2018 banshee rune

Been looking at this frame for a couple years now, finally went for it
my new '18 Banshee Rune, size small:

mrp stage fork
monarch plus rc3 (likely switch out for my xfusion vector air hlr)
trp quadiem brakes
hope hubs/wtb asym29 rims
Ghetto gx eagle
spank spike pedals
almost all parts were switched over from ny 2011 650b converted transition blindside; frame weight 1.75 pounds lighter but still burly enough. sold my 2013 RM altitude (ended up not really liking it that much), this frame splits the difference between the two and has modern geo.

Now for my wrist to heal so I can ride this thing

 

Congratulations on the new bike

 

My riding buddy in AZ swears by Banshee frames. He had a Prime but is now on a Phantom. He also used to have a super burly HT Banshee Paradox.

Congrats, they are rock solid.

 

Congrats! Can't wait to accompany you as you put it through its paces.

But size Small? Aren't you like 5'10" (and full of manliness)?

 

Awesome Gary! I really like the Banshee designs ... replaceable dropouts to have the option to boost or not, or even run 26 if you desire and keep the BB height right, and the dual short link rear susp I hear is pretty good platform for climbing. Soon as your wrist heals up we'll have to get a ride in! Healing vibes and congrats!

 

Thanks! Lets ride!

Ha, I'm just over 5'7". I'm so manly everyone thinks i'm taller. Also I prefer shorter bikes, I go by reach/stack numbers. my med blindside reach is 393. Small rune is 402. My RM altitude was a small and fit great, I had test ridden the medium and felt too stretched. Had 4 SC frames, all medium as was my rune V1.
Starting to sound like an addiction...

 

Rune round 2! Congrats buddy! Looking forward to hearing how the first test ride goes. Also, don't forget that I told you I have volume reducer bands if needed for that shock. That is if you decide to run it vs the xfusion.

 

Thanks man! Hope to ride with ya soon. Ive actually been looking at this frame for a couple years. as Barnes just mentioned I had a V1 Rune in 2010 which rode great, but was a nightmare, the bushings in the pivots chewed up the frame (design flaw) and the frame cracked a the BB after 1 year, banshee did warranty it but it took 2 months, their US support was much less at the time. So at first I was leery about this but i think theyve cleaned up their act with the KS link bikes and the switch to bearings, and theyve really beefed up that problem area. frame was $1675 from Recycledmountainracing in Oregon. couldnt pass that up. Was hoping to buy from Path but they no longer deal banshee.

 

Hope we both heal up and ride soon! Yeah ill probly put the xfusion on there, its so much more adjustable. Might sell the monarch to fund a coil for my "spare" shock; might as well be able to say its like new

 

Tell me about it... I figured you'd end up selling the monarch. Hopefully you'll be able to get a decent price for it. I assume the coil shock you'll eventually get will be the new MRP one?

 

nah, xfusion vector coil since it has bottom out adjustment, necessary for coil with this frame. Remember i had one on my Butcher and it was great. The new MRP hazzard can opt for a progressive spring, but total for shock and spring is over 800. I already have a 400# xfusion spring, which is probabaly about right. However I am bummed that xfusion used to be such a user friendly company, could call and ask technical questions and buy small parts; now theyve gone radio silent and outsourced all service/questions to madsuspension in reno.
I just put the xfusion in and pedaled it around. even on the street it feels better than the monarch.

 

Oh yeah. I forgot you had a vector on your Butcher. And yikes in regards to the Hazards' price. Might as well get an Eleven six at that point. I was never really impressed with the monarch I ran on my bike. Xfusion Vector seems like a good call then.