First things first: this is not a new bike. The frame design has been around since Chumba founder Ted Tanouye first started welding up XCLs in Southern California back in 2002. The details—like stiffening ribs at the linkage plates and going to a stiffer, wider-diameter seat tube—have evolved organically over the years.
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Even though Chumba bills the XCL as a cross-country bike, and despite the fact the company’s website address includes the word “racing,” you won’t likely see many XCLs lined up at the start of any serious XC race.
The frame without a shock weights 6.2 pound, for a medium. There is but one butted tube on whole frame—the seat tube—and it’s oversized. Everything else is straight-gauge 6061, and aluminum plates and gussets abound. Indeed, in a world of swoopy carbon fiber and hydroformed aluminum, this bike doesn’t even look fast.
So without getting all hung up on categories, let’s be clear: this is a “trail bike”—and it’s a pretty good one at that. And if we’re talking looks, then you have to admit the XCL looks tough. Frankenstein-tough, maybe, but who’s going to mess with Frankenstein?
After trying a few different build kits on this frame over the course of more than a year, this mostly XT and all-Fox setup suited it nicely (29 pounds complete, sans pedals). Admittedly, you could probably hang this build kit on any bike and come away happy, but the frame deserves some credit too. The XCL’s extra beefy seat tube helps keep the front triangle stiff and responsive, and its 69-degree headtube angle and 73-degree seat tube angle provided nice, neutral handling on most trails.
The bike’s 5 inches of progressive, Horst-link rear suspension sucks up rocky sections and gets you up and through climbs with equal aplomb. The Fox TALAS 140 15QR makes it easy to flick a switch and go from 5 to 4 to 3 inches of travel, gluing the wheel to the ground as the headtube angle steepens for climbs.
The XCL comes in three sizes, and this size large’s 24-inch toptube and 16.75-inch chainstays made it easier than most bikes to pull up into a wheelie to get up and over an obstacle, but its 44-inch wheelbase added stability at speed.
One of the most significant changes to the XCL in its six years of service came when Chumba started having its frames built overseas—cutting the price significantly. A frame with RP23 can be had for just $1,400. After months of riding, the XCL has yet to produce a creak.
Chumba is working on a new version of the XCL, with a carbon swingarm and some hydroformed tube. While it might be more at home lining up for an XC start, it’ll cost about four bills more and will lose some of its no-frills, tough-as-nails charm.
Highs: Good bang for the buck; bomber construction, good all-around trail bike Lows: Heavy; some of the Chumba-brand parts (especially the seat QR clamp and the saddle) were sub-par
Reader Comments
Posted Fri Sep19, 2008, 7:02 PM — By Socal Chumbeister
I bought my Chumba in April with the All Mountain build kit. I have been riding it hard 3-5 times a week in the local trails. Drops, rocks, steeps, fast single tracks and climbs -- it really handles everything and sturdy like a mule.
I'm still trying to dial in the suspension but overall it's been a joy to ride. The fox RP23 in the rear and Talas 32 RLC forks are a great combo.
My only complaint is that one of the bolts on the bottom bracket links behind the front chain ring came loose and I had to tear it apart to get at it. But no biggie. Overall, great product and takes a ton of abuse.
The standover height is not great for smaller riders, I'm 5'5" and not blessed with long legs, so I get a little nervous doing some of the beefier rock gardens; but it's rare that if you go down you'll be knocking your jewels.
I had an unexpected dismount a month ago and am anxious to get back in the saddle. Like Chris wrote, you get a lot of bike for the buck.
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