[jojotherider]

Hi Folks,

I'm in search of a new (to me) bike right now and am wondering if the uzzi VPX is still a good bike by today's standards. While I would absolutely love to get my hands on a current model, I simply can't afford it.

Where I'm coming from:
-map of the bikepark i do all of my riding at. I just took a shot at the single diamond run and failed the gateway feature, but the intermediates are cake. There is a big jump at the end of the HLC line that I hit pretty good. Its got a case guard so it was easy to practice on.

-I don't go to lift served bike parks (yet, maybe later this year), so I spend a lot of time climbing.
-I'm getting started into the freeride stuff, but still very new and trying to figure it out.
-I want to do the occasional xc trail, not an epic, but a short one at the local bike park
-I like the feel of a slack bike, but have spent some time on my friend's Stumpjumper fsr elite, and loved how easy it was to climb to the top.

If I can find a good deal on a VPX is it worth it? The only bike i'm considering and can afford is the Giant Reign X2. Granted i've only ridden it in the LBS parking lot, but it was a considerablly better ride than my current bike.

thoughts?

-joel

 

[iRider]

Hell yes, I love mine! When I don't know what the trails are like and only can take one bike it is the VPX. I ride a 2 x 9 setup and use a light-ish AM and a FR/DH wheel set depending on what I ride. But I won't lie to you, it is a heavy bike on the climbs. However, if it is a steady fire road climb it is not too bad IMO. Long climbs on technical trails are doable but cost a lot of power. On the way down it is confidence inspiring and fun, a little short in the TT and WB to be a full on racer. I have the slacker dropouts on mine and love the reasonable up-to-date geometry it has with them.
If you buy a used one make sure the bearings are OK. If you are a heavy guy you might also have a problem with the rather flexy swing arm. I am lightweight so it doesn't bother me too much, but some heavier riders I know that own or owned a VPX were bothered by it.
I have tried a friend's older Reign X and although it is not a bad bike it doesn't feel like a "big bike" to me. Dunno about the current model though. So if you more looking for a "super enduro/light FR bike" the Reign X might suit you better.

If you find a VPX in good shape for cheap I would say go for it. :thumbsup:

 

[jojotherider]

Thanks for the response. So is it not a very good climber? Will I still be sitting way back for the climbs?

What about the vpx vs a 2008 6.6? I'm guessing that will be the better climber, but not necessarily a better descender. The 6.6 comes with a marzocchi 66 fork and not sure what coil shock. For some reason the guy selling the vpx out a marzocchi 55 on it. If have to replace that.

 

[iRider]

Thanks for the response. So is it not a very good climber? Will I still be sitting way back for the climbs?

Don't get me wrong, for the big bike that it is it climbs really well. It is not a Stumpjumper though. It depends on where you see yourself as a rider. Do you want to hang with a bunch of guys on XC bikes on the climbs? Then the VPX is too heavy. Don't you mind to grind your way to the top and don't care when you arrive as long as the downhill ahead is worth it? The VPX is your bike!

What about the vpx vs a 2008 6.6? I'm guessing that will be the better climber, but not necessarily a better descender. The 6.6 comes with a marzocchi 66 fork and not sure what coil shock. For some reason the guy selling the vpx out a marzocchi 55 on it. If have to replace that.

The 6.6 has a weird geometry (more like a long travel trail bike) and the swing arm is really really flexy. It might climb better but if you want to push the limits the Uzzi is better. The 55 might not be a bad fork for the VPX (especially considering what you want to do with it). Lots of people ran Fox 36 on their Uzzis. I have a 170 mm Sherman on mine.

 

[jojotherider]

so, it sounds like the 6.6 is an all-mountain bike that leans towards the XC side. Is the vpx an all mountain bike that leans towards the FR/DH side?

I was comparing geometry to the Nomad which is one of the other bikes that I really like (but again, way more than I can afford) and they are pretty much the same except for the seat tube angle. Nomad: 71.5* and VPX: 70.5*. Obviously the travel is going to be different.

-joel

 

[NS-NV]

If you are more concerned about going up rather than going down, the VPX may not be the bike for you. I am entering summer #5 on mine. For the past 3 summers I have looked at replacing it. I test ride a bunch of bikes, but in the end, I just tweek mine a bit. I run the 'slacker' drop outs and an angle reducing headset. I love it. The bike hangs in there well with full on DH bikes. On long climbs (not technical) there is not much difference between it and my AM bike. I just get a bit more of a work out.

 

[iRider]

so, it sounds like the 6.6 is an all-mountain bike that leans towards the XC side.

Yes!

Is the vpx an all mountain bike that leans towards the FR/DH side?

No, the VPX is a FR bike that can be pressed into service for all mountain stuff. Its main strength is the FR/DH part!

 

[jojotherider]

ok, i'm going to go with the VPX. I want to get more into FR. If I want to go on pedalling rides, then I can ride my HT bike. Its a Giant STP3 that works really well for XC.

tell me what you think of this build for $1k:
Uzzi VPX w/Manitou Swinger X6
Bomber 55r
Rear DT Hugi hub on Atomlab Pimp
Front DT Hugi hub on Atomlab DHR
Both w/Michelin double wall casing DH wild gripper tires
RaceFace DH NorthShore cranks & BB
Azonic pedals
One Delta DH stem and one silver long Thompson Elite seatposts
Generic specialized seat
Hayes 9 rear brake w/8" rotor
Avid juicy 3 w/8" rotor
XT cassette, dérailleur and shifter
Peaty odi grips
Easton Havoc bar
Bontrager stem
E13 chain guide
FSA 1.5 conversion headset

-joel

 

[NS-NV]

That is a pretty good deal (as long as the frame is in good condition). Based on the spec, I would say the seller took off the parts he wanted to keep and threw on what he could get his hands on.

The hubs and frame are keepers, as you go, you can upgrade the rest.

 

[jojotherider]

now that you mention it, he bought a corsair konig as a replacement. Looking at the Corsair website, the Konig, just happens to have a bomber 55. Although, the Konig has a bomber 55 ata and he listed a bomber 55 r.

 

[NS-NV]

If you want it more for freeride, I'd look into upsizing the fork to a 180mm and replacing the brakes.

I went thru a phase where I was swapping my 66 with a 55 for a more AM type bike. It just did not suit the frame.

 

[jojotherider]

i'm going to run it as is for a bit and figure out what i really want to swap out. There's actually a guy selling a totem for $250 nearby, but the lowers are pretty banged up and there's a small scratch on the stanchion. it almost seems worth it though.

-joel