Carbon frames? 2025 what’s the verdict?

Zero, I have a carbon and AL full suspension and most days prefer carbon. Lighter and just seems to ride faster. If you're buying new, I'd stay away from Revel, if you're worried about breaking one, get one with a good warranty. I really like Pivots and Santa Cruzs. If going west, I'd get more travel, about 140 ish minimum. 120 is almost like a XC bike now.
 
qclabrat said:
Zero, I have a carbon and AL full suspension and most days prefer carbon. Lighter and just seems to ride faster. If you're buying new, I'd stay away from Revel, if you're worried about breaking one, get one with a good warranty. I really like Pivots and Santa Cruzs. If going west, I'd get more travel, about 140 ish minimum. 120 is almost like a XC bike now.
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Btw
My 29” wheel set up is
DtSwiss 350 hubs
Wtb i35 KOM rims
Dt champion spokes
Victoria Mescal 2.6
Love it!!!
 
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I have a Santa Cruz Hightower. It's carbon. It's the only carbon bike I have owned. I don't regret buying it but I'm not sure it's worth the extra money. For me at least. I also think you should get a bit more travel. Maybe on the XC end of trail bikes.
 
Here’s a question… debating constantly about getting a new bike for retirement. Will be traveling and riding around the country. The question: how often do you guys have to change your bearings, on the average, on your full sqish carbon bike? How many of you have gone back to hard trails because of that maintenance?
Last fs bike was a 2003 Titus racer x. Used to ride ringwood and wayway at least 2-3 a year when my brother lived there.


For example: revel ranger diagram. Seems like a major pain in the ass, no?

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Don't overthink it.

Bearings are sealed pretty well. Unless you're riding in rain and muddy conditions often and washing the bike a lot. Or DHing and beating the shit out of the bike.

A FS bike will be fine. You'll know when/if it's time for new bearings.
 
Yea the current carbon FS bikes are so much better than they used to be. You’ll get years before you need to replace pivot bearing. Plus as @rlb said some manufacturers will supply the bearings for free, but labor isn’t included AFAIK. You’ll still need to pay a shop for that. But even then, it’s not a very expensive job and if you do it one every two years no biggy.

Servicing the suspension (assuming you do it as recommended) is a bigger cost by far.
 
Years for normal person XC/trail use as long as you're not riding in a lot of crap conditions. I replaced mine after ~3 years in both bikes and it was probably a waste of time. The bike industry being the bike industry, some bearings sizes can be hard to find from traditional outlets.

And as far as that Revel Ranger diagram posted above, yes, it looks daunting. Reality isn't that bad. Buy a full press set from Amazon (well under $100 now), a couple of old rags to protect the frame, maybe a cement anchor-type screw if you need to do any blind bearing pulling, your favorite beverage and budget a few hours. I have the below and it's $44 right now...

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goldsbar said:
Years for normal person XC/trail use as long as you're not riding in a lot of crap conditions. I replaced mine after ~3 years in both bikes and it was probably a waste of time. The bike industry being the bike industry, some bearings sizes can be hard to find from traditional outlets.

And as far as that Revel Ranger diagram posted above, yes, it looks daunting. Reality isn't that bad. Buy a full press set from Amazon (well under $100 now), a couple of old rags to protect the frame, maybe a cement anchor-type screw if you need to do any blind bearing pulling, your favorite beverage and budget a few hours. I have the below and it's $44 right now...

View attachment 261855
Click to expand...

you could also just use a bolt with a couple washers and nuts and go through the socket set to find the right size cups/drifts.
 
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