[Rev Bubba]

I've been giving some consideration now and than to getting a Moto Lite frame and putting my Pike on it. What are some of your experiences with that combo?

My current bike of choice is a Santa Cruz Chameleon with a Pike, 2.5/2.35 Nevegals, 60mm stem and 8" discs. I'd just move all that over to the Moto Lite. Would the bike handle it or would it be overkill? I really like the hardtail with the big tires but I'm not getting any younger.

Can't say that I'm convinced I need to try FS again after one failed experiment but I'm always open to new things.

Thanks

 

[FM]

The a2c of the pike is nearly identical to a marzocchi 130mm fork (all mountain or older z1)- about 518mm. To me, 518-530 a2c is the sweet spot range for motolite fork length- this gives the bike a more all mountain feel, without totally wrecking it's climbing abilities.

Prior to my motolite, I was riding a dekerf Implant steel FR hardtail for XC use, with a 130mm marzocchi Z1, 70mm stem, 28" wide bars, 8" front rotor and 2.3 tubeless tires. I swapped all the parts directly over to the motolite and it's been perfect! So you're good to go. :thumbsup:

PS, after coming off a FR hardtail.... it sure is nice to be able to sit down!

 

[blackagness]

The a2c of the pike is nearly identical to a marzocchi 130mm fork (all mountain or older z1)- about 518mm. To me, 518-530 a2c is the sweet spot range for motolite fork length- this gives the bike a more all mountain feel, without totally wrecking it's climbing abilities.

Prior to my motolite, I was riding a dekerf Implant steel FR hardtail for XC use, with a 130mm marzocchi Z1, 70mm stem, 28" wide bars, 8" front rotor and 2.3 tubeless tires. I swapped all the parts directly over to the motolite and it's been perfect! So you're good to go. :thumbsup:

PS, after coming off a FR hardtail.... it sure is nice to be able to sit down!

I remember that bike! You posted it a while back somewhere. Man, that things cool as hel. You still got it?

 

[FM]

I remember that bike! You posted it a while back somewhere. Man, that things cool as hel. You still got it?

yeah, I still have the frame. I put it up for sale, but didn't get my reserve on it. It's too nice of a frame to take a loss on, plus I really have a soft spot for steel hardtails. This frame is tough as nails. I've ridden the crap out of it, it can handle anything from dirtjumps to FR to XC epics.

So I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it- I don't have enough money or time to warrant 3 bikes. I may build it up at some point, we'll see- maybe a singlespeed or trials play bike.

 

[blackagness]

Yeah man that is a seriously HAWT hardtail. If I remember correctly those are pretty high up on the bling scale as well. It vwas a while back but I looked into getting one as a second bike type thing...No way, if memory serves the prices indicate that is not realy a use they were intended for. At least not at my pay scale for a steel ss type knocken around bike.

It sure looks sweet though it's a shame like you said theres really only so much time. I've got one FS, and a Kona Unit ss, and I can never bear to waste ride time on the damn thing. It's a shame too cause it's an ok little bike... But when I could be rippen the Moto...

 

[Mr Magoo]

coil fork is another option

Since you said that you are 'considering' ML, here's what I considered and ended up on racer X 100. I cracked my 2000 Loco Moto last summer. Under replacement policy, I could buy any Titus frame for $750. Thats it. (Locked in if I wanted to keep value vs. going elsewhere.) Switchblade, Racer X had the highest list price for my replacement $, but I was also yearning for ML since their debut. Fit was a deciding factor for me. Titus large is a 24" top tube in all bikes except the ML which is 24.25. Fewer size choices helps keep the production cost down. I'm 6'1 and felt stretched enough on the 24" LM, so I didn't choose ML. I am on am lg. racer X 100 with a Z-1 fork that I ran on the LM. A bit overkill in the front, but plush is nice for 50 year old wrists on new england trails. Racer X is quite stiff in the rear suspension. Like a hardtail in that you can really feel any hub or skewer play if it is there. Completely stiff laterally after a year of riding. Racer X may be another option if you are wary of the transition from hardtail. I may take some of the sting out of climbing.

 

[Rev Bubba]

Thanks for the HTFR comparison

I can't see getting rid of my Chameleon frame but it would be a 4th bike for me if I transferred parts to a ML so I'm not sure what to do with it. It has been a sweet bike and I'm not convinced I want to get rid of it.

Regardless, I have said that when I turn 60 in three years I will go for an FS but so far, the fat tires are aborbing most of the nasty sharp edged bumps in my riding area.

My other MTB is a custom steel XC HT so those basis are covered and I have a really nice road bike. Single speed? Hmmm, maybe but my knees may be too to go in that direction. Prehaps just set the frame aside for my son when he gets out of university.