[cocoloco]

I have been researching for some days now and I am confused as ever. After reading many many posts and reviews I have narrowed it down to the Intense 5.5, X5, blur, or the 5-spot. I have been saving for a bit so cash is not a problem. I am looking for a great climber that can handle agressive XC which includes 2-3foot drops.
Which would you choose and why??

Any input would be helpfull

 

[rone]

I have been researching for some days now and I am confused as ever. After reading many many posts and reviews I have narrowed it down to the Intense 5.5, X5, blur, or the 5-spot. I have been saving for a bit so cash is not a problem. I am looking for a great climber that can handle agressive XC which includes 2-3foot drops.
Which would you choose and why??

Any input would be helpfull

At this end of the Market you probably won't go far wrong with any of the above.

I have just sold my Blur which I owned for 9 months, it's a great bike with a few minor blips. There is a quite a bit of chain growth through the pedals in the lower gears - which can get a bit frustrating as you pedal fast up-hill. Also, Blur received pundits for being a good hill climber - but now having purchased a 5Spot I can feel the difference straight away. My mate's ETS-X50 is also a better climber.

The Blur is great on moderate downhill sections and is somewhat underplayed in this area, and I found myself sprinting past most folk in races on rocky descents (we are not talking 10" downhilling though!).

Having gone from the SL > BLUR > 5Spot I think I have found the bike for me. Sure it is heavier - and I can feel the weight a little but everything else feels better. The geometry of the bike is great - I can only describe as feeling like your power is right over the pedals. Climbing on rough ground is amazing, no feedback through the pedals - is weird having come from the Blur. Also, lack of Bob - I wasn't prepared for how little it bobs on he tarmac - less again than the Blur and without effecting small bump compliance.

I don't want to sound anti-Blur but I owned it 3000 miles and loved it, it's just that the 5spot rides better in my opinion, it kind of feels like the I thought the Blur should do if you know what I mean.

 

[Blue Shorts]

I have been researching for some days now and I am confused as ever. After reading many many posts and reviews I have narrowed it down to the Intense 5.5, X5, blur, or the 5-spot. I have been saving for a bit so cash is not a problem. I am looking for a great climber that can handle agressive XC which includes 2-3foot drops.
Which would you choose and why??

Any input would be helpfull

Questions:

How much do you weigh?

Do you spend any significant time pedaling while standing?

All of the bikes you listed are great bikes, depending on your riding style, your weight and the terrain.

I own a 5 Spot, so I'm biased.

I consider the 5.5 and the Blur to be more on the XC side of things. Let's say XC and Aggressive XC. Both bikes excel at pedaling while standing.

The 5 Spot and the X5 are more on the Aggressive XC to Light Freeride category. I think the 5 Spot will be the better climber and they'll be very close on the downhills...with the Spot having the better braking, imo. If you're gonna do a lot of drops, I'd lean more towards the Spot and the X5, unless you're a real lightweight.

 

[cocoloco]

I am 190# with gear.

80% of the time I sit while pedaling uphill.

I currently own a Bullit, and am using it as my freeride/XC bike but it's just getting a bit SLOW. Dont get me wrong- I can still do most of the hills but I just miss the f"ast single track" feel...plus I hate being the last one at the top of the hill.

I am looking for a frame that is light weight and can handle rocks and roots and 2-3ft.drops - all the fun stuff but still be able to stay together in one piece for some years to come. Am I asking for too much???

Currently these are the frames I am leaning towards, and the best price i can find for a medium:
Intense 5.5 - $1950
ventana X5 or Salt - $1650
5-spot - ?
For some reason I dont feel confident of the VPP design--should I fear? Am I wrong?


I am doing my best in researching and I thank you all for your advice--this is a big purchase for me.






[

 

[Blue Shorts]

I am 190# with gear.

80% of the time I sit while pedaling uphill.

I currently own a Bullit, and am using it as my freeride/XC bike but it's just getting a bit SLOW. Dont get me wrong- I can still do most of the hills but I just miss the f"ast single track" feel...plus I hate being the last one at the top of the hill.

I am looking for a frame that is light weight and can handle rocks and roots and 2-3ft.drops - all the fun stuff but still be able to stay together in one piece for some years to come. Am I asking for too much???

Currently these are the frames I am leaning towards, and the best price i can find for a medium:
Intense 5.5 - $1950
ventana X5 or Salt - $1650
5-spot - ?
For some reason I dont feel confident of the VPP design--should I fear? Am I wrong?

I am doing my best in researching and I thank you all for your advice--this is a big purchase for me.

[

OK. You said that you wanted a great climber. Can you clarify that? Do you want a bike that excels on long, relatively smooth climbs or maybe rocky, rooty, loose, steep climbs?

The reason I ask is because all of the bikes that you mentioned are good bikes.

OK....Here's my generic take on those bikes:

5.5 - It's a light VPP bike. AIr shock only. Sealed Bearings. It excels in reducing bob while pedaling standing. It's pretty plush while coasting, but is not fully active while pedaling. It will be a great smooth to moderately-technical climber. Some degree of pedal feedback while climbing over rough terrain. Moderate degree of brake jack.

X5(I'm not familiar with the Salty) - 4-bar chainstay-pivot linkage - Can use coil or air shock, I believe. Sealed bearings. Beautiful bike (I just like the way it looks). Plush while coasting. Not fully active while pedaling. I don't remember if it had brake jack, but I would assume that since it's basically a single pivot, it probably does.

5 Spot ($1895, btw) - Horst link 4-bar. Bushings with zirc grease fittings. Excellent technical climber. Can use coil or air shock. Not quite as good on smooth climbs as the 5.5. Not as good as VPP for pedaling while standing. Fully active while pedaling and braking. Very little brake jack. The plushest of the group and my choice. I own a Spot so I'm biased.

Hopefully, you'll be able to ride all of these bikes before you make a choice. That's not easy to do with bikes in this price range.

Good Luck.