[eric512]

I have a beautiful Scott Spark now as my dream bike. Very light at 9500g. The bike is super fast of course, but I'm now thinking of changing frames for something less aggressive in the geometry.

I do mostly trail XC riding, but more and more I get into some technical downhill where other bikes would handle better. Either I need to get better at descending on a race type frame, or get a all-mountain type setup. The Spark is blazing fast uphill, but downhill in the rocks it's a bit tricky.

My problem is I really love the 20lb bike. I've had a Specialized Epic and loved that as well.

Looking for advice on a more XC type of light carbon frame. Maybe a little like the Spec Stumpy (don't like the setup on a stumpy these days - like the fork). It needs to be fast uphill, but have a more gentle head tube angle than the Spark.

Thanks for your help.

 

[markw1970]

How about something like a Giant Anthem or if you have the cash an Anthem X - get's some fab reviews and still remains quite light for the bike.

http://www.bikemagic.com/gear-news/giant-anthem-x-advanced-sl-2010/7245.html

I would think the 'angles' are a little more relaxed from the Spark (but then I've not ridden a Spark). Hope the suggestion helps.

 

[xc71]

Ibis Mojo SL.You could build one in the 21-22 lbs.range.Its a rocket on the uphills with DW Link suspension & a great AM downhiller.I'm running the DT Swiss EXC 150mm,15mm TA fork on mine.It has the Launch Control for climbing.

 

[jordanrosenbach3]

How bout a Santa Cruz Blur XC Carbon? I love mine with a 120mm fork, best climbing FS bike i've ever owned, and it absolutely rips on the downhills. You could also look into the Blur LT carbon, which is excellent as well, its more of a trail/ light am bike, but its a ton stiffer than the mojo i rode and i felt it tracked better in techy stuff.

look at this thread to see if it sounds right for you:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=622680

O, and my bike with 1x9, heavy a$$ reba, CK wheels, and xtr/xo weighs 21lbs

 

[eric512]

Santa Cruz is looking interesting in the carbon models. See a lot of them on the trails lately.

Thanks for all of the kind replies!

 

[sclyde2]

I do mostly trail XC riding, but more and more I get into some technical downhill where other bikes would handle better. Either I need to get better at descending on a race type frame, or get a all-mountain type setup. The Spark is blazing fast uphill, but downhill in the rocks it's a bit tricky.

..... It needs to be fast uphill, but have a more gentle head tube angle than the Spark.

Thanks for your help.

are you running a 100mm fork? if so, have you thought about putting a 120mm fork on it? that would slacken it out a little, and give you what you are after.....

i've read plenty of reviews that find the spark to be a good all rounder with a 120mm fork on it.

 

[ettore]

Did you try and cut weight on your bike by cutting your bars to some ungodly width like 450mm or something? If so, a wide set of bars will help you muscle the bike much easier even with a really steep HA.

I put a set of Spank 777 bars on my Superlight with a shorter stem (because my SL had a 25.4 bar) and the bike was a LOT easier to keep tamed on the gnar-downhills. A set of wheels meant to actually track well might help as well.

 

[eric512]

are you running a 100mm fork? if so, have you thought about putting a 120mm fork on it? that would slacken it out a little, and give you what you are after.....

i've read plenty of reviews that find the spark to be a good all rounder with a 120mm fork on it.

Thanks an interesting idea. 120 would push the front wheel out a bit. I'll have to borrow some forks for a test.

 

[eric512]

Did you try and cut weight on your bike by cutting your bars to some ungodly width like 450mm or something? If so, a wide set of bars will help you muscle the bike much easier even with a really steep HA.

I put a set of Spank 777 bars on my Superlight with a shorter stem (because my SL had a 25.4 bar) and the bike was a LOT easier to keep tamed on the gnar-downhills. A set of wheels meant to actually track well might help as well.

No, my bars are quite wide at 660. Ritchey WCS rizer bars.

Wheels are a bit on the light side. Stans 355's with Race King 2.2's.

Maybe a TALAS fork would help - but I couldn't stand the extra weight.......