Just curious what people's opinions are on these bikes... Which one would you prefer more and why? Also which is more bang for your buck? (talking used bikes here)
Yeah but doesn't the V10 tend to want to stick to the ground more with the extra sag (how stiff can you run the sag without messing up the vpp)?Go with the V-10. The 9.5 is a tank, so it will not be that fun to DJ. The V-10 although it is heavy is more manuverable. Also, as said before VPP is the ****. Also, the V-10 can take any abuse you can dish out.
what kind of problems are you referring to? are they costly problems or just more of an annoyance?vpp isnt the best thing since sliced bread. i would in my opinion go w/ the 9.5 we have had to many problems w/ v-10s at the shop i work at.
You have no idea what the hell you are talking about.Go with the V-10. The 9.5 is a tank, so it will not be that fun to DJ.
The figures don't lie... the 9.5 can't hold a candle to a conventional low/slack racebike on the track. You can change your riding style to suit, and obviously a faster rider will be fast on that too - but I don't think it's an ideal solution by any means.The 9.5 frame is relatively light, surprisingly so actually. Its also a SUPER STRANGE Bbike.
The BB is bloody skyscraper high, and the head angle is much steeper then you might expect. On paper is a ridiclous bike,
It is hard to compare them. They are two completely different animals. I have an 04 model v10. Mine is low, long and fast and sticks to the ground. I have no problem with gap jumps but lippy jumps that need you to pop off the lip are more challenging. The V10 is def. a plow. You can run it into really rocky choppy sections and it will eat up eaverthing in its path. It can also be finnessed through the tough stuff. It is a little long for tight turns but the way it handles high speed sweepers is unbelievable. I do not notice much brakejack and I have ridden other bikes with floaters so take that for what is worthBelieve me, I KNOW it will pedal better than mine so pedaling is NOT an issue. How's your buddy's 9.5 ride compared to your v10?
Kinesis doesn't own any remaining MC stock.I ride and race a large 9.5 with a fox 5.0 and have had no problems with it. I think that at the price you can get them they are a much better bike than the v10.(lighter and in my opinion a much more fun bike). I would also consider contacting kenisis. apperntly they were selling new 9.5 frames for just ove 1000. If you can find one without a fifth element than get it.
With what you just said i would go for the V10 based on the two choices you have listedMy first issue for looking at any bike right now is money (hopefully $1000 and under). I can get either one fairly cheap and some of the other frames I like are too much cash for me. Another issue is getting a bike with more travel than I already have because I am getting tired of bottoming super hard on larger hits. Third issue is how well the frame will hold up to abuse. It is going to be my only bike so I can't afford breaking it on a sketchy landing, miscalculated jump, etc. Another issue is how tall the bike is. I want something with long travel but as low a stand over height as I can get (though don't want the bb height too low). And lastly I need to be able to race it and pedal it well.
I am 5'7 and ride a Med. Could get way with a small but the bike does not feel "long" to meSo far the only reason I am unsure of the v10 is the long wheelbase and wider turning radius. If I do go with the v10 I think I'm definately going to look for a small (I'm at 5' 9" and a 32" inseam)
My friend has a small V10. I can ride it but it feels kind of small to me. I would get a medium myself. I'm 5'5, but I like longer bikes anyway.So far the only reason I am unsure of the v10 is the long wheelbase and wider turning radius. If I do go with the v10 I think I'm definately going to look for a small (I'm at 5' 9" and a 32" inseam)
That was my point though. The numbers are, quite frankly, stupid. The BB on mine was over 15"s with the 888. A bike with numbers like that shouldn't be fun to ride.The figures don't lie... the 9.5 can't hold a candle to a conventional low/slack racebike on the track. You can change your riding style to suit, and obviously a faster rider will be fast on that too - but I don't think it's an ideal solution by any means.
Anything under a large sounds good to me. I'd love to test ride one, but I don't even know if I can find one to sit on, let alone try out different sizes. I can't think of any shops down here in north county San Diego that carries v10's.My friend has a small V10. I can ride it but it feels kind of small to me. I would get a medium myself. I'm 5'5, but I like longer bikes anyway.
Just don't buy one without test riding the different sizes.
thats a really nice frame, i know the guy, we race for the same shop, and i can say that it is an amazing deal, custom white, new bearing kit, floater, really good deal. i race a 9.5, and freeride even more, they are perfect for everything, i love mine. they pedal surprisingly well, even with a 38 tooth ring and a road cassette. they have a small cockpit, they are super agile, overall just a good bike. v10's are a very good bike also, and i have nothing against them, but my friend has an 06, and they are horrible fro jumping. i would say if you are going to be freeriding at all, go with the 9.5, mountaincycle could use all the support they can get.Here's a 9.5 for 800 for the frame.
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/207772/
exactly, they are amazing bikes, and yes, you can mess with the shock size, i dont think i will just because i dont want to mess with my geo, but they are amazing bikes!That was my point though. The numbers are, quite frankly, stupid. The BB on mine was over 15"s with the 888. A bike with numbers like that shouldn't be fun to ride.
But it is.
Its still hands down one ofthe most fun bikes i have ever ridden, and I would take another in a second. I have also heard of dropping in a 9x3 shock to slacken it out, and drop the BB to race geo.
Sometimes numbers on paper just don't tell the whole story, and the 9.5 is definitely one of those bikes.