[Black RONIN]

I'm wondering how the 5.5 FRO compares to the traditional EVP.

I read such a great review on MBA about the FRO (it was RC, so you just wonder...), but I actually don't doubt any of his words about it. He was pretty thrilled about the bike.

But is this as strong as the EVP? How much the EVP weight penalizes its rider compared to the FRO? Can the EVP be built lighter, closer to the FRO?

I'm sort of a agressive rider, but I like to climb and speed on single tracks, yet I see the FRO more like a long-travel nimble racer than an all-mountain die-hard. Am I wrong?

Anyone has riden both to give some insights?

Thanks.

 

[robbieracer]

The 5.5 fro and the 5.5 have exactly the same geometry..( except for any effects of different headsets) So they should ride in a very similar way.
The 5.5 is built with thinner tubing, as per the Spider.. and as a result it is nearly a pound lighter..

By reducing the frame weight it will not be as strong, but will it be strong enough? It is as strong as the Spider which is the XC bike.
So if you want XC weight with 30% more travel and more rough track ability, the 5.5 is a go..

A "works" 5.5 will be less than half a pound heavier than a painted 5.5 FRO..

 

[Paul5s]

I can't help with the FRO but do have an accurate weight for an '07 5.5EVP frame, size sml, gloss black painted, with Swinger air 4way and seatclamp out of the box 7lbs.

With a PUSHed '08 'large can' RP23 that I have and it's 6.7lb...

 

[Black RONIN]

I've been doing some research, and at Competitive Cyclist they have a build kit option and they list the weight of each part alone and then the total. In my configuration, the EVP scored at impressive 12,367g/ 27,26 lbs. Really an amazing weight for such ride. The frame alone wheighs 2,996g/ 6,6 lbs with a RP23.

At that weight, I can't see me going the FRO, unless if I was a hunger weight weenie. But that's not my case. I want a light bike, but not so light it can't take the abuse. But I think the FRO is far from being a fragile bike, but certainly the EVP is built with strenght in mind.

For a mere comparison, the same set-up on a FRO marked at 11,987g/ 26,42 lbs, being the frame alone at 2,680g/ 6lbs with a RP23. As we can see, not that bad for the EVP at all.

But would like to hear more about the EVP and FRO. If anyone wants to imput his/her impressions here, feel free to contribute!

Thanks.

 

[Paul5s]

They never ever come in bang on calculated weight from websites, there is always something missed or not allowed for. I'd be suprised if the real world weight is lower than 27.5lb likely a bit heavier but still light for what it's capable of.

The same can be said for quoted frame weights, I would guess looking at the weight of my frame that the listed weight is based on an XS frame which is why my S is heavier than quoted. The scale I used is accurate to 10g