Vertex RSL Team Frame

$1795 CDN retail in 2009, not sure about 2010 retail.

I'm 6'-1" and about 195-198 pounds riding a Large. It's still the most solid feeling frame I've ever been on. Kabush is about 6'-3" with a huge wingspan riding an XL, although I'd bet he's likely in the 165 pound range at the most after cheese and beer season.

I'm 6'2" and on an XL, probably weighing 195lbs with all the kit on and the bike's like Rockyuphill says - really solid and quick to react - steering is phenomenal, very quick and takes some getting used to after a noodly Hammer!

I have not been on a hardtail in 3 years (Save a demo ride ona 29er - which was awesome) - but for some reason I have a real itch to return to hardtail. Can anyone comment on the ride characteristics of the RSL - does the Carbon smooth things out at all or is it a harsh ride? Also, what is the max tire width you can run on this frame - I am thinking a 2.25 tubeless set-up with low pressure might take some bite of the hardtail.

Cheers

It smooths it out alright - not like a FS bike but it certainly takes enough buzz out of the trail, over a steel HT, to the extent that another 5-10psi can go into the tryes with no detrimental effect. That's why I bought the carbon one over the alu version - I feared that Alu may not have been as comfy as the steel frame I'd been riding. The Carbon one takes more buzz out of the trail and allows more speed at the same time - it's got instant acceleration.

I've been running 2.3 continental verticals on mine with no issue, just switched to panaracer trailraker 1.95r/2.1f for the really thick mud season

The Team's high modulus carbon has just a bit more resonance than the standard modulus carbon used in the 50RSL frame, but both are better at taking out the high frequency buzz and vibration than even the scandium Team frame, and waaaaaaay better than the aluminium frame. The frame is super stiff compared to the scandium hardtail, so you do have to hover over the saddle on chatter or washboard as the frame is very stiff vertically and has instant transient response, but the thing you gain is instant acceleration and directional response. Where I really notice the acceleration is at very low speed out of a corner, or from a standing start where you turn immediately. It is also easier to steer in technical terrain. I never thought of my scandium frame as flexy until I rode the carbon frame but the low speed technical handling is near telepathic.

Trust me - as much as I love the new Carbon vertex's if I could get a 2008 Team Vertex frame in the scandium in size 20.5 I would jump all over it - I love that bike. Alas, I cannot seemt to find one

Anyway, IS there anything specific that would not fit from my 2008 Element 70 onto the RSL? I know the frame has a direct mount FD included, so that is not an issue.

30.9mm seatpost on the Vertex, and the headset is an integrated type (Campy 42.0mm with 45/45 bearings).

The carbon frame is definitely an improvement over the scandium, especially in power transfer.

Headset is included in the frame package so all you will need to change is the seatpost.

JPHcross said:

Headset is included in the frame package so all you will need to change is the seatpost.

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That must be new, I didn't get a headset with the 2009 Team RSL frame when I bought it last year.

rockyuphill said:

That must be new, I didn't get a headset with the 2009 Team RSL frame when I bought it last year.

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That is right, people had more trouble than was expected finding headsets and direct mount front der so we included them with the frame for 2010.

XC23 said:

Trust me - as much as I love the new Carbon vertex's if I could get a 2008 Team Vertex frame in the scandium in size 20.5 I would jump all over it - I love that bike. Alas, I cannot seemt to find one

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I see there's a 2007 20.5" scandium Vertex Team on flea bay for about 1 more day.

JPHcross said:

That is right, people had more trouble than was expected finding headsets and direct mount front der so we included them with the frame for 2010.

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Good move !

That also explains the price bump for 2010, it includes about $150 of extra stuff.