Bottom Line:
What we have here is a 29er built under the Banshee philosophy. And it is a great addition to the 29er hardtail spectrum of bikes. Instead of building another smooth, comfortable 29er hardtail, Banshee built an All Mountain 29er hardtail. It loves to jump, take aggressive lines and carve grooves into corner.
It is not for everybody but it certainly fills a void in the aggressive 29er hardtail arena. Bravo to Banshee for sticking to their core values and using the 29er platform to build a fun and aggressive bike.
The downside to this frame is it is pretty harsh for a 29er. They bent the seatstays but it’s still an aggressive ride. But we won’t ding it for not being as smooth as the steel or 29er hardtails. This is an aggressive, all-mountain hardtail so the buyer just needs to understand what they’re getting in to.
At $600 for the frame, value is awesome. Quality, durability and finish are excellent for this price point. It looks pretty good too and appears more expensive than its cost.
We’re giving it a 5 star rating for the frame if you are the right buyer for this frame. If you are a big rider or someone looking for an aggressive 29er hardtail, this is a good one and redefines the boundaries that shackled 29er hardtails before it.
Value Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
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12.4″ BB height with a FIVE inch fork?! Don’t buy if you live hear in the NE. Best ride that on those buff trails like in the pic!
yea.. thats pretty much a west coast thing there … bad mud clearance and a low BB = east coast failbike.. My voodoo has 13 7/8 with a rigid fork..
Its a neat looking frame but no place for it over here…
The Paradox’s BB height with a 5″ fork is 1/4″ taller than an Eastern Woods Research sled (26 or 29) with a 4 inch fork.
What is east coast thing?
Right on fellas. Definitely useful feedback as we here in the West definitely have smoother and flowier conditions.
I have a Paradox with a 120mm Drake, and the BB measures 12.1 inches. I ride in Massachusetts. The lowish BB height took some getting used to, but the stability and carving-ability it affords are undeniable.
I think the BB comments are missing the point and unrealistic. I am with Pulsepro on this one. Most will run a 2 chainring setup on this type of bike with a 34-36 tooth big ring & granny and you’ll have enough clearance and gearing for 99% of most situations.
It’s a 29er for all mountain and enduro riding not XC. Check out Banshee’s home turf it aint buff and flowy around Vancouver it’s burly and technical wet and rooty and oh MOUNTAINOUS…
I think it’s a great frame and a refreshing take on the 29er hardtail.
I saw Pulsepro’s Paradox do fine on techy New England terrain -when I could rarely follow on my 5″ dually 6er!
Good point CJ too!
Not intending to criticize here, but curious…The over shooting on the turn in the pic makes me wonder how flickable that bike actually is. I mean that is way off.
>>Not intending to criticize here, but curious…The over shooting on the turn in the pic makes me wonder how flickable that bike actually is. I mean that is way off.
That is a good point
. That turn is actually tricky as it is flat and powdery in the center. Then it berms up a bit and the grass is solid. I think the best line is just touching the grass a bit. I think I overshot a couple of inches but I have never leaned a bike there that well in the summer.
fc