No single crown forks, unless they're prototypes that are being tested. You can get the Dorado, which I think when limited for 29er gets 170mm, but the warranty clearly states no dual crown forks for the Prime. There are the 26" F36 160mm forks with arch mods that some are using, not sure on if travel needs to be limited on those or warranty - Enel is running one on his Prime.

Yeah, I heard that rumor too and I guess at Sea Otter we'll find out - although that was the rumor last year as well though

On the warranty, guess maybe it's that I've been talking with Keith about the Prime since early days and he's repeatedly stated it's not designed for such a fork and warranty would not cover dual crown forks. Best bet is to e-mail them and ask them directly.

Originally Posted by Znarf

No 160mm "official big brand" 29er forks - yet!

Iīve read several times that one will be released by a big brand in summer 2013.

@Lynx:
Maybe I am blind (or stupid), but I canīt find warranty information on the prime on the Banshee site. Do you happen to have a link?
Would be very thankful =)

No single crown forks, unless they're prototypes that are being tested. You can get the Dorado, which I think when limited for 29er gets 170mm, but the warranty clearly states no dual crown forks for the Prime. There are the 26" F36 160mm forks with arch mods that some are using, not sure on if travel needs to be limited on those or warranty - Enel is running one on his Prime.

Travel on my 36 fork is limited to 130mm, and A-C is identical to any 140mm 29" fork.

After riding the Prime a bit I realize probably the only fork on the market stiff enough to match the frame is a Dorado.

Originally Posted by buddhak

And I thought I had a bike obsession. You are at once tragic and awesome.

I rode the Prime Back to back on a well known to me trail loop with my 2010 Stumpy FSR yesterday and it was eye opening.

These bikes are identical except for:

Fork: Reba 140 on the Stumpy and modded Fox 36 on the Prime;
Wheels: 150mm X12 rear with 36 spoke wheels on the Prime compared to 135 bolt on rear and 32 spoke wheels on the Stumpy;
Drivetrain: The stumpy has stump pulling low range supergranny drivetrain allowing gearing down to 20X26, the Prime is standard 32X22 front and 11/34 rear
Weight: The Prime is about three pounds heavier between the wheels, fork and frame.

Terrain was slow chunk/finesse stuff with a section of moderate speed (11-12mph), but very chunky descent. Climbs were similarly short, but chunky and quite steep at times requiring standing bursts and momentum to crest.

The bikes ride/perform very similarly as they should given the numbers. I was no more capable or faster on one versus the other. This is good to me because I have been very pleased with the Specialized. However: these two bikes/builds could not feel more different from the standpoint of flex and general solidity. The Prime is hands down the stiffest frame I have ever ridden in any category. (Note: No time on serious DH or Freeride rigs).

The difference is similar to the difference between a thin tubed steel rigid frame and a burly tubed aluminum frame. I felt like I had to have a bit more body english/anticipation of the flex with the Stumpjumper. It was not bad or unmanageable, it just felt completely different. If you have spent any time back to back on a burly longer travel AM bike versus a cross country race type bike, you will know exactly what I am talking about. I think the differences would be even more obvious at higher speeds as the stress on the frames increases.

The Prime felt simply better planted than the Stumpy in all terrain and conditions. I think I had a wee bit more traction. It wasn't a mind blowing difference, but it was different. I am looking forward to dialing it in more, but I am quite comfortable on the Prime after only two rides.

I played with the CCDB air and ended up at 25% sag (for me near 200 lbs geared up it was 110 psi), 80% (20 clicks) low speed rebound, 80%(20 clicks) low speed compression damping, zero HSC and about 15% (3/4 turn) HSR damping. After my trail ride, I am going to dial in a touch more HSR and HSC damping. I am getting pretty close.

I hope to get the Prime down to South Mountain in Phoenix this weekend for a real thrashing.

For now, I would absolutely recommend the Prime, especially if you weigh over 200lbs and/or have had issues with flex in other 29" frames. I am not sure a lighter primarily XC rider really needs what this frame offers (along with the associated weight penalty).

Originally Posted by buddhak

And I thought I had a bike obsession. You are at once tragic and awesome.

I rode the Prime Back to back on a well known to me trail loop with my 2010 Stumpy FSR yesterday and it was eye opening.

These bikes are identical except for:

Fork: Reba 140 on the Stumpy and modded Fox 36 on the Prime;
Wheels: 150mm X12 rear with 36 spoke wheels on the Prime compared to 135 bolt on rear and 32 spoke wheels on the Stumpy;
Drivetrain: The stumpy has stump pulling low range supergranny drivetrain allowing gearing down to 20X26, the Prime is standard 32X22 front and 11/34 rear
Weight: The Prime is about three pounds heavier between the wheels, fork and frame.

Terrain was slow chunk/finesse stuff with a section of moderate speed (11-12mph), but very chunky descent. Climbs were similarly short, but chunky and quite steep at times requiring standing bursts and momentum to crest.

The bikes ride/perform very similarly as they should given the numbers. I was no more capable or faster on one versus the other. This is good to me because I have been very pleased with the Specialized. However: these two bikes/builds could not feel more different from the standpoint of flex and general solidity. The Prime is hands down the stiffest frame I have ever ridden in any category. (Note: No time on serious DH or Freeride rigs).

The difference is similar to the difference between a thin tubed steel rigid frame and a burly tubed aluminum frame. I felt like I had to have a bit more body english/anticipation of the flex with the Stumpjumper. It was not bad or unmanageable, it just felt completely different. If you have spent any time back to back on a burly longer travel AM bike versus a cross country race type bike, you will know exactly what I am talking about. I think the differences would be even more obvious at higher speeds as the stress on the frames increases.

The Prime felt simply better planted than the Stumpy in all terrain and conditions. I think I had a wee bit more traction. It wasn't a mind blowing difference, but it was different. I am looking forward to dialing it in more, but I am quite comfortable on the Prime after only two rides.

I played with the CCDB air and ended up at 25% sag (for me near 200 lbs geared up it was 110 psi), 80% (20 clicks) low speed rebound, 80%(20 clicks) low speed compression damping, zero HSC and about 15% (3/4 turn) HSR damping. After my trail ride, I am going to dial in a touch more HSR and HSC damping. I am getting pretty close.

I hope to get the Prime down to South Mountain in Phoenix this weekend for a real thrashing.

For now, I would absolutely recommend the Prime, especially if you weigh over 200lbs and/or have had issues with flex in other 29" frames. I am not sure a lighter primarily XC rider really needs what this frame offers (along with the associated weight penalty).

Cool!
I figured you'd dig the uber-stiff chassis of the Prime. Now...if we could only get a suitable fork!

The bikes ride/perform very similarly as they should given the numbers. I was no more capable or faster on one versus the other. This is good to me because I have been very pleased with the Specialized. However: these two bikes/builds could not feel more different from the standpoint of flex and general solidity. The Prime is hands down the stiffest frame I have ever ridden in any category. (Note: No time on serious DH or Freeride rigs).

Tomorrow i'm bolting on last XX1 bits, and then i have winter vacation at gravel-pit called Tenerife and a volcano called Teide, last time i was there with prime proto it kicked ass there, now i have 12mm bolt thru axle on rear and production frame...

I got to ride an extremely fun ride called Goat Camp in Phoenix today.

It starts with a steady 9 mile 2500 ft climb. The Prime proved a competent steady climber. I finally noticed the mechanical help the suspension gives in the pedaling department: with standing uphill spring type moves, the bike just squirts forward with minimal wallow. Not XC stiff, but it is nice.

I like that the frame achieves this without so much stiffening that it loses traction on loose stuff. I personally prefer more traction with some pedal bob over great pedaling characteristics with traction loss.

Anyhoo, it's a decent climber and took care of switchbacks and chunky sections as well as I could.

The downhill on this ride is relentless, slow, chunky, loose, steep tech for three miles. I hesitate to show the video because it really can't do justice to the terrain. If slow tech is your thing, ride this trail. The Prime had no bad habits I could find under braking and rolling steep things into chunk.

On the lower 1/2 mile of the descent I was finally able to open it up speed wise on smooth mixed with small chunk and that was a hoot.

I have officially determined that the Specialized is out of a job. The Prime does everything just as well, and a few things decidedly better.

Originally Posted by buddhak

And I thought I had a bike obsession. You are at once tragic and awesome.

Nice job on Goat Camp, Enel. Doesn't surprise me that you nailed the staircase, considering the type of riding that you typically do. You are right, that video does not even come close to portraying that section accurately. There is a whole lot of serious pucker on Goat Camp.

I'm finding similar with my newly installed DBair, lots of low speed dialed in, very little high speed, DBair is WAY better than the CTD.