newer vs older full sus bikes

[pieterv]

Hi,

I am thinking of buying an older full suspension frame to build up, but am wondering how much design has improved over the last say 5 years? Are modern bikes so much better that it would be foolish to spend money on an older frame?

Thanks for any advice,

Pieter

 

[stevet1]

Depends on the manufacturer, I have a Turner frame thats 6 years old and its as good as anything available today.

 

[orange71]

where to start! (don't ask me though!)

 

[Tallpaul]

Frames haven't changed massively, but shock technology has really progressed.

 

[messiah]

Good thread on this subject a few months ago.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... &view=next

There are a few good designs that have stood the test of time, but there was also a lot of quite well marketed sh!te.
Your other problem will be finding one that you can still get pivots etc for... unless you have the capability to make such stuff? In which case I'm jealous

 

[pieterv]

Thanks for the advice. The thread mentioned was helpful.

Can anyone make a direct comparison between an older and currend FS bike of the same make and similar price?

 

[al]

Hi,

In my opinion for what its worth a Santa Cruz Heckler is a good starting point. The design is a classic and has hardly changed over the years.
You could pic up say a late nighties one for reasonable dollar!
And if you want to retrofit one of the newer type shocks you can.
Although you may well be very happy with the ride as is, i was

All the best,Al

 

[Anthony]

Rocky Mountain have been making the Element to the same design since 1996. I think it's still a pretty competitive bike at the short-travel end of things.

On the other hand, I think the long-travel bikes they make now are probably a lot more efficient than long-travel bikes from 5+ years ago. Also, if you're prepared to pay, the carbon fibre frames available now are lighter/faster than anything available 5+ years ago.

 

[IbocProSX]

Rocky Mountain have been making the Element to the same design since 1996. I think it's still a pretty competitive bike at the short-travel end of things.

And there's a decent frame for sale here in Hollland for 200 euro's. Too many bikes or I would have taken it already.

I regularly ride my 97 Heckler with an 06 adjustable everything shock on it and it rides very modern. With 115mm suspension front and back it is no different form the current crop of single pivots. But it is a real classic, and so far pivots and bearings supply is no problem either.

Indeed if you go to 150mm bikes it may be very different. Soon I should be reporting on that first hand, I've e-bayed a 99? Ellsworth 6" frame.

Enjoy!!

 

[pieterv]

Rocky Mountain have been making the Element to the same design since 1996. I think it's still a pretty competitive bike at the short-travel end of things.

And there's a decent frame for sale here in Hollland for 200 euro's. Too many bikes or I would have taken it already.

I regularly ride my 97 Heckler with an 06 adjustable everything shock on it and it rides very modern. With 115mm suspension front and back it is no different form the current crop of single pivots. But it is a real classic, and so far pivots and bearings supply is no problem either.

Indeed if you go to 150mm bikes it may be very different. Soon I should be reporting on that first hand, I've e-bayed a 99? Ellsworth 6" frame.

Enjoy!!

Hi,

Where abouts in Holland would that be, since I am going there next weekend?

Pieter