Looking to build up a DC/ short travel trail bike. I saw that the previous gen of optics are going for very cheap, are there any other options in the same range right now?
Short Travel Frame Deals
string_bean
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Looking to build up a DC/ short travel trail bike. I saw that the previous gen of optics are going for very cheap, are there any other options in the same range right now?
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Transition Bikes
Massive savings on our closeout bikes with up to 35% off and FREE SHIPPING on select models like Spire, Sentinel, and PBJ.
www.transitionbikes.com
Smuggler frames $1,999. Don’t think Spur has frame only option but builds are cheap.
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Didn't think to check transitions closeouts. Unfortunately not touching the Optic deal but I'll still keep my eye on their site!Transition Bikes
Massive savings on our closeout bikes with up to 35% off and FREE SHIPPING on select models like Spire, Sentinel, and PBJ.www.transitionbikes.com
Smuggler frames $1,999. Don’t think Spur has frame only option but builds are cheap.
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Unfortunately I'm firmly in the XL campI've got a very nice Ibis Ripley v4 size large that I'm considering selling.
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I built up a Smuggler frame last year and could not be happier. While $2k for a frame plus shock ain’t cheap, it’s more than $1500 less than I paid in march of this year.
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Revel Ranger $2,159.
![Image]()
revelbikes.com
Ranger Frame Only - Revel Bikes
KEY COMPONENTS: HEADSET: Cane Creek 40-Series SEAT COLLAR: Revel 34.9mm Seat Clamp AXLE: Revel UDH Rear Axle DERAILLEUR HANGER: Sram Universal Derailleur Hanger
revelbikes.com
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2,340 Posts
If you're an XL, you can get the Spur in the raw color still, complete build for only $3k, which is pretty smokin. The raw looks very sharp in person, while that aqua colored one is a real eyesore.
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76 Posts
Ibis has a nice sale on the previous gen Ripley frames in size XL.
store.ibiscycles.com
Almost Gone - Ripley V4S Frame
The Ripley is our snappy, flickable, playful, fast, lightweight, and versatile 29” trail bike. Its combination of modern geometry, a stiff lightweight carbon chassis, and 120mm of ultra-efficient dw-link travel, means it’s equally happy popping off bonus lines as it is crushing all-day epics...
store.ibiscycles.com
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525 Posts
I'm not sure what you want out of it but neither the 2nd nor 3rd gen Optic ride like downcountry bikes. They ride badass all mountain bikes but with a little less travel, and neither pedal particularly well for being 125mm out back. If you're thinking you want the pretty well-defined 115-120mm rear downcountry bike experience every other brand is giving you, look elsewhere. If you want one of the greatest trail/AM bikes of all time, then get the Optic. The deal is better and having ridden the current one for a few weeks, I'd probably choose it over the newest one in stock form.
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35 Posts
The revel is super tempting- heard great things. The aesthetics move it a ways down my list though, something just feels a bit off to meRevel Ranger $2,159.
View attachment 2121126
Ranger Frame Only - Revel Bikes
KEY COMPONENTS: HEADSET: Cane Creek 40-Series SEAT COLLAR: Revel 34.9mm Seat Clamp AXLE: Revel UDH Rear Axle DERAILLEUR HANGER: Sram Universal Derailleur Hanger
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84 Posts
The Optic looks great, was concerned about dropper insertion, looks like it may be plagued to similar shorter insertion lengths like Banshee to keep from running longer droppers. Anyone have any first hand experience with the dropper insertion on the Optic?
Also, Banshee has their frames on sale at the moment too including the Phantom.
Also, Banshee has their frames on sale at the moment too including the Phantom.
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35 Posts
If I could also order a toptube straightener I'd jump on that immediately!Ibis has a nice sale on the previous gen Ripley frames in size XL.
Almost Gone - Ripley V4S Frame
The Ripley is our snappy, flickable, playful, fast, lightweight, and versatile 29” trail bike. Its combination of modern geometry, a stiff lightweight carbon chassis, and 120mm of ultra-efficient dw-link travel, means it’s equally happy popping off bonus lines as it is crushing all-day epics...
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137 Posts
I have a size large Optic and it can take a 210 post. I tried a 240 One Up shimmed to 220 and it wouldn't work for me. Maybe in an XL
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35 Posts
That's good to know, appreciate the insight! I'm looking to have a shorter travel bike to compliment/ let me build up a burlier enduro bike. Having it be more trail oriented would be beneficial for the places I typically like to ride.
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1,374 Posts
^^^Great point/distinction^^^
It maybe only now, after the industry recognized the attraction/market for these bikes that seem to fit in between what had been the traditional categories of XC and trail, that we can start to more clearly agree on what defines/defined DC.
I have narrowed it down to 65.5-66.5 HTA and STA 75.5-77 (or ability to get there) AND flex stay rear suspension (or kinematics that make it feel like that).
Chain stay pivots add weight and dynamics that make the bikes feel more like “trail” bikes (IMHO), and again same IMHO if your outside this geo range (with aligned stem lengths/fork offsets).
Norco didn’t really have a DC bike as the revolver stayed more on the XC side and the Optic on the trail side (just like Kona with the Hei Hei and the Process). And then the new Optic clearly moved more into trail while CC race bikes Blur, Epic adopted versions that are more “trail.”
It was and remains easy for bikes like the Spur (smack in range) to be made more like the trail side with a shock designed to mellow the flex stay feel or become the Smuggler with some geo tweaks.
Great bikes all around but as stated perfectly above one needs to define what they are really looking for to decide which bikes will deliver.
All that said, buying “previous gen” bikes right now on top of the general economic situation makes for some excellent value starting points for experimentation.
N+1 Bikes has a sale on the IBIS Ripley V4S XL
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