The top 10 XC carbon hardtails

The Flash aims to be the lightest in the world with a 950g frame (with no rider weight limit) but with a seatpost designed to flex 30-40mm for added

 

Surely that's 3-4mm of flex?

Posted: 27/07/2010 10:49

That's what my sources told me...

The S.A.V.E (synapse active vibration elimination) rear stays and seatpost are designed to work together to offer some 'vertical compliance' using technology found on the pivotless Scalpel - whether that figure is accurate or not is something I'll soon find out when I get the official release...

Posted: 27/07/2010 11:10

I remember some bike journo decribing an all-black bike as looking like a biker-gang welding exercise. That Cube looks like the bikers have dropped the leather and donned the lab coats. Be even better if it had a smattering of gold bling.

That Cannondale is an awful looking bike, though...

Posted: 27/07/2010 11:31

I'd take the Giant or the Trek.
Posted: 27/07/2010 12:31

i'd get an ibis tranny.
Posted: 27/07/2010 13:37

I'd buy the Trek
Posted: 27/07/2010 21:08

@Dirty Karlos The Hi-Mod carbon Flash models get the seatpost that is oval-shaped in the middle for added flex. Obviously the cheaper versions with a standard seatpost won't be quite so comfortable, although they should sit a lot more comfortably with your bank manager as the Flash Ultimate is about 7 grand!
Posted: 28/07/2010 00:17

It'll be interesting to ride the Cannondale, given as they make a thing of the built in comfort, though I believe a standard 'non-flexy' seatpost can be specced.
Posted: 28/07/2010 12:39

I ride and race one of the Merida hardtails, this bike is superb and deserves to receive more press that it currently does.
I believe Merida actually make the Scott & Spesh frames for them so it would seem logical to me that they save the best for their own kit.
Merida have been running the flexy post and flex (brake) stays for the last year on the 0.9 frame(900grms) and claim a total flex of around 20mm, this makes a huge difference as you ride the bike, it soaks up buzz in a manner unbeleivable on a race hardtail.
Posted: 18/08/2010 21:15