[ButchNZ]

Hey guys,

I've been toying with the idea of downsizing the fleet, I'm currently riding a Yeti 575 for crosscounty-traily-all mountainy kinds of riding, and an old Foes DHS for Downhill, and have been thinking about getting one bike to replace the two of them. I've had wood for the VP free for a while, but they're just such a PITA to get hold of here, not to mention the sticker price.

The 7 point looks like a good contender, but can anyone tell me how much the frame weighs? I'd be interested to hear how light anyone has been able to build one too.

Also, what are the differences between the model years? If I was to get one, I'd probably try pick up a frame 2nd hand, and do my own build on it. I understand some of the earlier ones had 5th element shocks, do they all run the same eye to eye/stroke shock?

...and dare I ask, how does the DW system compare to VPP? :ihih:

And most important of all, whats the ride like? I guess being steeper than a dh bike they're a little less stable at speed? Can you grunt them up a hill well enough if you're feeling committed? Do you feel limited at all on the downs? I'm looking to arrange a test ride but it might be a way off yet. Any feedback greatly appreciated.

 

[Prettym1k3]

The 7point is a fantastic all around bike. I love mine.

My '05 frame weighs more than the '07 or '08 frames. I have mine down to just over 40lbs. with heavy wheels, big tires, and big brakes. Everything else is reasonably light weight (Gamut, Ti spring, Thomson parts, etc.). I could probably get it down to 38lbs. if I went with single ply tires and lighter rims.

They climb exceptionally well for a big bike. Much better than almost any DH frame.

The DW-link is super reliable, unlike the creaky-VPP of the Santa Cruz/Intense frames.

The new 7point frames are about a pound lighter than the old '05-'06 frames.

 

[CarlE]

07 7 Point frame (bare, no shock, headset, or seat clamp) = 8lbs.

07 7 Point frame kit with shock, headset, and seat clamp = 10lbs.

 

[ButchNZ]

Awesome, good stuff! That compares pretty well to a VPfree, which I think is 9.5lbs woth shock, but no headset.

Hey, the Geo on the website, is that based on a 66 fork? Anyone know the axel to crown measurement?

 

[Olga_icannot]

Weights and measures

My small '08 weighs a smdige over 9lbs with shock and seat collar. See the following link for a photo.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=4343149#poststop

As for the geometry on the website, don't believe it. I've measured mine and it's way different. There's some discussion of the geo here:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=422684

Hope this helps. Thinking of making a trip to NZ in January, if you're still on the fence then you can borrow my bike.

 

[ButchNZ]

Hope this helps. Thinking of making a trip to NZ in January, if you're still on the fence then you can borrow my bike.

Cheers, thats really helpful. Yeah chances are I will still be on the fence then, the plan is to maybe get a bike like this built up for about a years time from now, so I can take it up to whistler for a holiday in the middle of our winter!

If you come through Christchurch (which you definitely should if you're coming to NZ, all the best riding is in the south island!), send me a message and I'll take you for some missions round the trails!

 

[ryguy79]

What kind of climbs do you do on the 575? I ride my 7p3 uphill when I have to, but only when I have to. Today's 4000' climb on my other bike is not something I'd attempt on my 7p3. The suspension pedals well and climbs nicely in short bursts, but on long climbs you just can't avoid the weight.

 

[ButchNZ]

Oh, nothing too much. The trail network here runs along the top of the hills that I live at the bottom of, it's about a 1500' climb to the top, then just rolling trails till you start coming down. I have a hardtail I could use if I was going on a mission that needed a lot of climbing.

 

[Freerydejunky]

Mine sits at 47lbs


Light parts:
Thomson post
Ti Spring
Gamut G25

Everything else: aka Heavy
Roco RC
888RC
2.7 minion 2.35 909
and the LOVE seat
blah blah blah

Its heavy.
But if I dropped the 888 and got a 66 or Totem, got a lighter wheelset, new cranks, it could easily be dropped to 40lbs or so.

With the 888 slacked out it feels like a downhill bike (geo wise) it makes you want to plow, but you have to realize that your on a big hit FR bike. Which I still cant get into my head. Last weekend at North Star I busted 3 spokes and finally killed my DU bushings and hardware.