Guys,

I have 2 bikes, an s-works stumpy 120 (2006) and an Ellsworth Moment (2005).

I have just bought a s/h Yeti AS-X with Boxxer Ride's and a dream build, because my Moment wasn't quite up to the DH shuttles I do.

The Stumpy was a warranty replacement for my 2004 Enduro which broke half way across Tibet. I have ridden it *twice* as the head angle is scary steep to Hong Kong trails, would be ideal for UK trails - I guess that is why the stumpy120 has such a legendary status in the UK.

The stumpy will be going onto ebay tomorrow.

Considering the AS-X is practically a DH bike, I am thinking about getting something a bit more XC than the Moment - lighter and a bit easier for the summer heat. I am thinking 2009 Enduro SL or the new Blur LT. The Enduro is a *sweet* bike, I rode one today - 30lb, the forks are soooo light. Shame it doesn't come as a frameset.

The other option is to put the moment on a diet and see how much weight I can shave off it....

Anything else I should be considering?

I took the 2004 Enduro across Tibet in 2006. I was jeep supported so no racks panniers or trailers. The same bike also did Shimla - Manali - Lahaul - Spiti in 2005.

I ran it on mavic crossmax xl's with maxxis wormdrives. The rear shock was locked out for the road climbs. I have topped several of the highest road passes in the world on that bike.

It's hard going on a hardtail especially when you are recceeing serious singletrack and donkey track descents.

I managed to get the enduro frame welded in Shigatse (found the only tig welder outside Lhasa) and it did the remainder of the trip without further drama, even though the rear shock did pack down one very cold morning when riding away from Rongbuk. The bike had been left in the cold for about a week while we went trekking to the North Col of Everest, and the seals blew by when I sat on the bike.

I have a tracksterman stylee rigid cromoly for touring with panniers - dead handy in Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia. 

Hong Kong is super steep and super technical. The head angle on the stumpy is uncomfortably steep for most of the stuff I ride. The geometry is not suited to our terrain. It climbs like a scalded cat, but is scary on rough technical descents.

I tried to get a do-all bike in the form of the Moment, and although it is a fine bike, with near perfect geometry, I am on the ragged edge most of the time when doing DH shuttles. We also have extreme heat to contend with for 6 months of the year.

I was very surprised by the Enduro SL, Weight is a consideration, as we end up doing a lot of hike-a-bike.

In theory the stumpy should be 69deg (in low/long setting), same as the Moment, but somehow it always felt jittery and endo-happy even with the same stem and forks.

Very strange how bikes with virtually identical geometry can feel and ride so differently.

Any ideas?