I got out for a quick spin on my new ride yesterday, enjoying the mild late fall weather. I only had time for a short ride, so more saddle time is needed before I can really explore what the bike is capable of.
The frame weighed in at 6.75#, the same as my 07 RFX. The bike built up to almost exactly 30# with the build kit from my RFX.
Build highlights include: Fox 36 Talas, King/819 wheels, Formula Mega brakes (180/160 rotors), Thompson post and stem (70mm), King headset, Sunline V1 lo rise bars, XO drivetrain, WTB Laser V saddle.
I rode a trail that has some medium chunk and a number of smaller doubles and small rock drops mixed with fast hardpack.
The new 5 Spot felt very comfortable from the first moment in the saddle. The main difference I noticed immediately from the RFX was the lower BB and center of gravity, the second was how damn stiff the rear end is.
I slashed the bike into abrupt semi burmed corners as hard as I could and could not feel any deflection from the rear triangle. When pushed into a drift on sweeping high speed turns the rear would slide evenly and predictably without any of the chatter you get from a flexy rear end.
The 5 Spot jumps beautifully, neutral in the air and confidence inspiring.
The suspension feels deep. I didn't feel like I had given up almost an inch of travel from the RFX. I had a 05 Spot and I never felt like it had enough travel, it always felt more like a four inch bike. The new Spot descends like a six inch bike.
I was impressed by the pedaling as well, very firm under power but not locked out feeling like some other mini link designs.
More ride time is needed for sure, but I was more impressed than I expected to be.
Here are a couple of porn shots and poor quality, blurry, timer photo of the bike on the trail. I'll try to get some better 'action' shots over the next couple weeks.
The frame weighed in at 6.75#, the same as my 07 RFX. The bike built up to almost exactly 30# with the build kit from my RFX.
Build highlights include: Fox 36 Talas, King/819 wheels, Formula Mega brakes (180/160 rotors), Thompson post and stem (70mm), King headset, Sunline V1 lo rise bars, XO drivetrain, WTB Laser V saddle.
I rode a trail that has some medium chunk and a number of smaller doubles and small rock drops mixed with fast hardpack.
The new 5 Spot felt very comfortable from the first moment in the saddle. The main difference I noticed immediately from the RFX was the lower BB and center of gravity, the second was how damn stiff the rear end is.
I slashed the bike into abrupt semi burmed corners as hard as I could and could not feel any deflection from the rear triangle. When pushed into a drift on sweeping high speed turns the rear would slide evenly and predictably without any of the chatter you get from a flexy rear end.
The 5 Spot jumps beautifully, neutral in the air and confidence inspiring.
The suspension feels deep. I didn't feel like I had given up almost an inch of travel from the RFX. I had a 05 Spot and I never felt like it had enough travel, it always felt more like a four inch bike. The new Spot descends like a six inch bike.
I was impressed by the pedaling as well, very firm under power but not locked out feeling like some other mini link designs.
More ride time is needed for sure, but I was more impressed than I expected to be.
Here are a couple of porn shots and poor quality, blurry, timer photo of the bike on the trail. I'll try to get some better 'action' shots over the next couple weeks.