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4.68/5
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Description:The XCL is the quintessential trail bike. No other bike in its class can offer the nimble handling, descending stability, and climbing prowess of the XCL. The XCL is a result of years of refinement, resulting in a unique bike that can truly do it all. So whether your on the way up, down, or somewhere in between, the XCL offers unparalleled performance.
Made from 6061 T-6.
Available in small, medium and large
Frame offered in white, black, and red
Equipped with a Fox RP3 2 7.875"x2.0"
Read the Pro Review on This Product Here>>
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Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | www.adrenalinebikes.com | | Strengths: | Extremely plush, laterally stiff, and super stable ride. Amazing descender, fantastic single-tracker, and good climber. In a nutshell very fun. Perfect bike for the riding I do on weekends in Fernie BC which involve a lot of technical singletrack with long climbs and very fast downs. Good value too. Pretty unique in these parts too. | | Weaknesses: | Some efficiency is probably given up to the plush suspension, but I'm OK with that, as it sticks like glue on climbs and runs very quickly everywhere else. Pro pedal is available on the RP23 , but I rarely use it. No lock out on the RP23, which would come in handy riding roads to get to the trails, particularly hammering on paved uphills, but that's getting picky. Also, no local dealers here in Calgary, so I took a chance on the bike. Unfortunately, the large frame was too big (I'm 6'0"), so I had swap it out for a medium (Adrenaline was very accommodating though). Also, more colour choices would be good, ideally metallic blue. | | Similar Products Used: | 2008 Stumpjumper (didnt like the brain or the price), Mojo / Blur (didnt seem plush enough), Heckler (too upright) Fuel EX 9 (didnt fit well). Never tried the Giant Trance X0 for some reason. | | Bike Setup: | Medium XCL frame (grey), Fox 140 Talas RLC, full XT, Stans ZTR Olympic rims, Nevegal 2.35 tires, Thomson stem / seatpost, WTB Rocket V sadle. Weight ~ 27-28 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | After 10 or so good rides, I love it. Had to endure some hassle to sort out the frame size, but Neil at Adrenaline Bikes was a stand-up guy and swapped it out no questions asked. In addition to numerous hardtails owned to date I've owned two full suspension bikes: a 2003 Rocky Mt Element and a 2005 Stumpjumer Expert. I couldn't stand the Element but loved the Stumpjumper. The XCL has set a new bar for me. I'll report in again later this summer with more miles under my belt. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Gatos, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Braille | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | direct from Chumba | | Strengths: | I built it up and that's the last I have had to touch it. I really don't time to both ride and do maintenance - this bike let's me spend my time on the ride. | | Weaknesses: | nothing of note | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Epic | | Bike Setup: | box stock XCL | | Bottom Line: | This machine does everything I ask of it and would do plenty more. If you can have, need to have, or only want to have one bike then get this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin Texas
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct from Chumba | | Strengths: | I like the grips, the Chris King headset, truvativ bars (but very high rise), juicy 7's | | Weaknesses: | Frame (it cracks), ignitor tires, seat, seat post, seat collar, wheelset (heavy) | | Similar Products Used: | Yeti 575, Titus Moto-lite, Blur LT | | Bike Setup: | Stock Chumba XCL bike build for the most part with new Pike 454 Air U-turn | | Bottom Line: | When I first ordered the bike they sent me the wrong size, large instead of small, the bike was packed well enough. I broke the seat stay in January and the new one they sent me yeaterday. So, I have cracked the seat stays twice now. I am a XC rider doing some light freeride here and there, thats well within the realm of riding they advertise and the bike magazines rave about. With that said I need to write into Mountain Bike Action and say "thanks for the bad advice".
I was very excited about this bike and when it was running well (not cracked) it is a very cool frame with great geometry. The Chumba branded part are ok but great, I kept spending money to replace parts (seat, seat post, seat collar, tires, fork, handle bars).
The customer service at Chumba is good. They always respond to me quickly and seem to want to help me. I am waiting to here how this new cracked frame will turn out. I have requested a refund since I don't feel confident that it wont happen again. I will update this when I get a resolution.
I would say buy something else. I wish I had. Not sure what I will buy next but it wont be a Chumba. I may go back to Santa Cruz or Titus. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DonO
a Weekend Warrior
from Irwin, Pa. USA
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Roaring Run or Laurel Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Strengths: | 4 Bar FSR style suspension (alwasy active) Stout construction. No flex or rear end wag. Ano finish, laser grpahics (very sublime) All bearings are the same, Linkage is stiff, great geometry and fit is spot on for me. Choice of DHX Air or RP23. Customer service is TOP NOTCH. These guys answered my questions for over a month before I pulled the trigger. | | Weaknesses: | Can't think of one? | | Similar Products Used: | Ventana El Chamuco (6" travel, 69 degree HA) Specialized Enduros (many different models over the years) | | Bike Setup: | Large XCL w/RP23, RS Pike 454 Dual Air, FSA cranks/rings. Hope Pro II rear hub, Hope XC 20 MM TA front hub, Bombshell Fatboy rims (really opens up the width of the tire) 36-4X spoke pattern, Tompson Seatpost, Hayes Hydros, Time Z Pedals, misc other stuff. | | Bottom Line: | I contacted Chumba after my Ventana El Chamuco developed a crack addiction. Ventana is another AWESOME company so far as customer service goes. I have broken 7 frames over the last 8 years, from stress cracks. I am 6'2" and 225 Lbs, do not do giant drops or jumps over 3 foot. When I contacted Chumba my e-mail was titled "I break frames" Alan called me w/in 20 minutes and said "We have never had an XCL returned for breakage" He told me the difference in how their bikes are made versus other companies and due to the type of riding I did, recommended the XCL over the Evo.
I could not be happier w/my choice after almost 3 months of riding everything from rocky, nasty trails to smooth single track to Urban Assaults on Pittsburgh streets. I have also taken the bike to Rays indoor park and the bike has shined. It was easy to set up, the Pro-Pedal feature on the RP23 when used in conjunction w/the Pikes Flood Gate Control makes the bike a very nice climber compared to my older bike. The fairly slack 69 degree head angle makes going downhill very comfortable and stable. The bike is very easy to finesse through just about any situation I can throw at it. It responds very smoothly to rider input. It jumps and lands very smoothly and I do not miss the extra inch of travel my old frame had.
This bike has inspired a lot of confidence in my riding and I am a very happy with the overall fit. I have my bike set up as a heavy duty bike and yet it only weighs about 32 Lbs. I hope to make it a tad lighter this summer by going tubeless....again and some lighter cockpit items.
Chumba customer service sets it at the top of the boutique frame manufacturers and it's pricing is a phenom unto itself! Great job guys!!!
I would recommend this bike to anybody who likes to ride aggressively and is looking for an all day trail bike that will take you in and back out again on any trail you throw at it. If you are a larger/taller person, who is tough on bikes, I would highly recommend this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Mililani, HI
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct from Chumba | | Strengths: | Solid construction.
More nimble than some lighter bikes.
Outstanding customer service.
Great anodized finish.
Excellent cable routing (I've seen some bad ones).
Solid going up hills.
Stable going back down. | | Weaknesses: | Limited to an E-Type front mech but, to be honest, it turns out that was my hang up. The front D has been flawless since it was first set up. I would still feel better about having an option other than Shimano for the e-type (Hear that SRAM?!). | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar XLT | | Bike Setup: | Medium frame; Pike 454 coil; RF Atlas cranks w/ bash; X9 drivetrain w/ XT front mech; Hope Pro II hubs and Mavic 819 rims; Thomson X4 stem and seatpost; Juicy 7s; | | Bottom Line: | This is the perfect bike for someone who wants one tough bike that can hold its own in almost any situation. I rode it almost fifty miles in the first day I had it and other than having to make a dérailleur adjustment, the bike performed flawlessly. I noticed the difference the bike made going up and down rocky singletrack immediately.
On hills that would have made my old bike spin out, the XCL stayed connected to the ground even when I was pounding out of the saddle. When I would go back down, I found myself going much faster than I previously went with much more confidence. There was no brake jack and the bike tracked exceptionally well through the corners. The frame is a bit heavier than other bikes in the same category but believe it when people say you can't notice it a bit while riding.
I can't say enough about the bike and the customer service that goes along with it. The XCL is not for the weight weenies but if you're looking for a trail bike that can do a little of everything from XC to FR, this is the one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Bagalso
a Weekend Warrior
from Nor*Cal
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Demo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigslist. | | Strengths: | Frame, Looks, Solid pivots, Horst Link, Customer service | | Weaknesses: | NOne...none... none.. hmmmm let me see.. none again | | Similar Products Used: | Spec Enduro, Heckler, many other that I demoed | | Bike Setup: | Chumba built kit | | Bottom Line: | This bike ROOOKKKKKCS!!!!!!!!! I've never ridden a bike that can do it all... its not the lightest bike but sure pedals like it.. much more plush, pedal friendly, just point and gone. front wheel never lifts up when climbing a wall.. corners rails like a dream.. I am very happy with this bike. I had my shares with other so called high end bikes and never felt so belong to a bike.... get this bike or at least demo one, you will not regret!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Alves
a Weekend Warrior
from Anaheim Hills
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hills for Everyone | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Demo | | Strengths: | Solid feel
Quick handling
Smooth shifting
Great component specs
| | Weaknesses: | None found.
| | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Blur LT
Yeti 575
| | Bike Setup: | Stock Chumba build | | Bottom Line: | I gotta have one. I just need to sell a few of my old bikes. I just hope I get my Chumba before the Sea Otter Classic. This is my first experience with the Rockshox Pike, I love this fork. The Fox shock is just what you would expect, top notch. If you want an all mountain bike, you can not beat this value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan Kang
a Weekend Warrior
from Anaheim, CA
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Del Cerro, Palos Verdes | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | I am only writing this in response to MMatador. I just thought his review needed to be addressed as he made a lot of accusations against CHUMBA. I don't want to be petty, so I will just make my side of the story short. The bike that he says did not shift properly was sent back and was tested by our lead mechanic, by Ted Tanouye (who designed the bike and was the lead race mechanic for CHUMBA on the NORBA race circuit); and we found no shifting errors whatsoever. We put the frame on the jig and alignment was perfect, each shift was perfect after we built it up, and in fact, the frame was purchased by our sales manager's wife who is now going to race it in the Counting Coup and other endurance races. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evil Chocula
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, shortly relocating to Boston
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Strengths: | -Very well built; the welds are beutiful, and the bike just looks like it's built to last.
-Geometry is spot on for aggressive trail riding/xc.
-Cockpit: I don't know how or why, but this bike just feels really centered, like your in sweet spot center of gravity.
-Anodized paint job will-not-scratch! | | Weaknesses: | -I've been catching my pedals slightly more than I did on my Reign, but my rear shcok might be soft. | | Similar Products Used: | 2005 Giant Reign. | | Bike Setup: | Stock X9 kit w/Pike 454. | | Bottom Line: | The first thing I noticed about this bike was the set up... you can tell whoever designed built this bad boy actually rides aggressive, all mountain stuff.
I had a number of handling problems with my Giant Reign (stolen, I hope you burn in hell bike thief), that I had mainly attributed to the slack headangle and suspension; floppy steering, extremely poor climbing, and the front tire had an uncanny desire to "walk" off the trail when on the flats.
To my amazement, despite similar geometry, the XCL handles like a champ. I don't have enough geometry/engineering skills to nail down how this is possible, but it just is. I my opinion, the XCL is a true "all mountain" rig, meaning its handles great in just about any situation. So far, I've had it out on pure XC trails, and the highly technical downhills of Bootleg Canyon. And, for $2800, it aint cheap, but compared to a similar build from other boutique frame makers (Turner, Ellsworth, etc) its a steal.
PS If your looking at an XCL, I highly recommend the anodized paint job. I went off a cliff at Bootleg, mangled my face and sent the bike tumbling for about 20 feet. Face: 10 stiches, Bike: not a scratch. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Nor.Cal
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | any.. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | online.. | | Strengths: | solid frame, welds are incredible, well balanced bike. quality,quality. | | Weaknesses: | none.. so far | | Similar Products Used: | spec. enduro, heckler. demoed, yeti 575, motolite, ventana x5 | | Bike Setup: | chumba build. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks!!! well balanced bike. I have been looking for that 5" bike for to do it all.. and it has delivered. I haven't felt so belong to a bike... man!!! nuff sed. buy this bike and you will know how I feel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lee kobilca
a Cross Country Rider
from palos park, il
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Purchased At: | Rbikes | | Strengths: | Frame quality. Great welds, finish and graphics. Awesome handling and balance. | | Weaknesses: | Coming off a hard tail I am a little disappointed in the acceleration. During second ride, I lost the bolt that holds the bearing near the rear hanger on the drive side. | | Similar Products Used: | Demoed Titus Motolite and Guapo, Specialized Stump FSR and Yeti | | Bike Setup: | King hubs with Mavic 719's, Maxxis high roller tubeless tires, King headset, XO shifters and rear derailer, XT front, Avid juicy 7's, Thomson stem and post, RocksShox PIKE 454 dual air U-turn. | | Bottom Line: | Coming off a hard tail, I am just getting used to a full suspension bike. So far I am very happy. It is slower than my hard tail, but I can ride it so much faster in so many situations due to the great balance and suspension. I am still trying to find the bikes limits. I have had bike for less than a month so my opinion may evolve. I will keep you posted on updates. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mmatador22
a
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | Pro Cycling | | Strengths: | - Burly (ie heavy-duty) frame
- 5+ inches of travel
- Horst link / FSR style rear suspension
- Uninterrupted seat post
- Killer looks / designer touches
- Small company with customer service reps that call / email you back promptly
- Great value - IF you can get one that shifts reliably...
| | Weaknesses: | - Reliable down shifting up front
- Lots of shuddering when braking during a power slide
- Fix for drive side lower main pivot loosening issue is functional, but ruins the aesthetic qualities of the bike (ie longer bolt and steel / nylon lock nut inside pivot joint behind bottom bracket)
- Customer service - lack of attention to detail wrt quality control issues (frame scratches, damaged wheel, resend of same damaged parts, not all correct parts sent for build-up with factory kit, sloppy packaging), trying to guilt me into keeping a defective product, inconsistent communication re: frame replacement
- Made in Taiwan (if you care about that sort of thing - I don't) | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Moment | | Bike Setup: | Stock Chumba build kit except for Chris King headset, Avid Juicy 7 185 mm disc brakes, 2008 Fox Float 32 RLC, Shimano XT cranks / BB | | Bottom Line: | *** Details ***:
I waited for 2 months to write this review because I wanted to 1) be able to write with a level head to be as fair as possible and 2) compare the XCL to my new bike which replaced the XCL (also an FSR style rear suspension bike).
After doing months of research, I finally decided to take a chance on Chumba and get the XCL for the many strengths listed above. I ordered the XCL through a local shop who signed up to be a dealer so they could get the bike for me. Apparently, I got the last XCL in Chumba's warehouse before their next shipment from Taiwan came in. The frame and build kit arrived within a week of ordering it (yes!). Unfortunately, the frame arrived with some small scratches on top of the non-drive side chain stay (@#$%!!), a missing axle for the front wheel, and damaged front wheel bearing hub caps (@#$@#%!!). I decided I could live with the frame scratches if everything else went smoothly (it didn't btw). So, the shop called Chumba, got an RA # to send back the damaged wheel and made a request for Chumba send out the correct wheel axle this time.
The shop hooked me up with a loaner front wheel in the mean time so I could ride the bike and test it out. The XCL met almost all of my expectations save one - it did not down-shift reliably up front. The XCL looked great with solid tubing and even welds, the suspension was very plush - handling nicely in the corners and downhills, and in general soaking up the bumps and jumps. However, the achilles heel of the bike I received was the inability to downshift up front from the large outer cog to the middle cog in a reliable fashion. This was a MAJOR annoyance! (We're talking any kind of down-shifting, whether under load or not).
Being an all-mountain rider hailing from Colorado Springs, I wanted the ability to rip up the fire roads in 3-1 / 3-2 for a good work-out and then switch to 2-x to bomb down any techy hill sections. Having wacky shifting up front was unacceptable. The local shop tried every trick in the book they knew over a period of 3-5 days and couldn't fix the issue; they said every time they've seen this it was a frame issue. So... the shop called Chumba and told them what was going on; and I was told by the shop I would be getting a new frame from Chumba once the next batch of frames came in. In the mean time, Chumba would send out a loaner frame which I could use until the new frame showed up. Wow - I was impressed...
And then it all went to pieces...
That very same day, Chumba called back and backtracked on their offer to send out a new frame; they had some other things they wanted us to try. The local shop was reluctant at first since the stuff Chumba was suggesting wouldn't make any difference in their opinion, but they tried it anyway. After 7 more days of trying out Chumba's suggestions (which included the local shop eating the cost of a new XT e-type derailleur and mid-grade Shimano MTB chain), and even me driving up to a Chumba dealer in Denver to have them look at the issue on my dime & time, we were right back where we started - a good bike that didn't shift well up front, only now, I was very annoyed. (On an interesting side note, I took another medium XCL out for a test ride in Denver while the dealer worked on my bike. I was able to demonstrate the exact same unreliable shifting behavior on that dealer's brand new bike, so I know mine wasn't the only runt in the litter and it demonstrated that it WASN'T a shop mechanic competence issue...)
During this time of testing and tribulation, the damaged front wheel was shipped back to Chumba. I expected a quick turn-around on the wheel as Chumba messed up my initial order and sent me damaged parts to begin with. Nope; the wheel arrived at Chumba where it promptly sat in their warehouse for over a week. Only after repeated calls to Chumba by the local shop, did they get around to sending a "replacement" back out to us. I say "replacement" because, as far as we could tell, Chumba returned the exact same wheel to us - damage and all. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. And Chumba had still neglected to send an axle for the front wheel during all this time!
Ultimately, I paid a small re-stocking fee and returned the frame, seat post, and wheel. I didn't want to have to drive to Denver every time I had an issue with the bike and I didn't want to have to deal with a company that was going to give me this much grief for dealing with one of their defective products. Chumba took their sweet time again in issuing a refund (IMO), but they eventually did make good.
*** Summary ***:
The XCL is a good bike for the money *** IF *** you can get one that shifts reliably or you want to run a dual ring configuration up front to deal with the shifting issue. I would strongly recommend buying one from a local dealer that is close to where you live and test riding it thoroughly in case you have issues as I did. I would also strongly recommend getting a front fork with adjustable travel; I found that my lower back got really sore on rides longer than 1.5 hours since I couldn't alter the head angle with the Fox Float 32 RLC. The stock Chumba build kit specs a Rock Shox Pike 454 U-turn which would fit the bill; I personally didn't like the idea of the U-turn system as I think it would take too long to stop and dial in what you want for each next section of the trail.
Would I buy from Chumba again? Probably not; too many headaches with this experience. I hope Chumba takes what they learned from this experience and make themselves a better company and they continue to improve the XCL because, despite all the crap I dealt with, I still think it's a cool bike. I know there are other satisfied Chumba XCL owners out there, sadly, I'm not one of them.
I would have given the bike and company 2.5 chilis, but since a half chili is not available, a "2" will have to do, because this experience certainly does not rate a "3".
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a
from Chandler, AZ
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | Please disregard my review below, as it makes no sense, since the reviewer who used to be below that review apparently had his removed. Anyway, awesome bike at a great price, and it comes in some great new colors for '07 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from Sta. Rosa Philippines
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | build Quality, No Nonsense design, Price : Performance Ratio | | Weaknesses: | Rear Derailer Hanger seems a bit soft. Had to get it aligned twice. | | Similar Products Used: | Demoed Intense 6.6, SC Heckler, Cannondale Prophet, Carbon Rush | | Bike Setup: | Medium XCL w/Pike 454 Build Kit | | Bottom Line: | Solid! Spot on tracking, Tight handling, A confident descender! Rode this during the last 24 hour race. Weight was never an issue! Climbs and sticks better than anything I've tried before. A bike that gets you totally honed in. Keeps you from thinking about the gear and keeps you fixed on the trail. You think the line the bike follows!
There is a tendency to rub against the seat stays but not a real issue.
If I were to have just one bike this would be it!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MJM
a Cross Country Rider
from Castle Rock, CO USA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything on the front range. We have it all! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Strengths: | Frame, tracking, fork, and workmanship. | | Weaknesses: | Calf rub on the stiffening support for the Fox DHX. See below. | | Similar Products Used: | Turner Flux, Ventana X5, Ellsworth Epiphany, GT I drive. | | Bike Setup: | The standard XCL build kit from Chumba. See their web site: http://www.chumbaracing.com/xcl.shtml. | | Bottom Line: | I bought the bike yesterday and rode it for the first time today. I decided to ride Buffalo Creek in the Pike NF because I wanted to contrast / compare this bike with my old bike (GT I drive) on a familiar trail. This trail has a bit of everything: good climbs, lose sandy soil, rocks and quick, back and forth, single track downhill. The first thing I noticed was this bikes ability to effectively climb. Nothing goes to waste on the pedal stroke--very little “bob” and great lateral stiffness. The Fox Talus controls were easy to get to and adjust. On smoother, uphill terrain, I simply locked out the fork and was first to the top of the hill. On mild downhill terrain I choose the middle adjustment and it was sufficient. When I entered a boulder field I switched to full suspension and this bike took everything I threw at it and begged for more. I was looking for big rocks and drops to push this bike and I never found its limit. The XCL tracks skillfully. On tight, quick, single tracks the XCL follows the line magnificently and if it wanders its operator error. The rear wheel follows you into each corner and is with you on the exit too giving the rider complete confidence.
The only complaint so far is my right calf rubbed now and again on the stiffening rib that holds the Fox DHX 5.
Before purchasing The XCL I tried most of the well know boutique brands: Ventana, Turner, Ellsworth, Etc... This bike, hands down, is the better XC bike. The Chumba offers a great frame, good components, pretty good customer service and VALUE. I stress value because for what you get there isn’t another bike company out there that can match the Chumba XCL. Chumba, keep up the good work!
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a
from Chandler, AZ
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | I think it's sad when people tarnish a great bike because they didn't do their research before buying. No where on the website is the XCL listed as a cross country bike! When has an XC bike ever had 5" of travel? All the reviewer below had to do was look at the geo numbers and listed weight of the frame, to realize it is an all mountain bike. The geo numbers were measured with a 140mm travel fork, again when does an XC bike have travel like that? Look at the beefy tubes, linkages, and huge gussets! This bike is meant to take punishment! I also believe the rear suspension problems were probably the DHX notoriously blowing through its mid stroke. The ride probably would have improved greatly with the RP23. People, please do your research, and know what kind of bike you want before dumping a load of cash. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
happy_ending
a
from flagstaff, az
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | straight from chumba | | Strengths: | beefy, super-stiff, climbs well, absolutely bombs the downhills with the only limitation being the pilots sense of self-preservation. | | Weaknesses: | none yet... dont foresee any either. | | Similar Products Used: | demo'ed turner 5spot, intense 5.5, sc nomad, rm slayer sxc 70 | | Bike Setup: | large us built frame, fox talas 32 rlc, dhx 5 air, dt wheels, sram drivetrain (other than e-type xtr fd) | | Bottom Line: | this bike is the heat! while shopping for the new bike i was having a hard time deciding b/t a 5"-ish or 6"-ish bike. seems like most companies have a 5" bike that is obviously geared more towards xc and a much beefier 6" bike that is obviously geared more towards all mountain (whatever that really means!?!?). distinction mainly being how well "built-up" the frame is + the geometry and the specs they choose to put it together with... examples being titus guero vs the moto-lite, turner 5spot vs rfx, sc blur lt vs nomad... etc.
the chumba xcl really blurs that distinction b/t those two bike genres and that is what really sold me... on paper anyway. this was the only bike i didnt get to demo b/c there are no az dealers yet. so, the chumba guys were cool enough to sell one to me with the pretense that if i hated it or the frame didnt fit quite right that they would replace/return.
that kind of customer service sold me as well.
so about the bike... this bike really climbs well. in fact, not a whole hell of a lot worse than my old steel hardtail. it just took a bit to get used to the heavier front end and the slacker angles... but now after 10 or so rides i dont even think about it. especially coupled with the talas rlc so i can lock it out on long fire road climbs or set it down to 100mm for tech climbs. love it!
i love the horst as well. i dont even use the propedal on the dhx while climbing... this frame/linkage simply doesnt need it... i leave it fully open all the time... and im 210 w/o gear and notice very little to no bobbing... i like to stand-up and get it over with as well! the majority of trails here in flagstaff start with solid 1-2hr (or more) climbs... hence my reluctance to go with a 6" bike that is tough to climb.
going downhill is a dream. not much to it, holds a line very well , can rail corners like a mutha and takes a beating. i havent noticed any brake jack at all.
the frame is built beefier than the other bikes i demo'ed (listed above) which results in a slightly heavier frame. doesnt affect me on the climbs so i will take the stronger frame every time (31.8mm seat tube if that gives you any idea of how its built).
oh... and its about a grand cheaper than all the other boutique guys WITH the talas rlc. turner, ventana, intense, ellsworth , etc are all 4k+ with that forkshock combo.
cant beat it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Downhiller
from Grafton, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | http://www.rbikes.com | | Strengths: | Beautifuly built frame, super stiff, and the anno black finish rocks. DHX 5.0 air keeps the weight down and I have the Rock Shox Pike 454 U-turn up front to balance things out. Bike hides its weight well and would be good for anyone who rides hard or larger riders like myself. | | Weaknesses: | Requires an e-type front deraileur. Shimano is the only option, wish SRAM made one. | | Bike Setup: | Chumba XCL large frame,anno black finish, Fox DHX 5.0 Air
Rock Shox Pike 454 U-turn, 20mm maxle; Hayes El Camino disc brakes, 7" front, 6" rear; SRAM drivetrain all X-9, except required e-type front deraileur is Shimano XT; Hadley hubs, ti bolt on rear; Sun S-type rims 32 hole; Truvativ bars, stem, seatpost; ODI Rogue Lock-on grips; WTB saddle, Cane Creek S3 headset | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, super stiff frame worth every penny. Work with rbikes and come up with a custom build kit that fits your riding style and budget, they're super friendly and customer service is excellent. You can't go wrong with the Chumba XCL for an all round bike. If I had to pick one bike to do it all this would be the one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Moi
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sta. Rosa | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Wow, this bike is solid and fast. It weighs 1 pound heavier than my Yeti but it climbs better and goind downhill is a similar experience. Ruts, roots, mud, rocks, it just goes through them all. This is a bike that forces you to become a better rider. The better and stronger you get, the more fun you are going to have. | | Weaknesses: | Have not been able to find any. | | Similar Products Used: | Yeti 575 (loved it and used it for a whole year) | | Bike Setup: | Fox 32 Talas R fork, Fow RP23 shock, XTR Drivetrain, Avid Juicy Carbon breaks, Chris King hubs DT spokes and rims, Nevegal tyres, Thompson seatpost, ODI grips, FSA bar and stem. | | Bottom Line: | This is a bike the average trailrider will use and abuse for years. I have so far gotten 160 kms or around 100 miles on it in a span of 3 weeks through monsoon rains and mud. This bike is solid. Efficient when you point it uphill and smooth when the trails point down. The only thing holding this bike back and slowing it down are my legs and lungs. You really have to push yourself to reach the limits of this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua
a Cross Country Rider
from colorado springs,co,usa
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | palmer park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | chumba | | Strengths: | Very solid. The bike hides its weight well, feels a couple pounds lighter. Beatifull welds and machining. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | vpp,maverick,scott | | Bike Setup: | Pike,mavic 819/chris king,speedball r,thomson,XO | | Bottom Line: | I did my homework and this bike delivered. Climbs like it has extra bite. So so solid. Love the ano grey. The handeling and performance of the mac horst is perfect. Wouldn't change a thing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Santa Rosa Circuit | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Solid construction, great finish (anno black), stiff frame with good terrain feedback, superb climber, excellent descending capabilities. | | Weaknesses: | Lack of extra small size for smaler riders. | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Epiphany | | Bike Setup: | Fox fork, avid hydraulic brakes, rockshox shock | | Bottom Line: | The XCL is a BIG WINNER! I visited Orange County from the Philippines and got the chance to ride with Ted and Alan of Chumba around 2 trails. After not being on a bike for 3 weeks I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep up but the XCL proved me wrong. This bike just climbs so well its amazing!
I felt like a rider reborn after feeling the XCL's snappy responsiveness and quick acceleration. It hopped, curved, switched effortlessly up and down the trails and when pointed down it just absorbed ruts, rocks and all.
True to Chumba's reputation of building tough bikes the XCL is one cross country / hard core trail bike that is light and built like a rock.
Nothing sells a bike more than an actual demo and after 2 rides, I'M SOLD! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Behnke
a Weekend Warrior
from Golden, CO. USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Golden Gate Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Bitterbrush Cycles (Lyons, CO) | | Strengths: | Excellent fit and finish of materials. Excellent welds. Oversize frame tubing. Top notch customer service. | | Weaknesses: | Nitpicks, but here goes. had to get a larger seatpost and clamp...minor issue. No others so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Turner 6 pack, Ventana X-5, Ventana El Saltamontes, Ellsworth Id (years ago...get off me!) | | Bike Setup: | Maverick DUC 32 fork, stem and front hub, Hope M4 brakes, Monkeylite bars, Race Face Atlas cranks, Thomson post, King rear hub on Mavic rim, various other bits and pieces | | Bottom Line: | This is a review after 2 pretty good, thorough rides. It's only 2 rides and I'm still dialing in the ride but I'll update the post after I get more saddle time.
When I first built it up and mounted my coil DHX 5.0, i thought i might have to go with lower spring weight because the rear felt so firm. I measured sag and it was about 30%. Perfect for the riding I do. I got to the trail and began to climb about 500 vertical feet of rocky, bumpy, technical terrain. While the suspension felt almost too firm in the driveway it absolutely came to life on the trial. The suspension felt and worked excellent in so many aspects. Minimal bob, filled in thru the ruts, absorbed bumps smoothly, kept rear wheel stiction on super technical uphill sections, and was very smooth on the square-edge obstacles. No noticeable pedal kickback going over square edge rocks and tall waterbars.
Pedaling uphill through 20 yards of baby-head rock fields the rear was very active and smooth. Exactly what I wanted. IMHO the horst link rear is just smoother on those types of obstacles than other types of suspension I have ridden. Just mu humble opinion.
The head tube angle was good...slack enough to feel great downhill, not twitchy at all and just fine uphill. Front end did not drift or rise in steep climbs. Seat tube angle good, my weight was right where I like it when climbing; over the pedals and not hanging too far back over the rear wheel. Rider cockpit felt great, not too stretched out. Bottom bracket height was great, enough to get me over obstacles but not so high that it felt unstable. Feels like a pretty good center of gravity and balance of the frame. It was very easy to balance, hop, and flick trials-like moves in technical sections.
Downhill. Excellent frame. Rear was plush through the full range of travel, never felt sloppy. Frame is pretty beefy and I didn't feel any flex anywhere. I'm used to riding super-stiff frames like Ventana and Turner and I would have noticed flex. I didn't.
Machining, Materials. Excellent, very high quality product. The gusseting, the chainstay yokes, the mac-strut rockers....all were very high quality of finish. Looks like a ton of CNC machined parts on it. No burrs or facing needed on the BB or HT.
Cable routing works very well. Keeps cables out of the way and there are just the right amount of cable bosses to zip-tie your hydro lines.
Finish. I got the black annodized. Very nice finish.
I like to experiment with a lot of frames. i just sold a Ventana El saltamontes because it was more of a XC bike and I wanted more of an AM ride. I loved my '05 Turner 6 pack that i rode 2 yrs ago...I wanted that quality of a ride but Turner no longer uses the horst rear. I saw Chumba has a horst rear 5 inch AM frame called the XCL. I did some research and I liked a lot of what I discovered about the company, the people, and their frames. I gave them a shot and I really like my choice. This frame has the overall high quality of materials, fit & finish and ride feel of the $1,900 frames but you can get an XCL for $1,300. I'm poor, that makes a big difference to me.
5 chili's on quality and 5 chili's on value. If you're looking for a super high quality AM frame w/ 5 inch travel....YOU MUST LOOK AT THE CHUMBA XCL. It's that good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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