Get backToThe roots of mountain biking. Were notTalking about foam mushroomTop helmets and fully rigid bikes with whack geometry, but rather charging climbs and slaying downhills fasterThan any of you bros.The Spitfire was designed with exactlyThis in mind. It is faster, cooler, stronger, and lighterThan your buddies bike and will show itself off at anyTrail youTake itTo. Some are calling itThe cross country riders downhill bike orThe downhill riders cross country bike, but Banshees simply calli
Submitted by
MCHEEN
a Weekend Warrior
from Jakarta, Indonesia
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2011
Strengths: Great durability, best geometry, low cost maintenance.
Weaknesses: Close to zero rear shock (RP23). Take sometime to get used to it'ss geometry.
Bottom Line:
Best balance between climbing and slaying downhill. Really nice for an epic all mountain trip. Durable as banshee. It's ride so lightly. My only let down is having >1m drop off or jump, it felt like the bike is a bit nervous (nervous? yeah, that's the best word for describing, haha).
Bike Setup: X0+X9, SR Charger Pro, Elixir CR, Revelation dual air 150mm Tapered.
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Submitted by
Dave N
a Weekend Warrior
from Hood River, Oregon
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2011
Strengths: All mountain 6". Rides uphill in a comfortable way, Descends like a banshee. Truly wails on the descent. Mine is 30 lbs. with flat pedals and this combination of Fox RP23 & Talas 32 makes it perfect for all round riding including small to medium sized jumps.
Weaknesses: I did'nt like the stock tires and switched to Nevegal 2.35's, plus the seat was too hard for me and I switched to a WTB Pure V
Bottom Line:
One bike to do it all: uphill, downhill, jumping.
Check Bike mag 2011 reviews "The bible" issue, the Spitfire killed it!
If you are a XC spandex wearing type rider it may not be your cup of tea. The Spitfire favors the all round baggy shorted mudslingin', air seeking biker.
The best this for me is durability. My crew ride several times a week and right thruough the rainy dark winter in the Northwest. The Spitfire has held up without a single bearing or bushing or weld fail. I love it.
Bike Setup: Pretty much stock
Talas 32 150 with QR 15 axle
Fox RP23 shock
X-7 & X-9 gears
Kenda Nevegal 2.35 tires
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Submitted by
el cap
a Weekend Warrior
from San Clemente, CA USA
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2011
Strengths: Everything
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
The Spitfire in the best trail and all mountain bike out there and I have tried them all. Go out and ride one and you will know the feeling of pure bliss on the trail.
Bike Setup: Large Spitfire in ano grey with RS Revelation tapered 150mm up front with 20mm TA, DT Swiss rims and hubs, gravity dropper, Easton DH carbon bars, XO components.
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Submitted by
horriefic
a Weekend Warrior
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2011
Strengths: - Zero pedal bob when peddling uphill seated. Absolutely zero movement on the RP23, even with the pro pedal turned off!
- Slack head tube angle makes it very stable when going downhill. Confidence booster!
- Perfect frame for gnarly single trails where you need to cycle uphill before blasting down the downhills!
Weaknesses: None! Really. I am trying to think of a weakness, but can't come out with one.
Bottom Line:
Great bike. Truly great for my type of trails and riding. The rear shock is very progressive. It takes a LOT to get even 80-90% travel. I have not been able to bottom it out yet. I am running close to 30% sag because of this.
You will love the geometry of this bike. Mine is raw. Very nice indeed.
Just keep in mind that due to the very slack head tube angle, if you have any spacers below the stem, the cockpit is going to greatly reduced. So if between sizes, go for one frame size up.
Bike Setup: XT Groupset.
2x9 with a e-13 bashguard
ZTR Flows with Hope Pro 2 hubs. Maxxis Minion 2.35 on the front and Maxxis High Roller 2.35 on the back. Tubeless. All in all bike weights 29.3lbs.
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Submitted by
monstertiki
a Weekend Warrior
from Corona
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2011
Strengths: Very Stiff frame, Low BB, slack head angle, good pedleability, uninterupted seat tube, low standover, fast handling on the down hills. This bike is awesome and gets lots of compliments on the trail. Coming from a pitch pro, this bike doesn't dissapoint in terms of nimbleness and handleability.
Weaknesses: There are a few weaknesses that I have found with my small frame. One is my 2011 160mm van rc2 fit low compression knob would not clear my bottom tube when running a zero stack cane creek lower cup. I had to run the external cup slackening the bike out a little more. I didn't have this problem when I tried an 55rc3 ti and an 09 lyrik u-turn coil, just be aware you could have issues with the zero stack and using certain forks on the small frame. Also the bike does bob a little when you use the small chainring, I solved that problem by taking off the small chain ring and just running it 1x9.
Bottom Line:
Despite a few issues with the fork not clearing the bottom tube and a little bob when using the smaller chain ring this bike is awesome! I love the way it handles on the down hills. On the up hills, it peddles a lot better than my pitch pro. You can set this bike up quite a few different ways depending on your riding style.
Next setup I would like to try a 150mm revelation rlt ti and a 1x10 33 11-36 drivetrain setup on this bike just to see how it feels with a lighter air fork and a 10 speed setup. I'm knocking the overall rating from a 5 to a 4 because of my fork clearance issue, but I suspect this problem is only on the small frame and it doesn't have the issue with all forks.
Submitted by
MartinS
a Weekend Warrior
from Fernie, BC
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2010
Strengths: Super fun bike, steep seat angle is a big plus in climbing, slack headangle makes it a blast on the DH's. Not meant as a big drop, jump bike though (the Rune is for that) more of a dh'ers XC/trail bike. The low bb allows it to rail corners with confidence, but extra rider skill and coordination is required to reduce pedal strikes - takes a bit of getting used to - once you learn to ride it though the benefit is awesome. Contrary to what was mentioned previously the TT is very generous for the seat tube height - the XL frame has an 20" seat tube and a 25.2" tt which is over 1/2" longer than say an XL SC Blur LTc...
Comes with spare bushings and an extra derailleur hangar included. Full length cable housing is a plus, as well as cable guides for remote for adj. travel posts.
Tire clearance is respectable, I'm running 2.4 Conti Trail Kings - no issues.
Weaknesses: It is a little overweight, but who cares - it isn't a whippy flexy race bike, it is a fun all day ripper that is super stiff and solid. The bushing system has it's plusses and negatives too, it is easy and reasonable to replace the pivots, but in super muddy areas maintenance is required more often. Also setting up a grease gun for the grease gun injector ports requires trial and error - it would be nice if a grease gun was supplied.
Bottom Line:
A really fun, unique ride, revolutionary geometry that is getting noticed by other companies for 2011.
A solid performer built by a small rider owned company that goes out of their way to support those who ride their bikes and thinks outside the box.
I've ridden this bike all over the Kootenays as well as Moab and Sedona and it is a blast!
Similar Products Used: Banshee Pyre, SC Blur LT, LT2 carbon, Yeti 575, Ibis Mojo - none of these are really similar though, only in the travel, geometry is way different - Spifire is way more 'relaxed' on the dh's
Bike Setup: Revelation Team 150mm, I9 enduro wheels, XTR drivetrain, KS i950, Formula RX brakes.
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Submitted by
builttoride
a Cross Country Rider
from BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2010
Strengths: Very comfortable geometry for long all day rides. Great pedal efficiency. Antisquat helps a lot when climbing steeps, as does the great seat angle. Slack head angle is great for riding down steeps. Low BB gives amazing feeling at speed. The frame is very stiff, which helps a lot when you put the power down, and in cornering or rough sections.
Banshee customer service is top notch. I got to speak directly with the designer, who helped me with all my questions when choosing to buy the bike.
Weaknesses: Not the plushest 5" travel bike, but this is an advantage in some respects. I like the firm feel most of the time as it is efficient and works well when riding hard, but I do occasionally feel some extra plushness on the downs would be nice. Bushings require regular maintenance.
Bottom Line:
I have really enjoyed this frame, more than expected, as I was not a big fan of Banshee before due to old reputation of heavy frames. This bike has really changed my opinion, and is the best all day all mountain bike I have ever ridden. It climbs very efficiently, the geometry is great, with a long top tube, seat angle is excellent for climbing and comfortable for long stretches in the saddle, it is also easy to get behind the seat on steep descents due to the fairly steep angle. The slack head angle means that you do not feel like you are in danger of going over the bars on steep sections like some bikes I have ridden. The bushings do require a bit more maintenance work than regular bearings, but seem to be working just fine so far.
Riding this bike always puts a smile on my face, and I have never once felt like the bike was really limiting me. The harder you ride it, the better it seems to handle. I'd highly recommend trying one.
Strengths: Great looking, erm..........can't think of many positives at the moment. Oh, decent price.
Weaknesses: Seat angle is far too steep (74deg with a sagged 140 fork)for a bike wanting to be an aggresive trail warrior and its akin like riding a unicycle at times. Pedal strike is a big issue. Too short in the top tube for the given seat tube length. Lots of pedal feedback.
Bottom Line:
Could be a great bike but is trying to be too many things. Slack head angle works well going down but the lack of bottom bracket height and resulting pedal strike means you have to find other ways of keeping your speed up. Its also nervous over bigger jumps and drops. A feeling of being on the bike rather than in it. So not the great descender it wants to be. Turn in can be slow in techy sections and it gets flustered over small rock gardens and multiple roots. High speed berms are great fun though to be fair and that low bottom bracket comes into play- it does hinder everywhere else though.
Steep seat angle puts you in a good position for climbing but then the slack head angle is working against you and the front wanders everywhere. Traction is very good though. A little more cockpit room would be a bonus for each given frame size.
Slightly heavy construction, lack of plushness and again that seat angle which makes long sustained peddling uncomfortable- pushing you further back in the saddle, rules it out as a great long distance all day XC bike.
So, in short, it tries to do everything but fails on most fronts.
Lose half a pound frame weight, 2 degrees off the seat angle, raise the BB by an inch, tweek the rear suspension to dial out the bob and add an extra inch in the top tube and it could be a cracker. Until then its more a Misfire than Spitfire.
Similar Products Used: Orange 5, Santa Cruz Heckler, Turner 5 spot, Yeti 575
Bike Setup: Magura Thor MT140AM, XT 1x9 drivetrain, Formula The One brakes, KS dropper post, Azonic 760mm bars, Hope wheelset, Kenda Blue Groove 2.3 DTC
Strengths: Pedals great for a 5" bike
Slack and low, which makes descending fast a lot of fun
Pivots are easy to maintain and cheap to replace
Stiff frame gives confidence when riding hard
Great customer service (I got to speak to the designer directly)
Weaknesses: Bushings need a bit of looking after, but only takes 5 minutes every few weeks.
Bottom Line:
I really love riding this bike. I never feel that it is holding me back or makes me nervous at speed, it feels very natural to ride. It pedals really well and is very comfy for all day rides. It might not be the plushest bike I have ever ridden, but it feels a lot more efficient, and fun. I went off carbon frames when one of mine failed badly, and have to admit that this frame feels much stiffer than I expected, and rides amazingly. I'm considering keeping this bike for another year, which is very rare for me.
Similar Products Used: Yeti 575 carbon
Ibis HD
Scott Genius
Bike Setup: Fox Float 36, and the stuff left over from my old bike.
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Submitted by
thebronze
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2010
Strengths: Best geometry i've ridden yet. Very easy to get behind the seat, seems like the bike does it for you if you stand and lean back. The handling is superb, the bike carves and corners like soft cheese. Suspension stays high in the travel, is progressive, and i've yet to bottom out. Pedals and climbs very well for a 5" bike. Fit and finish are superb. Banshee provides a seat post, collar, pivots and bushings w the purchase. Tapered head tube really seems to help firm up the front end. ISCG tabs are nice, stinger works w a 24t granny. This bike is stiff as coffin nails. Uses bushings w grease ports instead of bearings.
Weaknesses: Bit of pedal feedback and brake jack. If your coming from an old school 4 bar setup you'll notice both. Steep geometry setting is not really an option unless you like running the rp23 on full time to drown out the pedal feedback/chain growth.
Bottom Line:
Banshee has really outdone themselves with this bike. Its not perfect by any means but its a great compromise of a well mannered 5" bike that can climb, descend, and pedal as good as any i've ridden. The suspension is consistent and handles everything I can throw at it. I went from an '06 Turner 5 spot to this with some concerns and the banshee seems to do everything better, except for the brake jack. Which i'll glady take over the counter steer and squat issues found on the 5 spot. So far the bushings seem to be just as durable and care free as the Turners. If your in the market for a 5" travel bike i'd give it a serious look. Its easily the most fun i've had on a bike in a long time.
Bike Setup: 150mm float qr15, banshee headset and post.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
tonestar
a Weekend Warrior
from North Vancouver, BC. Canada
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2010
Strengths: This bike pedals incredibly well, when you stomp on it it launches forward like a rocket. Climbing is not an issue, it goes up technical single track no problem, it climbs like a billie goat. I have looked for the "pedal feedback" that others have talked about, but really can't feel anything out of the norm (running a 24/36 combo).
The slack angles allow this bike to descend like a little DH bike, it is quick and nimble while feeling bottomless in it's travel.
The weight is very reasonable, my complete bike comes in at 30lbs, with a solid build.
Weaknesses: No bottle holder. (hahahahaha)
Bottom Line:
This is a great all mountain bike, it goes down the mountain as well as it goes up it.
Similar Products Used: Yeti 575, Banshee Pyre (original version).
Bike Setup: Spitfire large w/Monarch shock, Manitou Nixon 145 fork, WTB Trail wheelset, X9, Stylo cranks, Formula K18 brakes.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Sern
a Weekend Warrior
from Penang, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2010
Strengths: tough frame, slack head angle give a plus for DH, climb very well even with 140mm fork,
Weaknesses: frame a bit heavy (3.1kg) around 2.7kg will be much better
Bottom Line:
this thing is blast man… I am skeptical on the climbing for 140mm fork. With pIke on my Scirocco, it will wonder around and head keep bounce up when climbing step hill. Very difficult and not comfortable to climb. On my Spitty, lol…. It climb like normal XC bike and I tell you when DH this thing is blast. Well many the XC bikes passed me when climbing (me.. stamina no good la), when DH I am pity to see them so slow and wasted the effort to climb… ha ha. I keep passing them 1 by 1… really worth the money man…
Keith was well thought off when designing this bike, solute to him!!! What other say on web XC’s DH bike, DH’s XC bike this is really true.
Strengths: Geometry: Low and slack which translates into a super stable ride. And much to my amusement, the slack HA actually aides in technical climbing as the front wheel isn't getting hung up as much as one would experience on a steeper bike.
Frame: Frame is overbuilt for a sub-130mm travel bike. Both the seat tube and BB are reinforced. This adds a bit of weight, but I can't see it breaking unless you do something really stupid with it. I probably would have prefered a full 1.5" HT, but the tapered option is the next best thing. And it has ISCG tabs to boot.
Climbing: Already mentioned how the slack HA figures into techy climbs, but the bike just rips uphill. I'm running it with 28% sag and on the lightest ProPedal setting (which I don't use that often) and you don't have that pogo effect like other bikes succumb to when hammering out of the saddle.
Price: $1550 for a frame that comes with a complete spare bushing/hardware kit, spare derailleur hanger, and a seatpost/collar is hard to beat.
Fit: I'm glad to see Banshee running a 25" TT on their XL's. This is a pretty rare thing and for those of us who are in the 6'4"+ range it means we can own a bike that fits without using a super long stem.
Weaknesses: Like I mentioned, the frame is a bit overbuilt which translates into added weight. I wouldn't necessarily call this a weakness on the Spitfire as it rides a lot lighter than what the scale reads. Having said that, if you're a gram counter then it takes a bit to get it below 30lbs if you're running the larger size frames.
I'm not a fan of the steeper rear suspension setting only for the reason that in that setting I tend to feel like I'm fighting the pedals as the kickback is quite pronounced. However, it's rare to feel any of that while in the slack setting.
In the slack setting it puts the BB in my set up right at 13" which is great in that it feels super comforable and stable in descents, but it's something to consider when climbing through chop as you will experience pedal strikes. After a few rides I got used to it and it became a non-issue.
Bottom Line:
This is a super fun bike to ride and I hope that others take a look at the numbers on the bike as Banshee is definitely onto something. This is one of the most stable and comfortable trail bikes to descend on that I've ridden. You'll go faster and feel less out of control with this bike. Given the price of the frame compared to it's competitors you really can't go wrong...and the Banshee guys are great to work with.
Similar Products Used: The only thing that's come close in terms of numbers was my '09 XL Tracer VP. Similar geometry and fit, but with a hair more travel and a BB that was about a 1/2" taller.
In the past 4 years I've owned, ridden and raced: SC Nomad, Giant Reign X, Ibis Mojo, Turner RFX, Turner 5 Spot, Turner Sultan, Tracer VP.
Bike Setup: Size XL. Fox Float 150 QR15, Easton Havens, mix of SRAM X0/Shimano XT drivetrain, Race Face Atlas low rise bars cut down to 30", Sunline AM stem, 180mm Elixir CR's, 4" Gravity Dropper Turbo, Blackspire Stinger w/dual ring (22/36) or E.13 SRS+ w/34 ring.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
nybike1971
a Cross Country Rider
from Upstate New York
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2010
Strengths: The Banshee Spitfire is flat out one of the most fun bikes I have ever been on. The geometry and suspension design work very well together to provide a ride that is balanced uphill and downhill. The low bottom bracket, slack geometry, and suspension anti-squat characteristics work together in unison: the Spitfire has the manners of a short travel downhill bike that can be pedaled around all day. I was expecting stellar downhill performance and I was ready to deal with the compromised climbing capability of the bike. Boy, was I in for a shock! The suspension design holds the shock high in the travel and provides gobs of traction when you lay the power down on the pedals. The bike climbs very well for what it is. Obviously, it's not a XC racer but it doesn't feel like a pig either and cleaning steep uphill technical sections is actually fun.
For the first time, I feel that an adjustable travel fork is unnecessary with this bike. I hear the claim that adjustable travel with this or that bike is not necessary all the time. My experience has always been that to clean steep, powerful, technical climbs I needed to bring the front end down on pretty much every bike I have owned or demoed. I never touch the U-turn knob on the Rockshox Revelation 150mm and only occasionally drop the Fox 36 TALAS from 160mm to 130mm. The trails I ride the most in the Northeastern US don't have prolonged uphill grinds (no climb is longer than a couple of miles and most are much shorter than that) but we almost always climb on technical singletrack with short, powerful, bursty sections that are often wet and greasy.
The suspension design feels very deep and obliterates square edges with its rearward axle path. Small bump compliance is adequate, but this bike is no couch, it's all about performance and connecting the rider to the trail.
The adjustable geometry, the choice of zero stack or external lower headset cup, compatibility with a variety of forks up to 160mm of travel give the opportunity to customize the feel of this bike and build it as a lightweight all-day trail shredder or a mid-30lbs mini-DH bike.
Weaknesses: There is a fair amount of pedal feedback in this suspension design. The feedback is more obvious with a longer fork. It is different from the feel of the old VPP bikes: the rear end doesn't hang on square edges, but in the granny it feels a bit like pedaling in squares instead of circles. I am used to traditional 4-bar pedaling characteristics and this feel took a bit to get used to. It's not necessarily bad or worse, but definitely different. I ultimately switched my drivetrain from 32/22 chainrings to 34/26 and even with the Fox 36, pedaling feels much smoother.
The bushing design is a bit cumbersome. I am used to Turner's bushings, which are a snap to maintain and lube via the zerk grease ports. The Banshee design is a little clunkier and I still haven't found a good grease needle that fits well and allows to push grease through the bushings without a lot of grease backflow.
The low bottom bracket has not been an issue on the trails I ride but I can see it being a limiting factor on some trails or riding styles. It definitely requires being more mindful of pedal position and using ratcheting technique to get through chunkier technical section and avoid pedal strikes.
Bottom Line:
The Banshee Spitfire is a unique bike in today's market that combines a very modern approach to geometry and suspension design to build an outstanding and fun ride. The bike is extremely connected to the trail and wants to go fast on all sorts of terrain. The low bottom bracket and slack-and-long geometry makes the bike corner extremely effectively and provides tons of stability in steep terrain. Pedaling characteristics require some getting used to, coming from traditional 4-bar suspension designs.
Similar Products Used: 2008 Turner 5 Spot, 2006 Turner RFX. I also demoed a number of other AM bikes over the years: Giant Trance and Reign X, Santacruz Blur LT and Nomad, Titus El Guapo and Motolite.
Bike Setup: Fox 36 TALAS or Rockshox Revelation 150mm Air U-turn, zero-stack Cane Creek 110.ZS and XXc Flush II lower cup, Formula K24 brakes, Stan's Flow on King ISO hubs, XT cranks, XT front derailleur, X9 rear derailleur and shifters, Sunline V1 handlebar, Truvativ offset 400mm seatpost or Gravity dropper with shim.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Cooch
a Downhiller
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2010
Strengths: Great quality and attention to detail. Team Blue/Polish paint job is superb and looks like glinting blue candy foil in the sun. Great features: slack head angle and adjustable geometry, tapered head tube, ISCG 05, 30.9 seat tube for adjustable posts. Build it tough, fun and still keep it light!
Weaknesses: To be fair, none noted during the build or first couple of rides. Time will tell I guess.
Bottom Line:
Hey, the privelage of writing the first review!! I wasn't really expecting a difference from my Pyre MK II, but I have to say HUGE difference! Slacker geometry is perfect for someone who really enjoys playing on their bike and selecting the bigger lines, faster turns and gnarlier sections. Talas forks still allow me to climb the steep fire roads. "Slammed" front end with from the no rise 737s still allow me to get over the front end in 160mm travel mode and hit anything.
This is a super fun bike that allows you to do anything. I've been riding it to my trails with the seat up and 100mm travel on the fork, then change to seat down, 160mm "seek fun and destroy mode". I'm so exhausted from riding it over the past two days and all I want to do is jump back on and go!
Frame is versatile to build it up anyway you want. I selected a 'downhill type build' so I could truly claim a "do it all" bike and so far (well, 2 days of hard riding) it hasn't dissapointed in any area. Banshee really have stepped it up with their production quality, design and execution. They really are pushing the envelope for the "new school" of rider!
Similar Products Used: Banshee Pyre, Giant NRS, Santa Cruz Bullit.
Bike Setup: Fox Talas 36s (100-160) tapered steerer, CK Inset headset 1.5 to 1 1/8. Straitling stem (blue to match), Gravity 777 to match the polish - cut down to 737 ;-) Gravity Lite cranks with 26/36/Bash setup. SRAM X9 for shifting, Avid Code Brakes Magnesiums. Hope Pro II Hubs (blue to match), DT Swiss 2mm spokes to Grey Camo MTX Rims. Blackspire dual ring chainguide/roller.
Hey all!
Been riding with a revelation 150mm and felt okay with it. But i want something less flexy, since i ride mostly in areas with short down and uphills i was thinking of g Read More »
Just got my new Spitfire frame. I normally run a short cage 10 speed rear D on my AM bikes. Anybody know if I am going to run into troubles with chain growth? Read More »
Helimech on a Roller:
No idea what set up he is running. He remarked that the Spitfire feels better in the steep stuff than his Gonad although the Santa Cruz was better in some Read More »
Hi all, does anyone know where I can get the pivot bolts for the Spitfire? I have bought all the bushings direct from Igus, just wondering if the pivots can be bought outside of Ba Read More »
I just purchased a Lyrik 2-Step with a tapered steerer tube for my Spitfire. I want to replace my Revelation that has a 1 1/8 steerer. According to Banshee's website I'll need a ZS Read More »
