5 spot vs 575

[Particle]

Hehe. Thanks kidwoo, now I feel like I'm part of the group

[kidwoo]

Hehe. Thanks kidwoo, now I feel like I'm part of the group

It's important this time of year.

[motionboy]

Ok here's the update. I demoed the 5 spot on Saturday, and I did my usual after work XC lap since I know the ride very well and want to be as unbiased as possible... From Hogle Zoo to I Street and back. WOW... That thing climbs unbelievable... I am such an ignorant Coloradon who thinks only hard tails can climb. Was I ever schooled. I think it might have made the climbing easier since it had a little give when it was plowing through rock fields, I found myself pushing higher gears that I typically would. The decent was buttery smooth, and I really did not have much of a problem hopping it over stuff. The bike is beautiful as well, there are so many great subtle details to that frame. So as it stands right now I think the 575 is going to have to shock me in terms of performance. We shall see I will be demoing it tomm. hopefully and doing the same ride. Stay tuned... BTW I was originally going to demo the 575 today but Deer Valley downhilling took presidence!

I am actually considering building the 5 spot up heavier and jumping it... since it seem pretty slack... thoughts? Has anyone done this?

[Rontele]

I doubt the 575 will climb as well as the 5-spot. I haven't ridden a Turner like the 5-spot,only my dad's ten year old Burner. But I can say, what I do love about my 575 is that the travel feels bottomless and the bike handles superbly in tight flowly single track and inspires confidence over techy sections.

I doubt you would go wrong either way, but if you want to build up a five spot heavy and huck it why not get the RFX?

[Arty50]

I doubt you would go wrong either way, but if you want to build up a five spot heavy and huck it why not get the RFX?

What he said. It's "only an inch of travel" but it makes all the difference in the world. If you want a bike to huck, get an RFX.

This is coming from someone who owns a 5 Spot and has spent two days on a 6Pack/RFX. I weigh 225 and my 5 Spot is comfy up to 3-4 feet. 4-5 is doable, but really pushing the limits. Hitting a 4 footer on the RFX was like a 2 footer on the 5 Spot.

[Rontele]

I did notice though for that one inch extra of travel, the RFX weighs nearly three pounds more...

[Arty50]

I did notice though for that one inch extra of travel, the RFX weighs nearly three pounds more...

5-Spot Frame
7.3 Lbs. w/Coil
6.5 Lbs. w/Air

RFX Frame
8.5 Lbs. w/Coil
7.7 Lbs. w/Air

The rest is just build. An Intense 6.6 w/ DHX air is 7.5 lbs. and can be built up to sub 30. I saw one yesterday.

[Rontele]

5-Spot Frame
7.3 Lbs. w/Coil
6.5 Lbs. w/Air

RFX Frame
8.5 Lbs. w/Coil
7.7 Lbs. w/Air

The rest is just build. An Intense 6.6 w/ DHX air is 7.5 lbs. and can be built up to sub 30. I saw one yesterday.

drool. you are giving me wonderlust Arty.

[Tap]

The rest is just build. An Intense 6.6 w/ DHX air is 7.5 lbs. and can be built up to sub 30. I saw one yesterday.

can you really do the same drops on a sub-30 lb 6.6 that you can on an realistically built RFX?

sub-30 makes me think that it's got some weight-weenie parts on it that would compromise how sturdy the bike would be for real abuse.

i guess my question is whether you want a reliable 27-30 lb 5Spot for all day riding and 4 foot drops that keeps weight down for all day epics (remember how it feels on hour 3 of a 5 hour ride as you keep...going...up...that....climb....ugh...), or a 32-35 lb RFX for all-day + 5 footers (and hauling around the extra weight going uphill)...neither of which are a bad option (and i'm not trying to be negative), but what do you really want/need for this bike?

just thinkin' 'bout the right tool for the job, and with bikes it's more than just the frame (think : sturdier heavier wheels, bigger brakes, bigger 2.3-2.4 tires, etc)

[Telenater]

can you really do the same drops on a sub-30 lb 6.6 that you can on an realistically built RFX?

I doubt it, but I'll bet, that you could probably do appriximately the same things on a 30lb 6.6 that you could on on a 30.5 lb RFX and that in either case, if you're building either of those frames to those weights the frame won't be the first point of failure.

mmmmm, RFX....

[Tap]

I doubt it, but I'll bet, that you could probably do appriximately the same things on a 30lb 6.6 that you could on on a 30.5 lb RFX and that in either case, if you're building either of those frames to those weights the frame won't be the first point of failure.

mmmmm, RFX....

exactly my point

and for an all-day, every day bike, why dumb down a bike (RFX) that deserves a beefy build? and if you want to pedal a 34 lb all-day trail bike - go for it!

alls i'm saying is get the right tool for the job

(5Spot or 575 )





(5 Spot )

[skideeppow]

Being the proud owner of a 5-Spot, I'm a little biased. But frankly, I can't imagine riding a better trail bike.

i also have a 5 spot, greatest bike I have ever ridden. Super plush but climbs really well.
Had the ronic shock on the back, but put the MP3 on there and now it is around 26 lbs with 5 and 5.

[Particle]

He is coming from a carbon frame hardtail, so I'd guess that the 5 spot would do more to fill that niche than an RFX. Plus built a little sturdier, I'd think you could hit smaller drops just fine on it. It'd be my choice for an epic XC bike that can still take some abuse...

<living up to my gear-whore reputation>now you guys are making me want a 6.6 again. but realistically I think that will be the frame that replaces my FXR next year

[Arty50]

Did I mention the 6.6 had a triple crown? Ok, now I'm just being evil. Still, I have no clue as to the rest of the build, I was just in awe. Plus he killed it down Gnardanelles on that thing.

Also, who cares about riding a 34# trail bike. What doesn't kill you just makes you stronger.

And last but not least, I think my second Romic has gone kaput. It's making a weird squeeky noise; and while it doesn't feel fuxored like it did the first time, it's just not riding right. Or maybe it's just me being a gaper.

Edit: Particle is right. I've dished out a lot of abuse on my 5-Spot and it's been bombproof. Several people have commented on how they can't believe I ride it the way I do. I guess that's what happens when you have a freeride brain and your only rig is a trail bike.

[flowtron]

[QUOTE=Arty50]

And last but not least, I think my second Romic has gone kaput. QUOTE]

You need one of them MP3 rear shocks. A very impressive air shock that evidently now plays music.

[Arty50]

You need one of them MP3 rear shocks. A very impressive air shock that evidently now plays music.

It's all about convergence nowadays. Hmmmm...so if I plug a set of headphones into my new shock, I wonder if I can also use the hot air in my head to adjust the shock on the fly?

[flowtron]

It's all about convergence nowadays. Hmmmm...so if I plug a set of headphones into my new shock, I wonder if I can also use the hot air in my head to adjust the shock on the fly?

Yah dood! Its like the Boost Valve ressy on the DHX. But you have to be listening to pre-Black album Metallica or Pantera to have the right damping setup on drops over 4.875 ft.

[Arty50]

Yah dood! Its like the Boost Valve ressy on the DHX. But you have to be listening to pre-Black album Metallica or Pantera to have the right damping setup on drops over 4.875 ft.

What if I'm listening to Spinal Tap?

[Squatch]

What if I'm listening to Spinal Tap?

As long as the volume is at 11, that should be sufficient.

[ANON-505]

Motionboy-

So, what's the verdict? Did you test ride the 575? What do you think?

After about 80 miles on my 575, my only complaint is it seems to have a fairly low bb height. I keep slapping my pedals on stuff that I wouldn't have with my old bike (Gary Fisher Cake). I'm too lazy to check what the comparison is, but just my $.02.

[Arty50]

As long as the volume is at 11, that should be sufficient.

Yes, but can the bike go up to 11?

[motionboy]

well... I unfortunately got stuck at work late... so I will have to try again tomm. I hear what you guys are saying and particle has it dead on, I have a demo 8 for a big bike so I am really not feeling the 6. Just was thinking that the build on the 5 spot was pretty sturdy and I could see taking it to I-street depending on how I build it. Stay tuned... Man I never thought my silly thread would start such a ginormous debate.

[Arty50]

I hear what you guys are saying and particle has it dead on, I have a demo 8 for a big bike so I am really not feeling the 6.

Why didn't you say so? That changes everything. Forget the RFX, get the 5 Spot. 5 and 8, a perfect quiver.

[homerjay]

Motionboy-

So, what's the verdict? Did you test ride the 575? What do you think?

After about 80 miles on my 575, my only complaint is it seems to have a fairly low bb height. I keep slapping my pedals on stuff that I wouldn't have with my old bike (Gary Fisher Cake). I'm too lazy to check what the comparison is, but just my $.02.

If the five spot is built anything like my flux, then he's going to have that same problem...at least I do. But, lower BB = cornering like rails.

[Rontele]

I also think that Gary Fisher's have notoriously high BB heights...