[akaBrowntown]

Rode it yesterday without issue and no chirping. Came really close to ordering a new Fox Float DPS, going to NC next week and don't want to be SOL.

 

[akaBrowntown]

Contemplated trading it in on a lesser bike, took a short spin on lesser bike and thought wtf am I thinking.

Moar pics.

 

[LyNx]

ut: Yeah, unless you only have absolutely smooth gravel, the Phantom is the most versatile bike I've owned, barely looses anything to the HT on the smooth stuff and once the chatter starts, no comparison, and then still very capable when it gets really chunky and big.

Contemplated trading it in on a lesser bike, took a short spin on lesser bike and thought wtf am I thinking.

 

[vko]

Keith or anybody who knows what size shock for Phantom in the new metric sizing and how it can affect travel and geo.
Thanks

 

[1x1Pilot]

I've got a question for all you guys..... I've got my Phantom set up with a Stage fork set at 130 and was running flip chips in the middle setting. Got a wild hair to try the slack setting, and it made this bike even better when I didn't think it could GET any better. Rides smoother, manuals fantastically, more playful, and only takes a little more weight shift forward on some of the same steep technical climbs.

My question is this. I'm 6'2", ride a large with a 50mm stem, and it actually feels like the bike fits better. I can't find the answer anywhere and in my mind it doesn't make sense. In the slack setting, do you think the effective top tube length or reach might have gotten longer? It really does feel like it.....

 

[akaBrowntown]

I would think the opposite is true but the seat angle slackens as well.

 

[1x1Pilot]

I would think the opposite is true but the seat angle slackens as well.

That's what I thought. Correct me if I'm wrong, but as you slacken the head angle, the seattube angle slackens the same amount. But I swear, it feels longer.....

 

[LyNx]

You sir have just realised that all this "super steep STA for everyone" is a bunch of BS and does not in fact suit all, especially taller riders. The slacker STA has made the bike feel more comfortable because you are probably more suited to being further behind the BB than the steep STA and straight seatpost let you get and then the slacker front makes it more DH capable and yes the Reach is shortened.
This is why I got the 9point8 dropper with setback option, because a 74* STA just does not work for me (I run my Phantom in the steep setting), much more comfortable on my Paradox's 72* STA with 140mm fork.

A lot of the people riding these bikes with the steeper STAs that have adjustable geo, normally are running them in the slack setting and claiming that it's great, which of course it is when it's 1 degree slacker than the stated STA - 1 degree is a lot.

I've got a question for all you guys..... I've got my Phantom set up with a Stage fork set at 130 and was running flip chips in the middle setting. Got a wild hair to try the slack setting, and it made this bike even better when I didn't think it could GET any better. Rides smoother, manuals fantastically, more playful, and only takes a little more weight shift forward on some of the same steep technical climbs.

My question is this. I'm 6'2", ride a large with a 50mm stem, and it actually feels like the bike fits better. I can't find the answer anywhere and in my mind it doesn't make sense. In the slack setting, do you think the effective top tube length or reach might have gotten longer? It really does feel like it.....

I would think the opposite is true but the seat angle slackens as well.

That's what I thought. Correct me if I'm wrong, but as you slacken the head angle, the seattube angle slackens the same amount. But I swear, it feels longer.....

 

[1x1Pilot]

You sir have just realised that all this "super steep STA for everyone" is a bunch of BS and does not in fact suit all, especially taller riders. The slacker STA has made the bike feel more comfortable because you are probably more suited to being further behind the BB than the steep STA and straight seatpost let you get and then the slacker front makes it more DH capable and yes the Reach is shortened.
This is why I got the 9point8 dropper with setback option, because a 74* STA just does not work for me (I run my Phantom in the steep setting), much more comfortable on my Paradox's 72* STA with 140mm fork.

A lot of the people riding these bikes with the steeper STAs that have adjustable geo, normally are running them in the slack setting and claiming that it's great, which of course it is when it's 1 degree slacker than the stated STA - 1 degree is a lot.

Not lying, bro. It was eye opening!! Always paid attention to reach, head tube angle, effective top tube. Never seat tube angle!!!

 

[Vadim0791]

Did anybody ever try coil shock on a phantom?

 

[LyNx]

Have you first tried finding a coil shock in that size? If you had you would know the answer is NO, as there are none available.

Did anybody ever try coil shock on a phantom?

 

[Vadim0791]

Have you first tried finding a coil shock in that size? If you had you would know the answer is NO, as there are none available.

I do,i do
Avalanche Chubie & Woodie exist in 7,25"size(184mm) but stroke is 2,0" (instead of 1,75")
If stroke can be reduced(spacer ??) in theory it can be used.

 

[LyNx]

Ah, after market, almost, can't say they're one I check. Fairly certain the stroke could be limited on those, call Craig and talk to him about it and if he'd recommend going that route for the Phantom - talked to him about doing air shocks for my Phantom and Prime and he was very forthright and upfront with his thoughts. He has the leverage ratios etc for all Banshee frames, so can give honest thoughts, would be very interested to hear his reply if you do contact him, maybe Keith will chime in as well on if the frame would benefit from going coil over a custom tuned air spring from Avalanche.

I do,i do
Avalanche Chubie & Woodie exist in 7,25"size(184mm) but stroke is 2,0" (instead of 1,75")
If stroke can be reduced(spacer ??) in theory it can be used.

 

[Vadim0791]

Ah, after market, almost, can't say they're one I check. Fairly certain the stroke could be limited on those, call Craig and talk to him about it and if he'd recommend going that route for the Phantom - talked to him about doing air shocks for my Phantom and Prime and he was very forthright and upfront with his thoughts. He has the leverage ratios etc for all Banshee frames, so can give honest thoughts, would be very interested to hear his reply if you do contact him, maybe Keith will chime in as well on if the frame would benefit from going coil over a custom tuned air spring from Avalanche.

For sure I'll drop him mail(calling is a bit difficult due to 12 hrs time diffrrence)
Today re-check banshee website,they clearly stated- shock type Air/Coil
Will be back with Craig's reply.

 

[Stopbreakindown]

So how is everyone getting along with their Phantom?

Anyone looking at other bikes?

Looking to pick up a frame to swap parts over from a RIP9. If anyone has any time on both, a quick pros/cons would be awesome.

 

[LyNx]

What year RIP9?

So how is everyone getting along with their Phantom?

Anyone looking at other bikes?

Looking to pick up a frame to swap parts over from a RIP9. If anyone has any time on both, a quick pros/cons would be awesome.

 

[Stopbreakindown]

2014 alloy

 

[DirtDiggler]

I think you will like the Phantom coming from that bike. I came from a Remedy 29er and really like the switch over. The Phantom is lower and feels a little more slack. At the same time it feels much more flickable and maneuverable through technical terrain. I noticed it doesn't get as hung up on roots and rocks which yields a faster ride. My Remedy was much plusher going downhill but I would get pogo'd and bounced around when the trail got slow and technical. One thing that's interesting is going downhill - you forget it has 105mm of travel until things get super rough. The only negative I can think of is that it wouldn't hurt loose a little weight. The good part is that you don't really feel the weight until you lift the bike up. The other negative is that the Inline shock has a history of being unreliable and needing to be rebuilt much sooner than most shocks. That should't deter you though. To get around this, I purchased a used fox float for $99 as a backup so I don't loose bike time. Not a big deal.

 

[Vadim0791]

Inline is a real unreliable disaster- i have two if them failed one by one. First on Warden second on Riot. Both been replaced with coil shocks.
Phantom been ordered with monarch XX, which mathcing frame perfectly(bike is setted in a steep mode with fork lowered to 120mm travel,2x11 transmission,for slow,painfull technical uphill trails).
But for agessive set up i'm planing to discuss with Craig posibility to use Woodie or Chubie.

 

[DirtDiggler]

A Chubie would be amazing on the Phantom. How do you like the Monarch XX? You don't see that many coils on a trail bike these days. I wonder if the AVY tuned RP3 would be worth it.