I've already decided that Ventanarama will be building me a new bike over the winter season. My problem is I can't decide over the El Fuego or Salty. My riding consist of very fast rocky, rooty, lung sucking climbs and lots of singletrack, obviously I must come down want I climb. Basically looking for a race setup that will double as my trial bike.
My choices are a El Fuego but Sherwood can make me the older lighter front triangle(additional cost) teamed up with the double bearings in the rear. Downside is I pretty much limited to 80mm with the paper thin tubing. No matter what I'm gonna go with a 5th element when they are available from Ventana.
My other choice could be a Salty. Sherwood has a couple of 17" bushing frames left over that we all know are pretty light. I weigh about 170 with gear so flex shouldn't be a issue. I could always upgrade to the stiffer rear with double bearings later if needed. My concern is like most Salty reviews is the front end seems to be abit on the tall side. Probably could counter this with a flat stem(FSA )and bar or just take a Fox float 100 and set it to 90mm. I wouldn't think this would unbalance the bike to much. I just wondering if I might be bothered by the slacker angles. I've always rode very quick steering hardtails and my only F/S I've owned is a 01' RacerX.
Any thoughts on helping me along here would be great. I'm still steering towards the El Fuego but a 4" lightweight Satly just sounds like the ticket matched with a 5th element.
My choices are a El Fuego but Sherwood can make me the older lighter front triangle(additional cost) teamed up with the double bearings in the rear. Downside is I pretty much limited to 80mm with the paper thin tubing. No matter what I'm gonna go with a 5th element when they are available from Ventana.
My other choice could be a Salty. Sherwood has a couple of 17" bushing frames left over that we all know are pretty light. I weigh about 170 with gear so flex shouldn't be a issue. I could always upgrade to the stiffer rear with double bearings later if needed. My concern is like most Salty reviews is the front end seems to be abit on the tall side. Probably could counter this with a flat stem(FSA )and bar or just take a Fox float 100 and set it to 90mm. I wouldn't think this would unbalance the bike to much. I just wondering if I might be bothered by the slacker angles. I've always rode very quick steering hardtails and my only F/S I've owned is a 01' RacerX.
Any thoughts on helping me along here would be great. I'm still steering towards the El Fuego but a 4" lightweight Satly just sounds like the ticket matched with a 5th element.