Hi Nick, I understand that you ride a Spesh Epic and a Trek Fuel. I’ve been a hardtail only kinda guy up to date, but if I was going full-suss then I think your type of bike might suit. I did the MBR Nidderdale ride last weekend and I was thinking "ooh this is a bit bumpy - wouldn't it be nice to be doing this on a full-susser". What’s your take on your two bikes and what they offer. (At first glance they appear rather similar)

Doctor, Doctor - everyone is ignoring me! :-(

You do know timmy that if your were to get either of Nicks bikes, you would have to strip it down of anything that is remotely over and ounce, and replace it with something much lighter...to match his

Nick may be actually working for a change.

Yeah...working on changing his teeth fillings for something lighter :P

He was on the Insurance claims thread about 5 minutes ago!

i have one of nicks old bikes, it now has saint cranks on :-P

Nick doesn't work, he's just finished uni, so he's probably (or at least should be) wondering aimlessly around half cut.

I heard he was having his bones replaced with titanium rods to save some more weight.

Nope, was out riding, and getting extremely wet :-(

Should say that my Fuel is a Fuel Ex, which is 5" of travel both ends, so it's more trail than race, the Top Fuel is the Epic equivalent.

My Epic is awesome, it's hands down the fastest MTB I've ever owned, really responsive, very agile, and just generally fast. However, it doesn't really offer much in the way of comfort or plushness, although it's gotta be at least slightly better than a hardtail.

My Fuel Ex is also very good, whilst being a 5" travel bike with risers, wider tyres etc, it still feels really nice and nimble, more so than the Stumpjumper, which is why I bought one frankly. I wouldn't be against racing the Fuel with some skinny tyres and such, I think it's a very versatile bike. With the RP23 shock on the carbon ones they are impressive in climbing, they're quite receptive if you wanna stick it in the big ring and honk up a climb, more so than any other 5" travel bike I've ridden. The geometry's a bit nicer too, longer head tube, higher B/B, shorter top tube etc

So... if you wanna go fast, all the time and don't really care about anything else the Epic is spot on.

If you want a bit more plushness and chuckability I'd get the Fuel Ex!

It's nice to know I have a reputation around these parts :-)

PMSL @ Everyone :-)

Thanks for your comments Nick. I tried a Stumpy FSR and thought I wasn't for me. I had been thinking the Cotic Soda was the only possible upgrade for my Soul, but I've come round to the idea that I should at least give some full-sussers a try. Like the sound of the Fuel, Flux, 07 Superlight, and possibly Rush. I think there's a Ventana bike called the El Saltamontes that might suit but I don't know much about that one and I don't think there are many over here.
Cheers, Timmy

PS. Particularly like the comment about the fillings.

or you could get a titus racer-x?

tis nice, very nice indeed

Stumpy Stumpy Stumpy!!!

Nick you could just run, no bike is lighter.

No, I really can't run, I tend to become reduced to a quivering wreck after about 3 feet!

If you like the idea of the Stumpie but want something racier I think you'll struggle to beat the Fuel Ex, yes ok, it's not quite as plush, but it descends really well, and it climbs amazingly IMO.

Or as Mike says, get a Racer-X, they are indeed extremely nice frames.

...and build it up a bit more similar to it's intended purpose if you do

i think mine must be the only racer-x with saints, ever

Got some XTR M960 cranks off the Fuel that I'm tempted to sell :-)

i've yet to pay for the titus!

lol, true... I think the middle ring's shagged anyway, would rather sell them to someone I don't know :-)