Author Topic: How were the XP8 frames? (Read 7945 times)

dcarr1971 · « **on:** April 17, 2008, 12:19:02 pm »

I'm always looking to pickup another frame for parts if nothing else. What little I've seen mentioned of the XPx frames sounds like riders thought highly of them. What do you think?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250236533039&fromMakeTrack=true

jeffhop · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2008, 02:48:30 pm »

i really liked my xpx, it was by far the best climbing bike ive ever owned, even better than the hardtail i stupidly replaced it with, if i could get another i possibly would to replace the hardtail.

Tel · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2008, 02:59:03 pm »

Mrs Tel and myself have had the XPX from new, she had it first, but let me have it because she wanted a road bike, we also have an 857 but still squabble over who gets the XPX when we go out.
I`ve never ridden anything that comes close to out climbing it(if you can breathe it`ll climb) I`ll never part with mine!!!
Cheers, Tel.

Lysander · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2008, 05:34:28 pm »

Quote from: jeffhop on April 17, 2008, 02:48:30 pm

i really liked my xpx, it was by far the best climbing bike ive ever owned, even better than the hardtail i stupidly replaced it with, if i could get another i possibly would to replace the hardtail.

I agree completely with the above..........and yer not gettin' it back

kiwi · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2008, 11:16:43 pm »

an x55 or x56 would be just as good climbing wise???

orange · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2008, 01:53:05 am »

yes I would have said so - basically the same bike. Strangely, the only one I haven't had is the 856. I have an 855 and I had an XP-8. Mr752 now has my old XP-8 and you can see what a great job he's done on it elsewhere on this forum. Perhaps get in touch with him for his opinion.

Hammer · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2008, 03:28:32 pm »

Could not agree more about the x55 x56 and xpx series being the best climbing bikes I have ever ridden.. truly outstanding.

However.. whilst the x56 and xpx appear similar they are not the same frames. The xp series had several extra gussets to improve stiffness (apparently) and this was (IMO) thier achillies heel. My xpx cracked in about 7 places on the main frame and ultrasport claimed at the time that they had never had a failure on a x56 frame... If this was true, then I would be careful with the xp series if you are a heavy masher like me, or if you are buying it used as you don't really know what its been through...

Look carefully for cracked or discoloured paint.... especially around the welds, BB area and swingarm pivot.

That said and done... would I buy an xp if I was offered one.......... You betchya I would!!

Hammer.

kiwi · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2008, 01:48:03 am »

Quote from: Hammer on April 22, 2008, 03:28:32 pm

Could not agree more about the x55 x56 and xpx series being the best climbing bikes I have ever ridden.. truly outstanding.

However.. whilst the x56 and xpx appear similar they are not the same frames. The xp series had several extra gussets to improve stiffness (apparently) and this was (IMO) thier achillies heel. My xpx cracked in about 7 places on the main frame and ultrasport claimed at the time that they had never had a failure on a x56 frame... If this was true, then I would be careful with the xp series if you are a heavy masher like me, or if you are buying it used as you don't really know what its been through...

Look carefully for cracked or discoloured paint.... especially around the welds, BB area and swingarm pivot.

That said and done... would I buy an xp if I was offered one.......... You betchya I would!!

Hammer.

too right,there is something just right about the x55 and x55 frames,esp for single track,and techy stuff..heck i have absolutely no qualms about riding 20 kms on the road to a nice little single track..its quite easy to setle into a nice pedalling rythym in the big ring with very little pogoing.

jeffhop · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2008, 01:59:18 pm »

your right kiwi, i did the coast to coast on my xpx, 158 miles in comfort, absolutely fantastic bike, why did i sell mine!!!

Willem · « **Reply #9 on:** April 24, 2008, 08:57:17 am »

Well... asking us if an XP8/856 is a good ride is a bit like feeding raw meat to hungry dogs.

Heck ya it's a good bike. HOWEVER... it needs modernization to really work well. Shocks, drivetrain, upgraded pivots, and a rear disk set-up get you the equivalent of a Canondale Prophet or a Santa Cruz Heckler.

To my eternal regret, I've sold a 455 and an 856. But I won't make that mistake again... I intend to keep my other 856. (Unless the right $$ comes along

kiwi · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2008, 07:12:46 pm »

Quote from: Willem on April 24, 2008, 08:57:17 am

Well... asking us if an XP8/856 is a good ride is a bit like feeding raw meat to hungry dogs.

Heck ya it's a good bike. HOWEVER... it needs modernization to really work well. Shocks, drivetrain, upgraded pivots, and a rear disk set-up get you the equivalent of a Canondale Prophet or a Santa Cruz Heckler.

To my eternal regret, I've sold a 455 and an 856. But I won't make that mistake again... I intend to keep my other 856. (Unless the right $$ comes along

agreed i have v brakes and a crosslink and a risse rear shock on my 756..would love to get a bit more travel from the x link.Have often considered a mega air but...

Colin · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2008, 02:39:45 am »

Quote from: dcarr1971 on April 17, 2008, 12:19:02 pm

I'm always looking to pickup another frame for parts if nothing else. What little I've seen mentioned of the XPx frames sounds like riders thought highly of them. What do you think?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250236533039&fromMakeTrack=true

So, who ended up winning it? One of us?

Col. (XP-X sitting very sadly under-used in the garage)

dell · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2008, 05:55:08 am »

Quote from: Colin on April 25, 2008, 02:39:45 am

Quote from: dcarr1971 on April 17, 2008, 12:19:02 pm
I'm always looking to pickup another frame for parts if nothing else. What little I've seen mentioned of the XPx frames sounds like riders thought highly of them. What do you think?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250236533039&fromMakeTrack=true

So, who ended up winning it? One of us?

Col. (XP-X sitting very sadly under-used in the garage)

O.K i'll hold my hands up it was me who won it, took delivery of it this a.m unwrapped it straight away like a kid at christmas, sitting in the back garden at the moment with a cuppa gazing at it lovingly planning my next move, was hoping to have it ready for the London to brighton ride but am waiting to pick up another 856 frame from the paint shop so this one will have to wait until next month, i will just have to keep it tucked away in the shed out of sight of the other half for a while until the heat dies down then tell her that i had had it for ages

shovelon · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2008, 08:37:51 am »

20" size? Is that a waybig?

kiwi · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2008, 03:44:36 pm »

yep 20 is way big...although at the time it was a ....20,i think the x57 year started the small med large waybig names

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Author Topic: How were the XP8 frames? (Read 7945 times)

Willem