[newking]

Hi I am looking to upgrade to a new bike Ideally would like 120/120 with room for two bottles, a full lockout (I prefer having one for my terrain - long gravel rides to trailhead) and modern STA (steep) and 66'ish head tube angle (slack). Can't seem to find a bike that meets all that - between the Ibis EXIE, Spur, Orbea, Blur. Spur and Intense Sniper have the HTA but not the lockout and two bottles. What would be the closest bike to meeting all my needs. Occasional race but mostly for long marathon rides and XC with lots of climbing and some tech.

 

[LMN]

Epic EVO? That is the only one that comes to mind . Even a standard epic hit the HA and bottle requirement

 

[newking]

Thanks, a few years ago I demoed a speshy and it did not seem to be the brand for me. New bikes do look nice, will check that out....

Epic EVO? That is the pinky one that comes to mind . Even a standard epic hit the HA and bottle requirement

 

[*OneSpeed*]

Many of the modern 120/120 bikes are XC and either won't have the STA or HTA you're after. Sounds like you're after more of an aggressive short travel trail bike instead of a XC 120/120 race bike?

You may need to be OK with a 130/120 bike in order to meet your requirements, it will open up a few additional possibilities. An extra 10mm of travel in the fork won't cost you much in terms of weight or efficiency.

 

[FrankS29]

Both the Revel Ranger and Ibis Exie fit 2 bottles and have a DPS that can be "locked out".

 

[La Nada]

New Scott Spark meets all that but it's 130/120. The twinloc makes that less of an issue though.

 

[Le Duke]

Why do you want such a steep STA on a short travel bike?

Steep STAs are for long travel, high sag bikes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Loll]

new Scott Spark?

 

[FJSnoozer]

The fact that the bike holds two bottles should be your real deciding factor.

I would be looking at a blur, and an epic evo Sworks frameset and modifying it for a rear remote lockout.

 

[abeckstead]

I mean... full lockout screams Scott Spark RC...

 

[dompedro3]

Rocky mountain element. The larger frames can fit two water bottles but you may have to get a side entry cage. 65 degree head angle, 76 degree seat tube.

 

[rideit]

I can fit two (1 liter/32 oz) water bottles on my Medium Element, and the dps can run a lockout lever. And the frame is exactly 5 pounds, making it super competitive on weight.

Ticks every box on your wishlist.
You can also run an angleset if you want the 66 hta.

 

[LMN]

I wouldn’t make a remote lever a requirement. Nothing wrong with reaching down and throwing a lockout switch. The remote is only critical in racing situations (and I think even that is debatable for those of us not racing world cups)

 

[Grodyman]

Fathom.

 

[newking]

Thanks for the responses so far. The RM and Revel look like good options. I guess I am looking for a jack of all trades bike. Do 2 races per year, lots of XC and I like to ride out of saddle like a SS rider. I had a trek top fuel a few years ago and liked the 2 position lockout. Only had room for one bottle and am looking for something a bit more slack than that bike which I think was 69. I guess the seat tube angle is the least important to me.

 

[office]

I think the Intense Sniper has 2 water bottles on larger sizes

 

[remanaz]

The Scott spark rc is a 120/120 bike. The hta is adjustable. It comes setup at 67.2 but can be flipped to 66.6. The twin loc allows full lockout as well as a reduced travel option. The mediums and bigger come ready for two water bottles. Seems to check off your boxes on paper.

 

[BlackPenquinn]

I love my Exie. My other trail bike is a Ripmo, and with some decent tires (Dissector/Rekon) the Exie has proven to be an eye opener. I ride it more than the Ripmo now, unless I’m riding really technical trails. I live in Toronto Canada, so even our “flow” trails have rocks, roots and tight corners, but not a lot of big descents.

 

[oab1]

I'm shopping almost this exact same criteria. Coming off a '17 top fuel, so thanks for posing this question.

Sniper does fit two bottles in the large and XL sizes.

Also agree that the really steep seat tube craze is one I do not understand for lower travel, more xc type bikes. It makes for an uncomfortably cramped cockpit when seated, without a gargantuan front center length or longer stem, in my experience.

Just discovered the Exie, and it looks great (minus the price) . I'm 6'1" and struggle between L and XL on bikes like the blur, but the large exie has some really good reach and stack numbers for me without having to jump up to XL. Not a big fan of the neon graphics, but maybe not enough to hold me back if I could afford it.

 

[G-Choro]

Evo is good, but no remote lockout. The Blur is also good, but no remote lockout. So...Spark? I have the Evo and don't lock it out unless I'm doing long gravel miles between trailheads. I also ride a single speed - so I know what you are saying. Standing an mashing on the EVO isn't a problem, and unless the terrain is really smooth, I don't want to lock it out. No, it doesn't feel as efficient as being fully locked. However, I think my times are all around faster on it.