Recent Demo Rides
29/05/04 13:17 Filed in: Cycling
I was able to
get a demo bike out from Biketreks recently. I got
the
Specialized Enduro Comp. I took this bike out
around my normal loop around Ambleside, Loughrigg,
Iron Keld, Tilberthwaite, Chapel Stile and Loughrigg
Terrace. The 5" of travel front and back coupled with
2.2" tyres inspired confidence. The travel worked
well, and was active at all times. I did not flip the
link at the back to change the geometry and maximum
travel, and neither did I change the Itch shock at
the back to reduce the travel of the shock to 100mm.
But I did find the lockout on the front and rear very
useful for road climbs. I was able to change the
lockout easily from the saddle. There are a number of
road climbs on the loop and the lockout made the
climbs more bearable. The riding position was good,
being neither stretched out and remote from the front
end or being so cramped. The Enduro design is
evolving over 4 years now and the basic design is
fairly established. The seat post was long (the
perils of being a demo bike and trying to fit as many
customers as possible) - I would cut it down so that
it could be dropped for some steep descents. But that
is a limitation of any frame design that has the seat
tube interrupted.
What didn't I like?
I didn't like the weight as I found it felt heavy. It was a bit of a tank but that, on a positive note, meant that it felt robust and able to cope with everything thrown at it. This is a bike for Camelbak users. No real bottle mounts. The cable routing went, traditionally, under the BB shell.
What did I like?
I liked the active travel, the lockouts and the riding position.
The following day I had the opportunity to ride around a limited course two bikes that on paper would compete with the Enduro Comp. The first I took out was the the Whyte 46. This felt light just picking it up in the car park. The Maverick fork gives 4" or 6" of travel, and the back end is also adjustable. For the initial climb, the fork was reduced to 4" and the rear moved using the TARA - ie a small QR. For the downhill part of the route the full 6" of travel and the back end were changed. The bike climbs well and descends brilliantly. The forks were rigid and true, no feeling of wandering was felt.
What didn't I like?
There were a number of rattles and squeaks. This could be down to a demo bike, but it may show that there may be an amplification effect by the rear swingarm. The geometry seemed to change when the shock was moved to the shorter position. I had to adjust the seat post height after changing the TARA. Again, a bike for Camelbak users - there were bottle cage mounts but they were on the top tube - not a good position. The TARA was not something that could be done whilst on the bike. Maybe Fox will let others use the Itch technology next year. There was no lock out either front or back. I did not have the opportunity to ride the Whyte up an extended road climb to check out the bob, but there is bob from the back end
What did I like?
The travel, the front forks and the weight were brilliant.
The second bike I took out on the same course was a Santa Cruz Blur. This was a 4.5" travel bike with Virtual Pivot Point (VPP). After riding the Whyte 46, the Blur was paled by comparison, the Blur was OK. There was nothing special or significant to record. It was a good ride, the front forks were not as latterally rigid as the Mavericks, but probably cost half the price. It was light and rode well.
What didn't I like?
I find it difficult to record much about the Blur, but the front forks were Ok but not in the same class as the Maverick forks.
What did I like?
There were no funny adjusters, so that the Blur was simpler to operate, just ride it and it rode up and down fine.
In summary
I would love to have the Whyte 46, but I'd prefer a fork and frameset. As Whyte are only making a limited run and with the brilliant reviews the bike is receiving, it is unlikely that there will be spare capacity for a frame and fork deal. With the Maverick fork running at £800 then the £2600 price for the Whyte 46, the package price is probably a good price. The price comparison to the Blur, would get me to chose the Whyte. However, the Blur can be obtained as frameset. The Specialized is a great bike, and a frameset deal can be had. Allowing the weight issue to be resolved with appropriate choices of components. The Enduro Comp has two bikes above it in the range.
I look forward to next year, as the main fork manufacturers come up with their solutions to the 6" of travel in a light fork. Then we shall see the basic FS XC bike with 3" travel as a anachronism and 4-6" of travel as the norm.
What didn't I like?
I didn't like the weight as I found it felt heavy. It was a bit of a tank but that, on a positive note, meant that it felt robust and able to cope with everything thrown at it. This is a bike for Camelbak users. No real bottle mounts. The cable routing went, traditionally, under the BB shell.
What did I like?
I liked the active travel, the lockouts and the riding position.
The following day I had the opportunity to ride around a limited course two bikes that on paper would compete with the Enduro Comp. The first I took out was the the Whyte 46. This felt light just picking it up in the car park. The Maverick fork gives 4" or 6" of travel, and the back end is also adjustable. For the initial climb, the fork was reduced to 4" and the rear moved using the TARA - ie a small QR. For the downhill part of the route the full 6" of travel and the back end were changed. The bike climbs well and descends brilliantly. The forks were rigid and true, no feeling of wandering was felt.
What didn't I like?
There were a number of rattles and squeaks. This could be down to a demo bike, but it may show that there may be an amplification effect by the rear swingarm. The geometry seemed to change when the shock was moved to the shorter position. I had to adjust the seat post height after changing the TARA. Again, a bike for Camelbak users - there were bottle cage mounts but they were on the top tube - not a good position. The TARA was not something that could be done whilst on the bike. Maybe Fox will let others use the Itch technology next year. There was no lock out either front or back. I did not have the opportunity to ride the Whyte up an extended road climb to check out the bob, but there is bob from the back end
What did I like?
The travel, the front forks and the weight were brilliant.
The second bike I took out on the same course was a Santa Cruz Blur. This was a 4.5" travel bike with Virtual Pivot Point (VPP). After riding the Whyte 46, the Blur was paled by comparison, the Blur was OK. There was nothing special or significant to record. It was a good ride, the front forks were not as latterally rigid as the Mavericks, but probably cost half the price. It was light and rode well.
What didn't I like?
I find it difficult to record much about the Blur, but the front forks were Ok but not in the same class as the Maverick forks.
What did I like?
There were no funny adjusters, so that the Blur was simpler to operate, just ride it and it rode up and down fine.
In summary
I would love to have the Whyte 46, but I'd prefer a fork and frameset. As Whyte are only making a limited run and with the brilliant reviews the bike is receiving, it is unlikely that there will be spare capacity for a frame and fork deal. With the Maverick fork running at £800 then the £2600 price for the Whyte 46, the package price is probably a good price. The price comparison to the Blur, would get me to chose the Whyte. However, the Blur can be obtained as frameset. The Specialized is a great bike, and a frameset deal can be had. Allowing the weight issue to be resolved with appropriate choices of components. The Enduro Comp has two bikes above it in the range.
I look forward to next year, as the main fork manufacturers come up with their solutions to the 6" of travel in a light fork. Then we shall see the basic FS XC bike with 3" travel as a anachronism and 4-6" of travel as the norm.
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