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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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1
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23182
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June 6, 2003
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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100% of reviewers
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$829.00
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10.0
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Description:
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Besides being one of the biggest, baddest and burliest hardtail frames ever built, the Banshee Morphine is a quick-change artist. As its name implies, the Morphine can be "Morphed" for different types of riding. It's designed to accommodate 4-8" forks and dual 24, 24x26 or dual 26" wheels so you have the freedom to set it up for anything. The geometry has been precisely tweaked to give you the ideal cockpit angles, BB height and handlebar height for each riding discipline.
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Keywords:
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Banshee Morphine
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Review Date: June 6, 2003
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $829.00
| Rating: 10
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Weíve had this bike for quite some time now, and to get to the point, we like it.
Banshee Bikes, based in Vancouver has been designing hardcore bikes for a couple of years now. †The company now offers four different frames as well as complete bikes. †Here we have attempted to evaluate Bansheeís Freeride Hardtail, the Morphine.
The Morphine gets its name from its ability to ěMorphî into different frame geometries for different uses. †You can set this frame up any way you want, there are no restrictions. †26î wheels, 24î wheels, rigid to 8î forks, single speed, geared, you name it and its yours.
THE FRAME
The frame that allows for all this adjustability and parts compatibility is very unique. †Banshee starts off with an Easton RAD aluminum tube set, one of the strongest out there, and further strengthens it with the addition of gussets both on top and below the head tube junction, and around where the seat stay / top tube / seat tube meet.
Easton RAD frames are usually pretty light, but this one was an exception as it weighed about 7lbs bare. †The frame reinforcements and the frameís disc brake only rear end treatment added significant weight to the package. †Speaking of rear ends, the backside of the frame consisted of horizontal drop outs that were over the top solid, as well as internally reinforced chainstays.
Picture if you will, two square tubes of aluminum stacked together as one piece, and that is your chainstay. †There should be no problem with disk tab failure on this frame as the disk tabs were thicker than most and even the length of the bolt head was shouldered securely in the tab.
The front of the frame was held together with Bansheeís Kegger head tube. †This head tube looked large enough for the 1.5 standard, but really was an internally machined piece that has maximum material at the ends for 1 and 1/8" head set support and a hollowed out centre portion to save weight. †
Geometry was pretty much bang on with what the Banshee website claims, head angle between 66 and 70 degrees, bottom bracket heights between 12î and 14î. †Because of the horizontal drop outs, chainstay length was adjustable between 16.2î and 17.3î. †We found that while we were building up the bike, the frame would not accommodate a 26î wheel in the shortest chain stay position. †The tire would rub on the chainstay yoke. †This was with a Continental Survivor Pro 2.3. †Not a huge tire, but about as small as you would want to go with bike like this. †The shortest chainstay length we could safely achieve was about 16.4î. †Not a huge deal, but if you are picky with geometry, then it is worth knowing about. †On the other hand, with a 24î rear wheel there was ample clearance for any tire at any chainstay length.
Other than the 26î / 16.2î glitch, the bike went together perfectly. †All threads were chased and clean and the paint was perfect at delivery and has since proven durable. †Another important thing to note is that when you get a frame from Banshee, you donít only get the frame, but you also receive a seat post, seat post clamp, 2 hangers, two sets of drop out adjustment bolts, and a threaded rear axle for use with an XT hub. †All of this is included in the standard retail price.
Other details of note were full length gear housing, the graphics seemed to be printed directly on the frame and a right side chainstay with no paint.
THE RIDE
This bike manualed like crazy. †Up hills, down hills, around corners, you name it. †Something about the geometry of this bike made the front wheel pop off the ground with merely a thought. †This phenomena occured at all chainstay positions and with all rear wheel choices. †During our time with the bike we have had it built 26î/26î, and 26î/24î both geared and single speed, always with a 5î fork. †Besides wheelie mania, we have found that the bike is fairly neutral handling with all wheel choices, however it was easier to wash the front wheel out in slow, tight situations with the 24î rear wheel, however this only occured on flat ground. †When going downhill, washout was never an issue. †Slow speed stability was great for skinnies and this can be attributed to the not too fast / not too slow steering. †The Morphine was a heavy bike, but this was only made apparent when carrying it up stairs or climbing steep trails. †On the trail, and in urban situations, the bike felt very light, and well balanced. †While not as flickable as some bikes, there was never a problem getting it off the ground or over obstacles. †As far as its performance went in the air, it tended to hold the same trajectory as when it left the lip or the ledge, and even though the bike was heavy, mid air adjustments were possible with minimal effort. †Small weight shifts or tugs on the bar was all that was required to hit landings smoothly. †This ěmid air controlî was very confidence inspiring. †Another important aspect of the way this frame rode was stiffness. †This was the stiffest frame we have ever experienced, lateral, vertical, power transfer, whatever, there was absolutely no give. †Some riders may not appreciate this aspect of the Banshee Morphine, but when it came to feeling the terrain, accurately planting wheels, and surviving stunts with sudden power bursts, the Morphine could not be beat.
To sum up, Banshee Bikes has produced a frame that can be extremely capable and confidence inspiring in all situations. †Just pick the best parts available for dirt, street or whatever your disipline and just go. †The sturdiness and stiffness of the frame cannot be beaten and Banshee backs that up with a substantial warranty. †In addition, if you compare the Morphine dollar for dollar in regards to construction and design with any other high-end free ride hardtail, the Banshee works out to be a true steal.
IMPORTANT INFO
Warranty ń 10 years
Price - $ 829 Canadian
Contact ń http://www.bansheebikes.com
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