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2010 FSR 29 vs Behemoth

891 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by D3DO, Jan 15, 2010

twowheelsdown2002

Discussion Starter · Jan 14, 2010

I see a lot about the Lenz Behemoth, but very little about the FSR even though it is a lot like the Moth in travel and geometry.

Are they that much different despite the similarities?

Head angle and seat tube angle is almost identical. Chainstay length is very close as well. Yet when people mention long travel 29ers they don't usually mention the FSR which has as much as the Moth, and has a tapered headtube as well.

Has anyone here ridden both of them? The FSR seems to be a good buy at $2,500 for a complete bike, where a Moth is $1,800 for just the frame, and would cost as much as the FSR with just the frame and fork.

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Tbone

· #2 · Jan 14, 2010

Ive ridden both. They're great. Was considering both at one time and finally pulled the trigger on the Lenz because Mikesee had one available and I didn't feel like waiting.

The platform sus of the spec will bob less IMO. The moth is a stiffer frame. Extra inch of sus on the moth as well.

There were some deals with some local shops around here for the spec for new at 1100 bucks with full warranty.

Can't go wrong with either

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twowheelsdown2002

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 14, 2010

Tbone said:
Ive ridden both. They're great. Was considering both at one time and finally pulled the trigger on the Lenz because Mikesee had one available and I didn't feel like waiting.

The platform sus of the spec will bob less IMO. The moth is a stiffer frame. Extra inch of sus on the moth as well.

There were some deals with some local shops around here for the spec for new at 1100 bucks with full warranty.

Can't go wrong with either

Good to hear that they are both good bikes, but how do you figure that the Moth has an extra inch of travel?

The Moth is listed as being 5", and the FSR is listed at 130mm which is 5.1". I thought the Moth is 5" and the Lunchbox is 6"?

How do you think the FSR would be for rocky, technical climbs? That is my favorite thing to do.

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Enel

· #4 · Jan 14, 2010

twowheelsdown2002 said:
The Moth is listed as being 5", and the FSR is listed at 130mm which is 5.1". I thought the Moth is 5" and the Lunchbox is 6"?

Correct

twowheelsdown2002 said:
How do you think the FSR would be for rocky, technical climbs? That is my favorite thing to do.

Moth is fantastic for above. Never ridden the FSR. Its lower BB, and longer chainstays suggest it will excel in more sweeping, fast terrain.

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mikesee

· #5 · Jan 14, 2010

I think the main reason you don't see much about the S is that it's so new to market. They'll sell shiteloads of 'em once they're more widely known.

The numbers on the S look really good. I'm just not a fan of the company, and choose to vote with my wallet.

MC

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twowheelsdown2002

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 14, 2010

Enel said:
Moth is fantastic for above. Never ridden the FSR. Its lower BB, and longer chainstays suggest it will excel in more sweeping, fast terrain.

Even the BB height is comparable considering that the BB height on the Moth is given for a 130mm fork, and is only .37" higher, so with a 120mm fork it would be a wash.

Chainstay length is again just .37" longer on the FSR. Enough to be felt? Maybe, but I am not sure.

I think the biggest difference is wheelbase with the FSR being an inch longer in that measurement, but so much of the other geometry is very, very close to the Moth. I do realize that there is more to the equation than sheer geometry though. Shock pivots and linkage ratios could play a part in the feel of the bike under power up technical sections.

But for someone who can't afford the Moth, the FSR looks like a good "poor mans" version. I wonder how the lateral stiffness of the FSR rear end compares.

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ScottN

· #7 · Jan 14, 2010

I'm curious too.

There's a shop down the street here that has the FSR Comp in their demo/rental fleet. I'd love to check one out but the $100 a day rental fee might be too much.

There are a lot of similarities in the geometry and all that though, for sure. And the price is sweet.

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D3DO

· #8 · Jan 15, 2010

The moth is a Fan-double-tastic bike. I am biased as I own one (several lenzs for that matter). I have also owned an FSR, albeit not a 29er, it was the last 26er I rode on any consistent basis. Since then I have owned 3 FS 29ers (GF Sugar, Ventana El Cap, Lenz Behemoth). Thinking back, the FSR performed much like my Ventana- SANS the 29er wheel bennies. Enel put it nicely:

Enel said:
Its lower BB, and longer chainstays suggest it will excel in more sweeping, fast terrain.

The Ventana and the FSR were both great bikes. Descending them was like being on a rail down the trail, you pointed it went, but once you chose, it was tuff to get off of the "rail" you were on. This proved to be the case with climbing as well, which mad steep tech climbing harder as the bike wanted to keep going on the chosen "rail". (the Ventana had more the "rail" quality, than the FSR, though 29 inch wheels may be the difference) Getting the front end of the Ventana off the ground was almost IMPOSSIBLE the chainstays were sooooo loooong.

The Converse is my beloved Moth. It is very nimble, there is no "rail", though it will gladly (and preferably I might add) go over the roughest of terrain. It climbs very nimbly as well. Getting the front end off the ground to manual, jump or get over obstacles occurs with the slightest of ease. That being said, there is a touch of front end "wander" with steep tech climbing (easily mitigated by turning down the travel on my TALAS).

I don't think you can go wrong with either. Sometimes price, or a great deal, is the most important thing. I for one love a good deal and that goes a long way.
That being said, I would gladly pay an extra $1K for my Moth when comparing it to any bike I have owned. There is not even a close second….. unless it is a 6" travel Lunchbox, then there may be a new FIRST!

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