Description:In the new world of suspension designs, the new Banshee Pyre is the state of the art in virtual pivot “all mountain” suspension systems. This bike rips up high speed bike parks, grooves tight twisty single track and has more climbing traction than a hardtail. The Pyre’s custom triple butted ½ RAD tube set is light enough for marathon racing and the hydro formed down tube with its integral gusset is strong enough for all mountain freeriding with forks up to 6”. The 3 major pivots run on heat treated stainless steel axles and sealed high strength needle bearings for durability.
Submitted by
LIGHT
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, Canada Date Reviewed: September 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Upper Oil Can to Pink Star Fish
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Big Jay's
Strengths:
Looks good, stiff and should be strong. Climbs well with no noticealbe bob. It can even take the odd drop and jump.
Weaknesses:
Could be a little lighter frame.
Similar Products Used:
Rocky ETS-X
Bike Setup:
Pike 454 air, Fox RP23, Raceface Deuce cracks, Joplin post, Juicy 7's and some XTR with a 70mm shorty stem and chain guide (Shore meets 4X set-up). Weighs about 31 lb but could go with lighter more xc wheels and bring the weight down.
Bottom Line:
After years of riding long travel, 40 lb shore bikes it is great to have quick light bike to ride all the same trails and know it will still work at the end of the day.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MartinS
a Weekend Warrior
from Fernie, BC Date Reviewed: August 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
The Slunt
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
This is for the 08 Pyre, so it is a bit more XC oriented than the previous version, and has 4.5" of travel as opposed to 5.5".
So far the bike has been great, it is very stiff torsionally - almost as stiff as my Nomad. There have been no creaks, the new bushing system (similar to Turner) feels smooth and the grease gun system is simple and sharply designed, the cable routing is nice. The frame is well finished with the head tube, bb, and seat tube all faced and chased. Banshee also supplies you with a spare derailleur hangar, extra shock hardware, and extra pivot bushings - they obviously want to keep you riding!
Also of note is exceptional chainring clearance, chainsuck should be almost impossible, and tire clearance is also very good.
Being a Banshee it goes downhill really well, often forget I'm on a XC/Trail bike. Overall handling is very good even with my 140mm fork - it was designed around a 120mm fork which would probably be a better choice for most terrain. It climbs respectably well too, would do better with a 120mm fork though, but that was my choice and for the area that I live I made the right choice.
Weaknesses:
Honestly so far I can't think of much. Water bottle cage mounts would be nice to have for epic rides when you want both energy drinks as well as water. The frame is probably heavier than something like a SC Blur XC or Moto Lite but it is also most likely more reliable and being a bigger guy I personally don't mind. Currently my build is a bit under 30lbs with no weight weenie stuff, I could easily drop another pound with minimal effort.
One issue that is being addressed is with the valving on the rear X3 shock, I'm missing about .3" of the stroke. This isn't an issue with the RP23 equipped versions though.
Similar Products Used:
Blur Classic, Blur LT, RM ETS-X, Titus Moto-lite, GT I-Drive of some sort, Kona Kikapu
Bike Setup:
XL Frame, Manitou X3 shock, Manitou Elite Absolute TA 140, 08 XT drivtrain, I9 or Hope wheels depending on tire choice, Hope stem, Easton carbon bars.
Bottom Line:
I really like it, I've been describing it as a Blur XC for clydes and those who want a solid performing trail bike that is easy to maintain. It handles really well, it is fairly nimble for an XL frame and it goes where you point it, helped by the through axle Minute Elite fork. I've put a fair amount of miles on it so far and even with the 'not quite tuned' rear shock it's been great, no issues regarding the frame what so ever, and the travel that I am getting is smooth and controlled. I will update once I get the newer valving done, if there is a noticeable change in performance but so far so good!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Jersey Shore Date Reviewed: June 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Hartshorne/ Allaire
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
craig's list
Strengths:
Very agile and quick on tight, fast singletrack, no pedal bob, tough as nails, it's a BANSHEE.
Fox 32 Vanilla RLC, Fox RP3 Push'd, Formula K-24 discs, X9, sunline stem/bars...
Bottom Line:
I have only had it a short time and ridden it a few times on fast flowy singletrack with roots and small drops, but it has far exceeded my expectations. I have been a die-hard Hardtail rider since birth (not counting freeriding at DIABLO). I think the best hardtail $ can buy is Banshee's Scirocco (unless you are an XC-racing weight weenie, like I was in my former life). Anyway, I decided to give FS a shot when a great deal on a PYRE fell into my lap. The frame is beautiful, a work of art macde with pride and love. I am not a fan of Canadians, but this BC-born beauty is fast becoming a great companion. I was reluctant to make the switch to FS because I thought it would kill my climbing skills and my out-of-the-saddle hammering speed. I have tried a few other FS bikes but did not feel comfortable. I felt comfortable on this from the first minute. I am 6'1" and 195 pounds- the LARGE is perfect for me. I fear that I may not be riding my Scirocco anymore. The PYRE is rock solid, no creaks or play in the suspension and I am sure it can take way more abuse than I can give it on any NJ trails... could even be a decent lift service park bike with a beefy fork and wheels. Love it. Even at full retial price, it is sweet and cheaper than comparable "big-name" rides that are probably welded by some 9-year-old kid in Cambodia.
5 Flaming turds from me, all day, every day. Boo-YAH.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charlie
a Weekend Warrior
from Michigan Date Reviewed: February 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Bareback
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Adrenalinebikes
Strengths:
Strong frame, really eats up the chatter, very little bob or kickback, excellent climber with Maxxis minions (kinda defeated my "lighter is better" mentality).
Weaknesses:
Came with a Float R that was too short instead of an RP23 as advertised. The wrong type of front derailer was installed by the dealer Adrenaline bikes. Banshee's support really isn't so wonderful since they dont post a phone number and couldn't simply send me or sell me new bushings as I had asked without having to get someone from adrenaline to do it after over a month of calling and emailing back and forth. Banshee shouldn't let substandard companies sell their products.
Similar Products Used:
Yeti Kokopelli, Specialized stumpjumper M2 hardtail, Kona dawg deelux
Bike Setup:
Fox float 32 140mm up front, sram x9 rear derailer, 08 xt cranks, maxxis minion dhf...
Bottom Line:
From the very beginning there were problems with what came installed on the frame, overall I think the pyre is a great bike so buy one from some place besides adrenaline bikes as they have misrepresented what they were selling me and are unwilling to correct their mistake. As I said above they installed the wrong rear shock and front derailer. The derailer was a side-swing type xt which doesn't work with this type of frame, it crashes into the cogs (no you cant just slide it up higher) and you can't shift onto the large ring in front because of this. Adrenaline was supposed to pay for shipping so I could send them back the derailer and the rear shock to get the right shock and reimburse me for having purchased the right derailer. The first time I asked adrenaline to do this was last fall...I tried again once I found out the shock was the wrong size causing the travel and geometry to be incorrect. So...Adrenaline bikes aside this frame is great, it's light, looks great and has a great suspension design. I have since purchased an 08 Yeti 575 because I know their service actually IS good, plus I prefer the snappy feel of a single pivot even if my teeth rattle a little more going downhill. Just waiting for spring... The low rating is due to lack of good service and the fact that Banshee allows dealers who defraud their customers to sell its products.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy Wilson
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: February 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Comfortably Numb
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Amazing Climber, and great suspensions performance... it's like it isn't there until you need it, I never notice any pedal bob and it absorbs bumbs way better than other bikes I have ridden. Great geometry. Best customer service in the industry that I have ever come across.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Giant Reign and trance, Iron Horse Hollowpoint Mk III, Specialised Enduro and S-works
Bottom Line:
The Best bike I have ever ridden for all day epic rides from super tech steeps to flowy single track.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Racer
from Scottsdale, AZ USA Date Reviewed: July 28, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Phoenix
Strengths:
Frame construction, welds, and color, Stiff, and the suspension is a work of art.
Similar Products Used:
Banshee Morphine, Haro 8.3 and Extreme
Bike Setup:
All mountain.
Bottom Line:
Buy this bike they know what they are doing and build a remarkable product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shawn
a Weekend Warrior
from Massachusetts Date Reviewed: July 19, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Ones that go up and down
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Strengths:
I've taken the Pyre out on a variety of trails twisty, rolling singletrack, rocky rooty technical and everything inbetween and its has excelled at them all. The bike climbs like it has claws. Its has a very comfortable upright position that gives you a considerable amount of leverage on the climbs and takes the steepness out of descents. Its pretty light to, Banshee claims it can be built at around 26lbs and with the setup I have now its about 30 a few properly placed changes and I could it getting to that weight.
Weaknesses:
Well it does make me feel like I'm cheating riding all that technical stuff that was so challenging on my hardtail. The only thing I have a problem with, and it seems to be an issue throughout the catagory and that is the standover its about 30". With my 30" inseam it cuts it a bit close...
Similar Products Used:
Prophet, Slayer
Bottom Line:
Great bike, does everything quite well and its hard to beat for the money and the 10 year warranty is unmatched. Its climbs better than any bike I've ever ridden and I glide past all the fancy Ellsworths, Specialized and Cannondales on the climbs and descend with the best of them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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