[Coyote_Lover]

Found a real good deal on a 2017 Loki H30 for $1120 shipped. Another dealer offered the 2018 for $1250 shipped.

Only real difference is the 2018 has 130mm travel form and 2017 has 2017 has 120mm - same brand Rockshox Recon

Which is better deal?

Paint scheme a little different:

 

[Coyote_Lover]

Looking closer - the 18' had different wheelset, crankset and the little different travel fork:


2018:

FRAME Orbea Loki Hydro 2018 Triple Butted 29/27.5+ design. Boost 12x148 ISCG 05
FORK RockShox Recon RL 130 Air Q15x110 Boost
CRANKSET Prowheel Charm-TT-Boost 32t
HEADSET FSA 1-1/8 - 1-1/2" Integrated
HANDLEBAR Orbea OC-II Riser 760mm
STEM Orbea OC-II
SHIFTERS Shimano SLX M7000
BRAKES Shimano M365 Hydraulic Disc
CASSETTE Sun Race 11-46t 11-Speed
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano SLX M7000 GS Shadow Plus Direct Mount
CHAIN Shimano HG601-11
WHEELS SUN RINGLE DUROC 27.5 TR40 TLR + MODUS SEALED BOOST HUBS
TYRES Kenda 1184A Havok 27,5x2,8" FB 60TPI
PEDALS N/A
SEATPOST Orbea OC-II 31.6x400mm
SADDLE Selle Royal 2062 Trail Custom

2017:

Frame: Loki hydroformed triple butted alloy
Fork: RockShox Recon Silver RL Air Q15x110 Boost
Fork Travel: 120mm
Headset: FSA 1 1/8” - 1 1/2” integrated
Brakes: Shimano M365 hydraulic disc
Shifters: Shimano SLX M7000
Crank: FSA Comet Megaexo 32T
Cassette: Sun Race 11-46T 11-speed
Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX M7000 GS Shadow Plus
Chain: Shimano HG601-1
Wheelset: Sun Ringle Duroc 27.5 TR40 TLR + Modus sealed Boost hubs
Tires: Kenda 1184A Havok 2.8" FB 60TPI
Handlebar: Orbea OC-II Riser 760mm
Stem: Orbea OC-II
Seatpost: Orbea Digit 31.6x400mm
Saddle: Selle Royal J-2062 Trail custom
Sizes: 15.5” SM | 17” MD | 18.5” LG | 20.5” XL |
Colors: Black Orange, Black Purple
Weight: 13870g | 30.58lbs

 

[Kabob]

Neither one.
Unless you have a short torso look elsewhere.
The reach is kinda short.
Also tire clearance for 3" tires are tight.
LOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG.
chainstays. Needs an update to bring it up to modern standards.

 

[Coyote_Lover]

Thanks for the info! Is there a recommendation for a good 27.5+ for someone my size 6' 225? Need to stay $1300 or under ....just came from DB Mason Trail.

 

[kustomz]

Here is a completely blind recommendation for the Jamis Dragonslayer. I have been looking at it since it can run single speed if that is of any importance to you.

 

[Coyote_Lover]

How's this deal on a Drangonslayer? I think I may need the XL though at 6'?

https://www.ebay.com/i/282573087808...0-0%26rvr_id%3D1274054954055&var=581740809072

 

[TimoA]

Neither one.
Unless you have a short torso look elsewhere.
The reach is kinda short.
Also tire clearance for 3" tires are tight.
LOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG.
chainstays. Needs an update to bring it up to modern standards.

Uh, I can easily fit 3" Fat Freddies on a '16 Loki which is about as big as 27+ rubber gets - AFAICT the 2017-18 frame is the same. I have seen some even using the 3.25 Duro Crux. While the reach numbers are not out there the bike responds really well to sizing up in my experience (i'm 5 ft 8 in + change and ride an L w/40mm stem).

 

[Coyote_Lover]

Does that mean at 6' and normal
Legs and torso a size UP would be better? I'm L in most bikes...

Orbea Loki 2018 specs:

 

[Joules]

Here is a completely blind recommendation for the Jamis Dragonslayer. I have been looking at it since it can run single speed if that is of any importance to you.

so you say the Loki is too short and has too long chainstays, but you recommend this Jamis, which is shorter and has longer chainstays?

 

[TimoA]

Does that mean at 6' and normal
Legs and torso a size UP would be better? I'm L in most bikes...

I'd say that if you think that long reach is a must the frame shape does support going for a larger than normal size within reason. It worked well for me but in hindsight I would have been just as happy on an M. If I were 6 ft tall I would not size up to XL because my riding is mostly tight and slow singletrack with lots of climbing.

 

[kustomz]

so you say the Loki is too short and has too long chainstays, but you recommend this Jamis, which is shorter and has longer chainstays?

I am not the one that said the Loki is too short. My post was a "blind recommendation" as I was killing time while the rest of the family was watching so-called reality tv. But since it was mentioned, I am 6' tall with a short torso and 35.5" cycling inseam, so I love short top tubes. I have found over the years that long chainstays are fine if you have bike turning and lifting skills, not to mention that the Jamis can get pretty short with 15mm of sliding dropouts. The new long top tube trend is not for everyone, so depending on what Coyote_Lover is looking for it may actually work better. Orbea claims the Loki is a shape shifter and in different stories he assumes multiple forms. The Dragonslayer may actually be a better Loki since it is adjustable.

 

[Coyote_Lover]

I'm riding a good bit of technical singletrack and I ride fairly hard, hopping, jumping when I can, learning to do small drops, etc. .Lots of twisty areas, also some flowy berm type trails...lots of options near me. Just want something I can have fun on...not a super speed demon...have more fun hitting small jumps and trying to learn how to manual.

Older fella (46) dropping a few lbs too...have gone from 264 to 229 and going to drop more.

Which bike is best for me? $1300 is definitely my cap.

I have been researching Loki, Jamis, TJ, and a norco fluid 7.2 ht.

 

[Joules]

I am not the one that said the Loki is too short.

sorry, early morning confusion...

still, you like bikes *that* short? I would have thought with legs that long, you'd have pretty long arms too, no?
I get that the longer trend isn't for everyone, but looking at the numbers on the Dragonslayer, I'd guess it was meant to be womens or maybe kids model. Calling a bike with 440mm reach an XL? Sure, in 1995 when a 15cm stem was acceptable and bars were 8" narrower, today that's a medium, maybe small.

 

[Joules]

Which bike is best for me? $1300 is definitely my cap.

I have been researching Loki, Jamis, TJ, and a norco fluid 7.2 ht.

Standard advice is to ride them and see what you think. In the real world that's not always possible.

Are you happy with the fit on your current bike? Then compare stack and reach with the bikes you're looking at. It sounds like you're short enough that sizing up is an option, so that helps.

Side note: make sure you can actually get a Norco before getting your heart set on that model. From what I can tell, they're into the 'buy at a dealer' model, but forgot the step of actually having dealers, so for large parts of the US, they just aren't an option unless you're willing to travel to Vancouver to buy one. (a shame, since the fluid HT looks pretty promising on paper)

 

[centershot]

Trek has joined the 27.5+ scene with the Roscoe Series. The Roscoe 8 is as high as the spec will go in the USA. Fork kind of sucks but other than that, looks like a nice rig. $1250 Retail.


BTW: that pic of the top Loki has a Fox 34 fork and Eagle GX on it, doubt that is the $1200 model....probably at least twice that much.

 

[Coyote_Lover]

Reading a lot of positives about SC Chameleon 27.5+. It's $1699 for the D build so I'd have to save up a bit and not sure about availability.

 

[Kabob]

I have a 16 Honzo am/dl I was looking for a similar handling bike in a 27.5+ bike.
I test rode the Loki it was OK just not quite right.
The Big Honzo has 16.5 chain stays and a longer reach.
More modern geometry. Very confidence inspiring when the going gets tough.
I amaze my Co riders and myself with what I can ride with it.
Very capable bike.
3" tires with Maxis minion DHf which is quite tight on a Loki.
If you knock the back wheel out its gonna rub on the Other
The Honzo has more room.
Check out the bikepacking review of the big Honzo.
Also the 18 Konas are starting to drop so the prices have came down on Konas website.

 

[Coyote_Lover]

Called around and lucked out and found a Santa Cruz Chameleon D 27.5+ that had been a demo and ridden once. Talked the guy into a pretty good deal and went and looked at it. Shop was a little ways away but bike was basically perfect. Test rode it for a good bit around the shop- climbed a bit with it - rode a couple urban obstacles and loved it! $1310 + tax.

 

[TimoA]

Well, that ended up very nicely, congrats on the new bike!

 

[Kabob]

That's a much better choice than the Loki.
Short chain stays with good reach.
I'd like to ride one myself.