

Originally posted by Serial Midget
Wow... searching for Carbon Gaint and this thread turns up - Tammy had some fly rides... sadly we don't hear too much from my hero anymore. :( Tammy can color coordinate ANYTHING, ANY TIME, ANTWHERE. :D

I'm still around, baby!!! I do lurk on here from time to time. Just been super busy (yes, the rumors ARE true, I've taken up Oriental Dance - but never fear, I'm still biking too!) - glad to hear somebody missed me though, especially my own fashion hero! :D

EDIT: Oh, and Midge, you'll be happy to know that I do have at least one leopardskin dance outfit! :eek: :p

[Carbon Fetish]

My "custom" Scalpel 900. I'm going to get some Marta SL sometime in the near future. It weighs about 24 pounds.

edit: Wow this is an old thread!

[TreeSaw]

Just got a Jekyll 700 w/the Ti Lefty. It's my new XC racer!!!

[VoltesV]

Hi guys and gals...n00b here and this is my first post! Anyway, here is my FS XC race bike; pic taken about 2 year ago when I just finished putting it together. No dirt at all...so clean!! Ah, those were the days.

[Repack]

My gf's Epic and its predacessor. The Trek is now a "fun" bike. It is also being kept around "just in case..."
The HFX Mag Plu's have been added since the pic was taken. A big improvement over the Avid mech's, but the Avid's are still very nice.

6/20/04: I deleted the pic b/c of the new quota.

[blue]

Anyone actually ride an aluminum hardtail for XC racing anymore? I feel so alone now...

[VA2SLOride]

I have an old Gary Fisher Big Sur ('98) that I stripped all the paint off of and converted to a singlespeed. Aluminum rocks, man.....

[flatulant_man]

Hey i've heard that the intense 5.5 is an awsome trail and x country bikes. it's got a little bit more travel than usual, but it's got a airshock, so it's stiffness is totally adjustable, and it's really light. check it out

[VA2SLOride]

I've heard the same thing...I almost got one

[VA2SLOride]

'98 SC Heckler with a Foc 125 RLC up front and a Vanilla in the rear. 26.5 lbs and nimble as a martha focker.

[Repack]

Hey i've heard that the intense 5.5 is an awsome trail and x country bikes. it's got a little bit more travel than usual, but it's got a airshock, so it's stiffness is totally adjustable, and it's really light. check it out
Yes you can adjust how stiff it is, but you shouldn't. VPP bikes are designed to sag to a specific point in their travel. If it is not set up properly, you will not be taking full advantage of the VPP. The wheel path will be fighting you instead of working for you.

[2chains]

I used to ride a Trek y-22 cabon FS, but after a serious crash into a tree the frame shattered.
Now I ride a beautiful Trek Y-50 carbon frame FS with an "on the fly" variable lockout rear shock (lever on the bars). Love the bike. Sorry no pics.