[Optimus]

View attachment 1075801

Great idea, breed those beasts!!!!!

 

[langen]

Hello!

First time Banshee owner, just finished building this over the weekend, using almost all the oarts from my last bike (Turner Sultan):
-Phantom XL w/CC Inline
-Pike @140mm
-King/Hope hubs laced to Flow EXs, Hans Dampf/Magic Mary
-190mm Profile Racing cranks (42" inseam...) w/30 n/w RF chainring
-XT brakes 200/180mm
-Reverb seatpost, 480mm/170mm

Running the flip chips in the steepest setting to start with, depending on the number of pedal strikes I'll also try the middle setting.

Hoping to get the first ride within a couple of days. Really excited!!

Also - I want to give a big thanks to Keith @Banshee and Bernhard @everyday26, who went out of their way to help me get this frame. Thanks guys!!

 

[DirtDiggler]

Hello!

First time Banshee owner, just finished building this over the weekend, using almost all the oarts from my last bike (Turner Sultan):
-Phantom XL w/CC Inline
-Pike @140mm
-King/Hope hubs laced to Flow EXs, Hans Dampf/Magic Mary
-190mm Profile Racing cranks (42" inseam...) w/30 n/w RF chainring
-XT brakes 200/180mm
-Reverb seatpost, 480mm/170mm

Running the flip chips in the steepest setting to start with, depending on the number of pedal strikes I'll also try the middle setting.

Hoping to get the first ride within a couple of days. Really excited!!

Also - I want to give a big thanks to Keith @Banshee and Bernhard @everyday26, who went out of their way to help me get this frame. Thanks guys!! View attachment 1077372

Looking great! I really like the black/black version of this frame. Regarding the flip chips: I rode my bike in the slackest position when I first got it, now I'm using the steeper position. Pedal striking in either position wasn't an issue but I can corner a little faster in the steeper position. My fork is still setup at 150mm so I take it that's helping me from bashing my pedals.

 

[LyNx]

Yeah, but running a 150mm fork you already slackened the HTA by about 1.4 degrees (depending on which for it is), so in the steep setting you're still slacker than running it with stock fork in the slack setting by almost a 1.4 degrees, your HTA is somewhere around 67*. How's it climb? Most travel I've run mine with is 140mm on an F34 and Trace, climbing was OK, but had to really work on the steep stuff, really work, but descending was crazy.

Looking great! I really like the black/black version of this frame. Regarding the flip chips: I rode my bike in the slackest position when I first got it, now I'm using the steeper position. Pedal striking in either position wasn't an issue but I can corner a little faster in the steeper position. My fork is still setup at 150mm so I take it that's helping me from bashing my pedals.

 

[DirtDiggler]

Yeah, but running a 150mm fork you already slackened the HTA by about 1.4 degrees (depending on which for it is), so in the steep setting you're still slacker than running it with stock fork in the slack setting by almost a 1.4 degrees, your HTA is somewhere around 67*. How's it climb? Most travel I've run mine with is 140mm on an F34 and Trace, climbing was OK, but had to really work on the steep stuff, really work, but descending was crazy.

Yeah.. it feels balanced to me with my Stage 150mm fork but then again I haven't tried 130mm or 140mm yet. I have a feeling I will settle with a 140mm but I'm still testing it out. In the slacked position w/150mm fork it feels crazy confident on the downs. Climbing is obviously a little clumsy but still totally acceptable IMO. Same with the steeper position w/150mm. As many have said, the geometry on this bike is really good. I love that I can transform the bike in 5 minutes via flip chips. I hope they don't change it. I'm coming off a 2014 Remedy 29er and I can't believe how much faster I am on this bike. It beats me up a little more but I finally have that 26" like control again on corners and jumps.

 

[LyNx]

What's the actual A2C on that fork @ 150mm if you don't mind? For me 150mm would be too much, slack it out too much, even for descending, would really need to concentrate on weighting the front wheel to keep it from washing. I think I've settled on running it with a 130mm fork to give it just a little bit more for the downs, while remaining very good on the ups.

Yeah.. it feels balanced to me with my Stage 150mm fork but then again I haven't tried 130mm or 140mm yet. I have a feeling I will settle with a 140mm but I'm still testing it out. In the slacked position w/150mm fork it feels crazy confident on the downs. Climbing is obviously a little clumsy but still totally acceptable IMO. Same with the steeper position w/150mm. As many have said, the geometry on this bike is really good. I love that I can transform the bike in 5 minutes via flip chips. I hope they don't change it. I'm coming off a 2014 Remedy 29er and I can't believe how much faster I am on this bike. It beats me up a little more but I finally have that 26" like control again on corners and jumps.

 

[1x1Pilot]

What's the actual A2C on that fork @ 150mm if you don't mind? For me 150mm would be too much, slack it out too much, even for descending, would really need to concentrate on weighting the front wheel to keep it from washing. I think I've settled on running it with a 130mm fork to give it just a little bit more for the downs, while remaining very good on the ups.

Axle to Crown is 558 mm on the Stage set at 150 mm. A Pike is 561 mm set at 150 mm.

I've got my Stage set at 130 and my Phantom in the middle setting. Been thinking about going to the slack setting and/or 140 on my fork. Interested in more feedback on the Stage at 150!!

 

[DirtDiggler]

Axle to Crown is 558 mm on the Stage set at 150 mm. A Pike is 561 mm set at 150 mm.

I've got my Stage set at 130 and my Phantom in the middle setting. Been thinking about going to the slack setting and/or 140 on my fork. Interested in more feedback on the Stage at 150!!

I can confirm it rides great at 150mm in the steep drop out position. The geometry feels super balanced to me. No issues with washing out and zero issues with pedal strikes. I use a short 30mm stem so I can 'weight' right over the bars when needed to pump turns. I also set the bottom out knob on my Stage 5-6 clicks in to keep the fork from diving which seems to balance out the suspension well. As mentioned 150mm gives the bike about 67 degrees which for me is the sweet spot for all mountain riding. Admittedly, the slacker drop outs w/150mm fork felt a touch slack for single track riding but I might consider it if I was headed to place with a lot of downhill stuff. This bike feels much more planted and balanced than my Remedy 29er and WAY more fun. That said, I'm going to try 140mm to compare, maybe even try 130mm. Right now I'm enjoying the setup as is. I will post pictures so you can see what it looks like with 150mm.

 

[1x1Pilot]

I can confirm it rides great at 150mm in the steep drop out position. The geometry feels super balanced to me. No issues with washing out and zero issues with pedal strikes. I use a short 30mm stem so I can 'weight' right over the bars when needed to pump turns. I also set the bottom out knob on my Stage 5-6 clicks in to keep the fork from diving which seems to balance out the suspension well. As mentioned 150mm gives the bike about 67 degrees which for me is the sweet spot for all mountain riding. Admittedly, the slacker drop outs w/150mm fork felt a touch slack for single track riding but I might consider it if I was headed to place with a lot of downhill stuff. This bike feels much more planted and balanced than my Remedy 29er and WAY more fun. That said, I'm going to try 140mm to compare, maybe even try 130mm. Right now I'm enjoying the setup as is. I will post pictures so you can see what it looks like with 150mm.

I kinda dig your philosophy. Fork the hell out it but not uncomfortably slack. DEFINITELY keep us all informed of what you're doing to that thing and what you think.

This frame is so versatile, but I can't find a thread anywhere that people are changing it up and giving opinions......

 

[Lithified]

Getting newbikitis you turds! So many nice Phantoms.

I currently have a 31-32lb (guess) Spitfire that is built pretty burly. It's set up slack/160mm. It's hella fun on the descents but for bigger rides, I'd been considering a Phantom for a long time. Is anyone building these at 28-29lbs for a medium or large? Hate to be a weight weenie but I'm just trying to make sure if I got a more trail/XC bike that still rips, it's separate enough from my Spitfire that I don't end up with two of the same.

 

[Optimus]

Getting newbikitis you turds! So many nice Phantoms.

I currently have a 31-32lb (guess) Spitfire that is built pretty burly. It's set up slack/160mm. It's hella fun on the descents but for bigger rides, I'd been considering a Phantom for a long time. Is anyone building these at 28-29lbs for a medium or large? Hate to be a weight weenie but I'm just trying to make sure if I got a more trail/XC bike that still rips, it's separate enough from my Spitfire that I don't end up with two of the same.

My med is 33 lbs, built kinda medium heavy duty, rips like it is lighter, pedals nice.

 

[LyNx]

Not a chance, not unless you're dropping some SERIOUS $$ into the build and even then not so sure. My Large weighs 33lbs 6oz with F34, 2x10spd XTR RD/Zee shifter, XT brakes, Pro2/Asym i29 wheels, Minion SS/DHR2, 9point8 Falline dropper, WTB Pure PRO, Funn stem & Fatboy bar. I mean you could run lighter carbon rims without much durability and loose about a pound, other than that I can't see being able to drop 5 lbs without running absolutely useless XC tyres and missing the intent of the bike.

Getting newbikitis you turds! So many nice Phantoms.

I currently have a 31-32lb (guess) Spitfire that is built pretty burly. It's set up slack/160mm. It's hella fun on the descents but for bigger rides, I'd been considering a Phantom for a long time. Is anyone building these at 28-29lbs for a medium or large? Hate to be a weight weenie but I'm just trying to make sure if I got a more trail/XC bike that still rips, it's separate enough from my Spitfire that I don't end up with two of the same.

 

[Optimus]

Following LyNx's lead, mine's 2x XT, SRAM shifters, carbon bars, Saint brakes, KS LEV 120mm, 120mm Pike, DT Swiss 350 hubs, Frequnecy i23 rims (go easy on me, they were hanging in my garage).

 

[1x1Pilot]

I agree with everyone here. I got obsessed with getting below 30 lbs. I got to around 30 depending on how much tire sealant. MRP Stage, Hope Pro2 hubs laced to Ibis carbon rims, RaceFace carbon bars, XTR 11 speed rear derailleur, XT 11 speed cassette, etc... My obsession ended when I bought a set of RaceFace Next cranks and was still above 30..... Can't be done without fragile, super light parts and sissy tires!!!

 

[Lithified]

Ok ok ok you guys confirmed my suspicions. I need to find one local to pedal around and see how it does. I've never been fast on climbs and never had a light bike, not sure why I am interested in these things now!!

 

[Optimus]

Ok ok ok you guys confirmed my suspicions. I need to find one local to pedal around and see how it does. I've never been fast on climbs and never had a light bike, not sure why I am interested in these things now!!

The Phantom climbs and rides substantially lighter than what it weighs in at, nice crisp and snappy bike, that is quite heavy duty. You can finese it one minute, then beat the crap out of it the next.

 

[Blatant]

Agree with above. The bike is tight and snappy. Don't worry about the weight, since building one sub-30 is a chore and takes away from the essence of the bike.

 

[padrefan1982]

The Phantom climbs and rides substantially lighter than what it weighs in at, nice crisp and snappy bike, that is quite heavy duty. You can finese it one minute, then beat the crap out of it the next.

Agreed with everybody else who's weighed in. My XL was right at 30 lbs, 10 oz. now with Ardents and a bash guard. I haven't weighed it since. I absolutely hate when reviews use phrases like "climbs lighter than it actually is", etc... but it seems to fit. The bike can absolutely snap off and accelerate when needed, and can be driven right down some pretty harsh lines at the same time. Anytime I think about how 'great' it would be to have the bike weigh less, I remember that I should just drop that weight from myself first, and which would achieve far better results...

 

[Optimus]

Here is a little fun I had on my Phantom this morning.

AZT drop in Video - Pinkbike

Redington Rd Video - Pinkbike

 

[LyNx]

So here's a few pics of my just recently upgraded Phantom, think it is basically done now, just waiting to get a new axle for my Trace to get that back on there. Upgrades were...moved from 9spd to 10spd, stuck to my preferred 2X setup, but dropped to a 36t big ring from 38t. New XT shifters, FD, crank, cassette, chain, cobbled together XTR RD from 3 broken ones and new 9point8 Falline 150mm dropper (working like a charm so far). The Shimano side swing FDs are sweet to say the least, work absolutely fine with the 10spd shifter, huge improvement over older versions, nothing behind the ST now to help collect/clog with mud.

Finally got 180mm cranks, so moved from a 65mm stem to 70mm and moved the saddle forward 5mm and liking them, haven't noticed extra pedal strikes, but running the F34 @ 140mm I'd not expect to.

Have had the wheels for a few months now, WTB Asym i29 rims re-laced to my trusty Hope Pro2/Nukeproof hubs I was previously running. Only thing I might like to do is get a clear bash to protect the big ring for the chunk I like to ride.