The Banshee Scream received an initial impressions mini-review on NSMB in July, and after half a dozen rides the bike tests were positive. However, a more in-depth analysis in a variety of conditions, tweaking the various adjustments available on the bike, was necessary in order to complete the review.

Shaken not stirred.

Eamonn and I did the majority of testing over the summer, with some help from our buddies Angus and Brent, who bought their Scream frames from On Top Bike Shop after trying our test bikes.

The Scream was designed by Syncros originator Pippin Osborne as a private contract for Bow Cycles in Calgary. The Bow folks wanted a beefy freeride bike that was reasonably priced and guaranteed to last. The prototypes turned out so well that Pippin got some investors together and started mass producing Banshees. The bike is as solid as a tank, probably the most durable bike on the market. What’s surprising is that despite its hefty build and heavy frame (13 pounds) the Banshee is nimble and responsive on the trail.

Rider: Trevor Hansen. Photo: Noel Hendrickson

The sad reality of our sport is that all bikes can break. However, if enough precautions are taken by the manufacturer, the rate of failure can be reduced. The fact that Banshee has a 10-year warranty shows the manufacturer’s confidence in the materials, design and setup

Materials The materials on this bike focus on thickness and strength. The head tube is 14mm thick and cold forged into one piece. The chainstays are made with an internal rib for extra reinforcement, the main tubes are made from the thickest Easton RAD tubing available and the rocker arm is twice as thick as a Kona rocker arm and made from 7075 aluminum. The arm pivot bearings are skateboard bearings that are easy and inexpensive to replace, as are the GM automatic transmission bearings used for the bottom pivot. Of the four frames tested, none needed any bearing work after a full summer of heavy riding.

Banshee Tubes in cross section

The welds on these bikes are bomber. Banshee reinforced the head tube and the seatpost/toptube weld with a plate weld to distribute stress. The plate is only welded on the sides and not on the end where stress can be amplified. Pippin’s engineering background shows through in details like these.

The beginning of a Scream bottom bracket shell

Design Pippin’s design uses a rocker arm similar to the Kona Stab and Stinky 5 and 6. The key difference is that you can change the travel to 6”,7” or 8”. Each of the settings were tested at the start of the summer but all four test riders settled on the 8” mode for the rest of the test period. The lower travel setting works well for climbing and dirt jumping.

Choose between 6, 7 and 8 inches of travel

The adjustment Eamonn and I fiddled around with most was the wheelbase. Mini bolts in the horizontal dropouts can be adjusted to set your wheelbase tight or long. The tight base slows the rebound and gives a rising rate more suitable for big hits and tight turns - perfect for the Shore. The longer wheelbase setting, which is further back on the horizontal dropouts, gives a more linear rising rate. This increases rebound for smaller hits, thereby serving up a smoother ride over bumps at high speed. You can either use a quick release to clamp your wheel in or use a bolt-on axle setup. This bolt kit and the axle should be made available to you - by the dealer - for no extra charge.There are other goodies as well like a telescoping seatpost, front derailleur and useful spare parts. Click here to see what comes in a complete frame kit. Pippin assures us dealers shouldn't be charging you anything extra for these.

Eamonn Duignan ~ Rosehill road gap.

The frame can take a 24” or 26” wheel. The 24” gives a raked out feel to the bike and when it's set on the shorter wheelbase setting it offers excellent tight cornering and tracking. The 26” wheel is better suited to a longer wheelbase setting making it the best choice for downhillers. The 26” wheel will also roll over obstacles more easily. Eamonn and I rode the 24” whenever we rode the Shore and we both switched to the 26” for downhilling in Whistler, but changing wheels and cassettes got to be too much hassle so we both stuck with the 24” for the rest of the summer. The 24” isn’t quite as smooth over the small bumps but it still works well downhilling. Brent Upson has been riding his Scream with a 26” set on the short wheelbase all summer and he loves the bigger wheel in all conditions.

The Setup
The complete Scream bikes come in a Gucci or Journeyman package with the big difference being the up front: Boxxers for Gucci and Psylos for Journeyman. I am a Boxxer lover so I was happy to receive a pair of 2003 Team Boxxers to test - thanks to Jed from RockShox.

The '03 Team Boxxer was sweet for the first 5 or 6 rides. The rebound and low/high speed compression adjustments made it easy to tune, but it didn’t come with a big enough drop crown so it could not be set up with a full 7”. The springs were not heavy enough to keep me from hitting bottom. As a result the bottom out bumper failed. As this is being written Rockshox is sending a new bumper and some heavy springs. These forks will be put through some serious testing this fall with a review to follow.

Eamonn riding Rosehill

The Ride
Having exposed the Scream to the big hits, skinnies, steeps and flow of Williams Lake, Kamloops, Kelowna, Whistler, Squamish, Pemberton, Seattle, and of course the Shore, Eamonn and I both feel the Banshee Scream provides all the elements necessary for hardcore freeriding: it takes the punishing landings, tracks through bermed and flat corners smoothly and it has a stiff rear triangle for log rides. On top of that the pivot design allows easy climbing on steep single track, logs and rocks and the adjustable wheelbase provides adaptability for different terrain and riding styles. Most important for all four of the test riders was the strength of the frame; this is a welcome feature considering how many frames the four of us have broken. (Too many to count - Ed.)

The Future
For 2003 Banshee is planning to offer fork options like: Manitou Dorados, Marzocchi Monsters, Supers and Junior Ts as well as RockShox Boxxers. In the rear you’ll be able to choose from Fox RC, Fifth Element, Romic and Risse. These options will be available this January. Some shops, including On Top in North Van are already offering fork options on their Screams.

Trevor Hansen with Eamonn Duignan

Spec Gucci: Journeyman: 4.5 3.5 Ride: 5.0 Price: 4.5 Overall: 4.5

Check out the new Banshee site for dealers and distributors as well as some sweet eye candy.

Tested by ~ Trevor Hansen with Eamonn Duignan - nsmb freeride team members