Frame options

[big dan]

Ok..if i ever manage to sell my giant frame i am gonna be up for a new frame. On my limited budget ive narrowed it down to a second hand intense M1 or a new 05 Cove peeler. Im pretty heavy (98kgs) and race vet DH. Not really into the huck thing. Running shivers at the moment so light weight is not a real big deal. More interested in geometry that is dialled.

I PMed Daver about his feelings on the cove and he rates it highly. M1 is sweet but i have questions over durability. Opinions???

[cam-o]

When you say you've narrowed it down are you dead set keen on those 2 options or would you like to post your budget and get some other suggestions?
Personally I reckon M1s tend to have an arse end snappage problem so I get a bit nervous about them 2nd hand. Never ridden a cove.

[Grip]

Big Dan, for what it's worth I've never seen a broken Cove and I've got three M1's in the workshop at present. Yes I know there are probably a lot more M1's about, but here's some interesting reviews of the peeler

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Downhill_Full_Suspension/product_122758.shtml

[toodles]

Dan, you know I'm going to say Turner don't you? But actually, seeing you're looking at 2nd hand, I reckon you'd be well suited to a 2nd hand V10 if you could find one in good nick. Be a perfect match up for the Shivers.



But only if you can't get a Turner :)

[Daver]

Big Dan, for what it's worth I've never seen a broken Cove and I've got three M1's in the workshop at present. Yes I know there are probably a lot more M1's about, but here's some interesting reviews of the peeler

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Downhill_Full_Suspension/product_122758.shtml


Hey, that D. bloke from Australia has the same bike as me... ?!?!

I love my cove a lot, but from my knowledge there wouldn't be many more than 5 or 6 here anyway, so i doubt there are enough to see any breakages. I've already spoken to Dan about this, so i'm not going to go into it deeply, but the Cove is so solid yet light enough to ride super quickly. I know that neither myself nor any of the other guys on Peelers have had any dramas with their bikes, and Adam from Southshore (MrCove on here) has helped me out heaps with my bikes.

My personal thoughts are below (as quoted from MTBR.com), but i'd have to say that i've had no regrets buying a Peeler, and i supposedly am notorious for giving things a hard time.

The Peeler might be cheap O/S, but in Australia $4k is a shed load for a frame (roughly the same as a V10). Luckily, the importer was willing to help us out, and so here we are.

It's not a light bike, but the geometry is incedibly dialled so that it rides a lot lighter than it is, and it corners like a rocket (despite the deceptively high bb). Its super stable at speed and floats off jumps and drops. If i could liken it to anything its like riding a Tazer FS after a year on a hardtail- you get on and feel right at home straight away, so you can go harde and faster than normal.

The 5th element on this bike sems to feel a lot better than the ones i've ridden previously- it's substancially more active and i think it helps make the bike feel faster. It also seems to be relatively durable too.

Being a single pivot you'd assume that the bike would brake jack chronically, but surprisingly it's extremely active and supple under braking. The main downside of the bike is that set at 9.5", the wheel will buzz against the seat under full compression. The trick to riding it out is to stay further forward than you normally would, so you ride the bike from the front as opposed to the rear. The geometry also lends itself to this.

The only other thing i dislike is the cable fasteners for the rear mech- its set up to run an open cable for some of the way. i don't know about you, but i would think that being from BC the bikes would run fulll length cable outers, but this is apparently not so. The rear qr is a let down, i think 12 mm axle would be even better, but still..

For the money O/S its a great bike. Over here, maybe not as good. Regardless of the money it deleivers a great ride, one that is as good as some of the pedigree racing frames.

[big dan]

Thanks for the info cam-o and Grip. Toodles i knew you were gonna say turner! Still a little out of my price range though. Second hand V10 may be an option if i can find one at the right price.

I really dont want to be buying a new frame for a while after this one so it has to be strong but still useful as a race bike rather than a hucker. Much as i would love an intense it may not be so good under my lard ass! The only concern i had with the cove was weight and whether the angles were race orientated enough. Sounds good though. Thanks again for that info Daver.

[blacky]

I can't remember you snapping your giant dan,your not going to snap an m1.
Alot of bike damage is a result of poor mateinence,and i know you are very good with your bikes.
get a frame that rides nice and look after it.

[Daver]

I can't remember you snapping you giant dan,your not going to snap an m1.
Alot of bike damage is a result of poor mateinence,and i know you are very good with your bikes.
get a frame that rides nice and look after it.

Not all Giants snapped mate, AFAIK it was only the 2002 DH Comp. I've seen a shed load more of M1s snapped though, and 2nd hand makes it even worse.

[cam-o]

If longevity is something you are worried about (and you obviously are) then I'm gonna chuck a Toodles, be predictable and recommend my ride - Keewee.
Chromoly is the shit, takes a nuclear detonation to break and if it does you could get the local high school kids to weld it up. Been on a Chromozone for about a year now and I love it heaps. Angles are great, tons o travel, not as heavy as you'd think and bombproof.

[blacky]

Dans giant,all giants ,all m1s ,my 03 model m1 that he is looking at.
Thanks for clearing that up daver.

[big dan]

yeah i snapped one of those 02 giant dh comps (the white ones) as well. Before that i cracked a couple of mountain cycle shockwaves, a turner burner etc etc! My current giant has been great though.

Anyway...Blacky i was thinking more of bennys intense when i posted the original post. I reckon yours would be sweet as but im still a bit suss on the future chances of getting parts if i did break an M1 back end. Not sure they are gonna make parts anymore now that M3s are out.

My main hassle is that seeing i am now an old fart at 30 and me and the wife are looking to start a family so im thinking i need to get something strong now as on one wage i may not be buying a new rig again for a while!!

My keeness for a cove stems from me having ridden a cove hardtail since 99 and its still going strong.

[blacky]

no worries Dan.
see ya soon mate,get my new bike today.

[frenchie]

hey mate,
I haver a complete v10 for sale but will sell it as a frame/rear wheel/seatpost package,
pm me for more info,
cheers.
simon