Submitted by
kghag
a Cross Country Rider
from planet earth
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2011
Strengths: -rides well
-reasonable weight
-low price
Weaknesses: -over-sized seat tube
-horrible customer service
Bottom Line:
Chumba quality control sucks (if there even is any).
Chumba customer service sucks.
Wish I would have spent my money on a different brand frame.
The seat tube on the frame I purchased was over sized, clearly a manufacturing defect. Yet when contacted about this problem CHUMBA initially declined to deal with it. After awhile they decided to "take care" of the problem for me, however it took them over three months to get me a new front triangle (sent it in before Memorial Day, didn't get it back until after Labor Day). Basically lost the whole riding season.
Similar Products Used: Owned - KHS AM (4", 5" or 6"faux bar/walking beam single pivot), Ironhorse MKIII (5" DW link), Intense Spider 2 (5"ish VPP 2). Ridden may others.
Bike Setup: Current setup - F120 in the front and the stock RP23 in the back. Sram x-9 drive (except SLX front der), Formula Oro Bianco stoppers, DT Swiss 240s/4.2d wheels.
Previous setups - I have also ridden it with a Talas 32 (100-140) and a Sektor Uturn (110-150) on the front. As well as a Manitou Evolver ISX-6 Intrinsic on the back.
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Submitted by
joe_cool
a Cross Country Rider
from Riverview, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2011
Strengths: Agile, relatively light and strong. Perfect desing and good looks.
Weaknesses: The Fox RP23 shock, better options are Fox DHX-5 or Cane Creek
Bottom Line:
I had two bikes before buying the Chumba VF2. a 29er Stumpy and a Foes FXR. I had trial identity issues. I love to ride fast(used 29er) at times then I also love to rip the tough terrian or hit big drops. (used the Foes FXR) The Chumba allows me to do both! I jump it off a 15 FOOT drop and then rip the cross country trails. I have had the bike for 1.5 years with no issues. The bike handles anything I need it to do. It always stops people on the trails. Chumba caters to the custom builder like me. The people at Chumba are passionate about their product and customers. You truly get a bike with unlimited options and Chumba is flexible to deliver a complete bike or hey, just take the frame and build it the way you want. ALL for a reasonable price in comparison to top line builds from the competition.
Similar Products Used: Giant Reign, Specialized Stumpjumper, Foes FXR
Bike Setup: 2011 Fox Talas, Sram XO shifters, der., and cassette. Race Face Dues XC crank. Chris King bottom bracket, headset and Hubs. Race face carbon bar.
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Submitted by
Svard75
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2010
Strengths: Excellent quality, Geometry, and Components. Lateral rigidity, Point and Shoot accuracy, The fact that you could put a 120 - 160mm fork on the front and it maintains geometry. The rear suspension is very linear thru out it's travel. Love the attention to detail and the anodized bolts are very strong. No frame creak even after 1 year.
Weaknesses: Chumba's customer service
Bottom Line:
The bike itself is amazing. Eats up trails and gnarly ST like butter. Unfortunately Chumba's customer service needs improvements.
Similar Products Used: KHS xc team, Titus X, Rocky Mountain Element
Bike Setup: Easton, Thompson and Pro cockpit, RS Reba XX fork 120 Maxle, Easton Havok wheelset, SRAM X.0 Red drivetrain, XT FD, Raceface Deus CS.
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Submitted by
Nate3510
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramneto, CA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2010
Strengths: Lightweight, the looks, a stiff frame, and great suspension action.
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
I got this frame direct from Alan and Jason at Chumba and it was the purchasing experience I have ever had. I will never own any other brand of bike.
I have been on this bike for about 6 months and it has been the best six months of mountain biking I have ever had and I have been mountain biking since 1989. One thing I have noticed is that I only hear the bumps, I dont feel anything. Its fun to look down and see the CCDB doing its thing and not feel anything.
On my last bike I was somewhat scared to dive into the corners but with the VF2 you cant help but to push it to the limit, this bike begs you to take it to the limit!!
All I can say is BUY IT you will not regret it, it is the best value on the market today and you will also receive the best customer service in the industry!!
Bike Setup: Dual air Pike, Cane Creek Double Barrel, 4.2D wheelset with hope hubs, Juicy 7 brakes.
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Submitted by
tundraline
a Cross Country Rider
from Lyons, CO
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2010
Strengths: I've been riding this bike for 2 years, which replaced a Chumber XCL. Like the XCL, this bike climbs very well and is extremely stable going downhill. Nothing has gone wrong in 2 years of riding something like 2,000 miles of singletrack. The VF2 is lighter than the XCL, and in my opinion rides smoother than the XCL, perhaps due to damping produced by the carbon stays.
Weaknesses: None come to mind.
Bottom Line:
A great bike and value for the money. Easily outperforms similarly-priced bikes, and performs just as well as more expensive custom bikes.
Bike Setup: Talas front shock/fork; Fox DHX 5.0 rear shock; Mavic Crossmax SL wheels; Shiman XTR drive train; Avid Juicy 5 brakes.
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Submitted by
Chefbigdaddy
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2010
Strengths: Incredible ride, not too mushy but takes away all of the bumps without losing effiecency.
Weaknesses: Still waiting for one to show up
Bottom Line:
I got the frame directly from the factory and the guys there couldn't have been nicer. The frame looks awesome and the ride is even better. The best way to describe it is that sometimes you just hear the bumps, you don't even feel them. It climbs as good as my Superlight but is much better when the hill goes down. If you ever get a chance to ride one, make sure you have the $$$ to buy one!
Similar Products Used: Schwinn Straight 6, Santa Cruz Superlight
Bike Setup: Sram X9, Magura Durin MD120, Hope Brakes, RP 23
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Submitted by
Albert DeSilver
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodacre, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2010
Strengths: bomber on the downhills, really appreciate buying direct from the factory and discussing with the builders. I seem to be the only one in Northern CA with A Chumba--Now I'm here to spread the gospel!
Weaknesses: can't find any yet--but just been out on a couple rides
Bottom Line:
I was stunned riding this bike on the downhills, the stability is amazing. The faster you go through the rock gardens the better it handles. Truly blew my mind. Still getting used to the climbing with all that suspension, as I'm coming off 10 years of riding a Titanium Litespeed. All in good time.
Similar Products Used: Ellsworth Moment & Epiphany, Trek Fuel 8
Bike Setup: Fox float front, Double Barrel Coil Shock rear, XT all around, Avid Elixr Brakes, SUn Ringle Wheels
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Submitted by
jpdrums
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2009
Strengths: Lightweight, Great Looking, Great Fit and Finish
Weaknesses: RP23 Takes some tweaking to work well with this bike. Get the Cane Creek if you can afford it.
Bottom Line:
Wow. Unbelievable handling. I owned an XCL for the last year and really liked that bike a lot and then saw the VF2 and fell in love with it. First off , let me say that this bike works amazing with a coil setup. The Vanilla QR15 RLC is a perfect fork for this bike due to the fact that the front end can get a bit lively with a normal 9MM setup. I miss the XCL once in a while when I'm bombing down a drop but otherwise I'm pretty satisfied and this really is the bike I have been looking for. As usual , Chumba svc is great and those guys will answer any questions you have. The only slight complaint I have is that the RP23 is not the perfect shock for this bike. I will be switching to the Cane Creek Double Barrel as soon as finances permit. ... I will try and post another review later but jeez... This frame is amazing.
Bike Setup: 2010 Vanilla 32 QR15, Hope Mono Mini Brakes, Deus XC Cranks, Chris King/DT Swiss 4.2D Wheelset,
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Submitted by
leeko
a Cross Country Rider
from Palos Park, IL, US
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2009
Strengths: Fit and finish. Carbon rear Triangle. Coil suspenders: Cane Creek DB and Lyrik Coil. Balance. Hyrdoformed frame.
Weaknesses: I do notice a little flex in the drivetrain/rear triangle
Bottom Line:
I loved my XCL with Fox 5air and Pike Dual air. The VF2 with coils is in a different league. I will never go back to air shocks. The bike is very balanced, it makes one want to ride faster and attack terrain. I think the carbon rear triangle takes the edge off compared to the ping-y feel of aluminum. I think that Chumba is really on to something with taking a light weight frame and mating it with AM coil suspension. If you are looking for the ultimate trail bike this is it. While one may give up a little efficiency and add little weight with coils, I believe this setup will be better for the majority of riders.
Bike Setup: CCDB, Lyrik coil extra firm spring/spring sleeve, Chris King HS and Hubs, Mavix 819 rims, 2.35 UST Highroller rear, 2.35 UST Nevegal front, XT front derailer, Sram XO, Truvativ 2.2 OCT cranks, Juicy 7 brakes
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Submitted by
areitz
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2009
Strengths: Very laterally stiff. Lightweight for a trail bike. Consistent leverage ratios. Efficient pedaling. Durable ano front triangle. If you count looks, very attractive design. Unique (not too many Chumbas around here... yet).
Weaknesses: Even at the least amount of factory-tuned pro-pedal it's a little firm for this lighter rider. Maybe custom shock tuning would be the answer?
Bottom Line:
Been on the VF2 for about six months and it's been a very fun six months. It's a long-legged trail bike that climbs and descends equally well. Extra travel and stiff design makes it perfect for flying through rocky and rooted east coast single track while tracking great with no flex. Stable and planted feeling but very nimble and responsive. Great for aggressive trail riding, but lightweight enough that I did a 24 hour race on it (as a team member). Love it.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic, Titus Racer X, Chumba XCL
Bike Setup: RP23 rear shock and 2010 Fox Talas
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Submitted by
tonycan
a Cross Country Rider
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2009
Strengths: Stiff frame, very nice suspension action, perfect for x-country and recreational all mountain, pedals easily over rough x-country terrain, very nice steering angle and quick to respond along tight and twisty trail.
Weaknesses: For what its built for none so far.
Bottom Line:
The VF2 is a versatile frame. With 5 inches of rear travel it goes beyond just being a x-country frame it actually goes down gnarly trails I ride almost as effortlessly as my EVO. The VF2 climbs better than the other x-country bikes I've used. This is a keeper.
I have had my VF2 for a couple of years now, I got it when it had the older, small can RP23. Now they come speced with the big can, boost valve, and custom valving. I built the V Read More »
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I built up a Chumba VF2, fox 32 float 140 fit rlc, and rp23 7.785x2, and assorted goodies.
I thought things were rolling good until someone smarter than me talked about sag, reb Read More »
