[monkeybaby]

I would love to hear your reviews. I've been riding my SC Blur for 3 years and I'm starting to look at bikes with more travel for something new.

thx

 

[aword4you]

The 6.6 is way prettier

And I don't mean in a girly way, I mean in a "Should we put it on the wall instead?" kind of way.

Get an Enduro (kidding)! Maybe I'll try hubby's some time if he sets the shocks to my settings and we have no climbing.

LBS guy says the 5.5 is better than the 6.6. Not sure why. There is always the new Spider coming out in 29er.

 

[connie]

Nope. I've only heard good things FWIW.

I had a Yeti 575 for a couple of years, but just traded it for an AS-X. But I think 5-6" travel XC bike is pretty dang fun... Can you demo one (or at least test ride) in your area? It's always such a personal, fit-related thing as to which will really work best for you.

 

[jonsocal]

I know exactly the bike you are looking for....

It has 6" of front/rear travel and weighs about 22lbs and has no flex. Climbs like a hardtail and decends like a Karpiel Armageddon.

When you find one... tell me. I want to be the first on my block to own one!!!

Come to the dark side and get the Ellsworth Moment. You know you want to!!!
Here is your parts spec:
small Moment with DHX5.0 Air
All 2007 XTR Drivetrain with new XTR Crankset/disc brakes
I-9 wheelset (w/matching King headset)
Nevegal 2.1 UST tires
Monkeylite risers
ODI Rogue Lock-on grips
Thomson/Thomson
Candy Triple Ti pedals

Weight somewhere around 27lbs
Bling GALORE...! :eekster:

(Damn, I want that bike now....)

 

[Fiona]

Try at several before you settle.

It has 6" of front/rear travel and weighs about 22lbs and has no flex. Climbs like a hardtail and decends like a Karpiel Armageddon.

When you find one... tell me. I want to be the first on my block to own one!!!

Come to the dark side and get the Ellsworth Moment. You know you want to!!!
Here is your parts spec:
small Moment with DHX5.0 Air
All 2007 XTR Drivetrain with new XTR Crankset/disc brakes
I-9 wheelset (w/matching King headset)
Nevegal 2.1 UST tires
Monkeylite risers
ODI Rogue Lock-on grips
Thomson/Thomson
Candy Triple Ti pedals

Weight somewhere around 27lbs
Bling GALORE...! :eekster:

(Damn, I want that bike now....)

It depends on your size. Though all those components have possibilities. I'm 5'3" and definately didn't like the Moment when I rode it. It felt 'funny', not comfy. My Intense Spider is perfect. I have enough travel to feel comfy. And I think she's got plenty of bling (all aluminum shininess). I don't think I'll change bikes anytime soon, but I'm likely to stay with Intense with the next one at least. The Spider is like lifting a feather compared to the other bikes in our garage (Titus Switchblade, a Spec. Hardrock, and a Giant).

I've heard nothing but raves in regards to the 5.5. Have fun trying out all the new toys out there. There's bound to be the perfect fit for you.

Fiona

 

[monkeybaby]

Thanks for all the feedback. I did demo a 5spot and plan to demo others on my list. So far I'm a little hesitant on going bigger. I LOVE to climb on my blur but hated the climb on the 5spot. I didn't think the gains downhill on the 5spot were worth the fatigue and loss of momentum uphill. (The demo bike weighed 3lbs more than my blur.) Next on my demo list are the 5.5 and Epiphany.

 

[BobL]

Compare the Numbers

Thanks for all the feedback. I did demo a 5spot and plan to demo others on my list. So far I'm a little hesitant on going bigger. I LOVE to climb on my blur but hated the climb on the 5spot. I didn't think the gains downhill on the 5spot were worth the fatigue and loss of momentum uphill. (The demo bike weighed 3lbs more than my blur.) Next on my demo list are the 5.5 and Epiphany.

What are yu looking for in a 5+" travel bike? The 5.5 is a very well made bike, but appears to be more "race" due to steeper head angle, shorter wheelbase etc.
The Epihany is waayyy to expensive in my humble opinion, for what it is. And I think the VPP will climb better.
What about a Blur Long Travel? 5+", slightly slacker angles and slightly longer wheelbase, light enof for a 27 lb build. My wife is getting one (soon I hope) to replace her Superlight, but don't tell, it's a surprise!

 

[connie]

Thanks for all the feedback. I did demo a 5spot and plan to demo others on my list. So far I'm a little hesitant on going bigger. I LOVE to climb on my blur but hated the climb on the 5spot. I didn't think the gains downhill on the 5spot were worth the fatigue and loss of momentum uphill. (The demo bike weighed 3lbs more than my blur.) Next on my demo list are the 5.5 and Epiphany.

Make sure it's really set up right for you. I just traded my 575 for an AS-X. And on the first half of the test ride I was thinking WOW is this thing a lot more work to climb with. But the seat was too far back, which was affecting my pedal stroke. A couple of minor adjustments mid-ride, and I actually like climbing better in most situations on the AS-X, and it's a good 7 lbs heavier. The suspension means it just rolls right over things that used to require a careful technical approach, and I almost never lose traction on climbs that I used to spin out on all the time.

 

[jmass]

Thanks for all the feedback. I did demo a 5spot and plan to demo others on my list. So far I'm a little hesitant on going bigger. I LOVE to climb on my blur but hated the climb on the 5spot. I didn't think the gains downhill on the 5spot were worth the fatigue and loss of momentum uphill. (The demo bike weighed 3lbs more than my blur.) Next on my demo list are the 5.5 and Epiphany.

I am very surprised about your 5spot experience. I have been riding one for 2 years now, and even my friend with a very light Blur...all XTR, crossmax SLs, etc., thought it climbed and handled much better, even though its a few lbs heavier.

Mine is build more towards the XC side, so maybe it was a setup/spec issue, as 5spots are fairly versatile, but built up in many flavors as well. I had a fuel 100 and think the 5spot blows it away in every way.

 

[connie]

I am very surprised about your 5spot experience. I have been riding one for 2 years now, and even my friend with a very light Blur...all XTR, crossmax SLs, etc., thought it climbed and handled much better, even though its a few lbs heavier.

Mine is build more towards the XC side, so maybe it was a setup/spec issue, as 5spots are fairly versatile, but built up in many flavors as well. I had a fuel 100 and think the 5spot blows it away in every way.

I think most people (myself included) have a tendency to jump on a bike, adjust the saddle height, throw on some compatible pedals and if we have any standover, we just ride it and form our opinions. That's what I did riding my new AS-X and I was thinking holy crap, I can't climb up ANYTHING. My husband was saying I needed to raise the saddle more, but I tried and was locking out my knees and pointing my toes and he was still saying too low.... and suddenly I realized that my legs were locking out in front of me, not straight down where they should be. Moved the saddle over an inch forward and voila... easy to pedal and climb on. Sometimes it's that little of a thing and it makes a world of difference.

 

[[email protected]]

Intense 5.5 Girls Best Friend!!!

I have been riding a small 5.5 for approx 1.5 years ( reference 5' 8" 130#). It accelerates very quickly. I had to keep looking down the first time I rode it because it felt like a hardtail it was so quick. I have had 4 diferent forks on it trying to find the right one. Settled on a fox vanilla 130mm right now. The 05' version does not have the upper link that is one piece so I got one from Push. It increased the rear stiffness and increased the life of my bearings. Which I discovered today are shot and ready for replacement. I ride alot in the wet and throught the winter so it is to be expected, plus many rides in the rain. The bike can be set up a couple ways. For XC/enduro stuff stay with a fork with between 505-515mm A to C length, this keeps the bike super fun in tight singletrack and just carves up the trail. Or go with a fork with 515mm-530mm A to C with some big tires and you have a all mountain monster. My bike has weighted between 30-27.5#. Right now it is at 27.5 and it is fast. The rear suspension is not what I would call plush. It uses it when needed. I do bottom it out but that is usually on 3-4 foot drops with little transition. I always leave the shock on the least amount of propedal ( fox rp3 ) and I notice no bob when climbing. Side note that if you do go with a fox fork with RLC and are getting a small or medium frame with a king headset you will need a crown race from ventana with 7mm or small frame and 4mm for medium frame so the knobs dont hit the tube tube when the bars are turned. This will not happen normally but if you crash like I do I would not take a chance of shearing of the knobs on my fox fork. This bike makes you trying things, hence the crashes. If you live near Philadelphia, PA you can test ride her anytime.

 

[monkeybaby]

How much ascending is your typical ride?

I'm located in San Diego, Ca and the trail I've been riding the most lately is about 20 miles with 3000ft of climbing. The downhill parts of this trail (and my recent trip to Moab) are what have me thinking about moving to a bigger travel bike. I'm gathering from all the great feedback that you gals are having no issues pedaling these bikes uphill and loving the downhill. I am curious though on how much uphill is in your typical rides.

 

[taz]

Love to ride my 5.5

I've had an intense 5.5 for 3 years now and I am very happy with it. I'm 5'3", 125lbs. I typically climb about 1300 feet or better on an average ride. I like technical terrain and feel very comfortable with downhill sections, hairpin turns and drops on this bike. I have given up nothing on the climbs. It handles tight corners really well and has increased the number of sections I can clean.
Bottom line is I have a great big grin on my face at the end of every ride.