Banshee Spitfire
Banshee is fairly new to the bike scene, and their Spitfire model is still in its prototyping stages. The 5 inch suspension Spitfire has one very interesting feature, it has 2 shock mount positions, that allow you to vary the geometry of the bike. One position gives you a higher BB height, and a steeper head angle for technical XC riding. The other position drops the BB height, and slackens out the head angle for higher speed riding.
Spitfire Adjustable shock mount
The Spitfire was wicked fast when it was pointed downhill, it just accelerated down like crazy. The Spitfire was very neutral, steered and handled nicely, and didn’t display any outstanding squat issues. During hard pedaling, it did just you asked of it, and on steeps climbs the rear end tended to stay connected to the tarmac. I think there is some room for further tinkering on the suspension system, to get it to the same level of its competitions (DW Link and Yeti AS come to mind). On some G-outs, the front end collapsed a bit much, and really tossed you forward. The Spitfire is designed as a 1×9, something that I haven’t ridden very much, so I found the gearing tough for me, since I like to granny gear it a bit more.
I enjoyed my brief time on the Spitfire, it was a nice bike, and the adjustable geometry is an innovative feature. Release date is 2010. I think Banshee has a winner on their hands, and further tweaking of the bike will only help improve it.
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
looks smooth, i like the lowtop tube.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Brian tested one of the 12 pre production prototypes so we’re still doing final changes and the wheelrate has been retuned to work better with a low volume air where the prototype was developed somewhere between a HV and LV air. So now we know were going to work with a low volume shock curve it will be dialled in when we do go to production in December.
Jay@banshee
September 25th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
The first line of the article, “Banshee is fairly new to the bike scene”. Incorrect.
“On some G-outs, the front end collapsed a bit much, and really tossed you forward.” Hahaha.
“The Spitfire is designed as a 1×9, something that I haven’t ridden very much, so I found the gearing tough for me, since I like to granny gear it a bit more.” The bike was designed for downhillers and gravity based riders could have a trail/xc bike that would suit them and their style. Hence the 1×9 gearing, the geometry, people used to 1×9. Clearly, you aren’t one of those people.
September 26th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Not sure where you are going with your “Incorrect” response on their length of time in the industry, I never stated any dates, here is exactly what their website states “Banshee Bikes is still a relatively young company but the people working behind the scenes were part of the industry even before the birth of mountain biking.” Please give us the date that they started then?
All I stated was I haven’t ridden 1×9 much? Yes it was just as you stated a bike to allow downhillers to get back to their XC roots as it were. Banshee asked me some pretty involved questions about the bike after my test ride, since they valued my opinion even though I clearly wasn’t one of those people you mentioned. Hmmm, wonder why they wanted to set up a long term test and beta feedback with me?
So I gather you have ridden the pre production prototypes?
Very strange that you sort of slam me when I gave it glowing comments?
September 27th, 2009 at 8:30 am
The production versions will be front derailleur ready, there were clearance issues on the prototypes - these bikes were designed for epic trail riding, so a granny gear will be needed! As to being designed for DHers and gravity based riders, they are more oriented to aggressive trail riders, having a DH background won’t hurt though!
With regards to the front end collapsing, the Spitfire I rode needed a lot of air to be added to the forkk, I had the Fox guys set it up for me before taking it out.
I think Banshee is close to ten years old now, but have really re-invented themselves in the last few years.
Really nice bike though!
September 28th, 2009 at 8:49 am
I was also really impresses by the Spitfire. I don’t have a DH background, but prefer a slacker setup for my local trail riding. As stated in the review, this bike pedaled and climbed very nicely and felt very efficient, and when it came time to point it down a hill, it was one of the fastest bikes I tested at the ODD. Of all the bikes I rode at the demo, if I were to choose just one to have in my home, it would be the Spitfire.