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English => Parts & Bikes => Topic started by: Timmer74 on January 05, 2017, 01:30:29 AM

Title: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: Timmer74 on January 05, 2017, 01:30:29 AM
Hey all,
Do any of you have any feedback on the WTP Utopia frame (2016/17)?

It looks like the Utopia is sort of WTP's version of the Intrikat (I like the lower standover on the Utopia though). However, finding an 20" Intrikat is next to impossible at the moment. Maybe S&M will produce more soon though. Who knows...

Anyway, just wondering what any of you might have to say about the Utopia frame.

cheers!
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: metalbmxer on January 05, 2017, 03:29:17 AM
I say go for it
A couple years back there was a Mexican flat rider absolutely killing it on his
Hop whips and bike flips
Seemed to hold up without a peep
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: out~riding on January 05, 2017, 12:20:03 PM
It's basically a street frame, you won't be breaking it. I haven't heard anyone complain about it.
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: out~riding on January 05, 2017, 12:21:06 PM
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRAy5knuAsA#)
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: DaddyCool on January 05, 2017, 08:55:38 PM
Hi,
I have got the 2014 (?) version in 19.4" and have built it up as an additional bike. So I do not use it often and can not tell you about the strength (nevertheless I am pretty sure it is strong).
During the assembly I realised some aspects you might consider:
- The back end is very wide to accept 2.3" or 2.4" tires. Thus you can not use big sprockets. Maybe this is less critical for the new one because it has 13" CS instead of 12.4" like mine has. For mine I would say 25T is the maximum.
- The dropout are very small. Even 38 mm pegs can not be used when the backwheel is slammed. A bad design from my point of view, but with half links it can be done (not slammed but around the middle of the dropout).
- The clamping power of the intergrated seat post is not so good. I had to tighten it very hard to prevent slipping of the seat post.
In general I would say it is a very good frame.
Good luck with your new bike!
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: Timmer74 on January 06, 2017, 01:47:31 AM
Thanks for the replies guys. Interesting about the rear end on the '14. I ride a 25t sprocket so that shouldn't be an issue. Especially as how the new CS is longer too. The dropout size is sort of concerning to me though. I'd noticed in pictures that they seemed tiny.

I'm not completely sold on the Utopia frame... just considering it at the moment.

Not that you all asked (or probably care :) ).... but, I'm currently riding a 20.25" La Bastille. Loving the frame for the most part but wondering if it's juuuust a wee tad too long. I'm 6' (or ~183 cm for you metric folk) with longish limbs. I only ride flat too. I'm sneaking up on 43 and have been back in the flat world for almost 3 years now. I took 23 or so years off (pissed at myself for that now...). But, I don't really ride like I used to on my Haro Master back in the day either. No rear brakes, not really a big "scuffing" trick guy, and no more "hopping" tricks either (ha!)! Not that there's anything wrong with any of that... I just find myself trying to see if I can ride more like the "kids" these days (sadly I can't all that well... yet :) ). I try to get at least 1-2 hours in a day if I can.

I'm finding it crazy how many options/configurations there are now too. Back in the day, I saved up for  my Master and that was more or less that (I still have it too!). I didn't think about frame size, bar size/height/sweeps, fork offsets, etc. But, now that I'm older and can afford to sort of experiment with different parts I tend to do that :).

My first modern geo frame was:
19" Subrosa DTT Flatt: I don't know if I liked it or not. I only rode it for about 3 months before the downtube literally snapped in half. Crazy seeing as how I don't do anything super crazy and I like to think I've done a good job at keeping the pounds off over the years.

Second frame:
19" Intrikat: Seemed like a great frame but I felt as though 19" was too short. S&M makes a 20" but nowhere to be found at the moment it seems.

third/current:
20.25" Haro La Bastille: Like I said above, I really love the frame but wondering if shorter would be better for me. I don't really want to drop to a 19.5" though... at least not before trying a 20".

I know that there's WAY more to finding the right feel/fit than just TT length too. Also, I don't necessarily like the look of "flatland" frames either (Hence all the more street style looking frames above).

Anyway, thanks again for the replies (and for reading this far if you made it!). Feel free to throw more info/opinions/etc if you have it at me in regards to possible frames.

cheers,
Tim

Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: Revig on January 06, 2017, 02:15:14 PM

sorry someone has to ask:
can't you place a little bit backward your bar?  0.25" is such a little lenght
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: Timmer74 on January 06, 2017, 06:47:57 PM
yeah, that is something too that I've been playing with. Right now I'm riding with my bars pretty much in line with my forks (dont really want to push back much more).

But yes, you're right. .25" really isnt much at all.

My problem is more than likely that I'm a kid in a candy store and wants to try it all :).
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: Revig on January 06, 2017, 08:21:59 PM
My problem is more than likely that I'm a kid in a candy store and wants to try it all :).

here  we call that a problem of rich people :D ;)
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: Timmer74 on January 06, 2017, 08:37:13 PM
hah! I was waiting for somebody to say that...

I'm definitely not "rich" (The wife and kids make sure of that ;) ). But yes, I definitely have more money than I did when I was younger! Now if I only had the free time that I had when I was a kid...
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: getzfafive on January 06, 2017, 09:18:32 PM
Changing stems (shorter or longer length) is a better option, than moving the bars around in existing stem. It will give you more or less room while maintaining your preferred angle.
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: getzfafive on January 06, 2017, 09:30:19 PM
BTW - I'm also 6' and I ride a 19.8" TT Colony Sweet Tooth and it feels perfect to me.
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: Timmer74 on January 06, 2017, 10:00:56 PM
totally makes sense with the stem length.

The Sweet tooth is actually one I've been eyeing as well. Thanks for the info there getzfafive!

Obviously, we're different riders but, just for curiosities sake would you mind sharing what stem and bars you ride?
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: DaddyCool on January 06, 2017, 10:38:46 PM
Hi,
I personally do not think that another bar/stem setup can solve the problem of a wrong frame size. For a hang five for example another bar/stem setup may make you feel more comfortable (the grip being closer to the seat for example). But imagine a steamroller position. Now it would be even worse! So if you try to adjust the geometry with the bar position, you will face an even worse setup for other trick in any case.
The frame size should fit for you. Then you can use the bar position you prefer.
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: Timmer74 on January 07, 2017, 12:47:06 AM
Ha! yep, you hit the nail on the head there DaddyCool...

thanks guys! The feedback has been helpful for sure.
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: getzfafive on January 07, 2017, 02:40:44 PM
totally makes sense with the stem length.

The Sweet tooth is actually one I've been eyeing as well. Thanks for the info there getzfafive!

Obviously, we're different riders but, just for curiosities sake would you mind sharing what stem and bars you ride?


I have always kinda preferred smaller bars, I have tried 9" bars a couple of times, but have always gone back down.


I've been riding the same setup for 14 months now.


Colony Exon Handlebar 8.5 (Cut to 25" wide)
Colony Exon Flatland Stem
Primo Pro HD fork (Uncut steerer tube at 167mm)
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: Timmer74 on January 09, 2017, 07:16:53 AM
cool, thanks for the info getzafive.

I ride with stock 9" Intrikat bars (fastpitch forks as well). At one point I tried the 9.5" Intrikat bars and wow were they not for me! I should probably throw them up for sale at some point...that along with some other parts I have laying around collecting dust in my office.
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: LosBananos on February 08, 2017, 01:05:20 AM
I have 20'' utopia for 2 years now. I think you would not feel any difference, i've had 19.4 flybikes tierra, few 20,75'' and 20,5 frames and i have 19.25 khe a-damn in my second bike. I've felt some differences but 19.4 and 20 with basic flatland tricks feel the same for me, but I've felt a lot different doing bunnyhops. Dropouts are bad as DaddyCool said, i had to ad chain link few times because pegs were leaning on the chain stay. I've never had problems with seat clamp, I weight over 100kg and i do a lot of hang 0 but it never slipped. I'm riding on autum bent fork, odyssey lincoln 53mm stem and autum narcobar 8.7''.
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: Timmer74 on February 10, 2017, 02:17:04 AM
Thanks for the feedback! I actually ended up pulling the trigger on a 19.8" Colony Sweet Tooth (found a great deal on 2016 version). So far it feels great... Might be my favorite frame yet. I couldn't imagine trying to ride anything other than flat on a 19.8" though.

The dropouts on the Utopia were what turned me away...

I'll try to throw a bike check up at some point just to share.

cheers and thanks again for all the great feedback!
Tim
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: metalbmxer on February 10, 2017, 08:24:56 PM
Thanks for the feedback! I actually ended up pulling the trigger on a 19.8" Colony Sweet Tooth (found a great deal on 2016 version). So far it feels great... Might be my favorite frame yet. I couldn't imagine trying to ride anything other than flat on a 19.8" though.

The dropouts on the Utopia were what turned me away...

I'll try to throw a bike check up at some point just to share.

cheers and thanks again for all the great feedback!
Tim

great choice and glad you are liking it! what color did you get? any issues with the build?

Feel to free to post pics!
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: Timmer74 on February 14, 2017, 06:05:37 AM
Thanks metal. I have the dark blue frame. However, I took off the "Sweet Tooth" decals  and replaced it with the more standard white block "Colony". I didn't care for the more colorful decals...

The build went together really smoothly. I didn't even need to change the length of my chain which was nice.

I'm out of town until the end of the week but I'll try to put up a build sometime soon.
Title: Re: WTP Utopia feedback
Post by: Timmer74 on February 22, 2017, 06:23:10 PM
For those interested, I put up a bike check over in that part of the forum...