[Surfinguru]

Hey guys, I race quite a few events here in NorCal and honestly, except the CHDH, most are really Super-D like courses. Additionally, most of the riding here is good for 5"-6" travel bikes.

So, I'm trying to decide which mid travel bike will suit me best. The contenders are:

Foes 6" FXR Air
Turner RFX
Intense 5.5 or maybe the 6.6

I currently ride a Foes Fly as my do it all bike. 44#'s is fine when it's steep and nasty, but damn the long climbs are killing me. (And to be competitive in Expert class, I need to put something together that's going to come in under 35#'s.) I like steep, fast and technical stuff, enjoy getting as much air as possible and have no problems doing up to 10' drops.

What are your guys' thoughts?

 

[Ro.nin]

I hate it when people suggest other brands that you asked about, but it would be really worth looking at the Nomad and the Reign. Especially the Reign - when it comes to price vs. quality, I don't think it can be beat.

 

[Surfinguru]

Ro.nin, thanks, guess I should have added that I'll be applying for sponsorship from the list. Just trying to sort out the preference and see the populace has to say.

 

[jhhubb]

intense 5.5

 

[Rover Nick]

What are the SD courses like there? Are they long and lots and lots of peddaling, if so, then I would say the 5.5 or maybe even the 6.6. If they are pretty fast, shorter and better suited for a long travel I would say the 6.6 or the RFX.

Just keep in mind that I think a 6.6 can be built darn close to 30 lbs

 

[Surfinguru]

So far our "DH" races have been anywhere from 2:40 - 6:30. There's a good bit of pedaling including some short but semi-steep climbs.

Check through some of the pics in these albums to see what our courses look like. (Woo-hoo! Even made the preview pic of the July 1st race!)

 

[NorKal]

I think you should buy a blur 4x...in fact I'll sell you mine

edit: seriously though I think you would be happy with any of those bikes except the 5.5. It has a pretty steep head angle that you might not like.

 

[Cru Jones]

Sorry, don't mean to derail your thread, but... am I the only one that thinks Super-D has the wrong name? I mean, it's like having a dirt jump event on a pump track and calling it a Super Dirt Jump contest... what the hell?

 

[tacubaya]

zzzomg this is sooo funny

 

[kidwoo]

Even if I were sponsored by those other brands, I'd buy an enduro sl with my own money.

It kicks those other bikes' asses that much.

I sold my 6.6 to get mine. They aren't even in the same league with each other.

 

[MDJ]

I used to to hate it, but the Enduro SL is growing on me. There are a few people racing them at CCCX, Sea otter, etc. They are also great bikes for Demo and Downieville. I've read some good reviews from people that generally know what they are talking about. I only demo'd one with a sticky pre-production fork but I hear the production ones are much better. The rear end felt great.

I have a heavy SX Trail and have been thinking about the SL for the same reason as you.

Otherwise, I'd get the 6.6.

 

[Surfinguru]

Yeah, I'm just sick of getting my a** kicked climbing in and out of demo on a 44lb sled. Not to mention the penalty I'll pay when stepping up to expert this fall.

My real issue is money is hella TIGHT right now!!! I just got married and the total cost was...well, you get the idea. Totally worth it, but not much left in the tank at the moment. I don't have any shop sponsorship at the moment, so retail is completely out of the question.

 

[kidwoo]

My real issue is money is hella TIGHT right now!!! I just got married and the total cost was...well, you get the idea. Totally worth it, but not much left in the tank at the moment. I don't have any shop sponsorship at the moment, so retail is completely out of the question.

Well with the bikes (brands) you mentioned, you're still not going to get a cheap build even with team/shop discounts.

Specialized was sold out of the enduros when I wanted mine which meant I couldn't get my usual pricing. So I walked in and paid the $2500 retail for an enduro comp. The only things I've changed are the rear hub and cassette and I have zero regrets.............only that I wish I'd done it sooner.

 

[Surfinguru]

so woo, this is what you're riding?

 

[Surfinguru]

as far as pricing goes, I've seen the Foes #'s and have a pretty good understanding of the Turner costs, and they're something I can do. (I haven't seen Intense info so I'd only be guessing at this point.)

I just can't walk into the LBS and pull something off the rack and say "ring it up.". So if some shop guys are reading this and want to help a guy out and support a racer in the Expert 35-40+ class, check my results over on my Sponsorhouse page and PM me!

 

[kidwoo]

as far as pricing goes, I've seen the Foes #'s and have a pretty good understanding of the Turner costs, and they're something I can do. (I haven't seen Intense info so I'd only be guessing at this point.)

I just can't walk into the LBS and pull something off the rack and say "ring it up.".

Yeah just do the math and see what you're able to do. I can't speak for your money obviously, just throwing my reccomedation out there.

But yeah^ that's the bike I've got.

13.7 bb, 67degree headangle with 6" of travel that weighs 30lbs stock.........you're a dh'er so you know what that means

 

[NoManerz]

Being a foes guy you would appreciate that the nomad runs a longer stroke shock and body compared to the 6.6.... more oil for heat dissipation and lower spring rates but no 2:1.

 

[Surfinguru]

I'm really digging the new FXR. I love how there's little to no rear triangle flex on the Foes, but the proprietary nature of only being able to run a Curnutt, whether air or coil is a source of pause for me.

 

[Pistol2Ne]

Reign or nomad for sho ho

 

[Mr Yeti]

Another bike to check out is the Titus El Guapo (get rid of the Pearl rear shock though). Very stiff and pretty decent pointed downhill.
http://www.titusti.com/bikes/elguapo.html#