The Vassago Bandersnatch Tested

Frame: Vassago Bandersnatch Large (Grey) ’07

Weight: 28 pounds(cheesy bathroom scale). The frame could easily be built in the low 20s but this was a budget build

Rider: 5’10”, 150 lbs. Enjoy long walks on the beach and back rubs

The wonderful people at Vassago gave us this frame to build. How do I know they’re wonderful? They have Stone Brewing listed as their favorite brewery! Instant credibility, as far as I’m concerned. The frame itself is long and primed for cruising the countryside at speed. Coming from a Santa Cruz Heckler, the wheelbase feels quite long. Almost more of large-scale XC rig …lengthy and fast.

Downer Stuff: Lets get this out of the way first. This frame is an ’07 Large. The only thing I’d change about the frame would be to tack on a replaceable derailleur hanger. This is a steel frame so I imagine the existing one would be very tough to bend. Still, this isn’t really a valid complaint as Vassago already remedied the situation, slapping a replaceable hanger on the ’08 model. Problem solved!

Another might be the weight but again, part selection would help lighten the load. Still, I never felt hindered despite the almost 30 pound weight.

Lugs on a mountain bike? Sweet!

One of the obvious downsides, you would think, would be the lack of suspension. Yes and No. Picking your line on a downhill becomes more of a necessity than an option. Full rigid becomes a teacher much like the caretaker in Happy Gilmore, with the philosophy: “You will go to sleep or I will put you to sleep”. The Bandersnatch will gladly allow you to flow with the trails or it will make you flow them. If you find yourself lazily descending a technical section prepare to be bitch-slapped back into understanding that YOU are all the suspension this bike needs.

Still, I cringe to list this as a downside. On the contrary, I’ve noticed my handling skills have progressed rapidly with the lack of any squish.

Good Vibes: The steel frame has been a trusty friend on my road bike, but this was the first steel mountain bike I’ve owned. Vassago uses 4130 Chromoly tubing dubbed “R-Tech” . This and the large 29 inch wheels help to serve as a minimalist’s sort of suspension. It really is surprising how much the frame deadens any bad vibrations and will even encourage you on small drops. Drops on a 29er? It can and will be done when you’re on the Bandersnatch.

I’ll admit, it does take a couple rides to get used to the shear size of the tires and wheels. Normally I’m a habitual bunny-hopper but a long frame can make you feel skill-less in a hurry. Even so, by my fourth ride I was hopping tall curbs with confidence and speed. This is where the Bandersnatch sheds it’s cocoon and shows you it’s wings. Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re pedaling some nambi pambi cross country rig whose sole purpose is to avoid fun, keeping you riding fireroads all day. OH NO, the Bandersnatch welcomes all terrain and is ready to rip all but the hairiest sections. I imagine a suspension fork with a small but firm amount of travel would make this ride and absolute dream.

Speedin’ through the jungle

Whoever said 29ers are big and unresponsive didn’t tell Vassago. I’d read reviews of the Bandersnatch listing its prime weakness as tight switchbacks. I’ll gladly disagree. As long as there’s room for the wheels to roll, the bike will follow you through the tightest of turns.

The elusive Bandersnatch stalks it’s unsuspecting prey

The foundation for the Bandersnatch’s greatness is obviously the 29 inch wheels. The first ride characteristic that sticks out he most was the ability to maintain rolling speed. Yes, this bike rips up trails and singletrack but its ever present forte is the ability to keep that average speed up. Those fellas at Vassago named this ride quite appropriately after the mythical Bandersnatch that travels the land at incredible speed.

Bandersnatch in its stomping grounds

The ODIS fork (Oh Damn It’s Smooth) is an excellent three piece fork. There’s almost no flex at all. Also steel, it dulls the edge of the small bumps and keeps all your pedal energy efficient. High speed downhills are an absolute thrill, provided there are no jarring washerboard sections. The sacrifice of no suspension can and will get you into trouble on high speed descents. I was on a fireroad downhill when the road turned rough in a hurry. Instantly my hands were struggling to keep a grip making it difficult to find the brake levers. A swap to suspension fork would be a good solution but I think working with the rigid has been highly challenging and highly rewarding.

Verdict:

Don’t be deceived by it’s no suspension, no frills looks. The Bandersnatch excels in all areas. I did notice I’ve been climbing in lower gears. Possibly a result of the larger wheel radius. However it still climbs confidently and quickly. In the tightest of turns you’ll notice the big wheels turn a little slower but as long as you have decent balance it’s manageable.

Rolling, winding singletrack and high speed downhills will be eaten alive by the Bandersnatch. Again, the only thing keeping you from achieving light speed may be the rigid fork. With a short-travel suspension fork the Bandi would be unstoppable.

The Bandersnatch has all the speedy traits of a road bike but is more than ready to take punishment and even dish out a little of its own along the way.

Recommended? Oh, hell yes. I was skeptical that 29ers were a gimmick. Not so. The big wheels definitely have advantages. I’ll not say 29 inch wheels are superior to 26, or vice versa. It’s simply a different style of ride…albeit an excellent one.

Despite my Bandersnatch’s hefty 28 pounds I found it an all-out thrillride and have opted to ride it over my Heckler. Like a slutty female trainer, it’ll whip your ass into shape but reward for your efforts. A highly capable machine, it could easily double as an XC race rig or a full bore all-mountain shredding beast. Don’t have a Bandersnatch? Get one!

Final Spec:

Fork: Vassago ODIS

Wheels: Bontranger Superstock

Tires: WTB Exiwolf 2.3 (F&R)

Brakes: Hayes Mags, 7″ front & 6″ rear

Drivetrain: SRAM X7 (shifters, F&R derailleurs)

Seatpost: Sette Ryde ST-850 dropper

Cranks: Truvativ Firex

Cockpit: Cane Creek S3 headset, Spank Lounge Bar, Spank Not 1.5 Timer stem, OURI grips

Pedals: Xpedo