Crestline x DJI - RS 181 SPECTRE Edition

[Scford]

Rumor is Santa Cruz is moving away from vpp all around. Seems like they’re just starting the rollout on their ebike lineup. They’re on 4 bar test mules for analog bikes locally. I really like vpp, had a bullit but jumped onto Crestline to still have vpp and wanted a newer motor system. Shimano really dropped the ball with their lack of system updates. I love the features of the Avinox.

 

[2supple]

Rumor is Santa Cruz is moving away from vpp all around. Seems like they’re just starting the rollout on their ebike lineup. They’re on 4 bar test mules for analog bikes locally. I really like vpp, had a bullit but jumped onto Crestline to still have vpp and wanted a newer motor system. Shimano really dropped the ball with their lack of system updates. I love the features of the Avinox.

Leaked images of Nina from a couple months ago on what appeared to be the next gen Nomad mule (in alloy) is VPP.

 

[2supple]

The Druid core is designed with a 160 fork in mind. As highland was saying, I wouldn’t discount the geo because they make up for it with the stack. Makes the riding position more upright and very comfortable on steep decents. I’m 6’1 with about 69/70 inch wingspan and the bike fits me like a glove. I have an intend 170 fork on mine so the A2C is a few mm taller shortening the reach a hair more but I threw a 42mm stem on it and geo feels pretty dialed. Forbidden bikes have great geo but I’m sure the edread will be 5-10mm longer being an enduro sled

I was referencing the core lite which shows a 150 fork on the chart. Not sure if they truly designed it around a 150 or 160 fork, but the 150 fork geo makes a little more sense IMO.

For kicks I've been wondering the corresponding Geo if you take Jackson's V10 and scale to my height.

Jackson runs a 452 reach, 625 stack and 455 CS.

If I scale that to 182cm that comes to a 484 reach, 669 stack and 487 CS!!

I know this could be taken as very flawed but still interesting IMO. I just don't see myself at 182CM going anywhere near a sub 470 reach. His chainstay length is absolutely wild though.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

On paper compared to a 181 the Druid is a trail bike attempting to scale up in usage and feel, but without the travel.

 

[Highland Wheels]

Maybe. But I’ve ridden/experimented with enough bikes that at 6’ tall I’m honestly pretty nervous about anything under a 475 reach. My current bike is 475 and I’m already running 50mm rise bars with a pretty forward bar roll just to make it feel roomy.

That’s why the new Crestline looks like it’s headed the right direction to me—480 reach and around 650 stack on a Large. On paper that means I shouldn’t have to bandaid the fit with a bunch of rise, and it should actually feel spacious without weird cockpit tricks.

465 reach, even with the high stack, just sounds pretty dang short.

If the new Dreadnought ends up around 475 reach with roughly a 450–455 stack, I think that’s way more in the right ballpark.

And honestly, I don’t think the sub-475 reach on the e-Druid is even what they want—it feels like the compromise you make when you design the whole thing around a 150 fork. What makes zero sense to me is a full-power e-bike designed around a 150 fork, unless the whole point is just to keep it separated from the inevitable e-Dreadnought.

But even then, if it were me: e-Druid gets a 160 fork, Dreadnought gets 170/180. Still different classes of bikes, still clearly differentiated, and the geo doesn’t have to do gymnastics to make the 150 fork full power e-bike thing make sense.

Fair, I'm 6ft4 riding the biggest size they do and it feels real good having ridden it on the same stuff as my other Enduro bike that's quite different geo wise. Running 50mm risers on both but havn't ridden the Druid on them yet, just the stock 38 rise bars.

I think the long rear end may help the balance as well tbf.

Will definitely try the Dreadnought when it arrives though but have yet to find anything that the Druid feels too short on yet rear end wise. I'll probably go to 170mm up front though then loose 10mm from my steerer spacers to keep it the "same" geo

 

[Blownoutrides]

I was referencing the core lite which shows a 150 fork on the chart. Not sure if they truly designed it around a 150 or 160 fork, but the 150 fork geo makes a little more sense IMO.

For kicks I've been wondering the corresponding Geo if you take Jackson's V10 and scale to my height.

Jackson runs a 452 reach, 625 stack and 455 CS.

If I scale that to 182cm that comes to a 484 reach, 669 stack and 487 CS!!

I know this could be taken as very flawed but still interesting IMO. I just don't see myself at 182CM going anywhere near a sub 470 reach. His chainstay length is absolutely wild though.

This is the kind of math non-average height folks need to start doing.

Technically you'd want to do the front center vs rear center rather than reach vs rear center, but you're on the right track.

 

[ccornacc]

I’m not sure. My current Crestline is a RH3.
I was just wanting to confirm that I could slam the new 200mm AXS dropper in the RH4 frame that I ordered.
The new AXS dropper has more stack height due to the new lower battery mount location, so I wanted to confirm I’d be able to get it as low as possible in the frame.

Curious on whether anyone confirmed what the max reverb AXS could be slammed into an RH3.

 

[Blownoutrides]

Amazing how some of you guys are form over function..... sure the slimmer down tube does look slightly better. But the actual weight distribution is going to be worse. 800wh with more forward and higher weight = more suck fore weight and balance of the bike.

My 400wh Crestline set up feels darn similar to an equivalent mtb. When I put the 600wh in it feels more e-mtb like. I dont even want to fit an 800wh. That would suck for forward weight. The most suck will be dji 800wh option.

Gotcha. I set up my OG Crestline with the +5mm reach at size RH4. Ordered the RH4 DJI with 29er 455 drop outs and also 27.5 455 drop outs. We will see. I’m 6’7” tall.

As a tall guy did you try both 29" and 27.5"? Really curious. Always go 29" as buzz is a non-issue for me but definitely mullet curious.

 

[2supple]

If you never buzz on 29” I don’t see any reason to go 27.5 rear. The whole “playfulness” thing is pretty minor imo. For me, the extra clearance is a huge benefit on steep stuff though.

 

[Posvar1]

As a tall guy did you try both 29" and 27.5"? Really curious. Always go 29" as buzz is a non-issue for me but definitely mullet curious.

I like both and have zero issues with either regarding buzz. The 27.5 rear wheel is more fun at bike parks with massive tall and sharply angled berms. I’ve experienced no clearance issues on anything either with either set up.

 

[bhmax]

Can anyone get the exact measurement of the space available in the swingarm width at the tire please?

 

[Scford]

Can anyone get the exact measurement of the space available in the swingarm width at the tire please?

Hopefully helpful. That’s a 2.4 butcher tire

 

[bhmax]

Awesome thanks

 

[2supple]

Zero posts since the new bike dropped

 

[Wah]

Zero posts since the new bike dropped

RS 181.1 is old news

 

[Posvar1]

RS 181.1 is old news

181.2

 

[Posvar1]

The new one looks good. Same gen motor though.

 

[dreys]

The new one looks good. Same gen motor though.

Motor will be M.2

Details cannot be listed since it is under embargo

 

[Blownoutrides]

The level of redirected NBD blue balls frustration arguments in the other thread is absolutely amazing.

 

[Posvar1]

Motor will be M.2

Details cannot be listed since it is under embargo

Cool

 

[Suns_PSD]

Zero posts since the new bike dropped

Your bikes are now obsolete.

My offer is $50 for an RH3.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

The level of redirected NBD blue balls frustration arguments in the other thread is absolutely amazing.

FOR. REAL.

 

[Posvar1]

FOR. REAL.

What thread? I will make popcorn!

 

[John_likes_bikes]

What thread? I will make popcorn!

Pre-order starts next month - Next Crestline Avinox frame set

From Troydon: For those enquiring about the next batch of DJI equipped frames: - Best way to stay in the loop is to please sign up on the website for updates - Pre order allocations will open Jan 2026 and you'll get that email if you've signed up - Shipping will commence late March / Early...

www.emtbforums.com

It's not really all that, I exagerate but it's the usual online bull-shitterry

 

[FrogSkunk]

I was referencing the core lite which shows a 150 fork on the chart. Not sure if they truly designed it around a 150 or 160 fork, but the 150 fork geo makes a little more sense IMO.

For kicks I've been wondering the corresponding Geo if you take Jackson's V10 and scale to my height.

Jackson runs a 452 reach, 625 stack and 455 CS.

If I scale that to 182cm that comes to a 484 reach, 669 stack and 487 CS!!

I know this could be taken as very flawed but still interesting IMO. I just don't see myself at 182CM going anywhere near a sub 470 reach. His chainstay length is absolutely wild though.

As a tall guy did you try both 29" and 27.5"? Really curious. Always go 29" as buzz is a non-issue for me but definitely mullet curious.

Rumor is Santa Cruz is moving away from vpp all around. Seems like they’re just starting the rollout on their ebike lineup. They’re on 4 bar test mules for analog bikes locally. I really like vpp, had a bullit but jumped onto Crestline to still have vpp and wanted a newer motor system. Shimano really dropped the ball with their lack of system updates. I love the features of the Avinox.

Curious if you ever ridden four bar bikes? I have been on a Levo forever, and just landed one of these CL frames(). Ive never ridden VPP and have read different opinions about it. Guess I am just wondering how the two compare.

I understand about the KB, which kind of sucks because I LOVE my Onyx hubs. Silence is golden haha. I have a set of classics I am going to run and see if its an issue for me.

 

[Singletrackmind]

Curious on whether anyone confirmed what the max reverb AXS could be slammed into an RH3.

I have an S180 RH3 and am running a 1st gen 170mm AXS Dropper with about 20mm room before being totally slammed. I'm ~6'1"/32" inseam and even though I'm using a low stack height Ergon Saddle, wouldn't be able to move up to a 200mm dropper.

Just finished a new Orbea Wild custom build and have the newest 200mm AXS dropper arriving this week and since the post diameter is the same (31.6mm), I will install it on my Crestline S180 to see how it fits.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

Curious on whether anyone confirmed what the max reverb AXS could be slammed into an RH3.

SEATPOST INSERTION​

RH2 | 240mm (Slam a 150mm AXS or run a 175mm 20mm out of the frame)
RH3 | 270mm (Slam a 180mm AXS or run a 200mm 15mm out of the frame)
RH4 | 310mm (Slam a 225mm AXS post or run a 250mm 20mm out of the frame)
*SRAM AXS seatpost used as reference

 

[ccornacc]

I have an S180 RH3 and am running a 1st gen 170mm AXS Dropper with about 20mm room before being totally slammed. I'm ~6'1"/32" inseam and even though I'm using a low stack height Ergon Saddle, wouldn't be able to move up to a 200mm dropper.

Just finished a new Orbea Wild custom build and have the newest 200mm AXS dropper arriving this week and since the post diameter is the same (31.6mm), I will install it on my Crestline S180 to see how it fits.

View attachment 174012 View attachment 174013

Thank you! I got a response from Troydon as well for the new fame. He mentioned for an RH3, you could fit 200mm Reverb AXS with about 10mm from being slammed. That will work enough for me.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

Curious if you ever ridden four bar bikes? I have been on a Levo forever, and just landed one of these CL frames(). Ive never ridden VPP and have read different opinions about it. Guess I am just wondering how the two compare.

I understand about the KB, which kind of sucks because I LOVE my Onyx hubs. Silence is golden haha. I have a set of classics I am going to run and see if its an issue for me.

FWIW, the sidekick runs very quiet.

I was on a few iterations of a 4 bar/Horst before my Spectre. I ran an ochain prior and with VPP kickback numbers about double I immediately went with a sidekick.

To me the VPP in comparison to Horst, tends to handle the high speed chuck better. While it jumps amazingly it tends to want to stick to the ground more on bunny hop type maneuvers.

 

[Scford]

Curious if you ever ridden four bar bikes? I have been on a Levo forever, and just landed one of these CL frames(). Ive never ridden VPP and have read different opinions about it. Guess I am just wondering how the two compare.

I understand about the KB, which kind of sucks because I LOVE my Onyx hubs. Silence is golden haha. I have a set of classics I am going to run and see if its an issue for me.

I ride both acoustic and ebikes, for eebs I’ve been on a heckler, bullit, levo, gen1 and gen2 levo sl, 1st gen orbea rise, oso, yt… of course the crestline and maybe 1 or 2 others im not thinking of at the moment.

For me the vpp has always felt more supple and bottomless opposed to 4 bar feeling more dead, and ramps up quicker than i like, feels shorter on travel than it is.

This is just my opinion though, i know lots of friends who prefer 4 bar, it really is just preference. I really like the way yeti switch infinity rides, im not sure if its considered a type of 4 bar or not . I haven’t been on santa cruz’s new ebikes, they seem to get good reviews and I’d be happy to try one just not buy it blindly without a demo.