This may be the best part of signing up for a new race….  Getting and shopping for new gear.  Since I do not own a bike with any shocks, it might be time to get one.

 

Technology has changed so much over the past five to ten years, I feel like I am starting at the beginning of the learning curve. Here are my notes as I figure out the best bike for me for the Butte 100.

Hardtail or Full Suspension

Initially I was thinking a hardtail, but the more I researched and learned about the Butte 100 and taking on 100 miles on a mountain bike, it seemed it is in my best interest to make it a little easier on my body and go with a full suspension.

 

Please let me know your thoughts on any of the bikes and what works well for riding 100 miles with over 16,000 feet of climbing.

 Here is a thread at MTBR forums I started

 

Trek

Since the bike store closest to my house is a trek dealer, this was the first shop that I was able to see any in person.

They reccomended a Trek Fuel EX 8.  

This bike looked pretty awesome and seemed to be a fantastic value for the money.

trek fuel ex 81360x1020

 

Yeti

This company has a long and rich history in mountain biking and I think it would make a good documentary, if one does not already exist.

After looking at their range of bikes the Yeti SB4.5C is probably the best bike for the Butte 100. It is a full suspension with a shorter travel. The reviews, posts and people I spoke with have nothing but good things to say about the SB4.5C.

yeti sb45c 1440x960

SB4.5C Details

  • Rear Shock Travel: 4.5” (114mm)
  • Front Fork Travel: 140mm
  • Frame Weight: 5.28 lbs (2.40 KG)
  • Wheel Size: 29”
  • Frame Size: SM, MD, LG, XL
  • Rear Shock: 7.5” X 2.0”
  • Bottom Bracket: PF92
  • Rear Wheel 148mm X 12mm (Boost)
  • Front Derailleur: None
  • Seat Post: 30.9mm

Stock Build Options

Essentiall the bike has two frame options  Carbon and Better Carbon.  The better carbon is actually called the Turq frame. I think when it is all said and done the TURQ option is about 1 pound lighter, but is not all just about the 1 pound.  You get more carbon, like a carbon handlebar, and other higher end components.

Carbon

TURQ (better carbon)

The TURQ also has a carbon wheelset upgrade option.  For $1,300, you can go from “DT SWISS 350W/XM421 RIM” to  “DT SWISS XRC 1200 25MM”

*Prices above are all from 2018

 

Reviews and Articles

2016 Yeti SB4.5C review at bikemag

 post comparing 4.5 to 5.5

 

Niner

They have several full suspension bike options.

 

RIP 9 RDO — Enduro Bike

http://www.ninerbikes.com/Niner-Builds?model=rip_9_rdo

150mm for rear shock (may not the best for the Butte 100)

niner 9 rdo orange 110x618

 

Jet 9 RDO — Trail Bike

niner jet 9 rdo yellow 1100x618

http://www.ninerbikes.com/Niner-Builds?model=jet_9_rdo

120mm travel in rear shock  Carbon Frame

Price ranges from $3,750 to $8,900

There is an aluminun version, not sure about the weight

RKT 9 RDO — XC/Performance

niner rkt 9 1200x757

http://www.ninerbikes.com/Niner-Builds?model=rkt_9_rdo 

Carbon  90mm travel in rear shock 

Price Range $3,800 to $7,300

 

Specialized

Great post about the different Specialized Mountain Bikes 

specilized epic 1080x591

 

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