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One Ride Review: Xprezo Wuuu 650B Short Travel Trail Mountain Bike

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Xprezo-Wuuu-650-MTB-clean

I sometimes feel bad for the reps working demo days like Dirt Fest at Raystown Lake, in Central PA.  With 47 miles of amazing trails to rip, they know you’re not bringing the bike back in an hour, and you know you’re not bringing the bike back in an hour, so why do we kid each other? The first morning at Dirt Fest was bright and sunny after several days of rain.  Antoine, the Xprezo Sales guy, and I had just come to that awkward part of the transaction, when as if reading my mind he says, “Just get it back when you can”.  With a clear conscience, I hit the first climb on a Wuuu 650, even more psyched for the day of riding to follow.

Antoine made the trip from Quebec, where Cycles Xprezo is located.  Their bikes are hand-made, and the Wuuu sports the company’s trademark mix of aluminum and steel, and uses a simple single pivot design.  The wispy looking steel rear triangle adds to the bikes overall hand-made looks and I like the idea of a strong, compliant, and repairable rear.

Xprezo-Wuuu-650-MTB-Tire-Clearance

The merits of 27.5” for a Trail bike are hard to argue against (gauntlet thrown).  For the flowing 47 mile pump track that is Raystown, the 120mm suspension Wuuu was right in the Goldilocks zone.  Good traction for climbing the muddy trails, flickable enough to carve endless turns, and with sufficient cush to save me when I caught too much air and landed front-heavy.   With bigger wheels comes smaller clearance for tires, and at first look I worried the Wuuu’s tight rear triangle would muck up in the wet trail conditions.  But the upper cross piece on the rear end is fairly flat and close enough to the wheel to carve the mud off as you go.  Despite a lot of Pennsylvania clay, I had no issues with mud clogging up the wheel or front derailleur.  There are likely large-volume 27.5” tires that won’t fit the Wuuu, but that’s true with a lot of bigger wheeled frames.

The size large frame felt small, and with a relatively low slung handlebar, the riding position leaned toward XC.  Comfortable but efficient feeling, I wouldn’t hesitate to enter a XC race on the Wuuu.  The bike felt competitive in weight and the parts spec met its price range (high 4 thousands).  There are faster looking hydro-pressed cookie cut bikes out there, but I have a soft spot for simple and durable bikes like the Wuuu which look fast because you’re moving fast on them.

Xprezo-Wuuu-650-MTB-Muddy

After many slick but fast miles, I have nothing but praises for the Wuuu.  Dropping off a ridiculously muddy bike many hours later, I had a few pangs of guilt, but the houseboat hot-tub and a few beers took care of it.   Look for the unique fleet of Xprezo bikes at a demo near you.  They will be at NEMBAfest in Vermont next month, but expect there to be one less size Large Wuuu if I get there before you.

Xprezo.ca

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ifbikes
ifbikes
9 years ago

color changing stantions too! what do you mean by “repairable”?

Eastcoaster
Eastcoaster
9 years ago

I have spoken to Antoine numerous times when I owned an Xprezo Gamjam. I can tell you that Antoine’s/Xprezo’s customer service is second to none. He would even handle a question via the phone rather than accomplish the same over email. Awesome.

Domfortin
Domfortin
9 years ago

Good Job Antoine !

Awesome Bikes,Great people.

rodd heino
rodd heino
9 years ago

@ifbikes, i believe he means that it’s made of a new ultra strong alloy called niobium. unlike aluminum it can be re welded without requiring heat treating. amazing stuff. You may have heard of it.

😉

DesertWolf
DesertWolf
9 years ago

The rear triangle is made of steel. Thus, it can be easily repaired in case of heavy damage by any competent frame builder. Andy Gilmour here in Tucson charges about $150 to cut out a and replace damaged tube.

I Much more difficult to repair carbon, and aluminum is pretty much toast if you break it. Welding in steel is easy.

Matt Miller
Matt Miller
9 years ago

John,
It was great to meet you @ Dirt Fest, don’t worry you weren’t the only one who had an extended demo. Lots of people apologized for long rides, I heard the same thing all weekend. It was such a fun bike and so different, I didn’t want to bring it back. Anyway, I’m glad you had a good ride and liked the Wuuu, I love mine!

Mitch
Mitch
9 years ago

@DesertWolf, Tuscon may be an exception, but in my experience it’s pretty hard to find someone willing to repair steel. Plenty of competent frame builders in my area, just not very many willing to take on the job, especially not for $150.
On the other hand, there are literally dozens of carbon frame repair businesses opening up clamoring for a $150 job and it looks as good as new when performed right. Carbon is extremely repairable.

My $0.02.

Pascii
Pascii
9 years ago

– pretty sure the folks at Xprezo would be willing to fix it if something ever happened to that rear end.

Brigand
9 years ago

, Tuscon is an exception, i know of few people that can TIG weld steel even in my neck of woods. One thing about steel rear ends is they wont stretch out and go out of alignment in few seasons of hard riding like alu does, good thinking Xprezzo!!!

Paully
Paully
9 years ago

So that’s where all the larges went over the weekend. I couldn’t nab one despite checking in every 2-3 hours over Saturday and Sunday.

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