FSR_Man wrote:

mustleaveplanet wrote:Definately good to see Avanti having another crack at the full suss sector of the market. Looks like the 4-4-4 linkage is a Horst link (Specialized licensed) or is very close to being one?

yes it does have a horst link. The horst link patent owned by specialized is only applicable in Europe and the USA from my understanding so does not affect avanti in anyway since they are just operating in australasia and i thik Japan too now?

It's not applicable in Europe - you can buy any number of bikes in Europe with horses that are modified to sell in US. Scott's bikes are one example, they weren't sold in USA for years due to the infringement.

FSR_Man wrote:

mustleaveplanet wrote:Definately good to see Avanti having another crack at the full suss sector of the market. Looks like the 4-4-4 linkage is a Horst link (Specialized licensed) or is very close to being one?

yes it does have a horst link. The horst link patent owned by specialized is only applicable in Europe and the USA from my understanding so does not affect avanti in anyway since they are just operating in australasia and i thik Japan too now?

it's not a horst link, horst link is very specific about the position of the chainstay/seatstay pivot position

Any prices out on these yet?

Spyder wrote:Any prices out on these yet?

off memory they are roughly:
Vapour 3 - $5,999
Vapour 2 - $4,499
Vapour 1 - $2,599

Torrent 3 - $6,299
Torrent 2 - $4,699
Torrent 1 - $2,899

Yeah saw them at Avanti Plus last night. THey're both really nice looking frames. The Torrent is like a Pitch but with more swooping front tubes (nice looking hydroforming) while the Vapour has straighter lines. THe finish on both is anodised but possibly only on the top line models. Rear chainstay linkage is "close" to the horst position and the front lower pivot point should give a fair bit of anti-squat to make for a nice pedaling feel.
Also impressive is the "Zero" brand recessed seat and bar grips which is apparently Avanti's in-house brand?! They look the biz.. Nice one Avanti- Maybe we'll even see an F/R and DH rig soon!!

http://www.avantibikes.com/everything-a ... px?bid=402
theres the site for a comparison of the torrent and vapour. competitor 29s and the rest of the 2011 range is now there for those interested

Bit of a shame to see they have gone full Sram on the builds though (especially considering the distributor etc...)

SRAM FTW, stuff 3x10! unless of course we are talking 2x10 XTR - BLING!

first glance at the torrent sees a stupid curved seat tube. oh that's right, everyone should ride with their seat up and build on their skill level.

FSR_Man wrote:SRAM FTW, stuff 3x10! unless of course we are talking 2x10 XTR - BLING!

You do realise sram do 3x10 in X7 and X0 don't you...

Anyway, I was just talking about the specs of the Torrent and Vapour, not trying to start some sram vs. shimano "debate".

jeyboi wrote:

FSR_Man wrote:SRAM FTW, stuff 3x10! unless of course we are talking 2x10 XTR - BLING!

You do realise sram do 3x10 in X7 and X0 don't you...

Anyway, I was just talking about the specs of the Torrent and Vapour, not trying to start some sram vs. shimano "debate".

yahh you know what i mean.. i know, i couldnt help myself!

onyabike wrote:first glance at the torrent sees a stupid curved seat tube. oh that's right, everyone should ride with their seat up and build on their skill level.

honestly! try riding with your saddle up, its not that bad. yeah you get a bit more manuverability with it down but if you need to drop it more than 2inches you need to seriously learn how to ride. I find if its down too low its harder to ride tech/steep bits.

when i had my demo 7 i road with the seat 2 or 3 inches below were i would have had it for xc and that never got in the way. not for road gaps, jumps or racing, it was sweet!

FSR_Man wrote:

onyabike wrote:first glance at the torrent sees a stupid curved seat tube. oh that's right, everyone should ride with their seat up and build on their skill level.

honestly! try riding with your saddle up, its not that bad. yeah you get a bit more manuverability with it down but if you need to drop it more than 2inches you need to seriously learn how to ride. I find if its down too low its harder to ride tech/steep bits.

when i had my demo 7 i road with the seat 2 or 3 inches below were i would have had it for xc and that never got in the way. not for road gaps, jumps or racing, it was sweet!

there is another 99% of riders out here though. curved seatpost equals design flaw.

should still be enough room there to move your seat 3 or so inches

FSR_Man wrote:honestly! try riding with your saddle up, its not that bad. yeah you get a bit more manuverability with it down but if you need to drop it more than 2inches you need to seriously learn how to ride. I find if its down too low its harder to ride tech/steep bits.

Really so you are suggesting that people who drop their seat more than 2" need to learn how to ride. That's a really sad attitude dude, I hope you don't work in a shop (or have sponsorship from a shop) as that's a pretty uncool attitude to have towards most bike riders

FSR_Man wrote:when i had my demo 7 i road with the seat 2 or 3 inches below were i would have had it for xc and that never got in the way. not for road gaps, jumps or racing, it was sweet!

so you were wining DH races with that set up?